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NEWLETTER
SUMMER - FEBRUARY 2010
In the midst of the many fires in Cape Town and surrounds and in the desparately dry, water restricted area of the Garden Route, which is also ablaze in Knysna area, with fire fighters giving their all to stop these ever encrouching flames from private property, the TV is only talking about NELSON MANDELA. Today marks the 20th anniversary of the release of this famous icon of the world and not only this stunning diverse country.
These historical occasions commenced on the 2nd February 1990, when then President FW de Klerk announced to the cabinet and world that Nelson Mandela was to be released and that the ANC would be unbanned. The official release day where he did his "Long Walk to Freedom," was today in 1990.
Many, who could afford to, fled this countrey in fear of the unknown and many who could not flee had to stay and saw this historical event unfold into the history books.
Because of this MAN, our transition into the new South Africa, was not as what many predicted, it was the unique peaceful change to democracy, not thought possible, after all the strife and anguish everyone lived in, no matter what culture or creed you came from.
Let us, around the world celebrate this MAN and his journey with us and for us, to Freedom, those 20 years ago today.
Some years back, when attending the fundraising concert for Aids, the 466 64 concert, where the music world came togther in the old Cape Town stadium to push for the awareness of Aids worldwide, I found inspiration while wathicng this unique icon and wrote this on a piece of scrap paper, sitting at the concert, .....
46664...
The Old Man called
The children were dieing
The adults in denieal
The man who could make a difference, turned away
Those the Old Man called, responded with joy and hope
The excitement, the crowds, the enegery, the lover , the humbleness
This Old Man encompassed
We have seen before
The skies were blue, the day was hot in this fair Mother City
This magical Africa was working its charm again
Those he had called, worked their own charm, inspired by this
Miracle worker adn those who had gone to this death before
Now the children will not die, our future is safer from the scurge of AIDS
This Old Man - number 46664...
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WORLD CUP SOCCER
There are 4 months left today to kick off!! Matches take place from 11th June to 11th July, in cities around the country. Cape Town will feature 8 matches.
We have now been told that if you want to provide transport to the "front door" of the stadium, then you need a special transport permit, new roadworthy clearance, tax clearance, but strangely enough, not provide proof of insurance!! I thought that would be paramount on this list of requirements. So I am busy duely applying for this special permit, so I may enter the exclusion zone that will be set up around the Green and Sea Point areas, which is where the stadium is located.
So if you have any guests coming to CPT for these matches, please get in touch with me to provide that transport, especially if you are or have guests in a wheelchair. Pre and post tours can also be arranged up the Garden Route, but time is running out to sort this, so get cracking and e-mail me soon!!
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KEEP WELL, BE HAPPY, SMILE A LOT, TELL EVERYONE YOU LOVE THEM (IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY FOR YOUR SOUL BUT THOSE YOU LOVE)
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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FOR SUNDAY 14TH FEB
FROM A HOT AND SUNNY CAPE TOWN
MOST IMPORTANT BE YOURSELF!!
PAM
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HAPPY FESTIVE SEASON GREETINGS
NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2009
Happy Holidays everyone! I sure for those who are taking a break you deserve the rest.
Here we are sweltering in 32°C heat and making a list (yes, checking it twice!!) of what we are going to eat on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Turkey, Gammon, Xmas pudding - the whole nine yards!
My Dad moaning, in this heat - you must be joking!
YES WE CELEBRATE JUST LIKE YOU DO OVER IN THE COLD WINTER
of the Northern Hemisphere
Yes we are MAD
but that is US here in South Africa!
Traditional in many ways.
Have a safe, peaceful and blessed Festive Season
filled with love, joy (my middle name) and if you are over the equator with HOT chocolate!
If South - with Ice cold cocktails!
HAPPY - HAPPY - HAPPY!!
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BACK TO THE NITTY GRITTY - QUICKLY
World Cup Soccer
11th June - 11th July 2010
I am horrified at the prices I have just received from a company here in CPT, the prices they are charging for vehicles is so high I am glad I was sitting down when I read the
e-mail.
They want almost R10 000.00 per day 9am - 6pm and then a further R4000.00 from
7 - 11pm - WOW for a 25 seater!
For a 7 seater - a lot more than R5000.00 for the day 9am - 6pm!
I will NOT be charging that price, so get in touch fast - for Cape Town & Garden Route areas only.
Availability is already down to only certain days.
Hurry and book before you have to pay the above rates or more.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
From JEFF and myself,
be safe, be happy and remember only YOU can make it happen!
Enjoy!
love and hugs
PAM - xx
EQUINOX NEWSLETTER
COMBINING WINTER & SPRING
SEPTEMBER 2009
Hello all my friends, colleagues, guests and family
I have combined this newsletter, as time has run away with me, as thankfully I have been busy with tours for the last couple of months. I am truly grateful to those of you who have sent me business in this climate of fiscal fallout.
I love classical music and am currently listening to Vivaldi's Four Season's, which is pertinent due the heading of my newsletter. This will be followed by my favourite - Tchaikovsky! This gives me inspiration to write and love life.
Some exciting things, besides the weather heading to "my season" I like it hot, I cannot take cold. I grew up in the town which has the second best weather in the world - Mossel Bay - with sunshine 350 days a year, so I am a sunshine person. So what are the new tour all about - new tours included in our line-up in the new season - more animals and more people! What is this woman going on about I am sure you are asking yourself.
ANIMALS - TENIKWA in the Crags on the Garden Route of South Africa, where Len & Mandy opened their arms to animals in need of help, love and rescued some that would otherwise have died. They have many of the small cats we never see on a "safari" as they often nocturnal, shy or both. They have some never even heard of generally - Black Footed Cats, Caracal, Wild Cats, Serval and off course the most endangered of all the Cheetah. They also have birds - our national bird the Blue Crane and Malibu Storks - the undertakers. This is really worth a visit to support their amazing work. They also do pro-deo work with the local communities animals where possible and where funds allow. A worthy cause and wonderful place to visit, they also go the extra mile to ensure that my special guests get the most out of the experience.
Here are some photo's I took last weekend. Enjoy! The Caracal through a closed glass window!
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PEOPLE - Meet the People - in Mossel Bay, a young man by the name of Jauckie Viljoen, had a vision to help people with hidden talent to promote themselves with a tour with a difference, not a township tour, but a tour where these people could be exposed to visitors to the town who could be a source of "spreading the word" about their talents and how they are trying to help themselves rather than rely on help from government etc; I have written before about Janneman who has now sadly passed away. He did leather work in the form of hand stitched bags etc; he was in a wheelchair after a motor vehicle accident. I was very upset by his untimely death, as he was about my age - far too young to die. I still want to be a granny and enjoy many years of grandchildren. I will now also never get to buy that special pink ostrich leather bag he was going to make me when he could get the leather - sad indeed. BUT on a brighter note, there are still others who we meet. Cecile, who makes a foot balm and face crème from herbs she grows in her garden in Grootbrak and also serves a tea made from ingredients in her garden - refreshing hot or cold - she explains how herbs can relax and pamper you. Then Hein Munroe, whose family have been diving for Oysters for 7+ generations. The beach where I used to dive for oysters as a child - Munroes beach - named after his family who lived there in the Cape Dutch style cottages, now part of the Dias Museum complex. Hein explain how this is done and how oysters are rich in calcium. Between the oysters and my mothers daily calcium pills fed to me, I have very hard and VERY heavy bones for which I am grateful no osteoporosis, so living in Mossel Bay did me a world of good as a child. We continue the tour to a coffee roastary in Voorbaai where we meet Barruch who also explain the process. Then to the "township" area to meet a few other people, we met Patrick this past weekend. He is a man who is also a wheelchair user that works with leather like Janneman did, he also is a cobbler of sorts, in that he repairs shoes. His story is a real one of dragging himself up from the depths of despair, to be what he is today, a person with conviction to make the best of his life and push his boundaries in sport. Beside the leather work he is participating in various sports, such as wheelchair racing, shot-put, discus and more, for this he needs specialised wheelchairs. He has got old ones handed down from other competitors, but needs new to be the best he can be for getting his times to qualify for the Olympics - his dream - in London in 2012. Any one who has contacts or can sponsor this, please contact me, whether you are in South Africa or overseas, we will make a plan to get any chairs donated to him and get publicity for you in this regard. So all these people we meet all have a story to tell and worthwhile a stop and listen, engage with them and come away with a happy feeling of having met very special people. The tourism ad for Mossel Bay is - "no hurry - no worries." A 'must-do" stop! Here is a photo of Patrick, (in chair) his wife Linda and my two guests John & Sheila, (in chair) from the UK, when they visited last weekend.
Richest blessings to all - love, peace and big hugs.
PAM
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SUMMER NEWSLETTER
FEB; 2009
How time flies, I can hardly believe the end of February is upon us - so soon. I have hardly got over the Festive Season.
The weather here is hot,33°C yesterday, but the downside is that the Western Cape, being a winter rainfall area is experiencing bush fires everywhere and often more than a dozen at one time, stetching our fire fighters to their limits. Recently the newspaper headlines read - 90 fires in one day. So our sympathy goes out to those who have lost family, friends animals and their properties, especially in OZ.
I know I have family there that I have never met, as my great grandfather Robert Stephens went to Oz as a child from the UK and ended up in SA many years later, when the captain of the ship they were travelling on, put him and his family off in Cape Town due to illness on board the ship. So they never went back and my grandfather Sydney Stephens was born here the youngest of 7 children back in 1904. So we are what I call international people, with family connections in UK & OZ. So if you know any people with the surname Stephens (like the Ink) let me know. I want to start a family tree. From fires to family trees Oh! today Friday the 13th, my mind wonders.... Hope none of you are tridecaphobic!
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ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
During this world recession, how can we think out of the box? As everyone is in the same box, we need to be ahead of the pack and therefore, being pioneers in our field in South Africa, just gone 14 years in business, we have always strived to do things differently and have our customer care our very top priority.
We therefore do not have scheduled tours and also do not have printed brochures with set dates, so our guests always have the freedom to choose their time of travel and destination and design their own tour, which is all part of the excitement around going on holiday, the aniticpation leading up to the journey is always very exciting and everyone is eager and wonder what it will be like.
So for the guests who are aniticpating a holiday this year or early next year, plan now for your land travel.
I went on cruise with family to Luderitz Namibia last week and the ship was half full, must tell you that with cruise ships, wait until the last moment to book, if you have the freedom to take a break at will, as we paid more for an inner cabin booking early, than my family - brother-in-law and cousin and their spouses, whom I booked late did and they had outer cabins with large portholes, also I did not receive any comm from their bookings!!! I asked for an upgrade, the ship being half full and an agent and was told by their management in Johannesburg, that I could not get the upgrade I watned, so my advise about cruises is - if you are thinking of going on one - wait for the specials, as they have schedules to keep, you will save a good R1000+. This was not very good managerial skills in my book, but then I think laterally and not like most tour operators or agents, as I feel my type of service does not fall within the mainstream thinking of the general theme of travel.
So, in this time of having to be different to stay ahead, I will remain schedule(less) and brochures (less) and keep my private personalised itineraries to suit my guests and their interests and "ability". We will overcome this if we all work together and have the guests interests at heart and not the $$$ in mind.
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2010 SOCCER WORLD CUP - SOUTH AFRICA
11 JUNE - 11 JULY 2010
I would please like some feedback from anyone who receives this newsletter on your feelings regarding this "show" next year and if you have any interest in watching any games, being part of a tour just being here during this "excitment" or are you wanting to keep well away from the madding crowd and travel at another time. Let's hear from you!
Why I am asking this is that accommodation is already at a premium and ticket sales for matches have opened. For this one I think it is get in sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
I also need to know if I should take FLAMINGO TOURS & DISABLED VENTURES on holiday, in other words close for a month or wait around in case there is a demand for our unique services.
There is the Lions Rugby this June - so for any Rubgy fans - contact me NOW!
Well, from Jeff and myself we wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow and for those who are unhappy that we going to have another Friday 13th next month and in November - chill - tomorrow the 14th comes all too soon!
BIG HUGS, PEACE & LOVE
from a stunning day in Cape Town - the most beatuiful city in the world and on the new World Monopoly!
PAM
PS! For our cruise pics go to my FACEBOOK site!
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SPRING NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 2008
I generally start my newsletters with the weather, but today with more world issues at stake, I decided to say that not all is "doom and gloom", our exchange rate, for us to travel is horrendous, but for those visiting us, it is smiles all the way to the bank. Last month the US$ was under ZA R7 to $1 and today we are looking at ZA R10.01!!!!!. The British Pound is faring extremely well, with current rate today ZA R17.40 to £1. It was hovering under R15.00 for a while and previous to that under R14.00. So for those you are not into all these figures and money marketing (not laundering) it actually means, that everything in the country is either 10 times or 17 times cheaper when paying for it on your credit card, or when exchanging your money!!! SO there is NO excuse for you not to be calling me off the hook, to make your reservations for 2009! Remember our low season May - August is very very good value for money and the weather is not like Northern hemisphere winter weather!! Ask any Brit who comes here often! I have friends who will vouch for that.
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MORE ACCESSIBLE ACCOMMODATIONS & comments!
A few more accommodation venues have decided to go "accessible" and have roll-in showers! Our choice is now a slightly wider in some areas, but we are still not seeing the changes in Knysna and Mossel Bay in the Garden route ! Come guys, it is not "no hurry, no worries" I am worried and also in a hurry to get your towns up to speed with more options for our guests. Louis H and JJ, when can I stop nagging???!!
Call me for SABS specs for altering your property! Or call me to get the Quad Ass details and Tourism grading council details, who can offer advise! So well done to Ora and her parents at Villa Ora in the Klein Karoo and Shamwari game reserve in the Eastern Cape, have added a room at another lodge - my guests test shower next week! When do we get more private game reserves in Western & Eastern Cape doing the same?? My wish is that all architectural students "try" a wheelchair for a 24 hour period only - not the rest of their life, like most of my guests - and then write down exactly how they felt and what they encountered in that "SHORT" period, they will never design another room with steps into showers and tight turns again! So if you know of students doing design courses get them to contact me I will even lend them a wheelchair if they are in Cape Town. The next challenge is for them to blindfold themselves and put ear plugs in their ears - WOW are they in for a shock at how "unkind" the world is. A friend of mine has had a number of strokes - Maisey - with many hours of physio she can now walk short distances, so when out celebrating this "achievement" at a local restaurant, she decided to walk to the "Little Girl's Room" on this route, with her gait a bit shaky and wobbly, but managing really well compared to previously, she overheard some real nice people saying, "look how drunk she is". I am sure many of you that are differently challenged, have heard cruel things like that said before. Maisey did not say a word. I would not have been such a lady !! Come to the party guys!! It is the 21st century but some places are still living in the really dark ages when it comes to accessibility. OK I will get off my hobby horse!
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NOW FOR THE WEATHER and more comments!!
Well the frog feet we grew in the Cape over the winter, are receding nicely thank you. With SO MUCH rain and so much snow on the surrounding mountains, we all felt as if we needed frog feet just to get by each day in the rain and rain and rain. As we are the only winter rainfall - May - September - area in the country here in the Western Cape, I am glad it is now October. Our dams are overflowing, but we still have water restrictions to curb the wasteful excess use, so use that hotel towel an extra day and save the environment. Many hotels in Cape Town are going "GREEN" and making a concerted effort to leave a smaller footprint or environmental disaster for our children to clean up. Keeping it in the "GREEN|" theme, how often have you thought about FROGS ! Yes, frogs! They are one of the most endangered species on the planet. So much so that our local TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM are opening a special frog section in their eco area to create awareness. So go kiss a frog next time you see one, it will of course not turn into a prince, but you will be the prince or princess, even maybe King and Queen, for just being frog friendly.
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NEW ADDITION TO THE "FLEET"
ADAPTED VEHICLE FOR SELF-DRIVE
CAPE TOWN ONLY
I have just bought a VW T4. We have also changed our insurers, so that we can allow able bodied driver without a PDP , but with an International Driver's licence to drive it. There are however some restrictions as to how it is hired out. We are not a car hire company, but a tour operator with a different view of how we do business. One size fits all - is NOT how we prefer to arrange our tours.
This is only for our guests to hire personally for their holiday here. Collect and drop off in Cape Town only. This T4 will be available from December 2008, if we do not have a confirmed res for that vehicle for our tours.
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Well from the mad lady with a brain that also works "differently" go well, smile too much, love too much and sing loudly and not only in the shower!
Love and hugs to all my friends, old guests and colleagues.
Love and hugs to ALL
PAM & JEFF
WINTER NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2008
With Spring knocking on the door, with wonderful weather yesterday and today with temperatures just into the 20's C (70F), I think we are in for a real treat with our Spring flower display - Mother Nature at her best. She gave us a really hard time this winter with rain for weeks, so solid that flooding took place in many places, especially in the low areas of Cape Town, on the Cape flats, but in her usual motherly nature, she will compensate us for that with breathtaking magic of the annual flowers along the Western and Southern regions. I took this photo a few years ago, but it shows you how the veld becomes a carpet of colour. This is the West Coast National Park, where we visit for a day out of Cape Town and take a picnic lunch with us.
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EXCITING NEW PLACES AND THINGS TO DO!!
On recent trip to check out a few places down the Garden Route, we found a new attraction in t he form of a "Small Cats Sanctuary" - TENIKWA - where you can get close and failry personal with animals like the smaller cats, those you do not see when doing a Safari, as many of them are the shy ones, nocturnal ones or those seldom seen at all. Caracal (lynx),with their tufted ears and redish fur, Wild Cat - that looks like house cats, but are far from that. Black footed cat, that are beatiful, ferocious and almost never seen. Cerval that are long legged and small bodied. The other highlight is the boardwalk above the new Meerkat enclosure, where you can see these fascinating animals in their natural enviroment. You can also get very close to our National Bird - the blue Crane. I sat having coffe stroking this birds feather - first for me!!
The undertakers of the veld - the Maribu Stork was also a close encouter and a first for me on being so close. There are also hand reared Cheetah at this sanctuary that are loved and looked after by Len and Mandy who loves these animals so much it shows in the way the animals respond back to them.
HOW MUCH MORE RELAXED CAN THIS CARACAL (Lynx) BE???
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WHALE WATCHING - FROM BEACH LAUNCH BOAT
For those who want to push their bounderies. We now have a sling seat to get you on board a boat that launches from the beach in Plettenberg Bay - ocean Safaris - to go out and get close to Southern Right whales, occasionally Dolphins will appear, which is the added bonus. This is best done during July to mid November each year, when these largest mammals in the world, come around our shores especially along the Western and Southern coastlines. Another incredible experience
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FOR THE VERY MAD AMONG US!!
WHO REALLY WANT TO MORE THAN PUSH BOUNDARIES
(MUST HAVE UPPER BODY STRENGTH)
Become a monkey for about two hours - "swing from tree to tree" - I did - but then I am not in a wheelchair. Again the sling seat will get you to the forest site and out again. Get strapped into gear and with lots of help from a very helpful team of tree flyer guides - we will get you from tree platform to the next at the top of the tree canopy!! Again I must iterate, that there are restrictions for those doing this, in weight, strength and ability. Exhilarating - yes - exhausting - yes. I have very strong arms from pushing wheelchairs in and out of my vehicle and I have lactic acid muscle pain the next day! Not for the faint of heart - only the crazies like me! The certificate proves it - make of that what you wish!!
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NEW ACCOMMODATIONS
I have a few new ones that I checked out last month. After years of "nagging" our bestman Dennis Jenkinson in Port Elizabeth, he and his wife Sandy, have adapted one of the rooms in their guest houses and built in a roll-in shower and grab rails. The room has an added bonus of having a kitchenette for a bit of self-catering. WELL DONE - at last! Thanks Den
In the Klein Karoo capital town of Oudtshoorn, we have found another gem and have a new guest house option there as well, with charming hosts and luxury interior and one adatepd room. This is my secret find!
Our usual stop at the Farm near Heidelberg, Anné-Lize and Neels, are also adding another adapted room on as we speak, so that they will soon have 2 adapted rooms on the Guest Farm.
So strides are being made in the smaller venue accommodation industry, who are showing up the big boys in the industry, in how to make a REAL difference to our guests with special needs -
WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!!
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Enough prattle from me today, until next time. - SPRING NEWSLETTER
Love each other like there is no tomorrow.
Tell your loved ones you love them often.
Always hug your animals,
they are the the ones that love you unconditionally!
Love and hugs to ALL
PAM & JEFF
AUTUMN NEWSLETTER - MAY 2008
Driving along the Route 62 recently, commonly known as R62,(the longest wine route in the world) with almost wintery weather - cool with showers, all I thought about was - WOW - it is going to be a magic Spring if this rain continues through the season like this. Generally our area of South Africa has winter rains from May - September, so April showers and the cool air, with possible overnight snow - yes I said SNOW, in the eastern areas of the country on the very high mountains of the Drakensburg, bodes well for the next Spring season. So book early and come and experience something beyond what I could pen here or a photo could do justice to. Nature at its best. Carpets of colour. Now we can even take guests in wheelchiars, that can manage in a very large standard bathoom with roll-in shower - only no grab rails - as yet - have to still work on the rails bit with the management of the lodge in the Cederberg area, 225 km North of Cape Town. I am going to do 1 day tour to West Coast National Park and 3 to 5 day tours venturing further North, to see the flowers in August and September only . Spring Spectaular! So if you love mountain scenery, with nature's annual wonder as the added bonus - come visit!!
What also crossed my mind as I drove through this beatuiful area, was, I suppose most people today are cuddled up in bed with a good book!
They do not know what they are missing, there is so much to do and see here - they are the mad ones not me! (That was written last month!) How time flies.
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INDABA TRADE SHOW
DURBAN MAY 2008
Jeff and I were at the Indaba Trade Show in Durban earlier this month, in the Zulu Kingdom of South Africa, the sub-tropical area of the country - hot, humid with everything larger than life, as it rains often and the weather is usually warm to hot always! We love it, as it is a nice break from the cooling Cape Town and Garden Route. Everyone loves our bright pink Flamingo sitting in a wheelchair (a wire one - not the real thing - nature conservation would have me up for cruelty). We are now offering some more plans going further afield and into unexplored areas for those guests who are able to move around in a standard bathroom. OFF the BEATEN TRACK, BRITISH INFLUENCE IN S.A. or design your own tour with your interests in mind and let us arrange your dream holiday for you. We found that many more accessible places that are coming online, with lots more to do and see. Remember we can facilitate many adventure types of day trips. Deep Sea Fishing, Tandem Paragliding, Bungy Jumping, Shark Cage diving, Fly through the canopy of the indigenous forest, just to mention a few, you name it, I will see if I can arrange it. We found that those wanting a real "Adventure" type tour, we can offer so much more these days. This is what we go to Indaba for to bring the world in one country to you! Next month we are off to see all these new places and experiences, to check out the accessibility and advise on how to change it, so that we have more to offer our guests and friends.
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EXCITING NEWS
Adapted vehicle to hire out to overseas visitors
In the near future we are going to be able to offer our overseas visitors (when I buy it!!) an adapted vehicle to hire for package deals only. This is for able bodied driver with international driver's licence, arriving and departing from Cape Town. The package includes accommodation, all pre-booked and an itinerary to follow or design your own itinerary. This exciting development will be on offer later this year. I am selling my VW Microbus and want to purchase a newer vehicle, that we can offer, when it is not in use by ourselves for our tours.
So hold your thumbs, fingers and toes, that we can find something suitable at a reasonable cost and also that we sell the VW without too much hassle.
Selling VW 2.3 Microbus white, in standard mode - 212 000 km 1997 December first registered - good condition.
R65 000.00. as is - voets stoets.
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"ADVENTURES" WE CAN FACILITATE"
We can facilitiate many adventures, that many people are not aware of. here is a list of things we can arrange for our special guests who want to do something different or are mad enough to want to do these "adventures". Some are already included in our itineraries.
CAPE TOWN
Helicopter flips
Deep Sea Fishing
Abseiling - tandem
Yacht sailing
Fossil Park archaeological site viewing (Palaeontology - extinct animal fossils)
Boat trip to view seals
Sea Kayaking – good upper body strength and balance required
HERMANUS/GANSBAAI
Shark Cage Diving - cold water 12 - 15°C
Whale watching from boat
Land based Whale watching
GARDEN ROUTE
Farm Experience - farm tour on back of pick up vehicle (bakkie) to see African Nguni cattle, ostrich and sheep.
Shark Cage Diving - Warm Water 20°C+
Paragliding - tandem
Meet the People - unusual style "township" tour - not typical tour - very different - show pride NOT poverty!!
Whale and Dolphin watching from boat off beach launch
500m Forest Walk
Crocodile Cage Diving for those who can stand - not in chair
Hot Air Ballooning for those who can stand - not in chair (In JNB area in chair) Oudtshoorn for able bodied.
River cruises on boats
Bungjy Jumping
Tree Top Canopy tour
Game safari
WEST COAST
Fossil Park - extinct animal bones of creatures were have never seen
Many more things are happening all the time. Hope to add to the list soon.
If you have more exciting things to do - let me know and I will add this to the list!
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SPRING/SUMMER NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2007
At last the weather has improved. We are heading into Summer and it is going to be beautiful here in Cape Town, just hope that the Cape Doctor (SE Winds) and old Van Hunks play the game and he stops smoking!!! Yesterday he smoked enough for at least two months. Those of you who know what I am talking about will chuckle, those who don't come and find out who Van Hunks is....
To all those in the Garden Route who suffered with floods and damage in the storms last week, we wish you all the best and hope you get sorted fast and that your insurance company will also be kind and get you on your feet for business asap! WE are thinking of all of you during this time.
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SOME NEW "SAFARI" LODGES IN MALARIA -FREE AREA OF EASTERN CAPE
With "safari" being THE thing to do when visiting our beautiful country and a must when here, there are new lodges springing up all over the country. WE like to use the Eastern Cape, as it is an extension of the Garden route and the most important, it is MALARIA-FREE. Some people will say, well so what, but I have over the past almost 13 years seen too many people have side effects from the medication, that has spoiled their holiday, due to having nausea, just not feeling "right" to more serious things like slight personality changes and nightmares. Also some medication that people have to take daily can interact with this medication and cause unknown problems, so why take the chance and ruin a holiday, hence the reason for MALARIA-FREE game viewing safari.
Next month I am going to see a new private game reserve and lodge which is going to have 3 of their 24 rooms fully accessible, but I have heard that expression before and now only believe when I see for myself, so will keep you posted on that one. There is another exclusive lodge in the area as well that only has 4 rooms in total and is owner managed, which is wonderful and Sharon has sent me photo's of her lodge and details on their cheetah conservation programme, so hopefully in the new year when time and money permit I will check that one out as well. Nice thing about Sharon's place is that the guide gets a very special rate thus saving guests lots of bucks. No grab rails, but boardwalks between rooms and central lodge and food from heaven!
Will keep you posted on both of these new places. Our usual venue is giving me a hard time, lets just leave it at that, so we need to offer new and exciting places to visit, but keep our ethos of 6 star service and top accommodation at affordable rates.
Watch this space for next newsletter or even may be a newsflash if I am blown away by these properties.
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2008 - A BUMPER YEAR
With South Africa in the limelight with the World Cup Soccer in 2010 only 924 days left to go to kick-off, building is at an all time high with stadiums and hotels and business' formulating plans to be ready and present the best face to the World out there.
Many people who want to share in the excitement to the built up are wanting to travel now to see what it is all about before the madding crowd arrive, Cape Town already have some hotels fully booked for November next year.
As usual, we offer a GREEN SEASON special, as many places drop their rates during MAY - AUGUST so take this opportunity to get your guests here to this wonderful, exciting and vibrant country, with scenery that takes your breath away, at a reduced rate - imagine the views from the top of Table Mountain.
When I look at the mountain from my office window, just have a small gap to see it, I take a deep breath and say thank you that my forefathers chose this place to live, the most beautiful city in the World - the Mother City of South Africa - you too can enjoy that view - visit in 2008 and book soon, so that you are not disappointed - don't leave it too late! Christopher Reeve did a voice over for an internet company on TV many years ago and said he would like to see the sun set from Table Mountain - well we would love to have done that honour and taken him to the top by cable car - now we cannot it is too late - don't let that happen to you!
There is a joke the folks in Johannesburg like to tell everyone - Why is it called the Mother City? - Because it takes nine months for anything to happen!! Well jealousy is not becoming! WE are laid back and this is what gives us the reputation of easy going and friendly with time to "show-off" nature in a city, at its best.
See you and your guests SOOOOOOOn!!
Cheers from JEFF and myself and enjoy life - it is too short not to travel the world! (I would like to hear you all say - South African here we come - be ready for a jol!)
LOVE AND HUGS TO ALL OF YOU - YOU ARE ALL SPECIAL TO ME!
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PAM TAYLOR
PAM TAYLOR TOURS cc T/A
FLAMINGO TOURS & DISABLED VENTURES
CAPE TOWN - SOUTH AFRICA
PH + 27 21 557 4496 FAX - +27 21 556 5853
EMAIL - info@flamingotours.co.za
WEB - www.flamingotours.co.za
MEMBERS - SATH (USA), SATSA, TOACT, SKAL, SANC.
Get Skype and call me for free. SKYPE NAME - flamingo tours - Call me!
FLAMINGO TOURS & DISABLED VENTURES
CAPE TOWN - SOUTH AFRICA
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WINTER NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2007
Greetings from a beautiful day in Cape Town.This is a long time overdue, I never had time to get around to doing an Autumn Newsletter - so I apologies about that to those who like to read what I have to say, like Sarie from Sanparks. This entire, well almost, newsletter is all about the reserves within the Sanparks control.
We are heading towards the end of winter, which has been very wet and thank goodness our dams are full this year. So hopefully water restrictions will be a things of the past for the moment. Water is always a sensitive issue on this continent.
Spring is almost sprung and already the spring flowers in the West Coast National Park are stunning. There was a full page photo gallery of pictures last week, in our evening newspaper - The Argus. The one part of the park - Postberg Reserve - is only open for two months of each year - August and September - to give us this miracle of nature annually. They also have a wide variety of animal and bird life to behold in this small reserve, a MUST SEE when visiting Cape Town during those two months. It is a recognised site for wetland birds, with a hide on the edge of the lagoon. I wanted to scan a photo but it would not do it any justice, so all I can say is come and visit and be wowed by the sight! Here is a pic I took some while back - 2005 through the windscreen of my vehicle - you can see the wiper blades at the bottom.
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KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
I have just returned form the Kruger National Park with two guests from the UK. At first I was rather disappointed in that we did not see Rhino or the big cats. There were two sightings of Lion, but so far away you needed lenses as long as my arm to see anything, so they were there, but not close to the road. It is just being in the right place at the right time. But when I mentally went over what we did see, I was then amazed at exactly how much we did see and how much bird life we saw, that we would not see in our usual malaria-free area, such as Saddle-Billed Storks, Ground Hornbills, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills, 4 different types of Eagle of which I have only ever seen one - Fish Eagle. We also saw crocodiles in their natural environment and also very large Buffalo walking around during the day. Lots of the area was very burnt from recent fires, where no animals were found, but all in all my guests said they found it wonderful. The giraffe and especially the impala antelope were found almost around very corner.
So for those who wish to visit this famous park, we can arrange this for you. Just remember that it is malaria infested and medication is a must, but for those with MS or those type of disabilities, not really recommended, due to possible drug interaction with usual MS meds. Check with a specialist doctor, not just your local GP, they do not have that specialist knowledge! We can give you website/e-mail address to contact for more info.
AGAIN TAKEN THROUGH WINDSCREEN IN EARLY MORNING LIGHT IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS & NEW TOUR OFFERS - So to speak!!
We can now offer you tours in adapted vehicles in Zambia - Victoria Falls area. Come listen, feel and see the "Smoke that Thunders". Stay in luxury 5 star hotel or the equally good 3 star hotel right on the Zambezi River. Lots of "Adventures" possible in the area, with a smile, some compromise - lifting chair and all, aboard the Zambezi Queen for a sunset cruise on this mighty river or if you can transfer fly with the Angles over the falls - called the "Flight of Angles". Meet the people of Zambia with a cultural tour.
Another area we can arrange tours to is Kwa-Zulu Natal, linking up with a team there, who have a lovely Guest House an hour out of the city of Durban.
For those you are not too fazed about accessible accommodation, or are prepared to compromise just to see this wonderful piece of SA, we have a very unique tour called "OFF THE BEATEN TRACK" which takes you over mountains and through ancient river cut passes and poorts, over passes that were built over a hundred years ago, please contact for itinerary and more info. It is a really beautiful and very different tour, taking in historical villages with British connections etc; I would love to show you this hidden gem of the Garden Route area. Tour is a week long or design your own tour with this tour inter twinned with your Garden Route tour - come experience this wonderful journey through time.
We have new friends in Egypt and can also advise you on tours to that ancient culture starting in Cairo.
So lots of interesting and unique destinations on this interesting and diverse continent - want more info about AFRICA - contact me!
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SUMMER NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2007
WEATHER IN S.A.
Cape Town South Africa, has been experiencing some really HOT weather, we sizzled in temps of around 40° C approx 108° F a few weeks ago, which is very high for our usually moderate Mediterranean style climate. The weather experts say it is not unusual, but we smelted and sweltered. My kind neighbour who lives alone in a large house, ex British pat, even gave the keys to her gates, so that I could use her swimming pool.
So with stunning weather, we invite you all to come here and have a wonderful time, ask people about their trips to South Africa. Media are there to sensationalise things, to improve their ratings and often it becomes so totally out of proportion, I shout at the TV presenter to stop asking such vague unanswerable questions and putting words in people's mouths or taking it out of context.
Now what has this to do with weather you must be asking yourself - well it makes my temp go up and my blood boil!! Which leads into some things to contemplate when visiting any place in the world!
LITERALLY SAVING YOUR LIFE
It is very sad indeed - This past weekend saw a British couple die when being knocked down at an extremely dangerous intersection, that I have always said is a death trap, as traffic lights change fast and cars speed through that area, even with speed cameras placed on all sides. This poor couple hired a car which broke down after hours and they were walking back to their accommodation venue, which was really far away, through this intersection. So questions come to mind, why did they not phone the car hire company, why did they not phone the guest house and say they were stuck, I am sure a plan to fetch them would have been made. Many questions I ask myself, as this is not acceptable to me that this should have happened. My deepest sympathy goes out to their friends and family.
Now there are a few hire companies that offer very "cheap" deals and so people falsely believe they are saving a buck, but when it breaks down, the frustration and danger of breaking down in the "wrong" place, can ruin a holiday or even as this couple - kill you. All cities around the world have places that you do not want be in in a break-down situation or after hours, so common sense should prevail, but how can we predict when a vehicle is going to go so far and no further - you cannot, so rather pay the extra and get a company that has a 24 hour emergency backup and who provides you with emergency numbers and breakdown service and even some offer you free cellphone hire. We often give our guests who do not want to bring their mobile phone with them the use of one of our cell phones to contact us in case of an emergency, we even load some airtime!
Another company of "fad" small cars, with an insect name, which are really cheap and aimed at the backpacker market, keep popping up in the consumer action article of our evening newspaper, The Argus, as they breakdown all the time and it is really bad service to our international guests, who complain to this consumer body, so SO DO NOT GO CHEAP - my Mother always said "Buying cheap becomes an expensive exercise" - must say it sounds better in Afrikaans - "Goed koop is duur koop"!
Now I am not saying this is what actually happened to this couple, but with going cheap, there is always that fact that something could go wrong.
I have always said that I will not use certain hotels, even if the rate per night is less, as it is too dangerous to walk to Waterfront and back safely at any time of the day. Guest who are not on self-drive tours, I prefer to accommodate next the V&A Waterfront area, as it is a safer, easier access to evening meals and day time shopping and no transport is required or trying to get over very large 5 to 6 lane intersections/highways.
NEW & INTERESTING THINGS TO SEE
I have always been interested in things that are a puzzle to people. If had a brain, I would have studied archaeology, anthropology, geology Egyptology etc; all the "ologies". Some years back, for those who have been receiving my newsletters might remember about the discovery of "Eve's Footprints", they were found just North of Cape Town in a sand dune in the Langebaan area and deemed to be many thousands of years old, well now, there is a "FOSSIL PARK" nearby that first fossilised footprint finding. Some places around this country, which has been called the cradle of humankind, have findings going back to very ancient times. Dinosaur fossils are often found on farms in the Karoo (central area) of SA. At the Fossil Park, you can watch archaeologists and students, carefully wiping away soil from bones and I am sure many other old artefacts.
Last year I went to a restaurant in a really out of the way place down the Peninsula, called "The Middens" and right next to it was a small sand dune and in it were old limpet shells, these are from the days when "strandlopers"(beachcombers or Khoi-San peoples) roamed our shores and sustained themselves on shellfish and left their "rubbish" - empty shells, on a heap, today known as "Shell Middens" and these are of great interest to archaeologist's.
I wonder in 200 - 300 years time, if people who come after us, will have complimentary things to say about our society as we know it today and our "Middens" - that topic can turn into a real debate at a dinner party I am sure!
NEXT NEWSLETTER... Autumn in APR/MAY
Watch out for a report on a tour I am doing in early April, if all goes well, it might lead to new "Adventures" in our tours.
Stay well, be happy and I hope to see you all soon!
HUGS & LOVE TO ALL.
SPRING NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2006
Thursday is Equinox, so the official start of our Spring in the Southern hemisphere and Autumn/Fall in the Northern hemisphere.
Our annual Spring Flower spectacular was early and beautiful. For the last number of years it was all pink, this year with lots of rain and warm days during July, everything is more yellow and white than previously. We took a friend to the West Coast National Park and spent the day there and I have some lovely photos from this days outing. ( On the left below).(
Pic on the right is from last year - when all pink in almost the same area)
It is really well worth the trip. This time of the year is good for many reasons, firstly many places still have low season rates and then there are the bonus' - flowers, whales and good game viewing in Kruger National Park, as the bush is low, they have rainfall in summer - Nov - March. You would still have to take precautionary medication though, so prefer to go to a malaria-free area of the Eastern Cape, that has good game viewing all year round.
COMPARE THESE TWO PHOTOS OF ALMOST THE SAME PLACE - WEST COAST NATIONAL PARK
LEFT - 2006 - RIGHT - 2005
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SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!
A NEW ITINERARY FOR THE MORE ADVENTUROUS
OR SECOND TIME VISITOR
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Passes & Poorts
7 days plus, in Eden
This is for 2 - 6 people, depending on if you bring friends with you and number of wheelchairs. This tour is best for slow walkers or the mature, even the discerning who are looking for a unique experience, who want something stunningly beautiful. For the more adventurous, in that accessible accommodation is not available everywhere on this tour.
No roll-in showers on night 1,3 & 4.
We do a circular route through the Great Karoo, where we overnight in a unique village dating back to the Anglo Boer War, a British stronghold, then continue the next day through a Poort into the Little/Klein Karoo. We overnight in the Port Capital of SA. Continue through farms, having to hop out of the vehicle to open farm gates and over the breathtaking mountain pass built in 1880's to the Great Karoo again. Overnight in this quaint village full of atmosphere. Continue through another poort with magical stories of this area going back a hundred years. Overnight in the capital of the Klein Karoo. Visit the attractions in the area - the good the bad and the ugly!! Another mountain pass even more breathtaking then before - this area just keeps wowing you! We overnight in the coastal area of the Garden Route Feed and Elephant or two, then a cruise eco lagoon, then head back to Cape Town via Mossel Bay and Heidelberg where we overnight on a Farm. Arrive back in Cape Town - stunned, enchanted and on cloud nine!!
We can amend this to 9 or more days, for those who want to absorb some this wonderful clean healing air and just want a more relaxing pace to chill and meditate in the Eden of Africa!
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GREETING FROM JEFF AND I
FOR THE SPECIAL RELIGIOUS OCCASIONS ABOUT TO HAPPEN
To all our Jewish friends around the World - Shanah Tova - Happy New Year and well over the fast.
To all our Muslim colleagues and guests - Wishing you well over the holy month of Ramadaan.
For everyone - may God - whatever you perceive him to be, be with you and your family, at all times and keep you safe and blessed.
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BIRD WATCHING FROM A WHEELCHAIR |
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Pam Taylor of Flamingo Tours and Disabled Ventures in Cape Town , South Africa writes about a very special tour she organized for wheelchair user Chris and his wife Penny who particularly wanted to see the local bird life.
Binoculars attached to the wheelchair, books on Southern African Birds, a picnic basket prepared and off we headed to see birds in the marshes, swamps and other places in and around Cape Town . Then later continuing down the Garden Route .
The hotel Chris and Penny stayed at was bordered on one side by Table Bay and the other by a WWF site for wading birds. Rietvlei Reserve had ponds just behind the hotel so, after breakfast, it was just a quick push to the edge of the parking area to see what was flying, hovering or swimming about each day.
The variety of birds in these ponds was wonderful, as it was a mix of gulls and freshwater birds. On the other side of the highway where the major vlei (lake) was located there were even more birds including White Pelicans, Egyptian Geese by the thousands and Flamingoes and many more.
Each day we headed in another direction. Firstly to the winelands area and the Paarl water treatment works to see water birds such as Spoonbill, Cape Teal , Black-necked Grebe and the Red-knobbed Coot. There were also birds of the scrub such as the Pin-tailed Whydah. We also made a visit to a raptor rescue centre and went to Eagle Encounters near Stellenbosch for an encounter with a difference. The local coffee shop also provided entertainment with the local Weaver birds that had become adept at raiding the sugar bowls and flying off with packets of sugar to be eaten in a nearby tree.
Number 2:
On another day of this 18 day tour we headed to the edge of False Bay to another water treatment works near Muizenberg. There we saw thousands of Flamingoes, a Purple Gallinue, and some rare Oyster Catchers. Another exciting spotting was an Orange-breasted Longclaw, whose name has also been changed to Cape Longclaw . Another endangered species of seabird, always encountered on a standard tour is the African Penguin. As my knowledge is rather limited, we engaged the services of a specialist bird guide whose expertise made the trip very special indeed.
The visit to the West Coast National Park was another special day, as besides birds and beautiful wildflowers there were many types of antelope waking alongside and between the Sacred and Hadeda Ibis.
We headed to the Garden Route area of South Africa and to the Ostrich capital, Oudtshoorn. We could not have made this trip without a close-up encounter with the largest flightless birds in the world. There Perry and Chris were able to touch the birds, learn about their anatomy and feathers and why they cannot fly.
The coastline of the Garden Route is not a garden as such, but a very old, beautiful coastal forest with trees that are rare and only found in that area; the Outeniqua Yellowwoods, the tree emblem of the country. In those forests there are birds not seen elsewhere, like the Knysna Lourie. Its distinctive call and stunning colours of bright green and red, make an amazing sight when in flight. We encountered them in the Garden of Eden a short 500m accessible boardwalk meander through part of the Tsitsikamma Forest .
In Plettenberg Bay we again had a specialist guide join the tour. Ray arrived with a viewing scope, which helped greatly in seeing birds close up, like the Fish Eagle and Giant Kingfishers which were sitting on telegraph wires above the river. We went down to another area of forest alongside the Groot River at Nature's Valley and also encountered more LBJ's. Those who do bird watching will know exactly what I mean.
At the end of the tour we had seen 132 different species of bird that was not in the breeding season, which was still a month away. Chris and Penny were extremely pleased with the tour which combined three objectives, bird watching, whale watching and seeing the wild spring flowers. Next time they will visit during the breeding season and include a pelagic trip out to sea to view Petrels, Shearwaters and Albatross, followed by a visit to the Eastern Cape to see its different eco-system.
I was thrilled with this tour and although I was always interested in birds it is becoming a passion for me as well.
Pam Taylor
LAST YEAR WE DID A TOUR FOR CHRIS AND PENNY - MENTIONED IN LAST YEARS NEWSLETTER - WELL THERE WAS AN ARTICLE ON THEIR TOUR IN THE S.I.A. MAGAZINE IN THE UK. - I WAS SO SURPRISED WHEN IT WENT IN WITH ALL PHOTOS SENT AND HARDLY ANY CHANGE OR EDITING.
IF YOU ARE AN AVID BIRD WATCHER THEN WE CAN ARRANGE THIS FOR YOU AS WELL. ANYONE INTERESTED IN COMBINING THIS WITH A STANDARD TOUR - PLEASE E-MAIL ME AND I WILL SEND YOU A COPY OF THE ARTICLE.
WE SAW OVER 130 SPECIES OF BIRDS - OUT OF BREEDING SEASON!!
REMEMBER - WE PERSONALISE ALL OUR TOURS TO SUIT - YOU.
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BEST WISHES FROM US IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN THE WORLD - CAPE TOWN
LOVE AND HUGS AND PEACE TO ALL OF YOU
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL SOON AGAIN. -- --
PAM TAYLOR
PAM TAYLOR TOURS cc T/A
FLAMINGO TOURS & DISABLED VENTURES
CAPE TOWN - SOUTH AFRICA
PH + 27 21 557 4496 FAX - +27 21 556 5853
EMAIL - info@flamingotours.co.za
WEB - www.flamingotours.co.za
MEMBERS - SATH (USA), SATSA, TOACT, SKAL, SANC. |
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