5. Argentina Cuyo Region
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Cuyo Region: Map & Highlights. San Luis. Mendoza. San Rafael. Malargue. San Juan. Rodeo.
Transcript of 5. Argentina Cuyo Region
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SAN LUIS
:: San Luis city has the feel of a 19th century town with its colonial houses, shady courtyards and peaceful atmosphere. You can enjoy the excellent thermal baths of Balde or San Gerónimo nearby, or venture just 35 km away to visit spectacularly white salt flats formed by the Bebedero Lagoon. Don’t forget your sunglasses! You should also visit Potrero de los Funes Dam, where water sports and fishing are practiced, and El Trapiche, a picturesque little town by the river that offers endless options for things to do.:: Sierra de las Quijadas National Park: located 120 km from San Luis city, these sierras are part of a semi-arid region with canyons of red sandstone rock and a landscape similar to that of Moon Valley.:: La Carolina Gold Mine: an unforgettable experience inside deep shafts where valuable minerals of the earth’s crust are found (80 km from San Luis city).:: Villa de Merlo: an important tourist centre famous for its microclimate located 185 km from San Luis city at the foot of the Comechingones Mountain Range. A wide variety of adventure activities can be practiced in this beautiful natural environment, including paragliding, hang gliding, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, 4x4 excursions and motorbike rides.
SAN LUIS
SAN LUIS, QUIJADAS & MERLO HOSTELS
These hostels are your best options to stay in the San Luis province! The first two are located in San Luis city and the third in Merlo.All are well located, have private rooms or dorms and offer excellent services: linens, lockers, full kitchen, free breakfast, dining room with TV/DVD, BBQ, luggage storage and tourist information. San Luis and Merlo hostels also belong to the HI network and have swimming pools!The world travelled owner and helpful staff will impress you with all the different options and things to do in San Luis. You’ll be surprised!
SL: Falucho 646 between Pringles & Belgrano. Tels: (02652) 424188 Q: Av. España 987, in front of Bus Station. Tels: (02652) 429684
M: Avenida del Sol 1025. Tels: (02656) 476928
Contact details: [email protected] - www.sanluishostel.com.arCell phones: (02652) 15402444 / 15708702
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MENDOZA
Mendoza is an oasis city filled with tree lined avenues and beautiful plazas. It is surrounded by the vast patchwork vineyards and the Andes mountain range nestled in the background. In the main square, Plaza Independencia, you can visit the small artisan market, while on the west side of the city is the huge San Martin Park and Cerro* de la Gloria, which are worth exploring. For nightlife, make sure to stop by the fantastic bar and restaurant lined street called Arístides Villanueva. The biggest event in Mendoza is “La Fiesta de la Vendimia”, an annual wine harvest festival which runs at the beginning of March. It usually consists of beauty pageants, a series of parades and events. Wine country: Wine is unarguably one of the area’s main attractions. Most of the wineries are prepared to receive visitors. Guided tours usually cover the history of the winery itself, their winemaking process and finish off with a wine tasting session. Most of the wineries are located outside the city centre, so you need to arrange transport or take a local bus.
Mendoza also offers excellent conditions for winter sports. Los Penitentes is 165 km from Mendoza on the way to the Chilean border and is more economical than the world-class resort, Las Leñas, 450 km to the south of Mendoza.
The main excursions are the High Mountain Circuit, an ideal way to appreciate the Andes dramatic scenery. On this tour you visit Uspallata, Penitentes, the stone bridge of Puente del Inca, the Cristo Redentor and the Aconcagua Park.
Other popular tours are Villavicencio and its traditional hotel and Cacheuta with its thermal baths. The perfect way to enjoy the area’s natural beauty is by participating in outdoor activities such as: trekking, climbing, mountain
biking, rock climbing, rappelling, white water rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, paragliding, skiing and
snowboarding.
Aconcagua: with an astonishing height of 6,959 m, Aconcagua, “stone sentinel” in the native language, is the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. The park is open from October to May and is an increasingly popular destination with mountain climbers and trekkers.
MENDOZA
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MENDOZA
Amigorena 86 (0261) 4296325
[email protected] www.argentinarafting.com
ARGENTINA RAFTING EXPEDICIONES
Nº Leg.:12592
With more than 15 years of experience, Argentina Rafting offers you great outdoor adventures in Mendoza: rafting, canopy, trekking, rappelling, mountain biking, kayaking, horse-back riding excursions and so much more. Their base camp, located in a beautiful site overlooking Potrerillos Lake, is open year round and personally attended by the owners. Professional staff, delicious food, top-notch equipment, quality and memorable experiences are synonyms of Argentina Rafting.
Ask about multiple day excursions. Remember to bring a change of clothes!
Credit Cards OK!More than an adventure…
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BIKES AND WINES 25 de Mayo 981 - DowntownUrquiza 1606 - Maipú
Besares & Darragueira - Chacras (0261) 4106686
[email protected] www.bikesandwines.com
Do you want to see the beautiful Mendoza scenery while wine tasting at some of the finest wineries in the country? Then you should contact Bikes and Wines. You can rent a bike from these trend setters and explore downtown or follow the wine trails in the Maipú or Luján de Cuyo areas, which are home to a large number of wineries open to tourists. They are strategically situated with a shop right downtown (2 blocks from Plaza* Independencia), another rental shop on the main street in bodega* heavy Maipú, and a surfer bar/rental shop in trendy Chacras de Coria (Luján de Cuyo).
Welcome to Wine Disney!
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MENDOZA
AYMARA TURISMOAymara is a prize-winning company that has cornered the market in providing the ultimate experience and are true experts in Mendoza tourism.
The office is in the city centre and their staff friendly, well informed and bilingual.
ÈWine Tours – Whether you’re a novice or an expert, you can enjoy the best of malbec in the finest wineries.È High Mountains – A spectacular trip to the Chilean border, taking in Aconcagua and the Inca Bridge.È Gourmet Tours – Enjoy Mendoza cuisine with the finest wines.È Adventure Tours – Have fun going horseback riding, rafting, trekking, mountain biking, parachuting, or a taking a multi-day horse trek over the Andes to Chile.
N° Leg.: 7639
9 de julio 1023 (0261) 4202064
[email protected] www.aymara.com.ar
www.losvinosdelosandes.com
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ARGENTINA SKYDIVING (0261) 156299717 [email protected]
[email protected] out of your travel shell and fly through the skies with Argentina Skydiving. In Mendoza, 95% of days per year have excellent weather conditions for jumping, making it a skydiver’s utopia! You’ll board the plane after a full safety brief and equipment fitting. Then you will tandem jump with an experienced instructor at 2800 meters into a 25 to 30 second free fall at 200 km/h, followed by an 8 minute parachute flight floating toward the earth. Roundtrip transportation and a DVD of your jump are included in the cost. The staff speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese, but screaming “Wahoooo!” needs no translation.
Free photos and an additional 100 m of height to your jump
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Visit the ATM before hand. Payments are in cash only!
Physical fitness and a good attitude
required!
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MENDOZA
This gorgeous hostel is located in a safe area in downtown Mendoza city, across the road from a huge supermarket and close to bars and restaurants. It has 11 rooms, 4 of them with double beds, ensuite bathrooms and A/C. This lovely two storey Spanish style house has plenty of airy spaces to have a blast during your visit.
Necochea 740 (0261) 4295565
HOSTEL ALAMO
Enjoy the garden while you make new friends, try your skills at their ping pong table or relax in the TV/DVD room. Their free yummy breakfasts include coffee, tea, cereals, fruits and fruit juices, toast and much more. The helpful owner and bilingual staff are there to inform you on everything there is to do in this awesome land, so don’t hesitate to ask!
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Federico Moreno 1225(0261) 4231363
[email protected] www.lacasademhaylhostel.com
LA CASA DE MHAYL HOSTELLa Casa de Mhayl Hostel works hard so you can play hard. Located just 4 blocks from the main avenue (San Martín) and 3 blocks from the bus terminal, it is the only extreme sports hostel in Mendoza. End long days with long nights partying it up with new friends and the bilingual staff at the poolside bar (their swimming pool is heated!), or relaxing in the original outdoor bed. Their dorms fit 6 people and with air conditioners and heating in the rooms you’ll always be comfortable. To make
some munchies there is a fully equipped kitchen as well as fast Internet so you can stay connected to all your hotties and homies.
Free welcome drink + 10% off in lodging and bar with Get South!
(only at the hostel)
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They also offer multiday ski packages to Los Penitentes Ski Resort including shared or private accommodation, gear, lifts, transfers, breakfast and dinner.
Day trips also available. Your cheapest option to go skiing in Mendoza!
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MENDOZA
Damajuana Hostel is ideally located in the middle of Arístides Villanueva.It is one of the main streets of Mendoza, crowded with bars and restaurants, and is THE fun place to be for tourists and trendy locals alike for alfresco dinners and drinks with friends.
The hostel is within walking distance from the town center and from San Martín Park and has all the facilities that you need to make your stay a blast. Room options vary from private doubles to dorms with 4, 6 and 8 beds. Bring your swimming suit if you come in the summer because they have a big, green back yard with sun loungers and a large swimming pool to cool off in.
Arístides Villanueva 282(0261) 4255858
DAMAJUANA HOSTEL
BreakfastInternet
Wi-Fi
They organize asados, pizza and film nights, group trips,
parties and much more!!
Amenities:
• Swimming pool• 24 hour reception• Individual lockers• Medic assistance• Sheets and towels• Maid service• BBQ grill • Guest kitchen• Central heating• Fan in the rooms• Library• Laundry service• PH bar• Breakfast (coffee, tea, milk, fruit, toast)• Free Internet 24/7• Wi-Fi area• Living room with satellite TV• Table tennis
They can also suggest cool activities and tours so your stay in Mendoza will be the best in can be!
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MENDOZA
Perú 1459 (0261) 4232099/ 4290848/ 4299718
[email protected] www.petit-hoteles.com.ar
HOTEL PETITThis surprisingly affordable hotel is right in downtown Mendoza, within walking distance to countless restaurants, bars, Plaza* Independencia and Las Heras street, full of regional gift stores. Choose from double (with matrimonial or twin beds), triple and cuadruple rooms or a five-person apartment with a private Jacuzzi. No dorms. All rooms have ensuite bathroom with towels, cable television, air conditioning and heaters.
Their yummy buffet breakfast includes coffee, tea, milk, fruit, yogurt, cereal and toast with jam. Hotel Petit also offers an on-site bar, a microwave to heat up food, a multi-lingual book exchange, parking, laundry service and luggage storage.
10% off + free bottle of wine per room with Get South!
Breakfast - InternetWi-Fi - Credit Cards
Patricias Mendocinas 1532 (0261) 4237018
[email protected] www.hostelsuites.com
HOSTEL SUITES MENDOZA
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The popular Hostel Suites chain has arrived in Mendoza! Visit their new location to experience the same quality as their sister hostels in Buenos Aires. Hostel Suites Mendoza is in a great downtown location. They have dorms and private rooms available, all with en-suite bath, heat and air conditioning. Other amenities include ample common spaces, 24 hour check-in, bilingual staff,
continental breakfast, bar and on-site travel agency ready to help you book tours. The hostel occupies an entire 4-story building, complete with rooftop patio and a BBQ area where
they hold barbeques on Thursdays. At Hostel Suites you’ll get hostel fun with hotel comfort!Stay 4 nights for the
price of 3 with Get South! (low season only)
Hostel Travel EVT. Nº Leg.:12.903
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MENDOZA
Sarmiento 681(0261) 4231148
[email protected] www.mendozamonkeyhostel.com
ALL IN MENDOZA MONKEY HOSTEL
10% off accommodation + discounts at the bar
with Get South!
This is the perfect place to monkey around in Mendoza.
It has recently been taken over by new owners, a Belgian and an Argentine who renovated the whole hostel to make sure everything looks great!
It’s two blocks from the main square (Plaza Independencia), a half block from Hyatt hotel and in a restaurant area. Their location is excellent, just 5 minutes by taxi or a 15-minute walk from the bus station.
Accommodation options include private rooms for 2 to 5 people and dorms. Private rooms include your choice of a double bed, 2 twins or bunk beds (some with ensuite bath). Dorms start at 4 beds and range up to 6. They are same-sex or mixed, all with shared bath.
They offer all the regular excursions in Mendoza including wine tasting and other pretty cool ones like Gaucho Day (horseback riding with lunch),
Dakar Aconcagua (high mountains tour with trekking and lunch) and Photo Safari (4x4 expeditions in the mountains with lunch).
Breakfast - InternetWi-Fi - Credit Cards
Enjoy their swimming pool and their Monkey Bar (open until midnight), or make like a monkey and swing from activity to activity like ping pong, TV,
board games, full kitchen available to use and BBQ area. Their multilingual
international staff is great and helpful. They will make you feel right at home.
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Located 236 km south of Mendoza city, San Rafael is in the middle of Mendoza province, making it easy to reach the other touristy places from here. San Rafael is considered a capital of adventure tourism, both for its wide range of options and affordable prices. In Valle Grande you will probably find the cheapest white water rafting in the world!! Horseback riding, 4x4 expeditions (Nihuil’s Dunes), kayaking, boating, canoeing, rappelling, canopy, trekking and climbing are also offered in this great natural setting. :: Cañón* del Atuel: don’t miss this gorgeous natural canyon with highly eroded rocky walls, carved by the Atuel River. There are guided tours that take you there or you can go with your own car. Some interesting rock formations are The Wax Museum, The Castle, The Ghost, Rivadavia’s Chair, The Suspension Gardens, etc. :: Valle Grande: a huge, man-made lake in an impressive natural setting, surrounded by mountains and green fertile vegetation. It attracts visitors seeking outdoor adventures. :: Wine Tours: there are around 80 wineries around San Rafael, some within walking or biking distance from town, while others require a car. They range from small family businesses to big producers of all types of quality wines supplying local and international markets. Guided tours and tastings are available in most.:: Nightlife: San Rafael is also a fun town after dark, with 2 casinos, movie theatre, bowling, tango bar, karaoke bar, dance clubs and many pubs and restaurants.
SAN RAFAEL
SAN RAFAEL
Alsina 245(02627) 433449
TIERRASOLES HOSTELCentrally situated just 5 blocks from the bus station, Tierrasoles is a convenient base from which to explore San Rafael and way beyond. In a 2 storey building you can choose from their mixed or single sex dorms with individual lockers, private rooms with shared bath or a 2 bedroom apartment with ensuite bath, kitchen and TV. The hostel itself has wood floors, balconies and a backyard lawn with earth oven and BBQ grill. Facilities include a self catering kitchen, laundry service and secure car parking. Attended by its owners and multilingual staff, they offer outdoors activities and excursions that depart from the hostel on a daily basis. These activities include white water rafting, trekking, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, paragliding, canopy, horseback riding and more!
Free welcome beer or stay 4 nights and only pay for 3!
Breakfast - Internet - Wi-Fi
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Ruta Prov. 173 Km34Valle Grande - San Rafael
(02627) 436996 / [email protected]
www.raffeish.com.ar
These guys aren’t messing about in the water; they are very serious about safety. Raffeish was the first adventure company in the area and they are proud of their reputation. Their base is a serious affair too, with a mini-market, a fast food joint, a crafts stall and a little riverside beach with great music to hang out! There is plenty of high-carb food to power you up through the day and their multi-discipline staff is on hand to guide you every step of the way.
RAFFEISH
Activities provided:Rafting +
Rappelling +Canopy +
Trekking +Kayaking +Canoeing +
Doky (2 person canoe) +Col River (a kind of body boarding) +
Catamaran trips +
CD & DVD service to take yourmemories with you!10% OFFwith
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SAN RAFAEL
Malargüe is located 186 km south of San Rafael. It’s a small town and serves as a good base for exploring some of the least known, but spectacular landscapes in Argentina. :: Malargüe Planetarium: has interesting guided visits and interactive daily sky shows (some in English). Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory, studies ultra high energy cosmic rays (free daily visits except weekends). Both are located in Malargüe town.:: Caverna de Las Brujas: Literally translates into “The Witches’ Cave”. It is a marvellous cave that plunges deep into the earth at a depth of almost 2000 m. :: The Payunia: It is recognized as being one of the most densely covered volcanic regions in the world. Trails of lava debris can be seen at various points throughout the park, and enormous boulders of igneous rocks are scattered over the dark plains. :: Laguna* Llancanelo: It is vast shallow lagoon, great spot for bird watchers since pink flamingos, swans and some other 73 different bird species are commonly seen here. :: Cascadas* de Manqui-Malal: An ideal spot for hiking and rappelling. Keep your eyes alert for commonly seen fossils and for the condors soaring above the high walls. :: Castillos* de Pincheira: It is a naturally formed structure sculpted throughout the many years by glacier erosion. It’s shaped like a giant castle, hence the name.:: Las Leñas: Located 70 km from Malargüe, this internationally renowned ski resort is ideal for winter sport enthusiasts of all levels. Summer activities are also offered.
MALARGÜE
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MALARGÜE
Choique Turismo Alternativo Nº Leg.:12997
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CHOIQUE Turismo Alternativo
Rodríguez y San Martin 1st Floor - [email protected](02627) 470391 / 15402439 - www.choique.com
In a 5 hectare farm, EcoHostel sits in an incredible landscape with beautiful views of the Andes. Built with an original design, they have dorms or doubles with ensuite bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, an organic vegetable garden and a farm. Home-made meals can also be made for you.
New!!! Hostelcity, located in downtown Malargue: Rufino Ortega 158. Tel: 471151
They also have a travel agency in town, Choique, which has bi/multi-lingual staff. They offer all sorts of adventure tours, such as rafting, trekking, skiing, fishing, rappelling
and also visits to the beauties of Malargüe: Payunia,Witches’ Cave, Manqui Malal waterfall, Llancanelo Lagoon, Las Leñas & surroundings, Thermal pools and Pincheira Castles.
ECO HOSTEL Finca 65-Colonia Pehuenche - [email protected] (02627) 470391 / 15402439 - www.hostelmalargue.comInternacional Malargüe
10% off if you stay more than 3 nights + 10% off
Payunia tour!
San Juan is a great jumping off point to visit Ischigualasto and Talampaya Parks (World Heritage Site). Ischigualasto, also known as Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), lies 330 km away and it is a large valley filled with fantastic eroded formations, plants and animal fossils, and dinosaur findings dating from 230 million years ago.
Get great views of the city’s layout climbing the Cathedral’s bell tower, located next to the 25 de Mayo Square. Other places worth visiting in town are Domingo Sarmiento’s birthplace/historic museum, the Natural Science Museum, the park and the Juan Victoria Concert Hall, considered to be one of the most important halls in South America. Visit Ullúm Lake 20 km from town (bus Nº 29) to relax, practice some water sports, swim, go for a walk or even dive from cliffs!!
San Juan also stands out for its renowned world class wines, so a wine tour is a must! Santiago Graffigna has a wine museum which is free and near downtown. Another interesting option is the Cavas de Zonda (24 km from town on bus Nº 23), the only champagne cellar in South America whose ceiling is the mountain itself.
SAN JUAN
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SAN JUAN
Caseros 486 Sur (corner Av. Córdoba)
(0264) 4201009 [email protected] www.zondahostel.com.ar
ZONDA HOSTEL
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litre beer!
Zonda Hostel is a great base stop in San Juan. Situated in a privileged area, close to the bus station and minutes away from downtown, it has plenty of clean private rooms and dorms, most with shared baths. This cool 3-storey house has a full kitchen, spacious balconies and an
awesome garden perfect to make new friends. Weekly activities such as asados* or dinners are organized, so don’t forget to check with the helpful staff. Even more, ask them about the big variety of excursions that can be done in San Juan.
SJH Viajes y Turismo N° Leg.: 14159Book tours with them to Moon Valley, Barreal & Rodeo!
Av. Córdoba 317 Este(0264) 4201835 / 4224081
[email protected] www.sanjuanhostel.com
SAN JUAN HOSTELThis hostel has easily the best location in San Juan, near the bus station and downtown. It is a solid, unflashy hostel with excellent prices and very helpful staff. Enjoy plenty of sun in San Juan on the terrace. They offer dorms and private rooms, free breakfast all morning, free jacuzzi pool, ping-pong table, 2 TV-DVD rooms, and a fully- equipped kitchen.
If you want more comfort, they recently opened a B&B,
with double rooms with private bathrooms,
central heating and air-conditioning.
15% off in dorms showing Get South
on arrival!
SAN JUAN BED & BREAKFAST
BreakfastWi-Fi
BreakfastInternet
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www.hotel-sanjuan.com.ar
SJH Viajes y Turismo N° Leg.: 14159
They also have a travel agency with great prices to Valle de la Luna and Barreal including
food and drinks!
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RODEO
Rodeo is a colourful town surrounded by a spectacular mountain range, fruit plantations and irrigated lands. It has sunny weather most of the year with very little rain. To the east of Rodeo stands the Cuesta del Viento Dam and Reservoir, with beach resorts, accommodation and windsurf schools by its shores. The dam is considered to be a world class windsurfing spot, with consistent daily winds of up to 120 km/hr. The high winds are caused by a kind of funnel formed where the air currents enter the valley, making the dam one of the best sites in the world for water sports, especially windsurfing and kitesurfing. The sailing season goes from October to April. Apart from all the water sports at the dam, Rodeo also offers adventure activities such as horseback riding, rafting and many more.
Rodeo’s town hall exhibits the region’s archaeological collection. About 20 km to the north, at Angualasto, there is an Archaeological Municipal Museum exhibiting a mummy, among other archaeology collections. 15 km to the west you can visit Pismanta with its thermal baths and spa.
RODEO
Ruta 150 Pismanta Las Flores (02647) 497091 / 92
[email protected] www.pismantaspa.com.ar
HOTEL TERMAS PISMANTAAt the foot of the mountains, and 15 km from Rodeo village, meet a business run and empowered by its people.
Hotel Termas Pismanta is a great example of what working hand in hand brings. Built in the 50’s, this hotel marvels visitors with its wonderful service, therapeutic hot springs and comprehensive spa. There are rooms with private baths & satellite TV, a diner and bar, and a tennis court. But beyond that, there are 12 private hot spring baths, an
open-air thermal pool, Scottish showers, vapor baths and sauna to help you relax. Pamper yourself at the spa with the many treatments available, like massage and fang (mud) therapy. Isn’t that a cool way to break away from routine?
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