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00:00Oh, wow, look at that.
00:19That is the incredible Mediterranean Sea.
00:22I'm super excited to see some of the jewels in the Mediterranean,
00:25cruising it on the Sun Princess.
00:27Yeah, we're going to see Gibraltar.
00:29France.
00:30And of course, my favourite, Italy.
00:32Luxury Escapes has the world's best holidays.
00:35I cannot wait.
00:36Should we board?
00:36Yes.
00:39I'm so excited to be back for another incredible luxury escape.
00:44I'm going on a Sun Princess cruise
00:46to see the jewels of the Mediterranean for seven days.
00:49I'm going with my friend Mike Reed,
00:52and he is a fantastic chef,
00:54and I'm super excited because he's going to be great to follow around,
00:57and I'm just going to eat whatever he eats.
00:59So I'm super excited to be with Pia Miranda this time.
01:02She's an Aussie actress.
01:04I'm expecting lots of laughs, some good times,
01:07and I think she's going to lead me astray from time to time.
01:11I'm really looking forward to this luxury escape.
01:13There's so many places that I'm excited to see.
01:16How lucky are we?
01:17I think this trip will definitely prove that luxury escapes
01:20has the world's best holidays.
01:21I'm breaking the glass.
01:24I'm on foot on the gas.
01:26Nowhere in hell you're going to stop me.
01:29I'm ready to go.
01:35So because we're both members of Luxury Escape Society,
01:41we get really great benefits,
01:43and the best one for me was lounge access at the airport.
01:47Having some place to go to relax, to chill,
01:50have a nice glass of champagne
01:52means the luxurious holiday starts from the airport.
01:56And it continues in Singapore Airlines'
01:57spacious premium economy cabin.
02:00It's the epitome of comfort with elevated dining
02:03and, of course, champagne.
02:05Or if you want to go ultra-luxe,
02:07Singapore Airlines' business class
02:09with a seat that seamlessly reclines into a bed.
02:12What a way to start a luxury escape.
02:17We're starting our luxury escape in Barcelona,
02:23the departure point for our Mediterranean voyage
02:25with Princess Cruises.
02:27First, we head to the port
02:28to check out the magnificent Sun Princess,
02:31our home for the week ahead.
02:33As we were approaching the Sun Princess,
02:35I couldn't believe the sheer scale of it.
02:38I'm setting sail for the very first time
02:41on a Princess cruise,
02:42and I didn't know ships could be that big.
02:44It's actually a luxury hotel on the ocean.
02:46And I think my excitement levels really escalated
02:50when I saw the ship
02:50because I knew there was just so much fun
02:53to have on board.
02:55Hi, Mike.
02:56Hi, Bea.
02:57How are you?
02:58Yes, all right.
02:59So this is going to be your official welcome
03:01to the Sun Princess
03:02and the Sun Princess Piazza area, yeah?
03:06This is where you can enjoy some good entertainment,
03:09some good activities.
03:10This is basically the heart of the ship.
03:12Amazing.
03:13Oh, it looks awesome.
03:14And I've been given this medallion.
03:15Oh, so this will access to any food and beverage items,
03:19so bars, any revenue areas,
03:21such as the casino or the boutiques.
03:23And best of all,
03:24this is what you're going to use to open your stateroom.
03:26So you don't need to carry a wallet around.
03:28Oh, so it's like tap-and-go jewellery.
03:30I'm always losing my hotel keys,
03:32so this has really taken the stress out for me.
03:34Oh, you can't wait to explore.
03:36Yeah, I can't wait.
03:37Well, today's your lucky day
03:38because your suite is ready.
03:39So do you want to hang and check that out?
03:41Yes, please.
03:41All right, let's go this way, please.
03:44Now that we've finished checking in,
03:46we've got a chance to go and check out our staterooms.
03:49And mine's first up.
03:50So we head to Mike's mini suite stateroom,
03:53and it's beautiful.
03:54Pretty.
03:55Um, excuse me.
03:57Fancy verbs.
03:58I'm super happy with my stateroom.
04:02There's plenty of space.
04:03It's nice and roomy.
04:04I've got a gorgeous couch.
04:06It's everything I could ever want.
04:08We head to my suite,
04:10and, like, full disclosure,
04:12Mike gives me the best suite,
04:13which is really surprising,
04:15so he's now my best friend.
04:16He is in the Sky Suite,
04:18and this is a beautiful suite.
04:21It's like a swanky apartment,
04:23almost like a penthouse in Manhattan or something.
04:26No way!
04:28What?
04:30No!
04:31This is better than my bathroom at home.
04:35How is this all on the ship?
04:36Like, it's massive!
04:37I don't know.
04:38We are going to have the best time.
04:40Oh!
04:41Talk about luxury.
04:43This is, without a doubt,
04:44one of the huge benefits
04:46of travelling with luxury escapes.
04:47You just get more.
04:48It's just gorgeous.
04:50I've never been on a cruise,
04:51and this is, like, a really good way to start.
04:54You've picked a good one.
04:56So now that we've settled in,
04:58it's time to head up to the deck,
04:59and we just want to watch the ship
05:01as it departs from Barcelona.
05:03We chose the Sun Princess
05:04because it's a next-generation princess ship.
05:06We're heading to the Lido pool deck,
05:08and it's got multiple pools,
05:10multiple bars,
05:12and beautiful spas as well.
05:15We head to the dome,
05:16which is this beautiful sun-filled area.
05:18It looks like they have entertainment there,
05:20so I'm really excited to check that out.
05:21I've never really seen anything like a dome on a ship before.
05:24Like, it's a really unique space.
05:27Oh, this is so cool.
05:31Looks like they do a show.
05:32I think we should come back for a show.
05:34That's amazing.
05:36I love it.
05:37So we've been exploring all day,
05:40and now we're going to go for our first meal.
05:43I've told Pia we've got to get dressed up,
05:45put on her Sunday best,
05:47and it's loved by Brito we're going to.
05:49I'm super excited to see the quality of the food on board.
05:52I didn't realise that there were such high-end restaurants on cruise ships,
05:55so I'm really looking forward to that
05:57as my very first cruise ship dinner experience.
06:00I was so drawn to by this concept.
06:02It's been designed by an artist and a chef,
06:06which I think it just looks beautiful, hey?
06:08My first course arrives, and it's beautiful.
06:10The raviolo's in the shape of a little heart,
06:13which is a really nice touch.
06:15Pia's got a beautiful mushroom soup.
06:18People eat with their eyes,
06:19so as a chef, presentation is the first thing I look for.
06:23Didn't do great having my mushroom soup
06:24because I didn't realise there was a spoon there,
06:26so I just sipped on it like a cappuccino,
06:27and I've got mushroom foam all over my face.
06:29Is it on my nose?
06:30You're a little bit here.
06:31She's wearing half of it.
06:33It's all over her face.
06:34She just can't take Pia anywhere.
06:37You set a very high standard for this trip.
06:40We've come in hot.
06:41We have come in hot, and you know what?
06:43This is only the start.
06:44Tomorrow we've got our first shore excursion to Gibraltar.
06:47I cannot wait.
06:49Honestly, my first moments on The Sun Princess have been so great,
06:53and they've way exceeded my expectations.
06:55I did not think I would love it this much,
06:57and I'm so excited to just hang out on this cruise ship,
07:00and I'm also excited to go to Gibraltar tomorrow.
07:05Overnight, our Princess Cruises ship has sailed south from Spain to Gibraltar,
07:10and it's a jaw-dropping headland on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.
07:15Because Gibraltar's a British Overseas Territory,
07:18I feel like it's only right that I host Pia today and show her around.
07:23Here we are, Gibraltar.
07:24I'm so excited to be here.
07:26The Mediterranean is all around us.
07:28Yeah, and it's such a historical place, Gibraltar.
07:31Like, it really is the gateway of the Mediterranean.
07:34I've always heard about it, but I never thought I'd visit it.
07:37I'm excited.
07:37I've never been, and I'm a Brit.
07:39You know, Gibraltar's been in the British hands since 1713.
07:43Oh, yeah, Mike's puffing out his chest just a little bit,
07:45because Gibraltar's on British territory,
07:47so he's got his pounds in his pocket.
07:49He's ready to go.
07:50The first thing I want to do is take Pia for a walk up the famous Rock of Gibraltar,
07:54426 metres above sea level.
07:57So we head up the rock,
07:58and we encounter some of the locals, which happen to be Barbary apes.
08:02So that was something I didn't know I was going to see today.
08:05So exciting.
08:07Struggling to control myself.
08:10Very cute.
08:11So they're Barbary apes,
08:12which are the only free-roaming apes in Europe.
08:15Hey, fella.
08:18Oh, he's really posing.
08:19He's like a Vogue model.
08:22Pia absolutely loves seeing these apes.
08:25She wanted to cuddle them.
08:26We get right up to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar,
08:32and we have the most incredible view of the Mediterranean,
08:36and there are lots of ships coming and going,
08:38and it's really wonderful.
08:40I mean, we're at the top of the rock,
08:42and it's probably one of the most famous rocks in the world,
08:44the Rock of Gibraltar.
08:45I mean, we can see our ship down there.
08:47We can.
08:48And I think, I think, that's Africa.
08:51Yeah.
08:52So that's Morocco,
08:54and then you've got south of Spain just here.
08:58Well, we're in Gibraltar, and you know what?
09:00What?
09:01I feel like a pint.
09:02Uh, yeah.
09:03Pint on me?
09:04Yes.
09:05Marshal.
09:17This place is so cool.
09:19Does it remind you of home?
09:20Do you know what?
09:21It feels really European.
09:23And look, British pub.
09:25Well, there's British pub on every corner.
09:27British pub.
09:28Pint time.
09:29So we head to the Horseshoe,
09:32which feels like the most quintessential British pub.
09:35It really feels like being back home.
09:38What do you want?
09:39I mean, let's get a pint.
09:41Good to have a pint, right?
09:42Do you know what?
09:43One Australia, one Guinness.
09:45I miss a good Guinness.
09:46I absolutely love it here, because not only can we order a beautiful British pint, I get to pay with pounds.
09:53I cannot thank you enough for bringing me here today.
09:56This is a place I never would have been.
09:58Yeah.
09:58I didn't expect the most amazing place.
10:01You've got a little bit of British life, heaps of history.
10:04Oh, thank you.
10:05It's been amazing.
10:05And the best thing is, we didn't have to unpack.
10:08You're welcome, babe.
10:09Cheers.
10:11This is actually the best preserved bridge from the Roman Empire.
10:14This is world class.
10:16What more could we want?
10:29We've woken up this morning on the Sun Princess somewhere on the Mediterranean Sea,
10:34and it is the perfect morning to go to the spa.
10:38This is my favourite part of every trip.
10:41I'm excited for some R&R.
10:43Me too.
10:43What are you going to get?
10:44I'm going to get a facial.
10:45I'm just going to check out the enclave, see what I've got.
10:47Perfect.
10:48All right.
10:48See you in a bit.
10:49Have fun.
10:50So the sauna is a beautiful space.
10:53And then after the sauna, I go to the salt chamber.
10:56Usually, Himalayan salts for me, it's just used to age beef.
11:00This one is the most beautiful room, which you can relax in.
11:04And then I finish off in the hydrotherapy pool.
11:06It's indulgences and extras like these that make a luxury escape even more special.
11:12I love a spa experience.
11:15Talk about a luxury escape.
11:16Like, it's a luxury to be on a cruise and then also have a facial, so I'm really excited.
11:21The facial is so good, so I feel really refreshed.
11:25One of my favourite things about cruising is when you wake up in the morning and you've
11:35docked in a new port.
11:37And today, we've woken up in Marseille in France.
11:40I haven't been to France for a very long time, and so we're going to explore Provence, which
11:45is a region in France.
11:46And it's really known for its beautiful food, its landscapes, its incredible wine.
11:51So I think we're in for a good day.
11:52How lucky are we?
11:54We are in Avignon, which is an ancient walled city.
11:57This is the Palace of the Popes, and it's the largest Gothic cathedral in the whole of
12:02Europe.
12:02So it's pretty special.
12:03I love walking when I'm travelling, so we walk through the city, lots of history.
12:09I mean, it's a really incredible place.
12:10So it was really lovely.
12:11It was really exciting.
12:13And this wall was built in the mid-1300s to protect the seven popes.
12:18Wow.
12:18And do you know, I love a bit of religious history, so this is perfect for me.
12:23I can't wait to get looking around, but what do you want to do first?
12:26We're in France.
12:27Let's get some cheese.
12:28Yes, please.
12:29Talking my language.
12:30There's a beautiful market, which I really want to go and see.
12:36Here we are at the famous marketplace here in Avignon, Léaille.
12:40It's been open for over 100 years.
12:43I've heard about this place, but I never thought I'd come.
12:45So I'm so excited and excited to be here with you.
12:47Me too.
12:48Shall we check it out?
12:49Yes.
12:49Do it.
12:52I'm in very good company because Mike is a chef and he loves taking me to food places.
12:57I love French food, love cheese.
12:59I think I'm in for a good day.
13:04For me, the French just do it better.
13:08You know, markets here in this country are just incredible.
13:13There's so many beautiful little stalls, from the patissiers to the fruit producers,
13:18beautiful baguettes and charcuteries and the colours of strawberries are popping.
13:23Oh, it's just, there's so much.
13:26I just want to see everything.
13:29So this is probably one of the most famous cheese shops here in the market.
13:33It's been here for over 75 years and they've got 250 different types of cheeses.
13:39Can we eat them all?
13:41Oh, let's try some.
13:43Bonjour.
13:44Bonjour.
13:44I asked her fromage here, what would she recommend?
13:47Something local.
13:49And she gives us this most beautiful goat's cheese.
13:54Mmm.
13:54Oh, wow.
13:57Oh, yeah.
13:59So good.
14:00I'm going to take some of that, please.
14:01Probably half.
14:02We can't pass up a chance to go shopping and explore some of the other providors.
14:09So we buy a few little bits of pieces to enjoy later and we're off to explore a little bit more in Provence.
14:17We're finished with our market and so we're going to head to Pont du Gard, which is a beautiful historical monument.
14:24And it's absolutely huge.
14:25Really, I think the thing about travelling in Europe is that you see things that are so big and so old and it really makes you just think about life in a completely different way to when you're living your every day to day.
14:38So even though we're in France, this is actually the best preserved bridge from the Roman Empire.
14:44Really?
14:44Yeah.
14:45So it's over 2,000 years old and it actually used to be an aqueduct.
14:50It used to take 40,000 cubic metres of water from town to town.
14:54That is insane.
14:55Yeah.
14:55I love all that stuff.
14:58And look down there.
15:00The banks of the river look so inviting.
15:02Should we head down?
15:03Yeah.
15:04I mean, we've got the best weather, so.
15:05Why not?
15:06So the bridge is incredible, but then underneath you've got this beautiful river and there's people living their lives, swimming and young people having fun and kayaking.
15:16So we wanted to kind of get amongst it.
15:18We took a walk down.
15:20We found a gorgeous little spot overlooking the water on the rocks.
15:24And we had a little picnic.
15:25And for me, that was luxury at its finest.
15:28This is so good.
15:30This is definitely luxury.
15:32Beautiful view, great French food, delightful company.
15:37I mean, what more could we want?
15:39As much as I'd love to stay here, it's about time now for us to head back on board and head to our next destination.
15:44We've had such a great day in Provence, but heading back to the ship, I'm excited because I've organised a really fun dinner for us tonight.
15:53One more little treat for you.
15:54Okay.
15:55Dinner with a little bit of theatre.
15:57Oh, you know I love a show.
15:59You're talking my language.
16:04Mike has organised something very special for dinner tonight, and it's my teppanyaki, which could not be more different than Provence.
16:11So we've got, that's the most amazing thing about cruising, is we've gone from Provence and I'm eating cheese and bread and really immersing myself in French culture.
16:19And then before you know it, I'm having teppanyaki for dinner.
16:23I love that I get to dine at these high-end restaurants on board because I booked with luxury escapes.
16:28This is my first day. Watch out.
16:33For me, teppanyaki is about the chef.
16:36It really is when chefs really earn their money.
16:39It's theatre at its finest.
16:41You're sitting at the table.
16:42You're being cooked for directly in front of you.
16:45It's interactive and it's fun.
16:49Pia's in her element.
16:53Like, she's absolutely loving it.
16:55I don't think it's what she expected.
16:57I like that more, bit more, bit.
16:59We have such a beautiful meal, beautiful steak, chicken, beautiful lobster, and then I've got to tease Mike.
17:06So, Mike, how do you think you go with the spatulas?
17:11I win.
17:13I don't know. I'll give it a go.
17:14Of course, I'm not going to say anything other than, sure, I can do that.
17:20So, what do you want? You want some steak?
17:21You want some steak?
17:22I'm throwing freedom out!
17:26I was absolutely useless.
17:28It's a massive test of our friendship.
17:32Ready? Ready?
17:34I don't know if I should have had to move my head.
17:36I think you should have aimed better. Thank you.
17:37Yes.
17:39The suite I booked with luxury escapes is a part of Princess Cruises' Sanctuary Collection,
17:43which gives me access to the ship's premium amenities and exclusive venues like the Top Deck Sanctuary Club.
17:49I have been so excited to bring you here.
17:53So, this is the Sanctuary Club and it's exclusive for Sanctuary Collection guests.
17:58So, they've got cabanes and beautiful food.
18:01Yeah.
18:01But my favourite thing is...
18:03Is what?
18:04What is this?
18:05Would you like to ring the bell?
18:08I don't trust you.
18:09How good is that?
18:18That is awesome.
18:20I know. I'm jealous. Now I need one, too.
18:23How cool is this?
18:28Cheers.
18:30How amazing.
18:32Oh, my God.
18:33Why have I never thought about creating a wall of champagne before?
18:36It was so much fun.
18:38I mean, I'm going to move in.
18:40They don't know.
18:41I ain't leaving.
18:42We've got our champagne in hand and we lay down on the sundecks to watch the sunset with the most incredible view.
18:50I think this is a pretty perfect spot to watch the sunset, right?
18:55You know, this is the kind of thing you only get with a luxury escape.
18:59Yeah.
18:59I mean, this is world-class.
19:01Look at this view.
19:02We're so lucky.
19:03We are.
19:04Cheers.
19:05Cheers.
19:05That's the first thing you should do whenever you get to Italy is, like, get a gelato.
19:12I feel the history and culture.
19:15It's just incredible.
19:16I've woken up in the morning.
19:32This time, the Sun Princess has pulled into a new port, and I'm so excited because we're at La Spezia in Italy.
19:37This part of Italy is sort of known as the Italian Riviera because it's got beautiful coastlines, incredible towns, and it's just very picturesque.
19:47I think it's a place that everyone sort of has on their bucket list of wanting to visit.
19:51And I'm still getting used to the fact that every other day we wake up in a new country, ready to explore another beautiful location.
19:59Our first stop is a small fishing village called Porto Venere, and it is beautiful.
20:09I feel the history and culture, and I love the fact that I feel like I'm in an old fishing village.
20:14You know, you've got the fishing nets and the boats, and it's just incredible.
20:17It's so gorgeous, and these beautiful Italian colours.
20:20I mean, this is really an immersive Italian experience.
20:23I love it so much.
20:25Should we explore?
20:25Yeah.
20:26Yeah.
20:29Look at that building. It's beautiful, and the view.
20:33It's really incredible.
20:34Yeah.
20:35So this church was built in the mid-1300s, so it's very old.
20:39I think it is one of the most dramatic church locations I've ever seen because this feels very intimate and peaceful, and it feels really special.
20:47Isn't this so beautiful?
20:49Oh, it's such a gorgeous building.
20:51This is St Peter's Church, and it's very old, and you can just feel the history.
20:55Yeah.
20:55Yeah.
20:55It's one of the things I love about travelling through Europe is the churches are always such gorgeous buildings.
21:01Definitely, and I was kind of brought up in Italian churches, so every time I come into a space like this, it kind of reminds me of my childhood.
21:07The Cinque Terre is a series of five towns, and they're all clinging to these really dramatic coastlines.
21:17They're all so incredibly beautiful.
21:19They're all colourful, and each town is quite different.
21:22Looking over at the coastline and the colour of the water, seeing the Mediterranean like this, it's picture perfect.
21:30We head to Cornelia, which is the middle of the five towns, and it's also the smallest.
21:35It sort of reminds me of where my family comes from, where things are quite simple and quite sweet.
21:41We're walking through the most gorgeous, small, old-town streets.
21:46It's picturesque.
21:48It's true Italy, so we have to get some gelato.
21:51I love lemon so much.
21:58This is incredible.
22:00There is nothing like gelato in Italy.
22:04Best in the world.
22:06That's the first thing you should do whenever you get to Italy, is, like, get a gelato.
22:13This coastline is so dramatic.
22:15It's one of the most beautiful views, I would have to say, in the world.
22:18Without a doubt.
22:19Wow, this is incredible.
22:21We're going to have to have a walk around and look.
22:24I feel like we're going to be doing a lot of walking.
22:27Yeah.
22:27You know what that means.
22:28What?
22:29We're going to need to eat some pasta.
22:30Yay!
22:31Now you're speaking my language.
22:33Pasta time.
22:42How beautiful is this?
22:43So good.
22:44Shall we?
22:45Yes.
22:45I'm so excited.
22:49I'm so hungry.
22:50I ordered the most beautiful testaroli, which is like a homemade pesto pasta.
22:57Pia got the spaghetti vongole.
22:59Oh, I mean, on the coast of Italy, eating fresh clams, beautiful pasta.
23:06Life doesn't get better than this.
23:08Oh, my God, this pasta's beautiful.
23:11The chew on the pasta, it's just incredible.
23:13What an amazing way to end our luxury escape.
23:16I know.
23:17It's been such an incredible experience.
23:18So lucky we've managed to see so many of the jewels of the Mediterranean.
23:22And to be honest, I've loved every single minute.
23:25Yeah.
23:25But I think this moment is my favourite.
23:27Oh, well, it's pretty special for you being here, right?
23:29Yeah.
23:30You've been amazing company.
23:32Great food.
23:33Great wine.
23:34I mean, who's complaining?
23:37Cheers.
23:37Cheers.
23:38Cheers.
23:44We head back to the Sun Princess, and Mike and I decide to just, you know, go out to the
23:48infinity pool, have that last moment where we can just say goodbye to the Sun Princess,
23:53say goodbye to our trip, and just feel really grateful and happy about all the things we've
23:57experienced.
23:57What a great way to end this magical week.
24:01Look at that view.
24:03I know.
24:03Say goodbye, Italy.
24:04Bye, ciao.
24:07This has definitely been a luxury escape.
24:13I think I would sum up my time on the Sun Princess as surprising, because I've never been on
24:19a cruise, and I think I've enjoyed the experience way more than I thought I would.
24:24It was the perfect trip.
24:25I've had such a great time on the Sun Princess.
24:28It's an incredible ship.
24:30And what I will take away more than anything of my time here is the people, and they truly
24:36love what they do.
24:38I would 100% say I've experienced the jewels of the Mediterranean on this cruise.
24:42I've seen a little bit of everything.
24:43I've seen things that I never thought I'd see.
24:45And I think we really saw something incredible when we went to the Cinque Terre.
24:49The fact that we've seen so much and done so many things without having to take our suitcase
24:56once out of our room, oh, it's worth it just for that.
25:00It's been such an incredible week.
25:02Travelling with Mike Reid is so good.
25:05I mean, he's so much fun.
25:06We've had a blast.
25:07Could not have asked for a better travelling companion.
25:10Pia has been absolutely amazing to travel with for the last seven days.
25:15She's so keen to just get up and go, to do everything, to see everything.
25:19Oh, Pia, you've been great.
25:20You've been awesome.
25:21I know.
25:22Cheers.
25:23Cheers.
25:24Being able to see four different countries over seven days, sailing the Mediterranean,
25:32you can't get any more luxury than that.
25:35I'm just so grateful for this luxury escape.
25:38And to say that I've experienced one of the world's best holidays is an understatement.
25:42This has been the best holiday of my life.
25:45To book these luxury escapes and more, head to luxuryescapes.com.
25:50Welcome to spectacular Thailand.
25:53Can you believe that we're back together?
25:55I know.
25:56The most unlikely duo, aren't we, Jane and Khan?
26:00But hell, it works.
26:02You can't come to Thailand and not experience some of the culture.
26:05But the best way to get to know the people is to try the local cuisine.
26:08I think this is my entire life.
26:10I'm Janey.
26:11It's so much more than just a holiday.
26:14It's a moment in your life that you will never forget.
26:17Yeah, look, that's a bucket list thing.
26:19Thank you, Luxury Skates, for such an incredible trip.
26:21Thank you, Luxury Skates, for such an incredible trip.
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