Gulets are more suitable for cruising by motor,
and rarely set sail. Cruising time is usually
limited to 3 or 4 hours per day; except on from
the Fethiye Gulf to Ekincik Bay on the Marmaris
route, and between Gemiler Bay and Kalkan on
the Kekova route.
Cruising
on our itineraries is close to shore, and most
stops are in beautiful bays and coves; so the
ride is almost always smooth. The waves very
rarely cause discomfort. There is no reported
case of shark attack in the history of the country,
so you can sure that your swim will be a safe
one.
Overnight,
Lets Go boats anchor in scenic bays close to
the shore and, occasionally, harbour towns.
During a cruise, you'll have plenty of time
to swim in the turquoise waters, to go shore
by dinghy and tour ruins or stretch your legs
in spectacular nature sports, or, if you're
feeling energetic, plenty of water sports activities
will sharpen your appetite for dinner.
As
with everything on a gulet cruise, itineraries
are designed to be fairly flexible. While the
captain, who knows all the secrets of the coastline,
follows a general route, he is always happy
where possible to accommodate the special wish
of the passengers. Due to unforeseen circumstances,
weather conditions or the safety of his passengers/boat,
itineraries may be changed by the captain.
BODRUM
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44
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DATCA
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90
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46
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MARMARiS
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118
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90
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50
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FETHiYE
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128
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112
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66
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45
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KALKAN
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146
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130
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84
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56
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18
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KAS
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164
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148
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102
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74
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38
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18
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KEKOVA
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179
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161
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115
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88
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53
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35
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20
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FiNiKE
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210
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194
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148
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119
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91
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73
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58
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44
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KEMER
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230
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214
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165
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139
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111
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83
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70
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57
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20
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ANTALYA
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FETHIYE
GULF - EKINCIK
BEDRI
RAHMI KOYU
Bedri Rahmi Bay is one of the most popular bays
in the Fethiye Gulf, which is located opposite
Tersane Island (Dockyard) and known as Tasyaka
Bay. Bedri Rahmi Eyüboglu was a great writer and
painter of Turkey. He and his close friends were
the first blue voyagers of the country who discovered
the beautiful Lycian coast and informed people
about these beauties. On one of his cruises, he
painted a fish on a rock behind a fountain of
the bay in 1973, and ever since the bay has been
called by his name.
The
bay is well protected against the wind and suitable
for anchoring. Pine, olive trees and oleander
flowers on the surrounding slopes, small beach
and crystal - clear water complement the historical
remains on the hill and create an idyllic setting.
There are many Lycian rock tombs hidden behind
the trees, as well as ones shaped like pigeonholes
on a great rock. You can also see a rock tomb
with an ornamented door and a triple tomb on the
slope. According to the ancient historians, the
city that is located behind of the hill was the
Lycian town Crya.
BOYNUZ
BÜKÜ
Boynuz Bükü is located between Bedri Rahmi Bay
and Göcek opposite the Yassica Island.
It is a good anchor place and very little affected
by the winds. When you anchor your boat in the
bay, you can see frankincense (liquidiambar oriantalis)
trees which are protected by the government.
AT
BÜKÜ
At Bükü, which is located north of Boynuz Bükü,
consists of two small bays; Günlüklü and Osman
Aga bays. Here again you will find frankincense
(liquidiambar oriantalis) and pine trees. Osman
Aga bay has also a small beach and a spring water
source.
MERDIVENLI
BAY
Merdivenli Bay is located next to Göbün (Kapi)
Bay north of Fethiye Gulf. The name of the bay
(Merdivenli = stepped) is taken from very impressive
steps into both sides of the rocks in the bay.
The nearest small village is also called Merdivenli
Köy (stepped village).
DOMUZ
ISLAND (The island of Pigs)
The Island of Pigs is the nearest Island to the
peninsula west of the Gulf. It is covered with
olive and pine trees. A quay and couple of houses
can be seen when you sail along the north coast.
East and west of the bay are ideal for overnight
anchorages.
GÖBÜN
(KAPI) BAY
Göbün Bay is the first anchorage when you enter
Fethiye Gulf between the peninsula and Domuz Island.
The Bay is surrounded with pine and olive trees
and very well protected against all winds. Therefore
Göbün bay is an ideal place for yachts even during
winter. A fisherman / diver; Tahir, runs an excellent
restaurant, specializing in fresh fish, and is
well known to blue voyagers.
GÖCEK
Göcek is located 22 km from Dalaman International
Airport and 35 km from Fethiye. Positioned at
the furthest north end of Fethiye bay. Göcek was
relatively small village until 1990's and is known
as Turkey's greatest chromium reserve. The recent
development of several yacht marinas in Göcek
bay and the town's proximity to the pretty islands
and bays in the Fethiye Gulf, has made it a popular
harbour town offering every kinds of service to
yachtsmen, a laid-back nightlife and quaint streets
lined with pretty buildings. Göcek Bay makes an
excellent overnight stop on any cruise.
MANASTIR
(HAMAM) KOYU
Cruising from Göbün and Merdivenli bays you reach
the unique beauty of Manastir (Hamam) Bay. The
people also call this beautiful bay Cleopatra's
Bath because of the ruined Roman bath lying in
the water southeast of the bay. It is certain
that there is no relation between the bath and
Cleopatra but local people like to say so. The
volcanic structure of the natural hillside of
the bay also confirms the existence of a crater
lake, which gave warm waters to the bath house
in ancient times.
The
pine trees in the bay cover the slopes from the
seaside to the top of the hill, where you also
see carob trees as well. A long ancient wall stretches
west of the bay, seemingly the defence wall of
the Lycian city Lydae that is located behind the
hill.
South of the bay, where the remains of the bath
are, is an ideal anchorage spot closed to wind.
If you don't mind staying overnight in a very
popular bay, then Manastir Bay is one of the best
of Fethiye Gulf.
YASSICA
ISLANDS
The group of islands called Yassica Islands (Jessica
Islands in some of the sources), which probably
give the best picture to your cameras at sunrise
and sunset, are the nearest Islands to Göcek.
It is a great pleasure to discover the tones of
blue from the sea and green from the pine and
olive trees when you anchor in the shallow waters
close to one of the islands. Haci Halil, and Seytanli
Island are two hereby Islands providing good alternative
anchorage spots of Yassica Islands.
TERSANE
ISLAND (DOCK YARD ISLAND)
Tersane (Dockyard) is the largest island in Fethiye
Gulf. Entry to the harbour like bay of the island
is via a deep channel which is also called the
winter port of Tersane. The Eastern side of the
bay is available for anchor as it is quite shallow
and protected from the wind.
According
to ancient sources, the island was inhabited and
named Telandria in the past and was also used
as a dockyard for the ships during the Ottoman
period. Many houses from past ages can be still
seen on the island, which give an idea of the
population of the island during the Byzantian
and Ottoman periods. As with Kaya Köyü in Fethiye,
inhabitants of Tersane Island migrated to Greece
in 1922 as a result of an agreement between Turkey
and Greece to exchange the foreign populations
in the two countries. North of the Island is another
anchorage called Summer Port, another nice spot
for swimming.
AG
LIMANI
At the West end of the gulf, close Kurtoglu Cape
you reach Ag Limani (double bays), which is another
secluded bay where you can swim, fish, sunbathe
or rest. A Lycian city, ancient Lydae, is easy
to reach by a path, taking about an hour.
EKINCIK
If you want to cruise in the Marmaris direction
from the Fethiye Gulf, it is better to depart
very early in the morning and cruise from Kurtoglu
Cape to the Ekincik Gulf when weather and water
are still sleeping. The wind in this region comes
from the west, contrary to your direction.
In
Ekincik Gulf, there are many beautiful small bays
good for overnight stay, such as Semizce 1 and
Semizce 2, where the land completely covered by
pine trees. The gulf is busy with yachts coming
from Fethiye and Marmaris because it is very near
to the ruined remains of the Ancient Carian town
Caunos.
Travelling
through the pretty Ekincik region, you reach Dalyan,
Caunos and Istuzu Beach. Here's an excellent opportunity
to leave the boat for a couple of hours and spend
a day exploring this area: a cooperative in Ekincik
village organises fishing boats at reasonable
prices for yacht groups. The golden sands of 4
km long Iztuzu Beach are great place to relax,
as well as an important breeding ground for Carretta
Caretta sea turtles. A river-boat trip down the
densely vegetated Dalyan river delta to the ruins
of Caunos, which was an important Carian and Lycian
city. The town of Dalyan is overlooked by the
incredible tombs carved., during the Lycian epoch,
into the sheer cliff face hundreds of feet up.
And before returning to the boat how about a quick
beauty treatment: according to local legend, the
sulphurous Mud baths and hot springs will "take
ten years off you".
ÖLÜDENIZ
& KEKOVA ROUTE
GEMILER
ISLAND (St. NICHOLAS ISLAND)
After 2 - 2,5 hrs cruising from Fethiye harbour,
turning at the capes of Çamli Burun, Sahin Burnu,
Bozburun and Iblis Burnu, you catch sight of the
Karacaören Islands. From here you reach Gemiler
Island (The Island of Ships): the channel between
the island and the pine and olive tree lined shore
is a naturel shelter for yachts - hence the name.
The island itself is covered with historical remains
dating back to the Byzantine period. The Fethiye
Archeological Museum and a Japanese team carried
out archaeological surveys here between 1991 and
1995, confirmed the island' importance during
early Christianity in Anatolia. There are four
churches, numerous houses, graves, cisterns, wells
and a tunnel on the island, which have been damaged
by earthquakes. Beautiful mosaics and inscriptions
uncovered in one of the churches confirmed that
church was dedicated to St. Nicholas. This church
is connected to the one on the east of the island
by a 400 mt long tunnel, which was probably used
by priests on ceremonial walks to protect themselves
from the sun and rain..
More houses and a quay can be seen on the northern
end of the island, again ruined during earthquakes
in the 3rd and subsequent centuries.
ÖLÜDENIZ
(DEAD SEA)
From Gemiler cruising towards the east, you reach
a couple of bays suitable for anchorage and overnight
stay. Bestas Harbour and Soguksu Bay give an opportunity
to take a walk for an hour and visit the "ghost
town"; Kaya Köyü, whose Greek population was exchanged
with Turks living in Thrace in 1922. Mersinli
Bay is another good anchorage and swimming spot.
Rounding Yogan Cape from here, you enter the breathtaking
Belcekiz Gulf. Here you'll find Ölüdeniz, the
world famous inland bay that is protected from
the open sea by the cape, a lagoon of shallow,
perfectly still, turquoise water completely hidden
from view from the sea. This paradise is closed
to yachts to prevent its pollution.
Ölüdeniz
is a popular tourist centre - backdrop of the
magnificent pine covered mountains, the long white
beach of Belcekiz, and the literally breathtaking
blue of the sea make it a sight well worth seeing
by land or by sea. Hotels, restaurants and campsites
are located along the front of Belcekiz Beach.
Looking up, the azure skies are punctuated by
coloured parachutes gliding and spinning over
the lagoon area from their flight point at the
top of 1975 metre high Babadag (Mount Baba). This
gives a new image of the resort - it offers the
best wheather and landing conditions for the sport
of paragliding anywhere in the world. Adrenalin
and freedom… These two words pretty much
sum up the paragliding experience.
YESILKÖY
The passge east in the Kekova direction from Gemiler
Island or Ölüdeniz is usually made in the very
early morning - passing the high capes of Yedi
Burunlar (Seven Capes) and Patara - for the reason
that, during the day, this part of coastline receives
a strong contrary wind and has rough sea, which
makes daytime cruising quite uncomfortable. 18
km long Patara Beach is located after the 7th
cape - here the ancient city of Patara, birthplace
of St. Nicholas , is still mostly covered by sand.
The journey takes around 4 hrs before arriving
at beautiful Yesilköy Bay, near Kalkan , in time
for breakfast at an ideal anchorage spot. This
spot is also very popular for fishing activities.
KALKAN
The small town of Kalkan was an old Greek village
called Kalamaki untill 1922. This perfect Mediterranean
village boasts a pretty yacht harbour, seafront
restaurantsand charming hotels and pensions, making
it a popular place preferred by thgose in search
of a more laid-back stay in Turkey. From Kalkan
there is an opportunity to visit important Lycian
cities such as Patara, Xanthos, Letoon and Tlos
by bus and return to the boat the same day. The
harbour is a good place for overnight stays. According
to ancient sources, the mosque in the harbour
was build after the 14th century on the site of
a destroyed Roman Temple, and had also been a
Byzantian Church during bygone ages. Now, the
mosque, the winding cobbled streets lined with
well preserved Greek houses and an abundance of
red and pink bougaivillea makes Kalkan a storehouse
of beautiful photographs as well as living evidence
of the continuity of life and the colourful fusion
of different cultures.
KAS
- ANTIPHELLOS
15 miles from Kalkan, Kas is another sheltered
harbour where you can stay overnight. Kas has
also became a popular tourist centre with its
historical and natural ambiance. The modern town
of Kas has many remains from the Lycian period
when the town was named Antiphellos. The rock-cut
tombs on the slopes of the surrounding hills date
to the 4th century BC. On a rise between the sea
and the hill which was probably the acropolis
of Antiphellos, you can see a rock tomb decorated
with a Doric style façade and dancing female figures
inside. To the west of the modern town following
the road to Çukurbag Peninsula, the ancient theatre
of Antiphellos appears. The Cavea of the theatre
was made with 26 seating rows for a 4.000 people
capacity. This faces Meis (Kastellerizon) Greek
Island 5 miles away.
Among
thousands of sarcophagi in the whole Lycia, one
is used as the modern symbol of Kas town. It stands
at the upper end of Uzun Çarsi Caddesi 5 min.
walking distance from your boat in the harbour,
and its excellent preservation and elegant form
is impressive.
The Hyposorium of the sarcophagus has Lycian inscriptions,
which explains the importance of the person who
was buried there and the rules on how to protect
this monumental tomb.
APERLAE
Aperlae is located on the Sicak Peninsula, near
the Sicak Quay. Before reaching Kekova here you
will find an interesting Lycian city worth seeing.
The city walls begin at the shoreline and are
fortified with towers at regular intervals. These
walls date to Roman times. At the west end of
the wall there are three gates with vaulted arches.
As in other Lycian cities, outside walls the necropolis
is full of sarcophagi. You can also see the ancient
quay and some of the houses sunk in the water
as a result of earthquakes in the 3rd and the
following centuries.
Besides
a church in the northwest corner and a chapel
in the southeast corner, no other clearly defined
structures can be found. Outside the early wall,
especially on its east side, are numerous tombs,
nearly all sarcophagi with rounded crest and lid.
Some of them stand between the early wall and
the shore confirming that this area belongs only
to the later fortified city. Today, one will find
that the quay and associated structures of Aperlae
are all underwater. Towards the west end a pier
projected outwards.
KEKOVA
Kekova, with its incredible beauties is one of
the best-loved anchorages of blue voyagers, where
history and nature come together. After departing
Kas, first you pass Uluburun opposite Meis (Kastellerizon)
Island and Sicak Peninsula where the ancient city
of Aperlae was found. Name of Kekova is taken
from the Island, which is covered with ancient
ruins. The lake like sheltered sea between the
Island and the main land is also called Dead Sea.
Tersane Bay is located at the southwest of the
Island where you find the remains of an ancient
dockyard. At the southeast of the Island there
is another beautiful anchorage, is called Karaloz.
Following shore, you can see many houses submerged
in the water as the result of various earthquakes,
which gives another name to the area - "sunken
city".
In
Kekova region the safest place for anchor is the
village of Üçagiz, which was called Theimussa
in the Lycian period. From the inscriptions on
the tomb it is understood that itshistory goes
back to the 4th century BC in Theimussa town.
Ruins of necropol give a very interesting picture
resembling a field of sarcophagi.
The
ancient city of Simena can be seen on the island
and where the village Kale is located. Kale is
full of medieval and ancient structures, which
are historical emblems of the village's natural
beauty. At top of the village a well-preserved
castle stands which was reconstructed by crusaders
upon a Lycian. Inside the castle, there is a very
small theatre or Odeon, worth seeing.
The most interesting sarcophagus of Kekova is
one which, near the Kale Village stand alone in
the water. On the mainland, many of other good
samples of Lycian sarcophagi can be seen among
the olive and carob trees.
Kekova
is probably one of the most enjoyable regions
of the Mediterranean because of its impressive
historical background, unspoilt nature and gorgeous
turquoise waters. Just to preserve this beauty,
people are not allowed to do scuba diving and
snorkelling with masks, around the sunken cities.
GÖKKAYA
Cruising south from Kekova, Gökkaya is another
beautiful place for anchorage. The bay is protected
from all winds and is a good overnight spot. The
crystal clean waters, and beautiful surroundings,
are a joy to swim. If you take a walk on the land
to the east, you'll find a small ancient settlement
called Istlada where there are the remains of
sarcophagi, a church, a monumental gate, cisterns
and wells similar to those other nearby Lycian
towns.
KOKAR
BAY
After leaving Gökkaya, you can either return to
Kekova or take the opportunity to see Myra and
St. Nicholas's Church anchoring in Kokar Bay.
This is not a good choice to stay overnight but
is the closest connection for busues to Myra.
MYRA
The ruins of Myra are situated 5 km from the shore.
On reaching the city, the first thing you see
is the acropolis on top of the hill, which is
literally covered with Lycian rock tombs. The
city walls dating to Hellenistic and Roman periods
can still be seen. Most of pigeon hole type tombs
(called simple niches) and house type tombs are
damaged, but some inscriptions and reliefs are
still visible.
The theatre - The cavea of which is half Greek
and half Roman in style - is situated near the
necropolis, and is in better condition than the
other theatres in Lycia. Vaulted passage entrances
and the stage building are also in good condition.
St.
Nicolas was born in Patara and lived in Myra.
In the 4th century he was the Bishop of Myra until
the end of his life, and was buried in his church.
The church of St. Nicholas in Kale (Myra) was
collapsed in an earthquake in 529; a larger church,
perhaps a larger basilica-type structure was built
in its place. The Church of St Nicholas was razed
to the ground during a naval assault conducted
by the Arabs in 1034. An inscription reads that
it was restored under Constantine IX in 1043.
Some additions were made during renovations in
the 12th century, and the church was finally renovated
in its present position during the 19th century
and again after Atatürk leaving an excellent example
of Anatolian - Byzantine architecture. In the
11th century Italian pirates broke open the sarcophagus
of St. Nicholas and took his bones to Bari, in
Italy. St. Nicholas's Roman style decorated sarcophagus
still stands in the church.
EKINCIK
If you like to cruise on Marmaris direction from
Fethiye Gulf, you have better to depart very early
in the morning and cruise from Kurtoglu Cape to
Ekincik Gulf when weather and water are still
sleeping. Regular wind in this region comes from
west, which is contrary to your direction.
In
Ekincik Gulf, there are many beautiful small bays
good for overnight stay as Semizce 1 and Semizce
2, where you see the land completely covered by
pine trees. You feel the gulf is busy with yachts
coming from Fethiye and Marmaris because it is
very near to the ruined remains of Ancient Carian
town Caunos.
Visiting
Dalyan town and Caunos ancient city needs a transportation
arrangement. A cooperative in Ekincik village
organise fisherman boats with reasonable prices
for the parties of boats. From your boat to the
Dalyan channel is about half an hour cruise on
the fisherman boat. First you meet 4 km long Istuzu
beach where is known as caretta - caretta marine
turtles beach. On the shallow channel, you have
a dream - like cruise among the green reeds, which
reminds the film "African Quinn" of Humphrey Bogard
and Katherine Hepburn. Lycian type rock tombs,
the ancient city of Caunos and the healing sulphured
mud bath will be an unforgettable memory for you.
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