British Virgin Islands Dive Itinerary, Captain Will Knoetze of s/c Laysan

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
DIVE ITINERARY
by Captain Will Knoetze of Catamaran Laysan

The British Virgin Islands not only has a tremendous history of pirates, lost treasures and myths, but is one of the world’s best sailing and scuba diving destinations. Its beautiful islands, beaches and safe
anchorages are legendary.

Divers of all levels enjoy the limitless dive sites scattered around the islands and it is nearly impossible to dive all of them, but we have compiled a list of some of the most popular and remote sites available to divers wanting to explore magical underwater reefs and historic wrecks bursting with ocean life.

Experience some of the best scuba diving sites in the BVI from your very own private luxury yacht:

Wreck Alley
Just off Cooper Island, this site certainly lives up to its name. All four wrecks can be explored.

Flintstones
Beautiful boulders and ledges, full of fish life and plenty of lobsters.

Alice in Wonderland
Coral of all colors paint a wonderland picture - truly amazing.

RMS Rhone
This famous wreck is a lovely dive, full of fish activity and great for pictures.

Twin Towers
On the north side of Little Jost Van Dyke, two underwater towers and caves full of life waiting to be discovered.

Coral Gardens
Next to Peter Island is a beautiful wall full of coral, with garden eels at the bottom to say goodbye until your next dive.

Chikuzen
Known for its wreck and diving with sharks, incredible dive site located between Tortola and Anegada.

So many sites to choose from and daily planning will give divers multiple options to explore. The
immense deck space on Laysan makes it ideal for diving. Your private chef awaits you after every dive with mouthwatering dishes.

Non-divers have multiple options to snorkel, discover sandy beaches, enjoy water sports, go on hiking trails or just relax and soak up the sun.

Charter Catamaran Laysan

Catamaran Laysan- Yacht Charters / Sailing Vacations in the Virgin Islands

The charter yacht Laysan is a 72-foot Serenity catamaran with a crew of 3. This catamaran is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to TEN guests in 5 guest cabins -- 4 Queens and 1 Twin bunks, each with ensuite bathrooms that have electric-flush toilets and shower stalls.

Amenities include: a 17-foot dinghy with 70HP 4-stroke motor, waterskis for kids and adults, tube, kneeboard, wakeboard, 2 standup paddleboards (SUPs), snorkel gear, TV (50" UHD Samsung flat screen TV & Blu-ray player), iPod dock, onboard WiFi, board games, etc.

Captain Will is a dive instructor and 3 dives/week are included for up to 6 certified divers. Extra dives are $50/diver/dive. Diving gear can be rented locally or bring your own.

BROCHURE: Click here to view brochure
DIVING INFO: Click here

 For more information, pop us a quick email.
Contact Paradise Connections : CLICK HERE

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book LAYSAN
View Laysan's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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ITINERARY: Sailing, KEY LARGO to KEY WEST, by s/v Zephyrus

SAMPLE ITINERARY: KEY LARGO to KEY WEST

(Fabulous Florida Keys)

Day 1
SAIL at noon to Indian & Lignumvatae Keys and Robbie’s. Dinner & spend the night at anchor.

Day 2
PLAY all day visiting historical Keys, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, rent jet skis or kayaks, feed tarpon

Day 3
SAIL mid-morn from Indian & Lignumvatae to Marathon. Dinner & spend the night at anchor or in Marathon Marina.

Day 4
SAIL (after snorkeling & swimming Alligator Reef Lighthouse) mid-morn from Marathon to Key West. Dinner & spend the night at anchor.

Day 5
PLAY all day in Key West (after breakfast move to Marina or stay at anchor) – tours, beaching, shopping, exploring

Day 6
TURN AROUND. SAIL mid-morning to Marathon. Dinner & spend the night.

Day 7
SAIL & PLAY to Rodriguez Key, snorkeling, swimming, fishing along way. Dinner & spend the night at anchor or in Marina Del Mar.

Day 8
Disembark by noon.

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Charter Yacht Zephyrus - Crewed Yacht Charters
Sailing Vacations in the Florida Keys and Bahamas

Zephyrus is a 50-foot Beneteau Oceanis sloop, owned and operated by Tim & Chelyn Shaw. Zephyrus is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to 6 guests in three cabins, each with Queen berths and ensuite head/shower. The yacht has a 12-foot skiff with 25HP motor, tube, wakeboard, snorkel equipment, floating mats, fishing gear, TV/DVD in salon, iPod dock, PlayStation3, hammock, etc.

Diving is available for charters in the Florida Keys. Tim & Chelyn are both dive instructors (they owned a dive shop in Key Largo) and include one dive/diver/week (up to 5 divers) for certified divers or a resort course for non-certified divers. Dive gear to be rented.

Please note that Zephyrus is a non-smoking yacht.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ZEPHYRUS
View Zephyrus' online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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ITINERARY: Sailing, MIAMI to FLORIDA KEYS, by s/v Zephyrus

SAMPLE ITINERARY: MIAMI TO FLORIDA KEYS

(as far as Indian Key@MM78, as far south as we can get at an enjoyable pace)

Day 1
Sail out of Miami area and sail south down Biscayne Bay, anchor on inside of Elliott Key (swim, snorkel, beach). Spend the afternoon there then sail a little further south to spend the night behind Pumpkin Key (17nm)

Day 2
Sail through Angel Fish Creek to the outside at high tide. Sail to Carysfort Reef and Elbow Reef and snorkel mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Sail south to Key Largo and anchor behind Rodriguez Key or, pull into Marina Del Mar (26 nm)

Day 3
Sail south to Indian & Lignumvatae Keys and Robbie’s. Play all day visiting historical Keys, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, rent jet skis or kayaks, feed tarpon

Day 4
Sail Full day to Marathon. Spend the night at Marathon Marina (MM53.1) (47nm)

Day 5
TURN AROUND. Sail to Rodriguez Key. Dinner & spend the night at anchor or in Marina Del Mar & dine ashore in Key Largo, maybe explore a little.

Day 6
Sail north toward Angel Fish Creek snorkeling & swimming Molasses Reef, Carysfort Reef, and the Marine Sanctuary along the way.

Day 7
Sail all day to Government Cut and into Miami sailing with the Gulf Stream. Anchor or Marina for the night.

Day 8
Disembark by noon.

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Charter Yacht Zephyrus - Crewed Yacht Charters
Sailing Vacations in the Florida Keys and Bahamas

Zephyrus is a 50-foot Beneteau Oceanis sloop, owned and operated by Tim & Chelyn Shaw. Zephyrus is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to 6 guests in three cabins, each with Queen berths and ensuite head/shower. The yacht has a 12-foot skiff with 25HP motor, tube, wakeboard, snorkel equipment, floating mats, fishing gear, TV/DVD in salon, iPod dock, PlayStation3, hammock, etc.

Diving is available for charters in the Florida Keys. Tim & Chelyn are both dive instructors (they owned a dive shop in Key Largo) and include one dive/diver/week (up to 5 divers) for certified divers or a resort course for non-certified divers. Dive gear to be rented.

Please note that Zephyrus is a non-smoking yacht.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ZEPHYRUS
View Zephyrus' online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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ITINERARY: Bonaire to Curacao by s/v Domicil

Sample Itinerary for Charter Yacht Domicil
Bonaire - 'Small' Curacao - Curacao (7 days)

As the winds are always easterly, this is a great downwind sailing event, making it an easy passage even for those not used to being on the sea.

• Day 1: Arrival

The Domicil crew will welcome you at the airport (Flamingo) on Bonaire and bring you to the yacht Domicil waiting for you at their Kralendijk mooring. Once aboard, freshen up and then enjoy cocktails and hors d'houvres on deck. A beautiful sunset is the prelude for a romantic dinner -- alfresco!

• Day 2: Bonaire

Bonaire is a wonderful Caribbean Island with a historic Dutch flavor! You can wander around in Kralendijk, enjoy the best dive spots in the world, or drive to the unique salt pans flanked by original slave houses. Bonaire is an amazing experience!

• Day 3: Day sail to 'Small Curacao'

This is a fabulous day of sailing from Bonaire to the island of Klein Curacao, about 30 miles to the west. After breakfast we set sail in a broad reach (that's smooth sailing) to the uninhabited island called 'Klein Curacao'.  With a bit of luck we will meet dolphins on the way, and those who like to fish can try for a marlin or a tuna! We arrive late in the afternoon, just in time for cocktails and an always inspiring sunset. Dinner aboard.

• Day 4: Island 'Small Curacao'

On Klein Curacao you will find pristine beaches, crystal clear waters with coral, colorful fish and with a little luck, swimming with turtles! The island has many interesting stories, illustrated with a deserted lighthouse, shipwrecks and traces of old settlements. By evening you may have the island for yourself! We anchor overnight in the protected bay and enjoy the relaxed ambiance of this special secluded place.

• Day 5: Day sail to Curacao & Baoase

After a relaxed breakfast we complete the easy sail to Curacao to the famous private 5-start resort, Baoase. There, a private car (Mercedes with a driver/guide) is available for you to explore the intriguing features of Curacao. Visit the beaches, natural parks, famous 'Handelskade' with the floating bridge, floating market, the slave museum, or tax-free shopping in Punda. Curacao offers some fabulous architecture on the UNESCO world heritage list. We will be happy create a day package to suit your needs. In the evening you are the guest of the very best chef on Curacao at the 5-star Baoase private resort. Your dinner will be served on the private beach.

• Day 6: Day sail south coast Curacao

Today we sail along the south coast of Curacao all the way to the very west tip called West Point. We anchor in Playa Kalki in front of the famous Kura Hurlanda resort. After cocktails at sunset, the choice is yours: A romantic last dinner aboard or ashore at the beautiful Kura Hulanda resort.

• Day 7: Farewell

Whatever your choice was last night, we are sure you have spent a memorable week aboard Domicil. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, one last swim and check out at any time. The Domicil crew will take you to the airport for your return to Bonaire or onwards to your international destination.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book DOMICIL
View Domicil's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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RECIPE: Ahi Poke Tuna Stack - Catamaran Feel The Magic

We would like to share this award-winning recipe from the Catamaran Feel The Magic, winner of the Fall 2012 St Thomas Charter Yacht Show Culinary Contest.


Ahi Poke Tuna Stack

Crab Salad:

• 4 oz crab meat, “special” 
• 1 tbsp lemon-old bay aioli
• 1 tsp scallion, chopped fine
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

For the crab salad, mix together all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.

Mango-Pineapple Salsa

• 1 tbsp mango, diced
• 1 tbsp fresh pineapple, diced
• 1 tsp scallion, chopped
• 1 tsp red bell pepper, small dice
• 1 tsp yellow bell pepper, small dice
• 1 tsp cilantro, chopped
• ½ jalepano, seeds removed and diced
• 1 tsp cider vinegar
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

For salsa, combine all ingredients, toss well and refrigerate until ready to use.

Avocado Mash

• ½ ripe avocado, diced
• 1 tbsp red onion diced very fine
• Juice from half of a lime
• ½ jalapeno, seeds removed and diced fine
• Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper to taste.

Place diced avocado in bowl, add all remaining ingredients.  Mash with a fork until the consistency of guacamole.

Ahi Poke

• 2 oz sushi grade ahi, cut into cubes
• ½ clove of garlic, minced
• ½ tsp ginger, minced
• ¼ tsp Siracha sauce
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

Mix all items and marinate tuna for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

To assemble the stack:

• Using a ring mold of approximately 3” in diameter by 5” high, spray the inside with cooking
• spray.
• Spoon the Avocado mash into the bottom of the mold, top with Ahi Poke, Crab Salad, then Mango-Pineapple salsa.
• Refrigerate for 2 hours, serve on a chilled plate.  
• Garnish with sliced cucumber, thin carrot curls, sweet chili sauce, sprinkles of caviar and fried won ton chips.

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Hank & Micheale - - - - - Catamaran Feel The Magic

Caribbean Yacht Charters - Virgin Islands Sailing Vacations

Charter yacht Feel The Magic is a 50-foot Voyage catamaran with a crew of two, Hank and Micheale.  Feel the Magic is air conditioned and accommodates up to eight guests in four equivalent cabins with queen-sized berths and ensuite heads/showers.  Feel the Magic has a 15-foot dinghy with 70HP motor, waterskis, kneeboard, wakeboard, tube, a Hobie Mirage kayak that you can paddle or pedal, 2 standup paddle boards (SUPs), 2 surfboards, SeaDoo water scooter, snorkel equipment, fishing gear, floating mats, TV/DVD, onboard wifi where available, guitar, banjo, and other musical instruments, and more (see online brochure).

Feel the Magic plans to charter in the Virgin Islands through July 31, 2013 then returning in the fall for the 2013-14 season. Contact Paradise Connections for current availability and let's start planning your sailing vacation aboard Feel the Magic!

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book FEEL THE MAGIC
View Feel The Magic's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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ITINERARY: Maine Art Gallery Cruise, by m/y TIVOLI

Charter Yacht Tivoli, a 90-foot Doggers Bank expedition-style luxury motoryacht, has custom designed this sample New England private yacht charter itinerary touring the many art galleries and artist colonies along Maine's scenic seacoast.

Charter Yacht Tivoli's

8-Day / 7-Night Maine Seacoast Art Gallery Cruise
Southwest Harbor • Blue Hills • Belfast • Rockland • Port Clyde
Monhegan Island • Boothbay Harbor • Great Diamond Island

This Maine seacoast yacht itinerary travels 186 nautical miles over 8 days, averaging between 2-to-4 hours of travel per day. The longest voyage at 40 nm.

Tivoli's route for their Maine Seacoast Art Gallery Cruise

Southwest Harbor to Portland, Maine

Day 1:  Depart – Southwest Harbor - Travel to Blue Hills
Welcome aboard. Trevor, Caren, Joe and Captain John have everything prepared for your Noon arrival. As soon as you are situated, we begin. First stop, Blue Hills.

Day 2:  Blue Hills – Travel to Belfast
Morning in Blue Hills. Visit the Blue Hills Bay Gallery. Depart at 1:00 pm for the four hour cruise aboard Yacht Tivoli to Belfast.

Day 3:  Belfast – Isleboro – Travel to Rockland
After a morning in Belfast, it’s off to nearby Isleborough for a short visit before we turn towards our next destination, Rockland.

Day 4: Day at Rockland/Camden
Spend all day in Rockland & Camden visiting the Farnsworth Museum - Jamie Wyeth - Seven Deadly Sins and the Eric Hopkins Gallery and the Robert Indiana Gallery.

Day 5:  Afternoon at Port Clyde – Travel to Monhegan Island
Enjoy the sights along the Maine coastline as we travel two hours south through the Muscle Ridge Channel to Port Clyde and the real, authentic-Maine Port Clyde General Store. Visit Gallery by the Sea and the Morris Hill Gallery. Then, it’s off to the fabled artist colony located on Monhegan Island.

Day 6:  Day at Monhegan Island – Travel to Boothbay Harbor
This tiny, picturesque island has long been an art colony. Walk to the many artist studios on the island, including the Lupin Gallery. No cars are allowed on this island that time forgot. Back onboard Tivoli, we head 16 nm south to Boothbay Harbor

Day 7:  Boothbay Harbor – Travel to Great Diamond Island
Take in the Gleason Fine Art Gallery and the David Lee - Millenium Gallery during your morning visit to Boothbay Harbor. At 2:00 pm, we set course for Great Diamond Island, arriving at 6:00 pm where we will be on dock for the evening. There is a 5-star restaurant on Great Diamond should you wish a night out before arriving in Portland.

Day 8:  Trip to Portland, Maine
A short final voyage brings us to the end of our Maine yacht cruise. The beauty and art of the many works seen all throughout Maine signature art galleries can only be surpassed by the grandeur and awestruck beauty of the actual Maine seacoast which drew the artists here in the first place.  On this special trip, you get to enjoy both.

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During the summer and fall seasons, Tivoli is based out of Newport, Rhode Island and Rockland, Maine. You can contact us to create a custom luxury yacht charter itinerary to any of the points along the Connecticut/Long Island coastline, Newport, RI, Cape Cod, Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard, Boston, Marblehead, the infinite inlets, harbors and islands along Maine’s craggy seacoast and even travel as far north as Montreal and Quebec along the St. Lawrence Seaway. How about a fall foliage cruise?

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book TIVOLI
View Tivoli's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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SAILING ITINERARY: Turkey - Charter Yacht Mira

The charter yacht Mira, a 70-foot sloop, has sent us a sample itinerary for a yacht charter sailing vacation in Turkey. They also give a brief description for a Greek alternative...

Turkish Waters Itinerary

Board in Gocek, Turkey, just 15 minutes from Dalaman Airport

Day One
Welcome aboard! When you’re ready we slip the mooring lines and head out into Skopea Limani. After a short sail we drop anchor off one of the many stunning islands for a refreshing swim and light lunch. Afternoon sail south to Sarsila, a bay with pine trees down to the water’s edge. Anchor for the night with a stern line ashore, clear water and Turkish taverns ashore.

Day Two
Leave Sarsala after breakfast to sail north to the island of Yassica for lunch and a swim. After lunch, sail east across the gulf of Fethiye to the island of Kizil and one of the best restaurants in the area, a converted light house. Dine on the cliff top with beautiful views overlooking the gulf of Fethiye.

Day Three
Sail to the Batikkaya Buku, a bay just outside of Fethiye town. A night stop option to moor in ECE marina or free swinging at anchor. Fethiye holds the best shopping opportunities of the week. Take an afternoon walk around the town or relax on Mira, your floating hotel.

Day Four
Leave Fethiye town and sail back across the Gulf of Fethiye to the crystal clear water of Regged Bay where we anchor with stern lines ashore. Regged Bay is one of the many picturesque nooks and  crannies along the outside of Skopea Limani. From Ragged Bay you can take a wonderful walk to the ruins of Lydia which date back to Byzantine times.

Day Five
From Ragged Bay sail out of the Gulf of Fethiye to Cold Water Bay, stopping on route for lunch at one of the many inlets. Cold Water Bay, one of the crew’s favourite stopovers, has a fresh water spring cooling the water.

Day Six
After breakfast a short sail round to Oludeniz, a long sandy beach offering many ‘water sports bars.’ An option for the more adventurous is paragliding from Babadag, the mountain Icarus is said to have flown from! Spend the night in Butterfly Bay with lines ashore.

Day Seven
Sail back across the gulf of Fethiye through Scopea Limani towards Gocek. Stop on route for a swim and lunch before disembarking in Gocek.

PLEASE NOTE:

The sample itinerary above is weather permitting and proposed for guests who would like to chill out with short sails to break the day up. If you would prefer longer sails, Mira suggests flying into the Greek island of Rhodos, and from there sail to Marmaris Bay, Dalaman, Skopea Limani, Coldwater Bay and disembark in Gocek. Captain Bailey is ready to accommodate your every wish -- water sports, sightseeing, shopping and more…

MIRA, a 70-foot Norlin/Sweden Yachts sloop, accommodates up to 6 guests in three ensuite cabins: 1) King aft master has an overstuffed sofa; 2) forward port guest cabin has a double bed; 3) forward starboard cabin has upper/lower singles.

We look forward to welcoming you on board S/Y MIRA

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book MIRA
View Mira's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

RECIPE: Tipsy Caribbean Cruzan Chocolate Chip & Pumpkin Cake, by s/v THREE MOONS

This looks really good and just perfect for our new stovetop oven...

Tipsy Caribbean Cruzan Chocolate Chip & Pumpkin Cake

Chef Shelly Tucker, charter yacht Three Moons

• 1 pkg. (18.25 ounces) plain yellow cake mix
• 1 can (15oz) pumpkin pie filling
• 1/4 cup Cruzan Blackstrap Molasses Rum
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. almond flavoring
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. allspice
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans

1. Place rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist a 12-cup Bundt pan with vegetable oil spray, then dust with flour. Shake out the excess flour. Set the pan aside.
    
2. Place the cake mix, pumpkin, rum, eggs, flavoring, spices and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping the sides down again if needed. Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
    
3. Bake until lightly browned about 42-50 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Carefully pour the warm glaze (see below) over the cake while it's hot.
    
4. Allow the cake to cool in the pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The longer it sits in the fridge, the better it gets!
    

GLAZE: Mix together and microwave at 1 minute intervals until very warm: 1/4 cup Cruzan Blackstrap Molasses Rum, 1/8 cup granulated sugar, 2 TBS. butter and 1 TBS. semisweet chocolate chips.

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Charter Yacht Three Moons - Crewed Caribbean Yacht Charters - Virgin Islands Sailing Vacations

Three Moons is an owner-operated, 72-foot Irwin ketch with a crew of three. Three Moons is fully air conditioned and has four double cabins with ensuite heads/showers. There's also the possibility of swapping out one of the double cabins for the forward cabin with twin upper/lower bunks, if that is better suited for the make up of your group.

Three Moons: excellent food, fun, and hospitality... What's not to like???

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book THREE MOONS
View Three Moons' online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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