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Monday, November 14, 2022

Built to promote world peace and prosperity as well as to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism, Shanti Stupa is the major attraction in Leh. Perched on the mountain top, this religious place also offers a panoramic view of the city and the surroundings, and thus is a must-see.

This attraction in Leh was built at a part of the Peace Pagoda Mission by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu. Underneath the stupa is the relic of the Buddha. Sunrise and sunset are considered to be the best time of the day to visit the Shanti Stupa when views from this place to visit in Leh are spectacular. The architecture of Shanti Stupa has been done in a way to make it a two-level structure. On the first level, there is the relief of Dharmachakra with deer on each side and a central golden Buddha image sits on a platform. On the second level, there are reliefs depicting the birth and the death of Buddha and him defeating the devils while meditating. On both levels though, one can see a series of smaller meditating Buddha reliefs.

Shanti Stupa in Leh Ladakh

When in Odisha, tourists can now take a walking tour of the state’s best historical and cultural sites. These guided tours were recently launched in order to help promote Odisha’s rich culture and history.

Odisha Walks is the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation’s new initiative and it will take visitors on a fascinating walking tour of the 10th century Mukteshwar, 11th century Lingaraj temple, Shanti Stupa, Khandagiri caves and Udayagiri caves.

These five guided tours fall on the already identified heritage circuits, and now with a guide giving proper information and history on these sites, visitors can learn about the rich architecture, rituals, culture and traditions that are all a part of these sites.

Odisha Guided Walking Tours- Odisha Walks

Beautiful Punakha has been inextricably linked with momentous occasions in Bhutanese history. Two of Bhutan’s important rivers converge in Punakha. At their confluence is the majestic Punakha Dzong, an absolute marvel. These rivers are also home to one of the last surviving populations of the critically endangered white-bellied herons.

The route from Thimphu to Punakha is quite spectacular and takes travellers over the renowned Dochula Pass, which showcases interesting monuments along its course and offers the awe-inspiring opportunity to view the great Himalayan Mountain Range.

Driving down from Dochula towards Punakha, visitors can discover the Royal Botanical Park, where an excellent collection of Himalayan plants and good birding sites can be found.The country's most idyllic dzong is situated at the confluence of two rivers. Breathtaking from outside and rewarding inside with rich wall paintings and friendly local monks.

Reached by crossing the 3,116 metre Dochu La, the fertile valley floor is the winter home of the country’s largest monk body and produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables which you won’t see anywhere else in the country.

Travel to Punakha | Bhutan

India is blessed with diversity in every sense! Whether in terms of religions or seasons, it is the diversity of this nation that makes it so colourful and rich. Be it summers or winters, there are places that one can visit and experiences that one can have to make memories throughout the year.`

Hauntingly beautiful. Two words that aptly describe the surreal and silent landscape of the Great Rann of Kutch, the largest salt marsh in the world. In winter, this endless white landscape — nestled in the heart of the Thar desert — is at its magical best while it hosts the three-month-long Rann Utsav. A spectacularly colourful festival that allows you to sample local Kutchi culture, Rann Utsav (held at the hamlet of Dhordo, located 81 km from Bhuj) includes but is not restricted to, local handicrafts, traditional embroidered fabrics and folk performances.

What can make this experience even more special is a night spent lying on the pristine white sands as one gazes at prominent winter stars (such as Sirius, Orion, Taurus and Gemini) glowing brightly in the velvety sky. Also, remember to take a night ride up the Kala Dungar to witness the silvery moonlight lighting up the infinite white sands – a panorama that will remain etched in your memory forever.

Unforgettable Winter Experiences : Star-gazing in the Great Rann of Kutch

Kochi (Cochin) is a beautiful destination in Kerala which is also known as the “Queen of the Arabian sea”, the place has a wonderful destination where you can enjoy various soul-soothing activities. The best part of visiting here or staying here is that the air quality is at the finest level compared to the rest of India. Numerous activities like classical dance, swimming, elephant training center, kalarippayattu (martial art) and many more activities are Famous Things in Kochi (Cochin).

Thiruvankulam is a suburb of the city, famous for its many lakes and canals, but especially for its 8 acres wide abandoned quarry. Dive into its depths and go snorkeling. Behold a vivid world of bright corals, sea urchins, and schools of fish. Instructors will coach you before you dive, teaching you about safety precautions, snorkeling tips, and hand signals. They will be present with you at all times, so you need not worry about the safety of your loved ones. Expert underwater photographers will immortalize your magical experience on camera, as a souvenir of your adventure.

Things to do in Ernakulam: Snorkeling in Kochi

Tucked away in an inviting blanket of earthly glory, Spiti is a heavenly gateway for those seeking solitude in the bliss of nature. Lahaul Spiti tourism attracts thousands of people every year towards its fascinating beauty and unadulterated environment. Spiti is bordered in the northern side by Ladakh, Tibet in the East, Kinnaur in the South-East and Kullu valley in the North. This majestic cold desert valley in Himachal Pradesh is replete with pine forests, green meadows, beautiful monasteries and inhabited villages that will leave you totally awe-stuck. Situated at an altitude of around 12,500 ft above the sea level the barren mountains over here change their hues every second and it is definitely a sight to behold. The tiny villages over here under the shadow of huge mountains have a population of around 35 to 200 people. This sparsely inhabited land is a slice of paradise for all those who’re yearning to cut off from the intoxicating city life.

Wherever you go, you’ll witness beautiful Buddhist monasteries, prayer flags fluttering in the air and a large number of monks praying with their prayer wheels. You can also have fascinating glimpse of Dhadkan and Chandratal lake here. The awe inspiring passes like Kunzum and Barchala Pass will further take you at the top of the world with its immense altitude.

The visitors can choose to go on a nature trail over here to encounter rare avian species and jaw-dropping beauty of nature. Take part in adventurous activities like hiking, rappelling and camping here. Step out of the confines of your mundane life and hop on to enjoy some shutter shooting in the arms of nature at the wonderland of Spiti.

The Magical Spiti Valley

World Town Planning Day is observed annually on November 8. This day was set aside to commemorate the important role planning and structuring play in the creation of our communities. Town planning is one of the most important parts of creating our organized, livable communities, and this act gained full recognition when this day was founded in 1949 by late professor Carlos Maria della Paolera. World Town Planning Day also goes by the name “World Urbanism Day.” The holiday seeks to encourage community planning by paying heed to environmental factors involved in progressing a town.

Some Best-planned Cities in India

Chandigarh, Haryana

The city of Chandigarh was the first planned city after India’s independence in 1947 and is known internationally for its architecture and urban design. It is also known as the wealthiest city in India. It is a union territory that serves as the capital of Haryana and Punjab. Chandigarh was designed by Le Corbusier, a Swiss-French architect, and urban planner. The city is divided into 56 zones at 800 meters by 800 meters with all modern amenities. Chandigarh is now on its way to becoming a “smart city. It is neatly planned and divided into sectors that are well connected to each other.

Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Located in the northern part of Gujarat and is the state capital. The city has been planned and Architect by H.K. Mewara and his assistant Prakash M Apte. The capital of Gujarat which is situated on the western bank of the Sabarmati River is a beautifully planned city like Chandigarh. Gandhinagar is also considered the “greenest” city in the world. As this place has many parks and gardens which make the place green. The city does not face traffic congestion as it has service lanes on most roads. In addition, individual sectors are labeled for residential, commercial, educational purposes, and the IT industry.

Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

The city is located at the southern end of Jharkhand, India’s first planned industrial city, founded by the late Jamsetji Tata. He urged to establish a city that has all the luxuries and conveniences that a city can provide. Jamshedpur is commonly known as “Tatanagar”. It is also known as the steel city. The first steel company was established in Jamshedpur and the city was built around that steel plant without a municipal corporation. Jamshedpur has top roads, which provide good roads, clean water, a clean environment, and uninterrupted electricity to its residents. The presence of popular educational establishments, health care, and entertainment facilities puts Tata’s Jamshedpur in the list of top planned cities in the world. Most areas of the city are well-planned with public holiday spots such as Jubilee Park, Dalma Hills, good roads, dense forest, clean water, uninterrupted electricity, and wildlife sanctuary. Another added benefit of this city is that it is established, built, developed, and nurtured by the Tata group and continues to date.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Jaipur is next on the list. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and the first planned city of India. Jaipur is also known as the ‘Pink City’ of India and is home to some of the most fascinating historical monuments including the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Jantar Mantar and Amber Fort. The city is planned according to Vastu Shastra with three entrances towards east, west, and north. The roads are pre-modernized and divided into six areas as 34 km. The urban quarters are further subdivided by a network of divided roads.

World Town Planning Day 2022: Beautifully Well Planned Cities of India

Whether it is Korean TV series, movies, beauty products or lesser-known ingredients, top travel destinations or the culture, we often see that a lot of people strike a chord with all things ‘K’ lately. Among these, K-drama hits such as Squid Game (2021-), Crash Landing on You (2019) and Goblin (2016), are available on various OTT platforms. They have not only created a dedicated fanbase across the world but have also made a mark in the global entertainment industry. And, for people who are not just Korean TV show enthusiasts but travel lovers too, visiting these popular K-drama locations where some of the iconic scenes have been shot is no less than a treat.

South Korea has several beautiful locations that attract tourists and its capital, Seoul, is a traveller’s paradise. Along with ancient architecture, scrumptious delicacies and serene beaches, it is one of the best places to be in. Add to it the chance to visit the K-drama locations where some of the most popular scenes from Korean TV shows featuring your favourite actors were shot or better, recreate them in your own way for Instagram.

K-Drama Themed Holidays: South Korea

Coorg produces some of the best coffee in the world. The region is dotted with several coffee plantations. No wonder, then, that it accounts or about one-third of the country’s coffee production.

Among the several coffee plantations that dot Coorg, lies a lone tea plantation in the whole of Coorg- the Glenlorna plantation. The latter is located in Hudikere, about 30 kilometers from Virajpet. The first tea bush was planted here way back in 1914- and it blossoms till date! The Glenlorna plantation was named after its founder’s (a British ‘sahib‘) two children- son Glen and daughter Lorna. If you are here in the early hours of the morning, you can watch women nipping off ‘two leaves and a bud’ with their nimble hands and tossing them over their shoulders into baskets slung along their backs.

A little farther down the Glenlorna plantation lies the Barapole River. The latter runs along for 5 kilometers. If you too, like me, happen to be here at the onset of the monsoons, you should try your hand at white water rafting. The rapids, here, are graded between 2 to 4 (in terms of the difficulty in manouvering through them).

Majestic Tea Plantations: Coorg

Kashmir will be hosting two festivals – Saffron Festival and Houseboat Festival in this month. The first two weeks of November will be all about celebrating the rich tradition and culture of Kashmir Valley. If you are looking for a reason to visit Kashmir, these cultural festivals are more than apt. The twin autumn festivals are always a big hit among the locals as well as tourists. They, for sure, draw a large number of tourists from all over the country and the world.

The Saffron Festival is usually held for three days. Here, you can see up close and personal the fields of saffron – the most valuable spice in the world. Witness how the golden spice is harvested, and you can also buy directly from the source! You will definitely have a great story to tell the next time you invite guests over a biryani dinner, or over a bowl of delicious kheer garnished with saffron.

Houseboat Festival is aimed at celebrating Kashmir Valley’s unique traditional shikaras and their role in promoting tourism in the valley. Without a doubt, the Kashmiri houseboats do attract a lot of tourists from all over the country. Shikara rides on Dal Lake are always so dreamy!

Autumn Festivals Of Kashmir!!

The richest emirate and the capital of UAE - Abu Dhabi is an earthier version of its ostentatious cousin Dubai. It is a perfect blend of tradition and modernism, boasts of modernity at its best while maintaining its natural appeal that attracts visitor worldwide. Speaking about tourist places in Abu-Dhabi, from extravagant hotels and posh resorts next to beaches and never-ending mighty desert, Abu-Dhabi has it all. For those looking to engage with Gulf culture, it offers opportunities to understand the UAE's history through museums, exhibitions, tours and food. Although the official language is Arabic, English is widely spoken and visitors will hardly have any communication difficulties.

There’s no shortage of reasons as to why you should visit the United Arab Emirates. Perhaps the best reason to visit Abu Dhabi is that it's gorgeous. It houses Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most beautiful and picturesque mosques in the world. Visitors can see the Formula 1 racing track and watch world-renowned races. Only a few minutes drive away, you will find Ferrari World, an indoor amusement park themed after the famous car brand. Abu Dhabi has been fast-growing and constantly adding new attractions to its already long list of World Records and unique attractions. The city is incredibly well planned with extra wide streets and smoothly flowing traffic, promising you hassle-free travel throughout the city 24/7. Transport is clean, cheap and efficient.

Experience Abu Dhabi -"The Manhattan of the Middle East"

The Dharamshala International Film Festival 2022 (DIFF) is all set to begin from November 3. The 3-day film festival that began in 2012 has become a major tourist draw in the region. It is organised every year in the beautiful Himachali hill town of McLeodganj, better known as the exile home of the Dalai Lama.

The main focus of DIFF is to promote and bring to the world independent films not only from India but from across the globe. The film festival has garnered a great reputation in the world of cinema since its inception. Imagine watching creative cinema amid a beautiful mountain setting.

Even during the pandemic (2020), DIFF was the only major film festival in India that was organised online. This was one of the major successes of DIFF as its reach extended across South Asia. A number of new viewers’ participation was recorded during this time.

Dharamshala International Film Festival 2022

Nagaland is home to a plethora of tribes and festivals, each of which adds to the diversity and rich cultural heritage of the state. These celebrations act as train of thoughts adjoining communities, thereby marking the strength of unity and impact of solidarity.

Similarly, Tokhu Emong – a post harvest festival, of the Lotha Community stresses on the point of tranquility. Celebrated on November 7 every year, this color-filled festival stretches over to 9 days. After hard toil and efforts, residents settle down to enjoy the festival.

‘Tokhu’ means moving from house to house, collecting tokens and gifts in form of naturals resources and food. However, the meaning of Emong is to put a halt for the appointed time.The dances and the various performances held during the festival represent the happiness and thankfulness of the people. Priest and leaders of the tribe give speeches and cite the importance of the festival that helps in keeping old traditions alive. Students, women, men and even old citizens participate in the festival with full enthusiasm.

The highlight of the festival is the dance performances. Men and women don their traditional attire and perform some old and rare tribal dances. Each dance has a special meaning. While some are performed to thank and please the deities most dances are war dances and the dancers can be seen performing with weapons like spears and sticks. Full of revelry and gaiety, these nine days of the festival are spent singing, dancing and feasting away.

‘Tokhu Emong’ – Vibrant Harvest Festival Of Nagaland’s Lotha Community

Veganism is defined as a way of life that seeks to eliminate all forms of animal exploitation and atrocities, whether for food, clothing or other purposes. For these reasons, a vegan diet eliminates all animal foods, including meat, eggs and dairy products.

With a steep rise in the number of vegans across the globe, most countries have adopted this new lifestyle and are even promoting it through various methods. With animal rights as a central focus bolstered by benefits of health and environment, more and more restaurants are opening up in different countries, promoting new vegan cuisines.

India:

Undoubtedly the vegetarian capital of the world, the urban Indian population is quickly accepting veganism as a way of life. A lot of traditional cuisines already have many vegan dishes which are eaten by everyone. Vegan food is easily available in western and south Indian restaurants too. In fact, India also has a large number of fully vegetarian restaurants, a trend that is not seen anywhere else in the world. Most vegan-friendly cities are Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai.

United Kingdom (UK):

UK is home to Donald Watson who coined the term "Vegan" in 1944 and started the world's first vegan society "The Vegan Society". Last year alone, demand for vegan food in the UK increased by more than 1000%. London has always been a hotspot for vegan food in the UK, but over the past year, several other cities have also declared themselves vegan-friendly.

United States of America (USA):

According to a study, the number of people transitioning to veganism has increased by 600% in the United States alone over the past three years. There are more than 30,000 vegan restaurants in the country, serving all kinds of food you can dream of. America's most vegan-friendly cities are Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Austin, and New York.

Poland:

There are more than 950 vegan restaurants in Poland. In the capital, vegan burgers are considered to be one of the best burgers in the world. Poland's most vegan-friendly cities are Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, and Rod.

Thailand

This country has huge markets that promote sparkling fruits & vegetables. Currently, there are over 1500 vegan eating places in Thailand. Most vegan-friendly towns in Thailand are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui.

World Vegan Day 2022: Best vegan-friendly countries in the world

Bali is well known for its various photo spots on Instagram like the Bali swing and the Handara Gate. But other than these popular spots, Bali also has tons of other spots to click amazing pictures at. Be at beaches, lush green forests or mountains for those stunning panoramic shots of the sunset or sunrise- Bali has everything for you to capture! Bali has gained a lot of fame through Instagram the past years. Many spots on the island are super photogenic and have been shared many times on Instagram. The island has countless instagrammable places and interesting landscapes that you can get a great Instagram shot in many different scenes. From the powerful waterfalls, tropical sunsets, magical sunrises, vibrant rice fields and epic viewpoints. In Bali you’ll never stop photographing as there is something interesting on every corner. In this blog post you will find the 50 best Instagram spots in Bali. We separate them per area in Bali from North, East and South west so you can plan ahead per region to find the best instagram spots in Bali!

The light sun rays falling through Tukad Cepung waterfall makes a fascinating background for pictures! Visit this hidden waterfall and capture and witness the astonishing beauty of the Indonesian forests and cascades. Mount Batur is an active volcano in the central highlands of Bali. Climb up on this mountain for the stunning views of the sunrise and have a picnic breakfast on top with eggs cooked by the steam of the volcano! Capture the beautiful panoramic views of the skies for a daunting Instagram feed.

Most Instagrammable Place In The World : Bali

A trip to Gulmarg in winter is really an experience in itself. It receives heavy snowfall in the months of January and February and the entire place gets buried deep under a sheet of white. Ski competitions are held and tourists from all over the country flock here to experience the beauty of the winter season.

Alluring spots and picturesque snow caped landscapes are the two words that best describe your experience if you ever choose to visit Gulmarg. Tourist spots like the hiking trails of the lush green and the snow capped Apharwat peak, and spiritual points like Rani Temple are some of the best places to visit in Gulmarg in December. Gulmarg, which is surrounded by some of the most astounding valleys like Aru Valley and Strawberry Valley with their sweet green lands, are visited by the adventurers every year to climb the mountains and hills in Gulmarg as they face a great challenge in it.

The Gulmarg Biosphere is another special place which is revisited every year by people around India to see the rare animals and birds in different seasons. Although sight seeing is what many do here, Gulmarg is also known for the famous public Golfing Course. Established at a height of 2,650 meters above sea level with a wide spread green meadow land, Gulmarg golf court is regarded as the highest green golf court in the world.

Mountain Getaway in Winter: Gulmarg

Phuket, also known as “The pearl of the Andaman” is Thailand’s largest island, and is located almost 900 kilometers south of Bangkok. The islands interior is mostly mountainous, while its west coast has a number of magnificent long sandy beaches and lots of nightlife. For centuries, the main source of income for the island was tin mining.

Now, tourism and rubber have made Phuket the wealthiest province of the country. The 2004 tsunami badly damaged Phuket, mainly the beach resorts on the west side of the island. Since then, Phuket has fully recovered and a tsunami warning system has been put in place.

Besides the swimming and relaxing on the beach there is plenty to do for everyone in Phuket. Of course there is the snorkeling and diving off the many islands surrounding Phuket, sailing, watching Muay Thai boxing games or shopping in the large Jungceylon shopping center in Patong or in the countless souvenir shops along the beaches.

The Pearl Of Andaman: Phuket

Cryptocurrencies have taken the world by storm. Since Bitcoin was launched in 2009, more than 10,000 different crypto projects have sprung up, some of which have witnessed an exponential rise in popularity and value. As such, the global market cap of the crypto industry currently stands at a whopping $1 trillion. This growth has led more and more people to pour money into these digital assets.

Singapore is one of the most crypto-friendly countries in Southeast Asia. It is also one of the world's most stable economies and is a hub for fintech companies. The country encourages innovation, which can be seen in its pro-crypto stance.

Capital gain tax is not levied on cryptocurrencies. Individuals and corporates having cryptocurrency funds are also exempt from taxation. However, if a business receives payments in cryptocurrency or conducts cryptocurrency trading, they are subject to income tax. The country is also home to many crypto companies like the Kyber Network, Qtum, Zilliqa, Crypto.com, etc.

Singapore: One of the most crypto-friendly country

The biggest reason to do the Goechala trek is the grand views of the big mountains you see. You don’t just see one summit — the Kanchenjunga — but 14 other big summits. That’s a lot for any trek — especially as close to the eyes as on the Goechala trek. It is no wonder that trekkers consider Goechala to be the closest to the big mountain treks of Nepal.

GoechaLa trek is nestled at a height of 16,207 ft, with a closer look at the third-highest peak-Mt. Kanchenjunga. It is a dream and desire for hundreds of adventure lovers. Bounded by the mesmerizing flora and fauna, which are so vibrant and colourful to cheer up one's mood.

The GoechaLa pass trek is a bundle of big summits, making it an absolute adventure to embark on. The trail link with the famous Kanchenjunga National Park, where one can witness the true nature, enough to revitalize your senses. To watch the mountains clearly, April and May are the ideal months. Since the sky is completely clear during this time and the sunset-sunrise views can be captured.

Winter Trek in The Himalayas: Goechala Trek

There are currently 195 countries all over the world, and many people want to have the opportunity to visit and travel across all of these countries. However, because of visa requirements, not everyone can move freely when they travel.

Some countries have a more lenient visa policy, while others have made it harder to obtain a tourist visa. Several countries do not issue tourist visas due to safety and political reasons. Some countries are under a totalitarian regime and are closed off to the rest of the world.

Here is a list of the hardest countries to visit:

Russia

One thing that makes the visa application process to Russia challenging is the many questions in the application form- especially if you are an American citizen since you have to answer double the number of questions. To get your Russian visa approved, you must also list every single trip you took in the last ten years, with details where you went, when, and how long you stayed. If you’ve traveled often, this part may be the most difficult for you. However, if you fill in the visa application correctly and provide all the required information you can get a visa to visit Russia.

Cuba

This country is particularly difficult to visit for American citizens. If you are American, you cannot enter the country for tourist purposes, you must belong to one of the 11 categories of authorized travel. If you do get permission to enter the country, you will receive a pink Tourist Card– different from the Green Tourist Card that is issued to other nationalities.

Iran

Visas to Iran are hard to get mostly because you need to have a verification code before you apply for a visa. This authorization code is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Iran, but an official Iranian travel agency has to apply for the code on your behalf. However, due to the usage of eVisas, the process for a tourist visa for Iran has become much easier. Additionally, several countries can now apply for a visa on arrival (with pre-approval).

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is one of the least visited countries in the world due to having a rigid visa policy. It’s particularly difficult to get a visa mostly because it requires everyone to apply for a visa, the only exception includes visitors from some specific parts of Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan and some visitors with diplomatic passports.

Chad

Only 14 countries have visa-free access to Chad, the rest of the world has to apply for a visa to enter the country. However, getting a visa can be challenging. One of the most complicated parts of the visa process is getting an invitation letter- to get the letter you need to have a sponsor or a hotel in the country’s capital, N’Djamena, who will write it for you. To secure this invitation letter, you have to book a room at a hotel (if you have no other sponsor), and for the reservation, you have to pay the full fee which is non-refundable. This means that if your visa application is rejected your money is lost.

Monday, November 14, 2022

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Friday, November 11, 2022

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Wednesday, November 09, 2022

Tuesday, November 08, 2022

Monday, November 07, 2022

Saturday, November 05, 2022

Friday, November 04, 2022

Thursday, November 03, 2022

Wednesday, November 02, 2022

Tuesday, November 01, 2022

India:

United Kingdom (UK):

United States of America (USA):

Poland:

Thailand

Monday, October 31, 2022

Friday, October 28, 2022

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Russia

Cuba

Iran

Turkmenistan

Chad

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