Beyond Xperience

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Vol. 4 July - August 2011

www.beyondxperience.com

rEGIONAL Xperience

Tree of Life

iNTERNATIONAL Xperience

Bali’s Distinctive

feature

BIZZARE STREETS

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CONTENTS 8

Beyond Xperience Expedition – Hobbies Club. �������������������������� 8 Regional Discovery – Egypt ����������������������12 The Tiger’s Nest ������������������������������������������15 Taksang Monastery

Sun, Sand, Surf & Hippos ��������������������������16 Gabon ocean going hippos

Re-live American History ����������������������������17

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Dare to Xperience ������������������������������������18

Chilling Chernaboyl

International Discovery Dominican Republic ����������������������������������20 Lobster Soup For Soul ��������������������������������23 UAE’s most expensive soup

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Infocus Waters falls ������������������������������������������������24 Feature Amazing Festivals II ����������������������������������28 Must Xperience Cherrapunji ������������������������������������������������33 Kids Xperience Dubai Dolphinarium ������������������������������������34

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Feature The Wackiest of Hotels II ����������������������������36

Editor’s note 4

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ur tempting thirst for providing our readers with new and undiscovered worlds still continues in our fourth volume. Recently Beyond Xperience team was invited to visit Indonesia to explore this marvellous country and a lifetime is insufficient to appreciate this spectacular region called the “Ring of Fire”.

Publisher: Media 4 FZE Fujairah Tower PO Box: 4422, Fujairah, UAE. Editor in Chief Mukesh Bhawnani Email: mukesh@beyondxperience.com Managing Editor M. Khalid Shuja Email: editor@beyondxperience.com Photography/Illustrations Muhammad Farooq Contributing Editor Michelle Mcgill Contributing Writer Kavya Chawla Contributing Photographers Dissy Ekapramudita (Indonesia) Navin Vaswani Marketed by: Winds Advertising & Publishing PO Box: 25271, Abu Dhabi – UAE Tel: +971 (2) 677 3330 Fax: +971 (2) 679 3339 Email: tradewin@eim.ae Marketing Associates Mashood Ali (Middle East) Glenn Rogers (Europe Chapter) Beny Sugandi (Southeast Asia) Soraya Hajee (East Africa)

So let’s resume our journey and move on with our more than ambitious volume to lead you once again into the worlds of unbelievable magnificence and unimaginable beauty which truly confirms the work of the “Master Craftsman” This issue we will take you to Africa, where you can experience Hippo’s swimming at the sea. We will also tell you about a once in a lifetime experience of visiting a Nuclear Reactor in Russia, to experience the tree of life, the only tree surviving in the midst of a scorching desert since 400 years, and we will also tickle your imagination by telling you about a glamorous winter experience in the Middle East….and many more.

Each drop of experience will sizzle your senses, thrill you and make you want more and more and for sure we will give you more for all the love and support you have given us in making ‘Beyond Xperience’ a resounding success.

Last but not the least the festivals of the world series continues in the fourth issue taking you to India, United States of America, Russia, UAE, Thailand and so on. The special feature on the Wackiest of Hotels will baffle your mind on the futuristic approach of the human mind…and proves that there is no limit to creativity.

We are grateful for your support and Beyond Xperience promises to keep baffling you all with more and more……

Design & Artwork Studio United Kingdom Representative Fast Track Travel 6 Way Land, Hayes UB32QU London, UK Printed by: United Printing Press Distributed by: Jashanmal Distribution Disclaimer: While every effort and care has been made to ensure accuracy of information contain in this publication, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions it may contain.

Mukesh Bhawnani

To read detailed stories about the Xperiences published in this edition please visit:

www.beyondxperience.com

5 Letters

Letters

to the

Editor

How much are you willing to pay for your Burger?

The first time I picked up Beyond Xperience from the mall, the cover of the magazine attracted my attention.

While going through the articles, to my surprise I was astonished at the How Much Will You Pay for your Burger article! I was quite amused at the USD 5000 price tag on the burgers.

I must say , I’m a traveller myself and have never come across such astonishing facts. Waiting for more………

Thekra Abdulaziz Al Shareef (Fashion Designer) Kuwait One of my clients brought the Beyond Xperience magazine during her visit at our boutique. Luckily for us she forgot the copy and I got a chance to have a closer look at the publication. I read through the magazine and liked the information on Liwa Desert Expedition. It had great information on international experience, but we request to cover more in and around UAE so we could get a chance to experience the uniqueness around us.

Roger Paul (Financial Consultant) United Kingdom I have been following your magazine since last 2 issues , I have decided to make a collection of all the experiences published in Beyond Xperience , file them and choose from the mentioned travel experiences when ready to travel. It’s exciting!

Letter to Win! Dear Readers starting July - August 2011, the winner for the best letter will win a gift voucher worth 250 Dhs courtesy Beyond Xperience. Please send your letters at editor@beyondxperience. com The winner will be chosen on basis of clarity, and the editor’s decision will be final.

Bara Dweik (Student) Syria I always like reading unconventional concepts and ‘Beyond Xperience ‘gave me food for thought.

Neither me nor my friends were a travel magazine readers, but after reading interesting articles about The Wackiest of Hotels published in May- June issue gave us a push to plan a trip to these wackiest hotels.

We are now interested to know more about amazing and unique travel experiences one can have globally.

Good work keep it up...

editor@beyondxperience.com beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

Regional xperience Culinary 6

400 Years of Survival

TREE OF LIFE

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he Tree of Life in Bahrain is one of the mysteries of the world which is bound to be in your sightseeing list while in this Middle Eastern country.

The Tree of Life in Bahrain is a four century old mesquite tree which survives in the midst of the desert. The mystery of the survival of the tree has made it a legend. People from all over the Middle East and the world make it a point to visit this place to see this magic of nature. The name ‘tree of life’ is absolutely appropriate for the tree as it truly represents the magic of life. A legend is also attached to beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

the site where the tree is located. The local inhabitants believe with heart and soul that this was the actual location of the Garden of Eden.

The Tree of Life of Bahrain is located 1.2 miles or 2 kilometers away from Jebel Dukhan. The tree stands all alone in the heart of desert and from far away it looks like a green spot in the white desert. While going to this place extra caution should be taken to avoid your car from getting stuck in the sand. There are very less habitation near this place as this is in the middle of no where.

7 REgional xperience

A Glamorous Winter Xperience this

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xperience the wonders of a true winter retreat in one of Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates stunning Ski Chalets.

Commanding views over the wintry pistes of Ski Dubai and the city, the fifteen luxuriously-appointed Ski Chalets offer a chic haven for individuals or families, with all the trimmings of an authentic mountainside sanctuary.

Designed over multiple levels in one, two and three bedroom formats the Ski Chalets afford a spacious and comfortable living area with a distinct modern appeal.

Satellite Image by Google Maps

Recreating the stylish ambience of Europe’s famous ski resorts, the chalets feature elegant, cozy interiors and come with a host of privileged services and special extras including private check in and full access to the executive lounge plus a dedicated butler upon request. The magnificently spacious Grand Ski Chalets enjoy the most elite collection of value-added services including

Kids ski-lessons for two, Ski Slope Access for four, and a soothing Spa treatments for two, plus a lavish bespoke dinner party for six people, especially created by the hotels top chefs based on personal instructions and cuisine preferences of guests.

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates also offers the ‘coolest’ location for high level business meetings at an exceptional venue with an edge – at the top of the ski slope of the world’s largest indoor snow park.

The hotel’s exclusive Ski Chalets are an especially elite location for meetings that require impact. The Alpine Meeting Package offers the luxurious mountain retreat-style chalet that is sure to impress high-profile clients. The Grand Ski Chalet Alpine Meeting package includes full use of the venue, which can be configured from a boardroom set-up to a relaxed corporate gathering for up to six delegates, plus exclusive butler service throughout the meeting. beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

BX eXpedition Culinary 8

THE REAL

MUSTANG

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9 BX Culinary eXpedition

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his month the Beyond Xperience team was invited at the Hobbies Club. We met the owner Mr. Arif, he was very hospitable and friendly. The staff spoke with us for a while to assess our knowledge and riding experience. They gave us each a horse to match our riding ability and weight. The horses were well kept and the riding equipment was in good condition. The whole experience was completed in a calm relaxed manor.

They took time to ask us how we felt the riding experience went and allowed us time to look around the stables.

Well, what can we say!

It was such an amazing experience. Just being able to control the horse made us feel wonderful! Learning how to trot, and how to control

the horse was brilliant! But the best part was being able to trot without a leader!

Being someone that had never ridden before, we found the helpers made it seem easy! Even though it was hard work, and it ached later, it was such an amazing experience, and I would love to do it again!

Our team thoroughly enjoyed our day and would recommend this experience to all Beyond Xperience readers (regardless if they are beginners or experienced).

Hobbies Club is located on Hatta/Oman Road. Pass two roundabouts after Dragon Mart and drive 3km and you will see the club on your right. Happy Riding!

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Regional Discovery 12

Enchanting Egypt

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gypt, a magical and mystical land filled with magnetic attractions that pull in swarms of tourists from around the globe every year. The intriguing country waits to be explored, so lets begin the exciting exploration.

The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt Everyone has heard of the Pyramids. They are Egypt’s most renowned landmarks and the only remaining attraction from the seven wonders of the ancient world. A visit to Egypt without a visit to the Great Pyramids would be like having cake without the icing. They are some of the most outstanding achievements in human history, still proudly standing in preservation on the Plateau of Giza, by Cairo in Egypt. How the Egyptians actually managed to build the Pyramids with the weight of the large stone blocks and the extensive labour it no doubt entailed, still remains a mystery. There are a few different theories from Egyptologists, engineers and anthropologists but all still have no definite answers.

The pyramids were, for the most part, tombs for the Pharaohs of Egypt but the mystery of why they were built in this particular shape and size remains unknown. Ancient Egyptian belief understands their significance to be the stairways to heaven. However many ambiguous beliefs and concepts that lie beneath the pyramids, there is one certainty; they truly are an amazing sight to see.

Climb towards the Stars – Mount Sinai

Egypt contains an incredible mountain offering unforgettable ventures. Mount Sinai is an attraction in Egypt, which calls upon thousands of people every night, all eager to begin their ascent. For a lot of climbers

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13 Regional Discovery

the journey is of great religious and cultural significance. The traditional location of the mountain is cited in both Biblical/Jewish accounts, and in the Koran. It has the Monastery of Saint Catherine at its feet and a mosque and Greek Orthodox chapel perched at its peak. The pretty star filled night and the calm climb of candle lit pilgrims weaving their way up the mountain trails will inspire even the most ardent non-believers.

The climax of the journey has to be watching the magnificent Sinai sunrise. When travellers reach the top they search for a perfect place to plop and then gaze deep into the darkness and wait. It isn’t long before golds, yellows and burnt oranges begin to break though the sky and illuminate the Desert Mountains. What a fantastic way to begin the day.

Drift down the Nile Egyptian Style

What better way to experience the World’s longest river than to do it in true traditional Egyptian style on a Felucca. It is a delight that should not be missed. The felucca is a small wooden boat, which skims you across the surface of the Nile allowing you to experience the sun setting over the Sahara Desert.

Your relaxing sail will present you with ancient cities, temples, and the Great Pyramids of Egypt all fringing its riverbanks. It is a River of beauty and legends and has been explored with marvel for centuries.

This is a unique and effective way to discover important aspects of the country.

Kom Ombo: The Crocodile Temple

One of the temples you will have spotted as you drifted down the Nile will no doubt have been the Crocodile Temple. This is a beautiful Egyptian temple located on the river’s edge, just 50km from Aswan.

Ancient crocodiles once covered the shores surrounding Kom Ombo, and Sobek is the crocodile god honoured by the Temple of Kom Ombo. In the

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Regional Discovery Culinary 14

temple you will find interesting hieroglyphs illustrating Sobek with the body of a man and the head of a crocodile. The other god depicted is Haroeris, the ‘Good Doctor’, he is represented by the head of a falcon. What is intriguing about this temple is the way in which it was designed. It is an almost perfectly symmetrical double temple, with one side dedicated to Haroesis and the other side to Sobek. The temple boasts some truly beautifully coloured works, which have been preserved by the moisture of the surrounding waters. As a visitor you can become overwhelmed by the number of images and engrossed by the fascinating stories they tell.

Cairo Citadel

Cairo is a city of hustle, bustle and sweltering heat. So, a place that offers a cool breeze and fantastic views is a true treasure to come

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upon. Cairo’s Citadel is one of the most popular medieval sites in the region. When the military genius, Saladin, arrived in Cairo it wasn’t long before he got to action and worked upon the city’s defence. The Citadel was the main element in this defence. He set it strategically on Muqattam Hill knowing the great vantage point it would offer of the surrounding area. However that wasn’t the only benefit the Citadel endowed; the gusts of wind, which were felt here, brought about great pleasure to the people who gathered to enjoy the ’Dome of the Wind’. Today this is still one of its great perks. It is of great historical interest also. Visitors can explore the mosques, museums and a beautiful park before unwinding with amazing views and bathing in the bountiful breeze.

An ancient Temple emerging from the desert’s depths

Indeed the Great Pyramids and Great Sphinx at Giza are the most important sites in Egypt, however the Karnak Temple is another wondrous place that summons a visit. Located in Luxor Karnak it is the biggest temple in Egypt owing its monumental size to 1300 years of construction. The temple sits on 70 acres of land and is split into four different parts with three of them being closed due to excavation and restoration work. The temple will have one awestruck at its collection of huge statues, sphinxes, temples, pylons and striking hieroglyphics. Fascinatingly, Karnak wasn’t always visible. In fact it lay deep under the desert for over 1,000 years until its rediscovery in the mid-19th century. It may have been abandoned and forgotten those many years ago; nevertheless a trip to Karnak Temple will be an experience you won’t forget.

15 international Culinary xperience

The Tiger’s Nest Taksang Monastery

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he last remaining kingdom of Asia is the Kingdom of Bhutan and within this kingdom nestles a spectacular treat, the Taktsang Monastery. It is also referred to the ‘Tiger’s Nest’.

The interesting legend that surrounds the landmark narrates back in the 7th century when Guru Rimpche fled from Tibet, China. Flying over the Grand Himalaya on the back of a tigress in the pursuit of recluse he finally arrived in Paro Valley. He meditated for three months in a cave, which was soon to be

built into today’s Taksang Monastery.

The monastery hangs on a cliff high above Paro Valley. It hosts a spectacular construction and design, leaving viewers mesmerised. In order to get full viewing pleasure you need to ascend from Paro Valley and this cannot be achieved by car (or even tigress)! You must climb by either foot or pony for a three-hour journey before reaching the Tiger’s Nest.

After your tired body reaches the point you will be generously rewarded with fantastic views and a perhaps a nice cup of Asian tea.

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INTERNATIONAL XPERIENCE Culinary 16

Sun, Sand, Surf and…

Hippos?

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ave you ever seen a hippo surf? No, is the answer I would expect. After all these creatures are more known as freshwater waders rather than saltwater.

However head to Gabon on the West Coast of Africa and you will find yourself in a region famous for surfing hippos. The wandering mammals drift further afield finding themselves in a salty ecosystem where they can rid themselves of parasites and enjoy the surf of the African Coast.

And it’s not just surfing hippos that commend Gabon as an

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enthralling spot; the region is also covered by thick, hidden forest so it is home to chimpanzees, mandrills and the largest number of western lowland gorillas anywhere in the world.

Whilst the hippos bob in the sea, the elephants and buffalos enjoy strolls along the sandy shores; it surely is an amazing sight to Xperience. Sharing a beach with wildlife rather than hoards of tourists is a treat to be enjoyed.

Lap up the surf with the hippos in Gabon.

Culinary xperience 17 international

Re-live

American History

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e-enact the drama and history of the American Civil War in a truly enlightening xperience at the annual re-enactment events, which take place in many states.

Become immersed in the battles, hardships and heartache that came with this chaotic period. The 150th anniversary of the Civil War begins this year so there will be many events and re-enactments throughout the mid Atlantic and even west of the Mississippi River. It is an experience worthwhile for all the family and offers a great learning opportunity and insight into what went on from the four long, raging years from 1861 to 1865.

Everything is styled in a truly authentic manner and some re-enactments have full scale mock battles with regiments of infantry, cavalry and artillery.

Hitting America this year? Then why not feed your mind and senses and Xperience this re-enactments, Xperience reliving the history.

Dogon buildings in Mali A Spectacle to See

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he Dogon Buildings in Mali really are a sight to see. The Dogon is an ethnic group that lives in Mali, in western Africa and their villages are plotted with unique architecture, which conveys the living experiences of the group. The cluster of villages preserves copious traditional rituals and belief systems, which defy all attempts to integrate into, mainstream African and tourist culture. Home is not a particular building to the Dogon but rather a series of stages that includes several buildings.

Interestingly they relate home to the development of the individual. Their different buildings include: The Male granary, the female granary, Tógu nà, and the house for menstruating women.

The buildings are oddly shaped and

made almost entirely of dried mud but contain an appealing charm. The pointed straw roofed structures are used to store grains, foods, clothes, jewellery and money. And it’s not just the uniquely styled constructions, which cause amazement; the areas landscape is breathtaking. Be captivated and fascinated in Mali’s Dogon Village.

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international xperience Culinary 18

Dare to Xperience Chilling Chernobyl

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erie disaster sites such as Pompeii and Auschwitz are usually crawling with tourists; people crave to gain some sort of insight into a disaster that was so renowned. However would you ever dare visit the disaster site that is Chernobyl? The United Nations have been working on developing Chernobyl’s tourism promise in the aim to somehow get the area back on its feet. A truly unique Xperience indeed, but in order to do so you must be brave enough to sign a waiver, exempting the tour operator from all responsibility in the event that you later suffer radiation-related health problems.

A chilling experience which calls for care and ultimate responsibility.

Enriching cultural Xperience

Life as a Pygmy

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perience pygmy life by visiting the Baka land in Cameroon. Here you will be immersed within the Pygmies culture and traditions, a truly enriching cultural experience. The Baka Pygmies are a group of friendly people who live in the heart of the rain forest and have refused to conform to modern life. Visiting their land will give you the chance to be catapulted back to the primitive years. Arriving at the land you must meet with the village chief before settling in to begin the fun. Let your body loose and engross yourself with the music and dance of the people. Don’t be shy, move your body to the drums and rattles and have fun experiencing their passion for music. The food you will occur on the land may not appear the most delectable. You are in Pygmy Land now so its better you should leave your modern doubts at home. Take your spears, bows and arrows and give hunting a shot. It’s a dangerous but fun activity and will give you an authentic taste of pygmy life.

Encounter original African values and traditions, arts and lifestyle in the Baka land.

19 iNTERNATIONAL xPERIENCE

Bali’s

distinctive

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ali’s distinctive, highly stylized form of traditional dance, which evolved from ancient Hindu rites, is one of the island’s most dazzling cultural displays.

There’s an impressive variety of specific Balinese dances. Some, like the popular Kecak, feature male performers; in this particular dance, there can be 50 or more who chant and sway as a scene from the Hindu epic Ramayana is acted out.

Balinese dance has a unique part different than other from Indonesia Dance, for the Balinese, the theatre is not a profession. Aside from those who perform music and dancing, the village creates a theatre for the enjoyment of the community. Xperience this unique form of narration, feel the expression and know the history.

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International discovery 20

Dominican Republic

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The oldest settlement in the new world

he Dominican Republic is the heart of the Caribbean and as a heart it surely beats. The country pulsates with magic, mystery, tradition, culture, breathtaking beaches, exotic jungles, gushing rivers, fertile mountains, crashing waterfalls, fine forests and so on. In fact if I were to continue, this article would simply be a list. So, I shall refrain from that and convey a few of the nations highlights.

It is a destination like no other and even the most trodden of travellers will be enlightened and refreshed in the Dominican Republic. Therefore let’s begin to tantalise our taste buds and touch upon the sensational feast the nation lays before us.

The capital of this sparkling nation is Santo Domingo, founded in 1496 and considered the first inhabited city of the New World. It boasts the continent’s first university and the oldest cathedral where some historians believe the remains of Christopher Columbus once rested and now reside in the Faro de Colon across the Ozama River.

In commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in the Americas in 1492 a lighthouse was constructed. Its stands proudly as an architectural and historical treasure, honouring Columbus’ historic voyages and serves as a charming reminder of the country’s rich past. A visit to the capital whilst in the Dominican Republic is a must for those wanting to discover the first city of the Americas, the launching pad for much of the exploration and conquest of the New World and the magic, romance and history within.

For a flurry of flamboyant fun experience the Dominican Carnival.

This will have you in the midst

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of an explosion of colour, sound and joy. It is the most authentic popular expression of culture and with each sound, and colour being expressed in different manners it results in the reconciliation of different beliefs. Whatever those beliefs may be everybody shares the same excitement as they swathe themselves in wild colourful costumes and elaborate masks. Due to the mixture of European, Africa

and Taí� n o heritages it boasts a range of diverse characters all dancing their way through the streets. It is one of the greatest festivities in the country and a very important part of the Dominican’s culture. The carnival is generally celebrated in the month of February and has elements from the Taí� n os, the Africans and the Spaniard culture.

It is an amazing spectacle and a great way to become immersed into

21 International discovery

weather and the varied definite terrain. Caribbean weather allows you to tee off even during rainy days, when brief showers halt to bring back those blue, clear skies.

For avid golfers architects have incorporated hills and coastline into the design to double the challenge.

The three most renowned courses; Playa Grande, Playa Dorada and the course at Casa de Campo were designed to expose as many holes as possible to the beautiful ocean coasts of these areas.

Dominican life and truly understand the depth of the Dominican People.

Another one of the Dominican Republic’s gems is in fact a gem!

Although you may escape to the Dominican to lap up the sandy beaches and turquoise waters and relax in bliss, the country offers an incredible variety of sports and adventure opportunities. Select from mountain biking, windsurfing, kiteboarding, canoeing, surfing, golfing, fishing and many more to keep your body buzzing with adrenaline.

Golf in particular is one of the Dominican Republic’s top attractions being named “Golf Destination of the year” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. This is due to the outstanding year round summer

The country draws in tourists from around the world whom are attracted to its highly regarded collection of amber. Some of us may best know amber for its appearance in the Jurassic Park movie. Dominican amber is formed from tree sap that hardened billions of years ago. Also it differs from other ambers around the world as it contains a fascinating array of colours, high transparencies and assortment of fossils. The colours other than amber, which it can be found in, are yellow, honey, red, green and blue. It is an ideal souvenir to bring home due to its superior quality and excellent value.

In addition to amber, the country also bestows the Larimar gemstone.

This is an extraordinarily blue gem, which is exclusively found in the Dominican Republic. It was formed

years ago as a result of volcanic eruptions. It lies within a surge of gigantic trees, amid arbors of mangos, plantains, papaya and embellished by flurries of orchids and hibiscus. In recent years the gem has become to be regarded as one of the most exceptional novelties known and is said to act as a tranquilliser helping to balance emotions. Again this is an ideal and beautiful souvenir to bring back home and its exclusivity to the Dominican adds to the appeal.

For those who want to embrace Mother Nature then a visit to the Samana Peninsula of the Northeast coast beckons. This is off the beaten path and a perfect place to take in nature’s simple beauty.

Here you will find unspoiled beaches serving an entrance into a world of vibrant coral reefs whilst mountain waterfalls feed lush green rain forest. The area includes opportunities to interact with humpback whales, as it is one of the largest and best breeding grounds in the world for this mysterious mammal. It holds natural beauty, history and a meshing of cultures making it a fairy tale land full of legendary stories with a magical scene perfectly painted before you.

There is so much to discover and enjoy in the Dominican Republic but the only way to truly experience it is by reaching the land and exploring it. Take a leaf out of Christopher Columbus’s book and encounter something new and exciting.

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23 Culinary xperience

Lobster Soup for the Soul

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resh blue lobster, abalone and turbot & pure gold leaf Tom Yum Seafood Soup - Tom Yum Talay

Selling price would be USD$ 600 per portion i.e. per bowl ( no minimum quantity required) 48 hours notice is required to fly in the fresh ingredients.

All profits from this dish will go directly to Dusit Smiles Charity for children with facial deformities. Each bowl should be able to sponsor between 2 to 4 operations for Dusit Smiles in Ethiopia or Kenya, depending if doctors are local or flown in.

Where: Dusit Thani Dubai

Oriental chicken feet

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harp and thin chicken feet are a common delicacy in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and China. As a popular dimsum (steamed snacks in bamboo baskets), chicken feet are stewed in black bean sauce and steamed for a long time before the soggy skin crumples and the cartilage becomes chewy. Be careful of the chicken’s toenails though: you don’t want to choke on them!

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in focus - waterfalls 24

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aterfalls WNature’s most beautiful creation A

dding adjectives to nature’s ingredients such as mountains or waterfalls is an absolute individual affair. As it is rightly said that ‘beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’ the same implies to nature, something that might be just simply beautiful for one might just be an ecstatic scene for the other. Hence, here in this piece ‘Beyond Xperience’ solely shares its personal opinion to put across its readers, aiming to help them discover some of the most unique and elegant waterfalls across the globe ( though we would still miss some).

1.

Sutherland Falls is New Zealand’s mightiest waterfall. Plunging 580m in three distinct vertical leaps, it is amongst the tallest waterfalls in the world and it also vies with Browne Falls as well as Bluff Falls for the title of the tallest waterfall in New Zealand. There’s no denying that it’s Sutherland that’s the most spectacular as it has the steepest slope and the most satisfying shape.

of about 500 cubic meters per second when at high flow, with dimensions of 44m tall and 100m wide . The milky color of this waterfall is due to the melt waters of the vast Vatnajökull glacier.

3.

Plitvice Waterfalls, Croatia as opposed to being any singular attraction, the Plitvice Waterfalls (pronounced “PLIT-vits-uh”) are really a large network of karstic lakes and waterfalls. These waterfalls were apparently tourist attractions since the late 19th century. To get a

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Dettifoss, Iceland which is perhaps a waterfall so wild and fierce exclaiming of an area that just screams natural and raw as it flows on the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum (“YUK-ul-sou ow FYUHT-lum”)

2

meandering through Iceland’s version of the Grand Canyon - Jökulsárgljúfur (“YUK-ul-sour-glyoo-fur”). And to back up these adjectives, this falls has a flow beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

handle on the enormity of the Plitvice Jezera (meaning Plitvice Lakes and is pronounced «PLIT-vits-uh Yez-eruh»), you can divide the complex into

25 in Culinary focus - waterfalls

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flow of around 1000 cubic meters per second. It is such a natural wonder that UNESCO designated the falls as a World Heritage Area in 1986. During normal flow, Iguazu Falls is actually split into two main parts by the San Martin Island (La Isla San Martín).This is the portion of the falls that is split between Argentina and Brazil.

5.

the Upper Lakes and the Lower Lakes separated by the long lake called Jezero Kozjak. Each section is quite easily covered in a half-day if you choose to do each part as its own loop.

Niagara Falls is by far the most famous waterfall in North America.

It has been the backdrop to many honeymoons, proposals, daredevil stunts, and even key moments in the history of the United States. The falls actually consists of three

separate components - Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Combined, the falls have an average discharge of over a 7000 cubic meters per second. Over 90% of the volume is over the Horseshoe Falls.

The Niagara River marks the border between New York, USA and Ontario, Canada. The American and Bridal Veil Falls lies on the American side while the Horseshoe Falls is considered Canadian even though being split by political boundaries. These waterfalls have been a tourist attraction since America’s early years (the mid 1800s).

We have only covered 5 top ranking waterfalls while rest will be featured in the next edition.

4

4.

Iguazu Falls (or more accurately Iguazú Falls) is the Spanish name (Argentina) for this mammoth waterfall. It is a network of 275 different waterfalls spanning an area 3km wide (2km of which is the upper rim of the waterfall) they are on the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian State of Paraná and the Argentine, during its normal beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

Feature-Bizarre streets 26

world’ s most

bizzare Streets

World’s most crooked Street San Francisco

E

ver wondered the relevance of a road apart from being the most important source of connectivity? We can’t imagine driving on the shady roads with dumps and pits, but driving or walking on the streets that are unconventional and away from the league is an experience in itself and that’s what we aim at.

Beyond experience picks up to talk about ten most unique roads across the globe.

Ebenezer Place in Scotland is claimed to be the ‘World’s Shortest street’, measuring just 2.06 meters (6.8 ft).

The street has just one house with nomenclature number 1 Ebenezer Place built in 1883. The building is used as a hotel (Mackays) and the owner was instructed to paint the street name on its shortest side. In 1887 it was declared as a street officially.

The Pan-American Highway is the longest motoring road in the world.

It has replaced Yonge Street (in Toronto Canada) as the longest road since amendments were made to the

beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

configuration of Highway 11 and Yonge Street in the 1990’s. The Pan-American highway links the mainland nations of the America and is an amazing 48,000

measuring less than 0.64m at its narrowest point. It was originally called Small Street (for reasons that are obvious) but was renamed when parliament passed an act of law that expanded the representation of the people in the ‘House of Commons’.

This 50 meters long street dates back to 1300s.

The Road to Giza in Egypt is the world’s oldest known paved road.

The road is over 4,600 years old and is six and a half feet wide. It covered a distance of seven and a half miles – connecting the quarries to the Southwest of Cairo, to the quay on Lake Moeris which connected to the Nile.

World’s Shortest Street Scotland kilometers (29,800 miles) long.

Parliament Street in Exeter, England is the narrowest street in the world,

9 de Julio Avenue (meaning 9th of July Avenue – in honour of Argentina’s independence day) is the widest street in the world. It has six lanes in each direction and it spans an entire city block. There is a single building that sits on the Avenue (the former Ministry of Communications building) but there are many famous landmarks along the side.

27 Feature-Bizarre streets

Lombard Street in United States is claimed to be the world’s crookedest street. Lombard Street in San Francisco is famous for its bizarre hair-pin turns. There are eight of the turns (called switchbacks).The turns were added because otherwise the street would have been too steep for most vehicles. The twisting section of Lombard Street is now one way – in order to make it safer and there is parking ban at places.

The Magic Roundabout in England is the World’s worst roundabout. The roundabout is a real roundabout in Swindon, England. It was built in 1972 and it includes 5 other smaller roundabouts. To make matters worse, you must travel anti-clockwise (the reverse of the normal situation on British roundabouts) when you enter the smaller central roundabout.

Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand is claimed to be the steepest street of the World. New Zealand has many cities built on or around mountainous and hilly areas, and Dunedin is no exception. This street (and many others in New Zealand) was designed by British town planners who had never been to the country. They simply overlaid a grid pattern on the map and had no idea that they had made impossible or

Magic Roundabout, England ridiculous design choices. The slope on Baldwin Street has a 35 per cent grade.

Talking of conventional things about roads, though in an unconventional attribute we spoke about the smallest, longest, narrowest and a few more to the list its time to notice some uncommon things within the law.

World’s Narrowest Street, Dublin

World’s Widest Street, Argentina

Most of us know, the British drive on the left (unlike Europe and the United States). But there is one exception to this rule: the road named Savoy Court in England is the only street in Britain where cars must legally drive on the right. Apparently this dates back to the old Hackney Cabs – where by driving on the right, the driver was able to open the backdoor without leaving the cab, allowing the passengers to alight on the sidewalk.

This is allowed by a special act of parliament.

Another addition to the list are Gravity hills, that appear to defy the laws of physics. Unlike the other streets on this list, this is not a specific street but rather a variety of streets – there are, in fact, hundreds around the world.

When you park your car at the foot of gravity hill (also sometimes called Magnetic hills or Mystery hills), the car will experience the illusion to roll up the hill – not down. The reason is an optical illusion caused by the surrounding environment. Thus, it’s an experience to cherish while you encounter any such road. beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

Feature - Festivals 28

Let the Festivals

continue…

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ate lovers, farmers, families and other various institutions flocked to Liwa every year to become involved in a unique heritage and tourism carnival, Liwa Date Festival. Liwa is located 150km Southwest of Abu Dhabi and dates are the most common staple food in the Middle East.

So what can you enjoy at a date festival? It’s not something you see very often in the UAE, which makes it special, giving visitors a chance to see a more traditional side of the UAE. It is a chance for date growers to compete for prizes, and these prizes are not the usual hamper and medal awards.

In fact the winners, first, second, and third right down to fifteenth all drive away proudly in a new car.

Here you can immerse yourself in true Arabic culture as you stroll between gentlemen chattering in Arabic as they hoist their goods into your bewildered hands. It may be confusing to visitors but offers a unique opportunity to experience Arabic tradition. It has become very popular with tourists and visitors and for this reason accommodates the heavier numbers with a range of events and activities to keep it a fun filled festival.

beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

Liwa Date Festival

To follow on from where we left off in the last edition; here is another five extraordinary festivals. Each pick is from different corners of the globe, offering a distinct slice of festival fun. Lets begin in UAE with Liwa Date Festival...

29 Feature - Festivals

UFO Festival I

f you are a UFO enthusiast or even a sceptic you are welcome to join the celebration of one of the most debated incidents in history – the crash of the mysterious object. In early July, 1947, a mystifying object crashed on a ranch 30 miles north of Roswell. The Roswell Army Field (RAAF) alleged to have recovered an extra-terrestrial spacecraft. However, shortly after they withdrew their statement claiming it was a weather balloon and nothing extraterrestrial, leading to controversy on whether an alien craft and its occupants were captured.

This incident turned into a widely known pop culture phenomenon so it is no wonder why a festival is held in commemoration. So what kind of mystifying events can you enjoy at a UFO festival? The festivals are tightly packed with a range of events to keep one occupied. Between the Alien Chase, Battle of the Bands, BBQ, Costume Competition for people and pets, the Light Parade and the Art Show you will be surely kept buzzing.

The festival also includes an interesting Passport Program for the people who enjoy to be rewarded for shopping. You pick up a passport at participating merchants or at the Official Passport Tent. Then you travel around Rosswell’s traders and get your Official UFO Festival Passport stamped. Once you have acquired all stamps you bring it to the Passport tent to claim your awards. For a festival which is Unique, Fun, and Out of this world, check out the UFO Festival, Roswell.

beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

Feature - Festivals 30

Holi - Festival of Colours

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hat better way to awaken the spring than with a vibrant splash of colourful celebration? Hindus celebrate with colour every year across India and throughout the world. It is India’s most energetic festival, packed with fun and good humour. It involves smearing each other with vivid shades and casting coloured powder and dye into the air and all around.

beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

It is exuberance in it fullest, with dancing, singing and paint throwing.

People litter the streets drenched in rainbows of colours.

What is entrancing about this festival is the spirit it brings about to the people celebrating. They become lost in the joy of throwing colours at each other and entangled in a fascinating riot of colour. Puffs of coloured

clouds are let loose from buckets and they drift into the midst of cheering crowds. There is hustle and bustle in the streets and shops in the days leading up to the festival. The shops are stocked with an abundance of coloured powder and people excitedly stock up and prepare. If you are looking to be enlightened and brightened, it is without a doubt a festival worth encountering.

31 Feature - Festivals

Chocolate Festival Ukraine

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here is a vast population of chocolate lovers in the world, and it is obvious as to why. What other food offers such excitement, pleasure, relaxation, joy and tantalises your taste buds as much as chocolate does? For me there is no other food that elevates my mood as much as a good chunk of chocolate. So, when we hear the words ‘chocolate’ and ‘festival’ embraced together it is difficult not to become excited. In Lviv, Ukraine a Chocolate festival is held every year.

Here you can xperience sculptors

create chocolate masterpieces, including towers, buildings small toy trains riding through a chocolate city and much more. Indulge in dark, milk, white and many-flavoured chocolates and drench your fingers in the warm, melted chocolate running from the fountains.

This year the centre piece of the chocolate arts was the ‘Domino

Heart’, made up of 15 thousand dominos weighing a total of 70 kilos and measuring 15 square metres, so big it has gained a place in the Ukrainian record books as the biggest chocolate heart ever made in the country.

Chocolate lovers around the globe can rejoice in chocolate heaven by xperiencing the next Chocolate festival. beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

Shopping Feature -Xperience Festivals in focus 32

Monkey buffet Festival

I

f you like your festivals strange then this one is for you. The Monkey Buffet festival in Thailand certainly ticks the strange box. The festival is held in Lopburi as legend has it that the hero of the ancient Sanskrit epic, Ramayana, rewarded his ally Hanuman the Monkey King with the control of what is now Lopburi and this is reasoning for the town being roamed freely with long-tailed macaques. Locals believe that the mischievous creatures bring good fortune, and hence an annual feast is held in their honour. The beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

celebration takes place at the Pra Prang Sam Yot temple where the unbelievably wide spread of fruit is set to entice the monkeys in.

It isn’t long before the word has spread throughout the monkey kingdom and hoards of critters are scampering in between people and happily grabbing as much as they can. Monkeys are great fun to watch so it’s not hard to imagine the joy in the midst of scampering monkeys everywhere. So if you care for some monkey madness then what better way to do it than to xperience Lopburi’s Monkey Fest.

Cherrapunji

Xperience it before it disapppears

33 a must xperience

S

hrouded in clouds and surrounded by waterfalls, Cherrapunji, India is one of the wettest places on Earth.

Paradoxically, its residents face water shortages, since there is generally no rain for nearly eight months of the year. Rainfall has decreased over the last century, and erosion from deforestation limits the ground’s capacity to store rainwater. beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

kids xperience Culinary 34

Dolphin and Seal Show’ and take a photo with dolphins followed by a birthday singing and a cake cutting with kids’ favorite mascot Dolphy.

Games like “Finding Treasures of Pirates”, coloring activities, puppet show and even prizes are all designed under the theme “Sea Adventures”, which makes them more special.

Besides their birthday party children can enjoy an incredible and once in a life time swimming and interaction with dolphins which gives not only

D r e am s c o m e t r u e with

A

Dolphins!

n unforgettable birthday party with dolphins and seals at “Dubai Dolphinarium” is what

beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

your kid will love the most. The day will be full of fun and excitement where kids will be able to watch ‘Live

positive splash of emotions but also an opportunity to observe the dolphins more closely, hug, touch and even kiss – our best friends dolphins.

Daily Shows

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu - 11am, 6pm; Fri, Sat - 11am, 3pm & 6pm Swim Sessions with Dolphins; Mon to Thu 1pm to 4pm Celebrate your Birthday Party at Dubai Dolphinarium

Feature - Wackiest Hotels 36

The

wackiest of hotels II In the previous edition we explored five weirdly wonderful hotels. If you thought that was where the peculiarities ended, then you were mistaken. The world we live in never fails to present more and more unique aspects. So here are another five intriguing abodes. So let’s not waste any more time and launch straight into number one.

Cappadocia Cave Suites Turkey

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evert back to the Stone Age with modern conveniences at the Cappadocia Cave Suites in Turkey. Cappadocia is renowned for being one of the most fascinating travel destinations in Turkey. Up until two million years ago the region was literally a sea of lava over 150 metres deep. When the volcanoes surrounding Cappadocia ceased beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

erupting the sea of lava turned to soft rock, which is easily eroded and dug up. This hotel is located in a restored one thousand year old Byzantine monastic retreat allowing one to embrace a spiritual feel of an area, which was inhabited for more than five thousand years.

Some of the buildings in this historic region are set so deep

into the rock that whole cities have developed underground, conveying an extraordinary landscape and making it a natural wonder of the world. The hotel contains 18 rooms or ‘fairy chimneys’ as they have been labelled due to their fantastical and romantic look. Enjoy a taste of prehistoric life whilst lapping up 21st century luxury.

37 feature - Wackiest hotels

Everland Hotel Paris

I

f you enjoy the finer things in life then you would have enjoyed checking into this creation.

I am speaking in past tense as unfortunately the Everland project has ended for now and there are no new projects underway. However, it is very much worth describing this artistic genius and the awe it brought about.

Created by the two artists Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann, this project fashioned one room, capsule hotels in the vicinities of Yverdon, Leipzig

and Paris. Imagine the extravagance of sleeping in a portable hotel, planted right on top of the Palais de Tokyo offering incredible views of the Eiffel Tower. The one room included a bathroom, king size bed and a lounge to relax in whilst listening to the complementary record collection and gazing out at the Eiffel Tower. The scene is surely set with the incredible architecture, vibrant colouring and playful details. Staying in your own private hotel work of art is surely

fascinating but when you can observe breathtaking views of amazing landmarks is goes beyond. When the hotels were available they were in such demand that it was impossible to reserve any later than two months in advance and the cost was 333 euros during weeknights and 444 euros during the weekend. No longer available at present but perhaps in the future the capsule art pieces will reawaken in a new city. Until then, lets look at our next peculiar pick…. beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

Feature - wackiest hotels 38

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his one is without a doubt, out of this world.

Take a deep breath whilst I paint you the BIG picture. Imagine checking into a tropical resort; palm trees - check, azure waters - check, sunny skies – check, and sparkling white sands - check. Now imagine training to be an astronaut in this heavenly environment, continue on to picture what awaits you after your training. A trip to space?

Surely not? Oh yes, indeed.

At the Galactic Suite Space Resort, which is due to open next year, you can enjoy astronaut training in the Carribean before being launched into space going from 0kmph to 28,000kmph in ten minutes to Xperience life on a space resort. The Xperiences onboard are mind boggling; complete one revolution around the world in 80 minutes, float in zero gravity whilst gazing out at our beautiful blue planet, watch 15 sunsets in a day, gain the most amazing view of stars and encounter sensations you have never known before.

It is a journey we always expect to be available only to the few people with the aptitude to get into NASA. Galactic Suite Space Resort is working to make dreams come true. However, these dreams don’t come cheap and apparently you will need 4 million dollars in order to book a three-day stay. Sorry

GALACTIC SUITE SPACE RESORT to burst the bubble and bring the majority of us sky diving back to reality, but it never hurts to wish upon a lucky star!

beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

011

JUMBO HOSTEL

39 Feature - wackiest hotels

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o you can’t afford a trip to space? Then perhaps you can afford a nights rest on a parked aircraft. It’s no spacecraft but does offer a unique twist, enjoy a slumber aboard a grounded jumbo jet. Stockholm Arlanda International Airport presents a fresh, innovative idea to the world of airport hotels.

The owner, Oscar Diös was getting ready to expand his hotel business when he heard about the old wreck of an aircraft for sale at Arlanda. He

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he Galactic Space Resort ascends you into an unparalleled experience whereas this one descends or submerges you into a completely different but entirely dramatic world. The Poseidon Resort is located on the sea-floor of

quickly seized the opportunity to convert the wreck into a new and vibrant hostel containing 27 rooms and 76 beds. The accommodations consist mostly of dorm rooms, each having two, three or four beds and all being on the cozier side. All rooms are equipped with flatscreen TVs and free wireless internet but use shared shower and toilet facilities.

However, if you are seeking a bit more privacy and luxury you can opt to upgrade to the cockpit suite

for a panoramic view and your own private bathroom with shower. Play around with the remaining inoperable pilot controls or poke your head out the top of the original sunroof, it will have you feeling like a kid again. The hotel is just a 15 minute walk from the terminals and also reachable by free shuttle bus making it a very convenient option for those who have early morning flights. It is certainly worth a visit and at 45 euros per night it really is a bargain.

Poseidon Resort Bahamas

the Bahamas and offers guests the opportunity to discover life in the underwater world. The underwater suites boast panoramic views of unique varieties of private artificial reefs, lit up by underwater lights controllable from an inside switch.

And with a push of a button guests can enjoy use of an external fish feeder. If you have ever dreamt about being a mermaid you can fulfil your dreams here. However alike all luxury and extraordinary resorts it comes at a price, the

resort costs $30,000 dollars per couple, per week. This includes four nights in a luxury beach or over-water villa and two nights in the luxury underwater suite. The resort also offers a variety of land and sea activities such as golf and diving onboard a luxury expedition submarine outside the lagoon. Not to mention walks on the lagoon floor, scuba diving and snorkelling and gourmet meals and drinks. It is a travel experience in a league of its own and the man to thank for this interesting development is the President of the U.S Submarines, l. Bruce Jones. Enter the depths of the ocean for a holiday of a lifetime.

beyond xperience l July-Aug 2011

Location: Indonesia Photographer: Dissy Ekapramudita

Shutter speed 30 sec, f 6.3, ISO 400

Canon EF 17-40L f4.0 lens,

Canon EOS 7D

This photo is Boscha Observatory (Bosscha Sterrenwacht). This observatory is located in Lembang, northern part of Bandung and the one and only in Indonesia.

Photographer’s xperience 40

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