Tips for Visiting Sedona, Arizona

 

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas
Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Famous for its red rock formations and natural beauty, Sedona is a popular travel destination in the southwest United States, with over four million tourists each year.  Known world-wide as a spiritual and natural healing center, Sedona attracts tourists throughout the year. Its many art galleries, boutique shops, fine restaurants, wineries, and film festivals provide plenty to do when visiting this Arizona city.

Oak Creek Canyon Sedona, ArizonaKnown as "Red Rock Country," Sedona is surrounded by mountains of stunning red-rock.  Just north of the city is beautiful Oak Creek Canyon, a river gorge known for its picturesque scenery. Second to the Grand Canyon, the Sedona-Oak Creek canyon area is the most visited destination in Arizona.

Oak Creek CanyonSlide Rock, Sedona Arizona

The steep walls of red rock make Oak Creek Canyon a gorgeous site to enjoy just while driving the corridor between Sedona and Flagstaff. Numerous hiking trails and campsites exist along the way, as well as other recreational opportunities. One of the most fun activities for people of all ages is Slide Rock, a natural water slide in Slide Rock State Park.  Swimming is available here as well for those not so adventurous. Very popular on weekends during the summer, if you do not arrive early, you may have to wait for a parking spot.

Spiritual Mecca and Natural Healing

The natural beauty here inspires many to seek   holistic healing and therapy here. Considered to be the new age and metaphysical center of the southwest, Sedona draws thousands of tourists each year to experience inner tranquility through meditation, retreat, and other encounters. Since 1987, Sedona became known for inner healing and spirituality.  One reason for this is the belief that vortexes exist here. Vortexes are spiritual locations permeated with energy which facilitate prayers, mediation and healing.

Art Galleries, Wineries, Shopping, and more

Art is a main focus in Sedona and over forty art galleries and art studios exist in this city of just 10,000 residents. To the south and southwest of Sedona, in the Verde Valley, nine or ten wineries are located in the Arizona Wine Trail, and many offer tours and wine tastings. Some of the finest restaurants and boutiques are located here, and the Native American influence is felt with the selection of jewelry, sand paintings, candles, and more. To shop and in this upscale area is enjoyable. I had some of the best Italian food from a restaurant which, unfortunately, no longer is here. The chef was even kind enough to e-mail me his special recipe for meatballs.

Each year at the end of February Sedona hosts a nine-day-long international film festival, with a reputation as "The Fest to Impress." Always a big hit, the Sedona International Film Festival already is taking ticket orders for the 2014 event, which will be its 20 year anniversary.

I have been to Sedona several times and look forward to a return visit. I highly recommend Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon as a must-see on your next trip west.

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Follow Margie on her blog at margieinitaly.wordpress.com

- See more at: http://www.euroradialyouth2016.com/travelogue/2013/06/06/a-day-at-the-beach-in-northern-italy/#sthash.S4ueduUP.dpuf

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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A Day at the Beach in Northern Italy

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Italy has miles of coastline and naturally miles of beach. Not all coastline in Italy is amenable to a beach because some is more amenable to harbors or jagged cliffs. I had the good fortune to be able to enjoy some of the best beaches in northern Italy and they were in San Remo, Levanto, and Rimini.

San Remo is in the northwestern area of Italy, in an area considered to be the Italian Riviera. Very near to France, San Remo has a temperate climate and wonderful beaches. In the month of June the Mediterranean Sea was warm enough for me to swim there. Known as a resort city, San Remo has wonderful beaches and hotels, and many of the hotels have private beaches. Use of these beaches, which are called lido, usually is included with the price of a hotel reservation. This typically includes two lounge chairs and a beach umbrella, and sometimes a cabana as well. A public beach area is always available in addition to the private beaches.San Remo, Italy Beaches

Levanto is a family friendly town which makes a good base for visiting the Cinque Terre in Liguria. The train runs through Levanto and it makes for easy access, while not as expensive as staying within the Cinque Terre villages. The beach at Levanto is great not only for swimmers but for surfers as well. Its length is a plus and the sand at Levanto is not full of stones. The clean water and the giant waves make Levanto a favorite for surfers. Recently a world surfing championship was held in the waters of Levanto. I found the crescent shape of the beach to be a perfect spot for sunset photos, and I enjoyed watching the surfers as they rode the waves in to shore.

I visited this beach just before the summer season began, so things were fairly quiet. In season the beach is filled with chairs and umbrellas as sunbathers soak up the hot sun. Above the beach is a promenade and shops and restaurants are easily accessible.Levanto, Italy Beach

Rimini has long been considered one of Italy's favorite beaches. In the summer months it is also one of the most crowded. Rimini is located on Italy's eastern coast, and its beaches sit on the Adriatic Sea. Because of its nine miles of sandy beaches, Rimini attracts Italians and European travelers all summer.  When I spent an afternoon on the lovely beaches of Rimini, I spent four euros for a beach chair and an umbrella. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.

Italy has many other beaches, some smaller and some larger. These are just a few of the beaches in the northern part of Italy. A day at an Italian beach was the perfect reprieve for me after walking around in the hot sun exploring ancient ruins and architecture.Rimini, Italy Beach

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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Blowing Rocks Beach in Hobe Sound, Florida

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches and one of the best is Blowing Rocks Beach in Hobe Sound. I honestly never knew that Florida had beaches with giant rocks like these. After living on Florida's east coast for more than twelve years I can't believe that that I didn't know this beach existed.

Located on Jupiter Island along AIA, Blowing Rocks Beach is reached through Blowing Rocks Preserve, operated by the Nature Conservancy. This beach was named because of the rocky shoreline consisting of Anastasia limestone. It is the largest on the east coast and actually looks live lava rock only the color is brown. Anastasia limestone is a type of sedimentary rock that was likely formed in the Pleistocene Age, approximately 120,000 years ago.

Surf and lighting Hope Sound FloridaAlthough this type of rock extends from St. Augustine to Boca Raton, the amount at Blowing Rocks is the largest on the entire Atlantic coastline. What is so unusual about it is the fact that usually this type of rock appears underwater or underground rather than on land. This rock is also known as coquina, named for the Spanish word for cockleshell. If you look at the rocks closely you can see fragments of shells, coral, and small fossils.

Cave Rock Hope Sound FloridaThe beach here is particularly magnificent during high tide when waves crashing against these rocks can cause the surf to rise up to fifty feet heights in the air. A friend had recommended that I go at high tide and I am so glad I stayed for it and was able to witness first had these incredible sights. I even got wet trying to set up my tripod in just the right spot. I will definitely be back here especially when the winds are even stronger and the tides even higher.

Access is though a path at the Blowing Rocks preserve where there are no more than twenty parking spots. A request for a $2 fee by the honor system is listed on a sign indicating to deposit the fee inside a metal tube. The preserve is open from 9-4:30 at which time an attendant comes and closes the access to the beach.

I loved being there and loved the opportunity to capture some of the beauty of nature with my camera. Walking on the rocks can be treacherous and there areas where you do not have to actually go on the rocks. To get to where I wanted to be though I was on the rocks and you can assured I was treading very carefully.

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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A Day At Avalon Beach on Florida’s Treasure Coast

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

The water is that magnificent shade of turquoise green, the waves are rolling in one after the other, and the wind is so strong it knocked down my beach umbrella twice. I love the beach and today I am at Avalon State Park on North Hutchinson Island, Florida along Florida's Treasure Coast This beautiful place has over a mile of undeveloped natural beach.

The soft light brown sand feels good on my toes and the beach here is wide even at high tide.    A few feet higher than the beach high on a ledge above me, the sea oats are blowing in the wind. Not many people are here today although the temperature is 78 degrees and the sun is shining without a cloud anywhere on the horizon.  A couple of fishermen are here and a few groups of senior citizens who are either retired or on vacation. One is using crutches and another has one of those beach wheelchairs with the large inflatable grey wheels.Avalon Beach Hutchison Island, Florida

I could stay here all day listening to the waves with my eyes closed and feeling totally relaxed. This is the next thing to Paradise and I am fortunate enough to live here, only about a half hour away.

Avalon Beach Hutchison Island, FloridaThe beach at Avalon State Park is part of Florida's state park system, so there is a fee to park here in one of the forty parking spaces and use the beach. It goes by the honor system according to a posted sign on a metal post. The sign indicates to take a blue envelope from inside this metal "station" and insert $2, then tear off the section designated to hang from the rearview mirror of your car. The envelope then gets deposited into a slot in this station.

Covered Shade Area Avolon Beach Hutchison Island, FloridaNext to the parking lot is a covered pavilion and under it are four picnic tables. Two charcoal grills are also here. Restroom facilities are located at the other end of the parking lot, and although there is no lifeguard here today, a red flag is posted warning of strong surf. Avalon State Park in Fort Pierce is located in St Lucie County Florida on Florida's scenic Highway A1A, four miles north of the north causeway.

How nice this is in the second week of February when I know that the northern part of the country is dealing with snow and cold temperatures. Since I grew up in Ohio I understand only too well about northern winters. I'll take this Florida beach any day of the year.

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys

 

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

I had no idea just how much I would enjoy the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key, just  east of Marathon in the Florida Keys until a recent visit. I spent an entire day there and cannot wait to return.  What a cool place this is.This educational and entertaining attraction is definitely worth the $25 admission fee.

The Dolphin Research Center  is a not-for-profit education and research center in the Florida Keys. It is the home of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Seventeen of the twenty-five dolphins were born at the center and two are rescue dolphins, one from the Gulf oil spill. Besides providing a home to these animals, the DRC assists marine mammals in distress including manatees.

Dolphin Research Center Florida KeysOne of the prime areas of focus at the DRC is research and it is ongoing, and a number of the studies have been published in professional journals. Cognitive and behavioral research of the dolphins is the primary type of research conducted here, and it is done continually, even with visitors present. While I was there I saw three staff members documenting observations of a baby dolphin who had just been born five weeks previously. They were noting behaviors of the baby dolphin as she swam with her mother and the nanny dolphin, a common situation.

Dolphin performing, Dolphin Research Center, Florida KeysThere are various programs if you want to really get involved with the dolphins. There is the Swim with the Dolphins program and  several different interactive Dolphin Encounter program, depending on your interests.

What struck me the most while spending the day watching the various interactive presentations with the dolphins and their trainers was the attitude of every single staff person working there.  All of them were genuinely happy and they treated the dolphins as well as the visitors with a level of respect that is seldom seen. From the CEO down the ladder, everyone was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about what they do. I had the opportunity to meet Mandy Rodriguez, the CEO who has worked here forever according to him. Not only was he down to earth but he spent time to talk with my group and have a conversation. Peggy McGill, VP of Finance and Administration also was most cordial, informative, and very pleasant.

Dolphin Research Center Manatee rescue vehicle, Florida KeysI learned so much that day about dolphins and their abilities and their intelligence. The day was not just fun but very educational as I went from lagoon to lagoon to see the different things going on. The center has paid staff and quite a number of volunteers, about 100 people in all, and they truly love working with these animals.

I would highly recommend a visit to this special place anytime you are going to the Keys. I can't wait to get back there and spend another day learning about the dolphins. They are truly amazing animals and this is truly an amazing place.

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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Spend The Day At Florida’s Navy Seal Museum

 

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

If you are looking to spend a few hours at a cool museum, don't miss the Navy Seal Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida. Located at the south end of North Hutchinson Island on A1A, the Navy Seal Museum is a place where you can truly enjoy yourself for several hours. Not only will you be entertained and educated at the same time, but you will leave with a tremendous sense of pride in America.

I have visited the museum twice, and each time I learned so much that I didn't know about the Navy seals. This is one museum that is definitely worth more than the $8 price of admission. Volunteers staff the museum, and many of them are previous military men and women, and some are even former Navy Seals.

Navy Seal Museum, Fort Pierce, FloridaWhat I was so intrigued to see was the actual lifeboat from the Maersk Alabama. This is the lifeboat that was hijacked in 2009 by Somali pirates. Three of the pirates held the captain hostage for four days on this lifeboat until Navy Seals killed all of them and freed the captain. It was chilling to actually see the bullet hole in the side of the lifeboat.

Maersk Alabama lifeboat Navy Seal Museum, Fort Pierce, FloridaThe museum features numerous displays and exhibits, videos and movies. The weapons collection alone is very interesting even to someone like me who knows nothing about guns.  Videos run on various screens giving the visitor an inside look at some of the training involved in becoming a Navy Seal. Various collections of uniforms and equipment from over the years are displayed according to different eras.

Navy Seal Museum outside exhibits Fort Pierce, FloridaThe Navy Seal Museum is the only museum in the world which is dedicated exclusively to the preservation of the Navy Seals and their predecessors, the “elite warrior of Naval Special Warfare.”  The ground where the building is located was the original training grounds for the Navy Frogmen during the years 1943-1945. The U.S. Navy's Underwater Demolition Team, formed in 1943, was actually the predecessor to the Seals, which were not formed until 1962.  From 1945 through 2005, about 48,000 men went through UDT and Seal training, but only 8,000 became UDTs and Seals.

Every November in celebration of Veterans Day the Navy Seal Museum has a three day celebration called the Muster, where they feature guest speakers, a 5K run, live music and food, aerial demonstrations, and other fun activities for the entire family.

Hours of the museum are:

Tuesday Saturday 10-4
Sunday 12-4

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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Enjoy the Beach at Honeymoon Island State Park in Florida

 

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Honeymoon Island is one of my favorite beaches in Florida. When I lived on the Florida Sun Coast this was the closest beach to my house, maybe about a ten or fifteen minute drive. I know how lucky can one be right? Located in northern Pinellas County at the far west end of the Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island remains a pristine paradise. Once known as Hog Island, this  is one of a handful of Florida’s undeveloped barrier islands, most commonly known for its natural beauty and preservation of nature. With over 2,800 acres and four miles of shoreline, Honeymoon Island always ranks at or near the top as Florida’s most visited state park.

Fishing at Honeymoon Island Beach, Florida

History of Honeymoon Island

This island officially became part of the Florida state park system in 1982 and was named Honeymoon Island State Park. The story surrounding its name is quite interesting. In 1939, a New York developer named Clinton Washburn bought the island for only $30,000. He proceeded to built 50 palm-thatched bungalows, and in conjunction with Life magazine organized a contest for newlyweds. The winning prize was a two-week “honeymoon” in the bungalows, and that is how the island was named.

The Beach

For beach lovers like me, the main beach area is designated for swimming, and is equipped with bathhouses and restroom facilities. The beach can be rocky at times, but is hardly ever crowded, which makes it so nice.   The south section of the beach has been designated as a pet-friendly beach and aptly named Doggie Beach by the locals. All dogs must be on a six-foot leash at all times and in the parking lot, there is a special area to bathe your animals, a watering hole, and of course a cleanup bag dispenser. The northern end of the beach is ideal for walking and shell collecting, and at low tide, you can walk out onto a sand bar, where I have frequently found sand dollars during the late summer months. A more remote section of the beach has also been an attractive spot for nude sunbathers.

Honeymoon Island from a boat, FloridaNature Trails

The park allows visitors an opportunity to commune with wildlife, as it has numerous hiking and nature trails. Don't miss the new nature center with   exhibits on ecology and educational interactive displays.

Fishing

Fishermen enjoy the southern end of the island, where they typically catch snook, redfish, and pompano. Nature lovers can experience amazing sights from an elevated observation deck, and there is a nature trail with nearby picnic pavilions and grills.  

Snack Bar

There is even a small cafe, known as Café Honeymoon, which features snacks, beverages, and suntan lotions. You can rent water sports equipment such as   kayaks, and umbrellas and beach chairs.

The park entrance fee is $8 per vehicle for up to eight people. It's a great beach to spend a day on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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Spend a Day in Historic Ybor City in Tampa

 

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Ybor City is the historic area of Tampa, comprised of Cubans, Spanish and Sicilians, and they still hand roll cigars there. There is no place quite like this anywhere and is one of Tampa's most popular tourist areas. It's definitely the place to be for night life  especially for the young crowd, but during the day there is plenty to see and do too.

On a recent visit to see my friends in Tampa we spent a day in Ybor City and I even talked to the few of the old cigar makers as they sat in their storefront windows rolling the tobacco leaves.  Not many of them are left compared with the days when cigar manufacturing in Tampa was a thriving business.

Columbia Restaurant Ybor City, Tampa, FloridaIn the fourteen years that I worked in Tampa, I had never eaten at the Columbia Restaurant, which is Florida’s oldest restaurant, dating back to 1905.This family owned and operated restaurant   is  also the world’s largest Spanish restaurant. My friends and I had a fantastic lunch there with authentic Cuban bread, plaintain chips and garbanzo bean soup. Everything was excellent and I was glad I suggested going to Ybor City for the day.Ybor City Cigar shop, Tampa, Florida

Florida is very casual and even in the evenings most restaurant patrons dress in capris and flip flops, sometimes even shorts. The Columbia takes pride in everything it does and the waiters are dressed in white jackets or tuxes, even for lunch. With fifteen different dining rooms and an inventory of 50,000 bottles of wine, the Columbia exudes old world charm and is synonymous with Ybor City.

Cigar Maker, Ybor City, Tampa, FloridaBrowsing around the streets was fun, checking out the hookah bars and specialty shops along 7th Avenue. My favorite part of street shopping though was seeing the cigar makers hand rolling cigars, and being able to stand next to them and observe this dying art. I was fascinated and they were pleased for the attention.

Cigar manufacturing used to be the main industry in Tampa until the depression, after which demand for hand rolled cigars decreased and machine made cigars took over. Today only a few cigar shops still operate in Ybor City, and who knows how long these will last? If you want to have an opportunity to see this first hand, head to Tampa and spend a day in Ybor City. If you still have some energy after that, check out the night life while you are there. It can be pretty crazy!

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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Ways to Enjoy Siena, Italy

 

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Siena is a great place in Tuscany to use as a home base for making day trips to other locations, such as Florence, the Chianti wine country, and Pisa. I spent ten days in Siena and was never at a loss for something to do. Siena itself has grand landmarks and also some lesser known places to go and things to do. Here are a few suggestions to consider.

Piazza del Campo

Everyone knows about the Campo, the second largest piazza in Italy, the place where the famous Palio horse races take place twice during the summer. This is by far the most popular meeting spot in Siena and a very cool place to people watch. The sloped piazza makes it perfect to lie down or sit in groups and have picnics, talk, write, and enjoy life in Italy.

Campo, Siena, ItalyRestaurants, cafes, pizza shops, and gelaterie are all around, so it is a perfect place to spend as much time as you like without fear of needing to find a place to eat or drink.  The fourteenth century tower, Torre del Mangia, is part of the Palazzo Pubblico or Town Hall, and at 288 feet tall is one of Siena's tallest landmarks.  Although this is one tower I did not climb, you can climb to the top via a narrow winding staircase and have the most beautiful views of the Campo below and all of Siena.

Take in a soccer game

On a whim I decided to attend a soccer game one evening and it was a thrilling experience. Siena recently moved up to the Serie A Soccer League but they still are playing in their old stadium which holds about 15,000 people. A new stadium is under construction at the southern end of the city.

Soccer, Siena, ItalySoccer fans in Siena are passionate and they love to make deafening noises on the aluminum risers as they stomp their feet with the enthusiasm only an Italian can understand. When I attended one of these games just before the team was promoted to the more prominent Serie A, I loved the passion I experienced firsthand in the stands with the local fans.

Make a stop at Consorzio Agrario di Siena

On via Pianigiani you will find a wonderful food store called Consorzio Agrario di Siena and I highly recommend spending some time inside. Here you can taste some locally produced wine, and buy the freshest prosciutto and salami. One of the largest assortments of fresh locally produced cheese takes up a case at least twenty feet wide, and with some freshly baked bread and a piece of fruit, you are set for your own picnic lunch at the Campo or on a park bench. At Consorzio Agrario you will find locally produced olive oils, vinos, pastas, and fresh fruits and vegetables. This is definitely a place not to miss.

Visit the Bottini

It's a safe bet that most tourists never heard of the Bottini, and in fact I hadn't either. The Bottini is an elaborate underground water system in Siena, and there are guided tours available here. An organization named "La Diana" will take small groups of up to eight people through this series of mazes underground. Excavation of these underground waterways began in the year 393 and not completed until sometime during the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries.  The Bottini  run below the surface of Siena for a total of fifteen miles. I have not visited these but it is not recommended for anyone with claustrophobia or for children under the age of eight, as there are very narrow passageways in some spots. Proper footwear and even boots are also advised. This is not your typical Italian tourist excursion, but more for someone interested in doing something off the beaten path. Enjoy!

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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Visiting Epcot Center’s France Pavilion

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Epcot Center in Walt Disney World is huge and you really need more than a day to see all of it. It is divided into two sections, the World showcase and Future World. The World Showcase features pavilions from different countries and on a recent day trip there I enjoyed the France Pavilion. As with all the country pavilions, Disney makes sure that everything is very authentic in representing the country and France is no exception.

The imposing Eiffel Tower makes you think you might be in Paris and Disney used the original blueprints to make a structure to one tenth the size. It is impressive to say the least. As I approached the entrance to France I was amused with a live show of two mimes and spent about twenty minutes being entertained by them.  Not only were they mimes but they were comedians as well as gymnasts and acrobats. Billed as Serveur Amusant, these two were hilarious and fun for all ages.

Epcot France Pavilion Mimes Walt Disney WorldOne of my favorite features here is inside a theater, where an eighteen minute film, Impressions de France, is presented on five screens in 220 degrees resembling 360 Circle-Vision. With aerial views of scenes from all over this beautiful country I felt as though I were flying over the cliffs of Normandy and castles in the Dordogne Valley. The film is a beautiful travelogue of the best places in France. Although it is the same film since Epcot opened 30 years ago I enjoyed it immensely, especially since I have recently been to France.Epcot France Pavilion French Restaurant Walt Disney World

The young people working here at the   France Pavilion are friendly and speak fluent French naturally. I couldn't help feel as though I were in France while I was here, although the ice in the drinks quickly gives it away that this is America and not Europe.

Of course the outdoor streets lead to shops with authentic French wines, soaps, and naturally pastries and breads. The lines in the boulangerie and patisserie are never short but worth the wait. I couldn't leave there without sampling a croissant! At the Plume et Palette French perfumes with names like Givenchy, House of Guerlain, and Chanel create pleasant scents for those strolling inside.

Epcot France Pavilion Pastry and Bread shops Walt Disney World

The France Pavilion just opened a new restaurant, Monsieur Paul which is upscale but a little less formal than the former Bistro de Paris, which it replaces. Les Chefs de France, a family-friendly restaurant is patterned after a Parisian brasserie, and has been here since the beginning. The bakery is expanding and will   soon be opening in its new form, Boulangerie Patisserie Les Halles, in January 2013. The renovation includes new ovens and an additional 90 seats were added to accommodate the demand for these delicious sweet treats.

 

Don't miss the France Pavilion on your next visit to Epcot Center at Walt Disney World.

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

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