The
Great Arabian Adventure
A 20- Day True Near East Fantasy Tour of : Egypt , Jordan
and Syria
Weekly Departure from the USA - Year Round
Cairo Skyline , including the Four Seasons and the Hyatt Hotels
Here's
the best of the Near East . Tour Egypt:
A good look at Cairo and a 5-day cruise along the Nile. And even Abu
Simbel Temples as well as Memphis and Sakkara . Arrive any day of the
week. All transfers are
on a private basis. See the top sights in Jordan
and Syria on this locally escorted tour,
including Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum . We'll show you the wonders of fabled
Syria--Roman citadels, Biblical sites, great Omayyad mosques-and the
ancient/modern city of Damascus. Private touring in Abu Simbel
, Cairo , Jordan & Syria . You are part of a 10-15 English Speaking
Group while on board the Nile cruise.
DAY
1 - DEPART - NEW YORK-
Friday -Weekly - Year Round - Air fare add-on available from major cities
Board your Lufthansa , Swiss , Air France or British Airways wide-body
jet at New York's John F Kennedy International Airport for your transatlantic
flight . Egyptair is the only non-stop flight JFK Cairo with an afternoon
arrival into Cairo .
Upgrade
on board Egyptair to business class :$2500 . OR $ 3500 for first class
Roundtrip with tax on Egyptair. ( Subject to change without notice)
For West Coast guests : You need NOT to fly via New York . When you fly
onboard Lufthansa, British Airways , Air France , etc, then you fly non
stop from the West Coast to Europe then connect to Cairo .
Click for Thursday departure
version
Day
2 - CAIRO - Saturday
Our representative greets you at the airport, helps with formalities,
and whisks you to your hotel. Visa fee is included. Visa will be issued
upon arrival for " American, Australian , NZ , Canadian, EU &
Japanese Citizens, you are responsible for having your passport valid
for at least 6 month beyond the date of arrival.
Visa
will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some
stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops,
at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There
you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign
with the name you prefer to use for the sign .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp
from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport
officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport
as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you
in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal,
our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel
DAY
3- CAIRO- Sunday- Private Tour (BL)
On your first full day in Egypt we show you the Egyptian Museum, including
the Mummy Room and the fabulous treasures Tutankhamon, after lunch at
a charming local restaurant ,
on to the Citadel of Saladin,and Mohammed Ali Mosque, made of alabaster.
Private air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
4 - CAIRO/ GIZA / MEMPHIS and SAKKARA- Monday (BL)
After breakfast we drive to the edge of Cairo and the Egyptian Sahara
to stand at awe in front of the Pyramids of Giza . Those
who are fit and adventurous enough may wish to penetrate into the heart
of the Great Pyramid, to the King's Chamber your ticket is included with
our compliments (or the interior of Kephren Pyramid). Taking
a camel ride (Included) is entirely your own choice! the
Sphinx, after lunch at the Mena House or Le Meridien Pyramids, on to Memphis
and Sakkara to visit the Royal Mastabas and the Zoser Step-Pyramid . Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
5 - ASWAN - Kalabsha & CAMEL CARAVAN -Hotel in Aswan Tuesday
(B)
We fly to Aswan and on to your hotel. Aswan Movenpick or similar for Deluxe
and Basma or similar for First Class. Settle in for a brief rest before
we head out for a
tour of Kalabsha Temple dedicated to the ancient god Mandulis,
and the goddess Isis . Built during the reign of the Roman Emperor
Augustus , the small rock-cut temple of Beit El Wali, built
by Ramses the Great , and the small yet charming Kiosk of Qertassi,
as well as the
Nubia Museum
In the afternoon we transfer to a graceful felucca, the traditional Nile
sailboat, for a cruise amidst the rocky islands beneath the Aswan High
Dam. We tour as well the Botanical Island Garden.
For those interested , join us on a mini-camel caravan ride to
a nearby Nubian village for tea with the locals. In the evening, we take
a short ride by motor launch to the Temples of Philae, on an island in
the Nile, for a sound-and-light show which explains the Nile's endless
history. Private air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
6 -Wednesday - ABU SIMBEL ( Private car/driver/Guide) - Aswan and Nile
Cruise (BLD)
Breakfast.
Fly to Abu Simbel , where your
Private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur and private Egyptologist
await you :
In Ramses the Great larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are
seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters. Queen
Nefertari smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears
as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent
cow. We explore these fine temple by ourselves in the quiet of the morning,
admiring their ancient aura and artistry, after which retire to a comfortable
hotel for refreshments, a bottle of water, tea or coffee . Just as planeloads
of visitors arrive to throng the temples we fly back to Aswan
in
time for lunch
on board your Nile cruiser . Welcome fruit basket & Egyptian pastries
in your cabin.
DAY
7 - ASWAN & KOM OMBO- Thursday (BLD)
Today we inspect the Aswan High Dam and the older Victorian-era dam below
it, then visit an ancient red granite quarry. An unfinished obelisk here,
in excellent condition, testifies to the workmanship of ancient Egypt's
artisans. Boarding a motor launch, we return to the Philae temples to
inspect in daylight the impressive structures which served as the backdrop
to last night's sound-and-light drama. Back on our Nile cruiser, we cast
off and cruise downstream to Kom Ombo to visit its twin temples dedicated
to Sobek, the Nile crocodile god, and Haroeris, the solar disc.
DAY
8 - EDFU & ESNA- Friday (BLD)
Our riverboat ties up at Edfu, and we climb aboard horse-drawn carriages
for a short clip-clop ride through the town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt's
best-preserved. After our visit, we re-embark and cruise to Esna, where
we pass through the Nile locks. By evening, we reach Luxor.
DAY
9 - LUXOR - Saturday (BLD)
Today we tour some of Egypt's greatest wonders: the tombs of the pharaohs
in the Valley of the Kings at Thebes, and, in the nearby Valley of the
Queens, the great funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
Deir
El Medinah, the first known "Workers Village" these
were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs for the
mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.
Deir
El Medinah is on Luxor's west bank you get a totally different perspective
on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir
el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt
honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique
and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and
decorated the tombs.
Here
we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals.
These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard,
kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have
been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and builders were highly
regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer
regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise
programs.
We
also stop at the Colossi of Memnon, mammoth seated statues now standing
alone in a farmer's field. In the evening, we attend the sound-and-light
show at the gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak.
DAY
10 - LUXOR & CAIRO - Sunday (B)
We return to the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak to inspect it in the daylight,
then move on to the smaller but still huge Temple of Luxor. Followed by
Luxor Museum & the Ancient Workers Village : Deir El Medinah , the
best kept secret in Luxor . Our touring done, we return by air to Cairo
and your hotel : Sonesta or similar .
DAY
11 - DEPARTURE for Amman - Monday (B)
After breakfast : Our representative escorts you to the airport for your
flight to Amman , air fare is included in economy class , tax included
. In Amman our
staff will meet you upon arrival and help with the transfer to your hotel
in Amman .Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival for American, EU &
Japanese passport holders. Passport must be valid at least for 6 month
beyond the date of your arrival.
DAY
12 - MADABA, KERAK & PETRA - Tuesday (BD)
We drive south along the King's Highway, an ancient caravan route, to
Madaba to visit the church containing the oldest known map of the Holy
Land. Continuing to Mount Nebo, we enjoy the panoramic view of the Promised
Land the way Moses saw it for the first time. Further on, at Kerak, we
tour the ruins of its romantic Crusaders' castle of Renaud de Chatillon,
one of a line which stretched from Aqaba to Turkey. Finally, we arrive
to PETRA . Private air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private
chauffeur
DAY
13 - PETRA - Wednesday (BD)
Today the fabulous Nabatean City of Petra awaits us. Made famous in the
Indiana Jones movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark," its ancient temples, tombs
and striking Khazneh (Treasury) were hewn right from the pink and violet
sandstone. We spend a full day here, and another night.Private air-conditioned
vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
14- WADI RUM & Syria /Bosra - Thursday (BD)
We board four-wheel-drive vehicles for an expedition
to Wadi Rum, the "Valley of the Moon" where T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence
of Arabia") organized Arab resistance to Ottoman rule during World War
I. After our visit, proceed to to The Syrian border, visit Bosra before
continuing to Damascus.
For
American , Australian , NZ , EU , Canadian & Japanese citizens, visa
will be issued upon arrival at the border , your passport must be valid
at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival, our local rep will escort
you to your hotel.
Syria
will not issue you a visa , if your passport has any Israeli stamps or
visa for Israel, you are responsible for ensuring that your passport is
valid and in order .
Do you Speak THE
LANGUAGE OF THE JESUS IN THE LAND OF THE BOOK ?
Visit Maaloula in Syria . Jordanian departure tax is included in our
rate.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
15 - DAMASCUS -Friday (B)
Today we explore the Syrian capital, visiting the National Museum, with
treasures dating from the 1400s BC; the bustling Old Bazaar, the Eastern
Gate (Bab ash-Sharqi) in the Roman city walls; the Street Called Straight
(Via Recta); the house of Anania; and the chapel with a window from which
disciples lowered St. Paul so he could escape those who sought to kill
him (Acts 9:24-25).
Complimentary
Dinner is included at a local home:
We are proud to be the only ones that are able to afford you such window
on the true warm and hospitable Syrian people , come and meet the locals,
you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T
shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This
evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right
into the homes of some of the people of Syria l! You'll be invited to
a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties,
you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of
life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new
friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once
the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have
more in common than you ever suspected. As some have inquired after they
returned , feel free to ask about the recipes for the local dishes you
will enjoy tonight , please let us know in advance of you prefer vegetarian
meals.
Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions,
by letting us know your preferences.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
16 - PALMYRA - Saturday (BD)
We drive to ancient Palmyra (Tadmor), in a desert oasis on the
trade route between the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, to visit its museum,
the temples of Bel, Baal Shamin and Nebo, the Roman baths, the Tetrapylon,
Diocletian's camp, and the Valley of the Tombs, before settling
in at our Palmyra hotel.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
17 - KRAK DES CHEVALIERS, HAMA & ALEPPO - Sunday (BD)
Get your camera ready, for today we see the famously photogenic Krak
des Chevaliers, the most spectacular 12th-century Crusaders' castle
of all. From this marvel of military architecture we head north to Hama,
one of Syria's prettiest towns, to see its great norias (water wheels),
some up to 65 feet in diameter, scooping water from the fabled Orontes
River. We continue to Aleppo for the night.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
18 - ALEPPO - Monday (BD)
The sights of Aleppo (Halab) include the Grand Mosque, the vast
Ottoman bazaar, the 12th-century Citadel, and a camel caravanserai. We
visit them all, then continue to the church (Qala'at Samaan) built to
honor the Byzantine ascetic St. Simeon Stylites, who lived atop a column
for over 35 years in the 5th century. We return to our comfortable Aleppo
hotel for the night.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
19 - SERGELLA, APAMEA, MAALULA & DAMASCUS - Tuesday (BD)
We head south to Sergella, one of the 500 Dead Cities, fabled ghost
towns built between the 4th and 7th centuries which were abandoned mysteriously
around the 9th century. Our next stop is Apamea (Qala'at al-Mudiq),
the Hellenistic "city of a thousand columns" built by Seleucus
I Nicator in the 2nd century BC and named in honor of his wife. We continue
to Maalula, where villagers still speak Aramaic, the language of
Jesus, for a visit to the chapel of St. Sergius, before returning to Damascus
for the night.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private guide and private chauffeur
DAY
20 - DEPARTURE - Wednesday (B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home.
Salam
& Bon Voyage . Check
Baptism site in Jordan
Rates
per person in Double :
| |
Deluxe
A
|
Deluxe
B |
First
Class |
| In
Triple Occupancy |
$
7450.00 |
US$
6750.00 |
US$
5760 |
| In
Double Occupancy |
$
7510.00 |
US$
6956.00 |
US$
5990 |
| In
Single Occupancy |
$
9650.00 |
US$
8837.00 |
US$
8080 |
| Hotels
in Cairo |
Grand
Hyatt Hotel
Conrad
J. W. Marriott
Sonesta
or similar |
Hilton
Sofitel
Sheraton
or similar |
Shepheard's
Oases or similar |
| Hotels
in Amman |
Sheraton
, Hyatt or similar |
SAS
RadissonAmman
or similar |
Golden
Tulip |
For
Easter, Christmas and New Year's Weeks, a 20 % holiday surcharge
will apply.
All Suites Amarco Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise ( 20 % supplement)
Air
Fare Notes:
For departures from Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, San Francisco,
San Diego or Seattle, please add US$350 per person to the rates. DC
, Detroit Denver Chicago, Miami, Fort Lauderdale: $300
Air fare supplement : Doesn't apply when you handle your own air
fare:
For May - Sep 15 , Dec 15 - Jan 2: departures, please add a summer
airline surcharge of $300 per person to the rate
Package
Rates are subject to change without notice.
Your
tour includes:
- Round-trip
transatlantic airfare , in economy class , including air taxes, from
New York to Cairo and return from Damascus on British Airways, Air
France, Swiss , Lufthansa or another IATAN airline, subject to seat
availability at the time of reservation.
- All
airfares between Egypt and Jordan as well as airfare within Egypt, with
taxes in economy class
- All
transfers in the Middle East are always on a private basis.
- Hotel
accommodations, including tax and service charges.
- Nile
cruise;including all guided group shore excursions, entrance fees the
sequence of sights visited between Aswan and Luxor is subject to change
according to vessel requirements, and the cruise may begin in either
Aswan or Luxor.
- Meals
as indicated in the tour itinerary: B = continental breakfast; L = set-menu
lunch; D = set-menu dinner.
- Nile
Cruise as listed including all meals , guided shore excursiones and
entrance fees , Bottled
water ( one per person ) delivered to your cabin daily while on board
the cruise. Tea or coffee as well as bottled water with every meal while
on board the cruise.
- Cairo
Guided sightseeing by private air-conditioned motor coach or car as
per itinerary, including all entrance fees.
- Complimentary
Lonely Planet travel guidebook to Egypt, Jordan and Syria
Sample
Deluxe Nile Cruise boats :
M/S Adonis , M/S Mojito , M/S
Monaco , M/S Monte Carlo , M/S
Beau Soleil, Queen of Hansa, M/S Solitaire, M/S Lady Diana, M/S Royal
Ruby
For
First Class : M/S Ruby , M/S Nile Dream
Hotels
in Syria - For the Five Stars modest Deluxe ( or similar)
The Hotels in Syria may not be meeting same standard for 5 & four
stars
- Damascus
: Damascus Cham Palace Hotel , 5 Stars .
- Palmyra
, Palmyra Cham Palace Hotel , 5 Stars.
- Aleppo
: Chahaba Cham Palace hotel , 5 Stars
Compare
with the 9 Day Version , the 12 day
with Athens
Add Petra , Sharm el Sheikh
on the Red Sea , or Alexandria
. Add Israel
and Palestine
Compare with the 12 Day
private Touring .
More
Choices:
-
Compare with the 9 Day Version
-
The
11 day edition with Memphis and Sakkara
-
The
12 day with Athens
-
-
Add
Sharm el Sheikh on the Red Sea
,
-
-
-
-
-
Not
included:
-
Tips.
- Travel
Insurance
- Any
item of personal nature, i.e. laundry, phone calls. etc.
- Any
item that's not specifically listed in the "inclusions"
MA7060188-0009.jpg)
King
Tut would have sailed only on the Sonesta Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruises
Fit for a PHAROAH
Sail the Nile like a Pharaoh : Upgrade to : Sonesta Star Goddess or Sonesta
Moon Goddess ,
or the new Sonesta Star Goddess ( all state-rooms are with private balconies)
Add
a stay in the Egyptian Riviera on the Red Sea
Sample
of the Deluxe hotels in Syria:
Palmyra Cham Palace Hotel:
Located just outside Palmyra, next to the world famous archaeological
site, this five star oasis is an up-to date
cosmopolitan refuge amidst the ancient splendour. Not to be missed; the
ancient cave bath with sulphuric water.
Sheraton
Aleppo:
Built on our own city block in the downtown Bab Al Faraj district, the
historical city of Aleppo and all its wonders are right outside our door.
From the famous Citadel to the Omayyad Mosque,
National Museum, Public Park, and Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions,
you will discover history around every corner. We are also just 15 minutes
from Aleppo International Airport, keeping your trip stress-free.
Recommendations
and conditions:
Every
effort is made to adhere to the planned itinerary, however, for reasons
beyond our control, it may be necessary to change routings, sequence of
visits, and departure times.
Important
Syria will not issue visas for any passport holder that may carry any
stamp or visa for Israel. Border crossings may take some time, depending
of several circumstances (traffic, police, documentation, visas, etc.)
Sample
Charming Boutique Hotels in Syria :
Talisman Hotel: Damascus
Talisman is more than an hotel: it is more like a home. We will provide
you all the services and luxury of a five stars residence. Two wide opened
courtyards with outdoor swimming
pool. Private and exclusive Turkish Hammam.
The Talisman is a luxury «charm» hotel situated in the old
town of Damascus, twenty minutes from the airport, a hundred yards from
the old Roman straight way (Medhat Pacha) and the historical Bab Sharqi,
famous now for its souks and street markets. This old Jewish palace, built
in a quiet side street and easily accessible by car, has been restored
in the most authentic tradition of an Arab house.
Each
of the 16 rooms and suites at Talisman is unique with its personalized
lay-out and decoration. All the rooms are equipped with the latest commodities:king
size bed, mini bar, central heating, individual air-conditioning, plasma
television set with decoder so that you may choose any channel you please,
DVD reader, wi-fi internet connection, telephone. Executive suites are
larger and have a desk corner. The bathrooms are spacious and planned
for your rest and well-being: finely worked wooden basins with their matching
mirrors, old cement tiled or beige marble floors, bath tub or shower cabin,
or both, hair-drier and comfortable bathrobes.
Zenobia hotel: Palmyra
built in 1920 … Agatha Christy was one of the welcomed guests ,
the Zenobia Hotel is ideally located in the middle of Palmyra archeological
site; rooms offers a wonderful view of the traces of past civilizations,
which you can explore at your ease.
The
26-room hotel offers a wonderful view of the traces of past civilizations,
which you can explore at your ease. The hotel is a masterpiece of elegance
and warm hospitality that is part of our commitment to tradition particularly
amidst this historical surrounding. You are welcome to the world of Zenobia
hotel where you relive the past and feel the glorious days of Palmyra.
The hotel rooms; all are air-conditioned, with central heating and a telephone.
The Countess suite is a duplex room, with two double beds and a private
bathroom on each deck. ( Supplement applies, and you must really book
in advance to get this suite)
The
Oasis restaurant offers a wide variety of delicious cuisine whether it
is indoors or in the open air with a direct view on the ruins.
Palmyra
was known as the bride of the desert, where once stood as one of the greatest
Roman oasis cities of all times. The extensive roman ruins, only a three-minute
walk from the hotel; stand gracefully to remind us of the glory of Palmyra's
past
Beit Wakil Hotel: Aleppo
A true example of the distinguished 16th century Aleppine architecture,is
a charming palace situated just outside the old city walls.This perfectly
preserved structure which has stubbornly defied the destructive elements
of time,ranks among the most elegant and
beautiful palaces in the region.
The Old City of Aleppo is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets and shops.
This alley at the entrance to the Old City also led to Beit Wakil, whose
sign and awning are visible to the left. Beit Wakil is an old merchant
serai that has been renovated into a charming 14 room hotel. The hotel
is centered around the courtyard pictured at the right, and the rooms
are all arrayed around this central point. Our room, shown at the left
was one floor up from the courtyard. The rooms are very traditional, dark
wood with equally dark woven rugs on the floor, a bed and nightstand.
For privacy one closes the wooden shutters. Except for electricity and
your cable tele , the room could have been from an Indiana Jones movie
set
Beit
Wakil,a true example of the distinguished 16th. century Aleppine architecture,is
a charming palace situated just outside the old city walls.This perfectly
preserved structure which has stubbornly defied the destructive elements
of time,ranks among the most elegant and beautiful palaces in the region.
Faithful to the old Aleppine tradition the exterior is castle like,simple
and void of any decoration,but as soon one enters inside a magical oriental
story like world comes into existence
The
beautiful courtyards with breathtaking relief and tracery work of their
walls, the marble fountains among the jasmine and lemon trees, the unique
iwan with its majestic arch and colors marble flooring,the elegant arabesque
woodwork of the wall cupboards,the hand drawn wooden ceilings with corniche,
the famous central Qa'a (large room: Lobby ) with its suspended dome and
coloured arabesque glass windows,the stone built cellars and the lime
stone caves below with a labyrinth of tunnels , one of which , links the
palace to the Citadel of Aleppo , are just few of the many elements which
distinguishes the Aleppine masonry art and Arabian architectural genius
Today,
Beit Wakil welcomes its guests as a four star hotel with all the modern
comfort facilities. Beit Wakil rooms and suits are centrally air conditioned,
with traditional comfortable Aleppine furniture, minibar, music, T. V
and satellite services, phone and private bathrooms. Both our summer and
winter restaurants offer a wide verity of delicious Aleppine mezes and
specialties together with an oriental entertainment program of classical
Arabic music and dancing.
Aleppo
includes a virile population, a splendid architecture,and a fine Arab
tradition. Aleppo AL-Chahba, 355 Kilometers from Damascus, has been a
prosperous city since the 3rd millennium B.C. and has maintained its status
through town development and an increasing population. It has played a
vital role in the history of the area from the time of the Akkadian and
Amorite Kingdoms. Until recently it has always been the center of the
junction of the ancient trade routs. The old city was surrounded by a
wall incorporating defense towers and fortified gates built during the
Islamic period. A large part of the wall still standing, for example Bab
Qinisrin, Bab Al-Nasser, Bab Al-Hadid, Bab Antakia. Aleppo is also known
for its mosques and churches and is considered the third city in the Islamic
world because of the number of its mosques and schools. The Archaeological
Museum contains exhibits from the stone age to modern times. It has particularly
interesting collection of antiquities from some of the most ancient site
in Syria (Mari, Ugarit, Ebla) , objects found in the Euphrates Basin,
Hama, Tell Halaf and Ein
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