Jetsettersblog

This year marks the 20th anniversary of operations for Rainforest Adventures, who opened their first park in Costa Rica in 1994, and have since gone on to create one of the world’s most recognized sustainable adventure park companies, with current operations in four countries and plans for expansion.

With two parks in Costa Rica, Rainforest Adventures has undertaken a number of initiatives to help protect the environment, engage with local residents, and educate guests on the importance of sustainability practices. And, many of these initiatives started during to construction of the first park, Costa Rica Atlantic, in 1994. According to the Rainforest Alliance, Earth University and Costa Rican Tourism Institute, these two parks are the model for best practices in the world when it comes to sustainable development and operations.

“When we decided to build our first park in Costa Rica, we had two choices: cut down trees to build our aerial tram experience, or find a way to preserve the pristine environment,” says Joaquín von der Goltz, president of Rainforest Adventures. “While it was complicated and expensive to construct the aerial tram without removing trees, for me, the decision was easy – we had to protect the rainforest. Otherwise, why build a park to help educate visitors on the importance of rainforest conservation?”

During the construction of the Costa Rica Atlantic park, local loggers were hired to help with the erection of the aerial tram lift. Rather than cut down part of the 1,200-acre rainforest in order to create a lift-line (much like a chairlift at a ski resort), the tram was completed without cutting down a single tree. By using helicopters to construct the tram (and, in turn, all future trams at the other parks), the result was an untouched rainforest environment, where guests could travel at canopy level, and view the flora and fauna in an in-depth, immersive experience.

This initial commitment to sustainability continues to present day. All park locations and operations in Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, and St Lucia have on-going practices in place to reduce the impact on the environment on a day-to-day basis, including park-wide environmental management systems and an extensive recycling program for both guests and staff. The environmental management system includes: an energy savings plan where all electricity is measured and reduced whenever possible, thereby reducing the reliance on bio-diesel; a management plan for liquid and solid waste generated in parks; a water saving plan that involves water-saving taps, urinals and toilets; and a response plan for the care and management of potential spills. The recycling program for guests and local teams includes international signage to help identify the correct containers for plastic, metal, glass, paper, compostable and non-recyclable waste.

In addition to these programs, Rainforest Adventures has a commitment to buying local, and encouraging their guests to do the same. The parks have an agreement with local artisans in which they are invited to showcase their crafts for sale to guests. And, more than 95 per cent of food and beverage available for park guests is derived from local products produced by local farmers.

With a focus on social sustainability, Rainforest Adventures employs more than 500 local, multilingual guides at their parks. Each guide adds depth and colour to the visitor experience by sharing insider information about the region’s rainforests, native plants and animals and about local customs, cultures and traditions

Rainforest Adventures is committed to minimizing their overall impact on the environment, while encouraging their guests to take the in-park methods and apply them at home. Parks feature education centres where guests can learn about conservation and the importance of preserving the world’s natural resources. Understanding that youth are future policymakers, Rainforest Adventures pays special attention to this demographic by offering a number of all-age, family-centric experiences, activities and exhibitions that are designed to empower and educate youth about the environment.

And, with the commitment to sustainability, government and NGOs have taken notice. Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific has been recognized for its sustainability by the country’s government, earning an Ecological Flag, a Blue Flag, a Decree of National Interest for the Republic of Costa Rica and Certification for Sustainable Tourism. Both Costa Rica parks were verified by the Rainforest Alliance– a standard recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council – achieving the highest rating possible. In 2012, EARTH University officially certified the Costa Rica Atlantic park as carbon neutral, Costa Rica’s first tour operation to receive a carbon neutral title.

For more information about Rainforest Adventures, visit www.rainforestadventure.com.

About Rainforest Adventures
With tour operations in Panama and award winning, adrenaline-inducing adventure parks located in Costa Rica (both Pacific and Atlantic), Saint Lucia, and Jamaica, Rainforest Adventures locations serve as ecotourism attractions, nature reserves and wildlife refuges. Since 1994, the company has been combining unique rainforest adventures such as aerial trams, bobsleds and zip line rides, with exceptional, multi-lingual naturalist guides, giving each guest an educational, adventurous, sustainable and unforgettable rainforest experience. For more information, visit www.rainforestadventure.com

Costa Rican Culinary Tasting Tour: June 1 – 7, 2014
Hosted by award-winning Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort

Glenn and Teri Jampol, the owners of award-winning Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort, are on a mission to showcase the amazing flavors of Costa Rica for their guests during a six night, six day culinary tour, June 1 – 7, 2014.

Called the Costa Rican Culinary Paradise Week, guests will be introduced and guided by chef instructor MikeC., author of Kitchen on Fire and creator of Wine Country Culinary Adventures in Napa , and international culinary adventurer Gilad Chudler, of Costa Rica Culinary Tours. Together with the Jampols, their goal is to showcase some of the best local artisan foods and beverages that Costa Rica has to offer, including:

- Tour of Finca Rosa Blanca`s Rainforest Alliance Certified, organic coffee farm and tasting;
- Visit to Heredia`s Central Farmers Market;
- Cooking class and pairing artisanal cheeses with local craft brews;
- A day of nature hikes and tours of cacao, vanilla and pepper farms;
- Visit to Ark Herb Farm and Meadery;
- Mead and honey with goat cheese pairing over lunch; and
- Chocolate Tasting and lunch at Sibu Fine Chocolates workshop.

And there will be cooking classes and fine dining, based on the raw ingredients of vanilla, chocolate, coffee and pepper stirred in throughout the itinerary.

The total cost of Costa Rican Culinary Paradise Week is $3095 USD per person for double occupancy and $3,995 USD per person for single occupancy, and includes, five nights accommodation, all meals, cooking classes, guided tours and in-country transportation. More information and reservations are available at www.fincarosablanca.com

An ecolodge steeped in authentic Costa Rican culture
Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort is located just 20 minutes from the San José International Airport, set in the highlands of the beautiful Central Valley. At 4,000 feet above sea level, the lodge’s property offers acres of tropical gardens and paths and a thriving, 30-acre hard bean organic shade grown coffee plantation.

From the beginning, the Jampol family envisioned the creation of an exclusive boutique inn which would become one of the world’s leading hotels, combining luxurious accommodations and amenities, cultural authenticity, environmental respect and sustainable tourism. Today, they have fulfilled this dream and the resort is recognized as one of the globe’s top destinations, demonstrating that it is possible and necessary to combine luxury with sustainability.

When it comes to the overall guest experiences, Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort offers 13 uniquely designed rooms (two master suites and 11 junior suites), each featuring private verandas, sweeping valley and volcano views and artistic décor. Common guest areas include a picturesque lobby with 40-foot ceilings, skylights and tropical gardens; a private office centre with internet service, computer and printer; eight acres of tropical gardens and paths, complete with a spring-fed swimming pool and waterfall and a commodious hot tub.

A gift shop features local crafts, organic skincare products and chocolate, and guests can enjoy a full-service spa, and a gourmet restaurant featuring garden to table innovative dishes.

About the Chefs & Guides:
Costa Rica Culinary Adventures is the brainchild of American Chef Gilad Chudler, who lives with his wife, Costa Rica native Natalia Schyfter, in the Central Valley outside of San Jose. Formerly one of the Bay Area’s most popular culinary instructors, Chudler founded Plátano Verde, a green-based catering and event planning firm, in 2012. His clients include award-winning hotels (including Hotel Sugar Beach, for which he recently served as a consulting executive chef) and restaurants (including ProductC), as well as the prestigious Punto de Vista Villa in Manuel Antonio.

While most chefs spend their entire careers working in restaurants, MikeC. was always hooked on teaching. In 2002, while completing his studies at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, he began working for Sur La Table as a resident instructor and manager of their in-store culinary program, which included assisting such visiting celebrity chefs as Martin Yan, Jamie Oliver, Alton Brown and Michael Chiarello. Now based in Napa Valley, MikeC. has led cooking classes and winemaker dinners at Cedar Gables Inn (among other venues) for nearly a decade. MikeC. has been featured on numerous television programs, including the Travel Channel’s “Great Weekend Getaways with Samantha Brown.” He was selected by Circulon, one of the largest cookware brands in the world to serve as the guest host of the first-ever web-based cooking show series, “Hungry Bytes” and was featured as the most recent host of the long-running TV series Organic Living with the Hippy Gourmet, filmed on location in Mexico, Belize, and New Zealand, as well as Northern California.

Pleasant Holidays’ luxury travel brand Journese added Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa, a five-star beach resort in the 1,670-acre reserve Guacalito de la Isla on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast. To promote the launch, Journese is offering travel agents complimentary nights at the resort for bookings made Nov. 1-Dec. 15 for travel Jan. 5-Oct. 30, 2014.

The hotel has 37 ocean view accommodations and 12 beach villas. Each one has two bedrooms, a private pool, a garden and an outdoor shower. It has an 18-hole natural golf course, two restaurants, a bar and kids program offering activities such as hiking and biking, crafts and a Turtle Watch program. It also has a spa that has been recognized by Virtuoso as a top facility.

Journese, the luxury brand of Pleasant Holidays, added Panama to its list of destinations, with a portfolio of six resorts, including villas, and a variety of activities and transportation alternatives.

The packages make use of 11 daily nonstop flights to Panama, as well as flights on Delta, American, Spirit and United airlines.

The adventures will focus on rainforests, Pacific and Caribbean coasts and urban and historical attractions of Panama City.

The resorts in the portfolio include Gamboa Rainforest Resort at Gamboa Rainforest; Le Meridien Panama and Trump International in Panama City; JW Marriott Panama Golf and Beach Resort in Playa Blanca; and the Intercontinental hotel PLaya Bonita Resort and Spa and the Westin Playa Bonita Panama in Playa Bonita.

To many people, Caribbean vacations increasingly conjure images of large-scale, feature-filled resorts offering a multitude of amenities, facilities and services amidst an atmosphere of 24-hour non-stop activity. Today, only a handful of destinations offer the quiet beaches, quaint shore towns and a relaxed style of fun atmosphere for which the Caribbean was once known. Belize is one of those destinations.

Belize offers a fairy tale landscape of white sand beaches, lush rainforests and soaring mountains along with accommodations that are upscale and small-scale. The largest hotel has 120 rooms and virtually all activities are accessible from several fun and funky beachfront towns.

But the good times may soon be coming to an end. Norwegian Cruise Line is building a $50 million port development in the Placencia region, one of several projects that will soon drive the country’s annual visitor numbers far above the current 250,000 (about two weeks’ worth of arrivals in Cancun). Here are five reasons to travel to Belize now before the crowds arrive:

BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

Because it is located on Central America’s northeastern coast and also borders the Caribbean Sea, Belize is considered a Central American and Caribbean nation. Belize’s Caribbean coast features an archipelago of sunny islands (known as cayes), that encompass several national parks and offer deserted and pristine beaches and a series of charming shore towns, all easily reached via the well-run local carrier, Tropic Air.

One of the most popular towns is San Pedro, where the streets are so narrow the primary mode of transportation is the humble golf cart. A 190-mile long barrier reef extends along San Pedro’s coastline that offers several world-class dive sites, and the beachfront is lined with dive shops, excursion boats, bars, and restaurants.

Placencia on the other hand has few docks and features miles of uninterrupted beach, perfect for quiet strolling. The town’s main street has one sidewalk leading to several cozy boutique hotels, and the tiny but lively downtown district features small restaurants including Rum Fish y Vino, a gastro-bar featuring local beers and comfort foods with a Belizean twist.

Insider Tip: San Pedro’s Xanadu Island Resort offers a fleet of golf carts for guests. Las Terrazas features furnished townhouses with gourmet kitchens and concierge services. The all-suite Belizean Nirvana Hotel offers beachfront verandas and the town’s first elevator.

THE THRILL OF ADVENTURE

Belize offers travelers a variety of ways to explore the Tarzan within. Cave’s Branch Jungle Lodge in Cayo is an eco-lodge that features upscale lodge accommodations and guided activities ranging from cave exploration to river tubing. Vacationers here can rappel into caverns and float along underground rivers.

Belize’s Shipstern Nature Reserve in Corozal offers hikers 22,000 acres of protected jungle and mangrove forests. Guided treks to the Antelope Falls in Mayflower Bocawina National Park are also available, and Cerros Caye in Corozal Bay features rainforest trails with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. In Hopkins, visitors can opt for kayak tours at the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve.

Insider Tip: For slower-paced activity, rent a bike in Hopkins for local sightseeing.

DIVING IN

Belize offers world-class diving opportunities, highlighted by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve off San Pedro, where divers can find more than 160 species of fish and nearly 40 species of coral, plus nurse sharks and stingrays. Caye Caulker is unquestionably the favorite getaway spot for locals and offers coral reef dives. The South Water Caye Marine Reserve can be reached from Dangriga, and Placencia’s Spash Dive Center offers whale shark diving excursions near Gladden Spit. Day and overnight trips are available to the Great Blue Hole submarine sinkhole, ranked among the world’s 10 best dive sites by Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Insider Tip: Plan Gladden Spit dive trips for the months of April and May, the primary period for whale shark sightings.

HIGH ON CULTURE

Belize features distinct Creole, Mayan, Mexican, Mestizo, Mennonite, Chinese, Indian, Rastafarian, and Garifuna communities and cultures, no doubt a chief reason for the country’s immeasurable charm. A variety of festivals highlight the cuisine, art and music reflected in the many cultures. Dangriga’s Gulisi Museum features a multi-media exploration of Garifuna culture. Travelers can create Mayan meals and handicrafts at San Antonio Village in Cayo or learn Garifuna drum techniques in Hopkins.

Insider Tip: Visit the Belize Tourism Industry Association’s office in Queen Elizabeth Park in Orange Walk town to arrange a trip to a Mestizo village.

WHAT LIES BENEATH

What is today Belize was once the heart of the Mayan empire. Some of that ancient culture’s most important archaeological sites can be found in Belize, and almost all are open to visitors. The historic cultural center of Caracol remains under excavation. Altun-Ha, site of an ancient trading center, covers an area of 25 square miles and features several imposing temples. Located in Belize’s Toledo district, the excavated Mayan city of Lubaantun features structures built of large black slate stone blocks laid without mortar. The site includes three Mesoamerican ball game courts with stone markers and hieroglyphic texts.

Insider Tip: Altun Ha’s 54 foot-high Temple of the Masonry Altars is the logo for Belize’s Belikin beer.

Windstar Cruises has opened the books on its winter 2014-15 Caribbean and Panama Canal voyages.

The new seven-day “Classic Caribbean” itinerary sails on Wind Surf round-trip from Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to

Barbuda, St. Lucia’s Pigeon Island, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts and St. Barthelemy.

Also offered are the seven-day “Jewels of the Windward Islands” on Wind Star which sails round-trip from Barbados to

Pigeon Island, Grenada, Tobago, and Mayreau and Bequia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

The Wind Surf also will operate the seven-day “Yachtsman’s Caribbean” sailing from St. Maarten to

Falmouth Harbour, Antigua (overnight); Soper’s Hole, Tortola; Jost Van Dyke, B.V.I. (overnight); Prickly Pear Beach on Virgin Gorda, B.V.I. (overnight); and St. Barthelemy.

The Wind Spirit will operate seven-day sailings from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, or Colón, Panama, to

Bahía Drake, and Golfito, Costa Rica, and Isla de Coiba and San Blas, Panama.

The ship also will transit the Panama Canal.

Star Pride, Windstar’s first all-suite power yacht, will spend its winter season in Southeast Asia and Arabia.

Banana Coast, the new Western Caribbean cruise port at Trujillo, Honduras, hosted its first cruise ship on Feb. 10 when Travel Dynamics International’s 130-passenger Yorktown visited. Passengers tendered to shore and were welcomed by Garifuna musicians playing the unique style of the Central American music. They shopped for locally made crafts, went on tours to the nearby rainforest and relaxed on the beach.

“It was rewarding to see Banana Coast come to life today with its first cruise passengers,” said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Authoridad, which developed the port.

Banana Coast has shopping, a newly built tender dock, a reception center and transportation hub and 10 acres of beachfront in the town of Trujillo, which was established in 1525. To date, five cruise lines have scheduled 20 calls on eight ships at the first cruise destination on the Honduras mainland. The Honduran island of Roatan, a frequent port of call on cruises, is about 32 miles north.

Holland America Line has committed to a series of port calls to Banana Coast beginning in November through March 2015. Silversea Cruises has scheduled calls in December 2014 and March 2015. P&O Cruises and Oceania Cruises are slated to call in the first quarter of 2015.

Situated within the Bay of Trujillo, Banana Coast has a natural, deep-water harbor that provides protection from winds and waves. Christopher Columbus landed there more than 500 years ago during his last voyage to the Americas.

Since then, the area has been a Spanish colony and was at various times controlled by the Dutch, French, English — and pirates. During the early 20th century it was the banana export capital of the world.

HOPKINS, Belize – Nestled in the sweet spot of southern Belize where the crystal clear Caribbean meets the exotic jungle is Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort.

Though their luxury treehouses located just steps from the beach, Hamansi is also in the perfect location to offer some of Belize’s best land adventures, like a night hike through Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve.

A sanctuary dedicated to the studies of these magnificent big cats, Cockscomb Reserve is home to the natural habitat of some of Belize’s nocturnal animals.

As they explore the reserve in the twilight, adventurers can see some fresh tracks of the elusive jaguar, puma or ocelot and you may even be lucky enough to see one of these wild cats. Other animals guests are likely to encounter on a night walk are foxes and coatis.

There is something magical about walking in the rainforest at night. Adventurers can listen to the calls of the crickets, frogs and birds and enjoy the beauty of a moon trying hard to shine all the way through the forest canopy.

To learn more about Hamanasi’s Adventure and Dive Resort’s tropical paradise and exhilarating excursions, visit www.hamanasi.com

Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat Khaki, L – With no-see-um netting to hold off the bugs, the Outdoor Research Bug Bucket Hat is an ideal choice for mosquito protection when you’re camping in buggy environments. The netting on the Bug Bucket Hat seals around your neck with a drawcord and stuffs into the crown when not in use. Made with UPF 30+ SolarSheild fabric, this Outdoor Research hat also keeps the sun from burning your head and neck. The Bug Bucket hat stuffs into a hidden pocket, allowing it to stow easily when not in use.

Masaya Volcano
Masaya Volcano is the first national park in the
country & was established in 1979. The park includes
a beautiful volcanic lake kno
wn as the “Masaya
Lagoon”. You will explore the surrounding area and
learn the history of the Spanish priests who explored
the volcano and the superstitious beliefs held by the
natives who inhabited the area.
After lunch continue to Masaya, a city that ha
s been
able to recap the authenticity of the people of
Nicaragua. Known as the birth place of the best
painters, drawers, singers, poets and all the art life of
Nicaragua. Masaya possess a unique market that not
only offer the best value crafts and souveni
rs but the
most unusual ones.
Wood carved items, dresses, music, books, authentic leather shoes, belts, ashtrays, ceramics,
Indian designed art, pipes, kitchen items and other objects including food, make this place a
paradise for shoppers with a very str
ong and unique Nicaraguan atmosphere.
On the way back a stop will be made at Catarina view point for a picture of the Apoyo lagoon,
Mombacho Volcano and Granada City
Mombacho Volcano
C
anopy Tour and Nature Reserve
:
Be prepared
to climb and swing through
the trees. The 90
-
minute canopy tour offers a unforgettable
experience sliding down from tree to tree through
seventeen platforms and bridges safely built ,
overlooking the coffee plantations.
Afternoon hike in the Mombacho Natural Reserve: a
rainforest a
nd tropical paradise for nature lovers.
Admire the trail around the crater and its amazing
biodiversity, with incredible views Granada, Lake
Nicaragua and the “Isletas”
-

February 2009
–
Edition No.2
NICARAGUA
–
THE
LAND OF LAKES & VOLCANOES
Masaya Volcano
Masaya Volcano is the first national park in the
country & was established in 1979. The park includes
a beautiful volcanic lake kno
wn as the “Masaya
Lagoon”. You will explore the surrounding area and
learn the history of the Spanish priests who explored
the volcano and the superstitious beliefs held by the
natives who inhabited the area.
After lunch continue to Masaya, a city that ha
s been
able to recap the authenticity of the people of
Nicaragua. Known as the birth place of the best
painters, drawers, singers, poets and all the art life of
Nicaragua. Masaya possess a unique market that not
only offer the best value crafts and souveni
rs but the
most unusual ones.
Wood carved items, dresses, music, books, authentic leather shoes, belts, ashtrays, ceramics,
Indian designed art, pipes, kitchen items and other objects including food, make this place a
paradise for shoppers with a very str
ong and unique Nicaraguan atmosphere.
On the way back a stop will be made at Catarina view point for a picture of the Apoyo lagoon,
Mombacho Volcano and Granada City
Mombacho Volcano
C
anopy Tour and Nature Reserve
:
Be prepared
to climb and swing through
the trees. The 90
-
minute canopy tour offers a unforgettable
experience sliding down from tree to tree through
seventeen platforms and bridges safely built ,
overlooking the coffee plantations.
Afternoon hike in the Mombacho Natural Reserve: a
rainforest a
nd tropical paradise for nature lovers.
Admire the trail around the crater and its amazing
biodiversity, with incredible views Granada, Lake
Nicaragua and the “Isletas”
-
Mombacho Volcano is located 25 minutes outside Granada a
nd one hour from Mukul,
February 2009

CONTACT: Dana Krauskopf
TEL: +011.501.533.7073
EMAIL: Dana@hamanasi.com
WEB: www.hamanasi.com

2014 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards honors Belize resort for romantic ambience and unmatched customer service.

HOPKINS VILLAGE, Belize – Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort has been honored with several awards in Trip Advisor’s 2014 Travelers’ Choice® awards. The eco-friendly resort in Belize was voted as the #1 small hotel in Central America and the #1 romantic accommodations in Belize. Hamanasi also ranked high among transcontinental competitors scoring #8 small hotel in the world and #2 romantic accommodation in Central America.

In the 12th year of the awards, the world’s most outstanding properties were identified in the categories of Top Hotels, Bargain, B&Bs and Inns, Family, Luxury, Romance, and Small Hotels. Travelers’ Choice award winners were determined based on the reviews and opinions of millions of TripAdvisor travelers around the globe.

“Hamanasi is proud to receive these awards,” says owner Dana Krauskopf. “It is evidence of our commitment to customer service excellence and providing the best of Belize on and offshore. We strive for our guests to have the vacation experience of a lifetime.”

“We’re excited to recognize the world’s best properties, based on the opinions of those who know them best – the millions of travelers around the globe who come to TripAdvisor to share their experiences,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “For those seeking inspiration for their 2014 travel planning, this list of spectacular accommodations that received 2014 Travelers’ Choice awards is a perfect place to start.”

Hamanasi was the first beachfront resort in Belize to receive Green Globe certification and is dedicated to being a premier provider of sustainable accommodations and eco-tourism in Central America.

Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort is nestled between sandy beaches and lush rainforest on Belize’s central coast. The boutique resort embodies casual elegance with displays of Belizean hardwood furniture, locally crafted art, fresh Caribbean fusion cuisine, and a warm, welcoming staff. Customer service is a high priority at Hamanasi; employees undergo an extensive training program and share a true sense of pride and ownership in the resort.

At Hamanasi’s Adventure Center, guests can arrange daily reef or rainforest excursions like trips to Mayan cities like Xunantunich and Cahel Pech, Belize atolls, the Southern Barrier Reef, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve, Blue Hole National Park, and the Mayflower Jungle.

For Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort reviews, go to the TripAdvisor hotel review page.To see all 2014 Travelers’ Choice winners, go to www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice. For more information about Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort contact Dana Krauskopf at Dana@hamanasi.com  or call 1-571-405-7664.

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