Alaska Offers for Alaska Cruises and Tours!

Whales of Alaska

2009-12-20T23:14:00.000-08:00

Whale-watching is one of the many things to enjoy while vacationing in Alaska. Alaskaoffers has several amazing and affordable Alaskan cruises that you can choose from so you can pick the one that works for you. Our customers agree that an Alaskan cruise with us is the experience-of-a-lifetime. Even better, booking your spot is easy and Alaskaoffers will take care of all the complicated details so that you can sit back and relax.

With nothing to worry about, why not read a little about the fun stuff you can do on your trip? Whale-watching is very popular in Alaska and is something that is fun for all! The following are the types of whales that you might see while whale-watching in Alaska:

Humpback

Adults measure 40-50 ft long and weigh about 79,000 lbs
Males produce a complex song that lasts 10-20 minutes
Eat mostly krill and small fish
Eat only in summer; breed and give birth in the winter
Newborns are about the length of their mother’s head

Killer (Orca)

Is the largest species of the dolphin family
Some feed mostly on fish while others hunt marine mammals
There are 5 distinct types of Killer Whales
They are very social and even have matrilineal family groups that are the most stable of any animal species
Adults measure 16-26 feet long
Average lifespan is 30 years but can go up to 50-60 years

Gray

Adults measure about 52 ft
Lifespan is 50-60 years
Once called the Devil Fish because of its fighting behavior when hunted
Young are born tail first and measure about 13 ft

Blue

Is the largest animal ever to have existed
Measures about 108 ft and weigh up to 380,000 lbs
There are at least 3 distinct subspecies
They feed on krill and a small number of copepods
Believed to be able to live for at least 80 years

Fin

Is the second largest living animal after the Blue Whale
There are at least 2 subspecies
May live up to over 90 years
Newborns measure about 21 ft and weigh about 4,000 lbs
Feeds on small schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans

Minke

Measure between 28 and 35 ft long and weigh about 30,000 lbs
Usually live between 30-50 years
Are inquisitive and may engage in “human-watching”
Do not jump clear of the sea surface
Can hold their breath underwater for up to 20 minutes

Denali National Park

2009-12-07T21:54:00.000-08:00

Alaskaoffers wants you to discover Denali!

Experience Denali National Park and Preserve with a dream vacation to Alaska! Denali, meaning “the great one” in the Athabaskan language refers to Mount McKinley, which is located in the park. Mount McKinley National Park was originally established on February 26, 1917 as a preserve for the Dall sheep. Only a portion of Mount McKinley was actually within the original park’s boundary at the time. On December 1, 1978 Jimmy Carter proclaimed a separate Denali National Monument, which later joined with Mount McKinley Park to from the Denali National Park and Preserve by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act on December 2, 1980.

Today, the national park is over 6 million acres and the national preserve is over 1,300,000 acres. Both are federally owned. The park’s 400,000 annual visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, mountaineering, and backpacking. Wintertime recreation also includes dog-sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling where allowed.

Wildlife

There are many varieties of birds and mammals at Denali, including grizzly bears and black bears. Denali is also home to caribou, dall sheep, moose, gray wolves, hoary marmots, arctic ground squirrels, beavers, pikas, snowshoe hares, foxes, martens, lynx, and wolverines. Denali also hosts many bird types, include waxwings, Arctic Warblers, pine grosbeaks, wheatears, Ptarmigan, tundra swan, hawks, owls, gyrfalcon, and golden eagle.

There are also several fish species, including trout, salmon, and arctic grayling. The only amphibious species in the park is the wood frog.

There is much to discover at Denali Park and Alaskaoffers gives you two chances to see it! You can explore this wonderful place on either our Alaska and Denali Cruise and Tour or our Alaska Cruise and Tour. Why choose Alaskaoffers? Well, our customers trust us to deliver great experiences for an affordable price, and that’s exactly what we have been doing for over 40 years! Why wait any longer to see Alaska and one of its highlights, spectacular Denali Park? Check us out and order your ticket today!

The following trips feature Denali National Park:

Alaska Cruise and Tour

Alaska Cruise and Agricultural Tour

Discover What Awaits You in Juneau

2009-11-21T10:08:00.000-08:00

Experience the capital of Alaska on any one of the Alaskaoffers trips. This charming city is a great place to visit if you want to experience Alaska. Its area is almost as large as Rhode Island and Delaware combined and its population in 2007 was over 30,500. Juneau is located at the base of Mount Juneau and is across the channel from Douglas Island.

You can sit back and enjoy the rich culture of this great city on a relaxing cruise. Juneau is home to Perseverance Theatre, Alaska’s only professional theater. Music and arts are an important part of the culture here, as is the influence of various native Indian tribes. Travel with a trusted company to this amazing destination and let yourself enjoy all it has to offer. Read on for some fun things to do in Juneau!

Fishing, whale watching, shopping, enjoying the arts, and flight-seeing are all great ways to enjoy your trip to Juneau. Of course, there’s also plenty of wildlife to see. Catch a glimpse of a bear, bald eagle, sea lions, sea otters, mountain goats, and deer! This city is a perfect place for any traveler to relax and see something new. Whether you’re the outdoorsy type or someone who enjoys the arts, Juneau has something for you.

See Juneau on Any one of These Vacation Packages:

Alaska and the Great Northwest Tour

Alaska Cruise and Tour

NCL Alaska Cruise and Tour

The Flag of Alaska

2009-11-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

Alaskaoffers.com wants to take you on an exciting adventure to a place rich with interesting history! Alaska is more than just an amazing place full of pristine sites and thrilling excursions; it also has a fascinating culture. Did you know that the state’s flag was designed by a 13 year old? Did you know that the state’s flag, song, and flower are all connected? There is so much to learn about Alaska, and Alaskaoffers.com wants to do more than just take you there; we want to teach you something new and give you an experience you’ll always remember.

In 1926, 13 year old Bennie Benson from Chignik, Alaska submitted his design for an American Legion flag contest. He could never guess that his simple yet thoughtful illustration would be the one to be chosen for the official flag for the Territory of Alaska. Bennie described his flag as follows:

"The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaska flower. The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly of the Union. The dipper is for the Great Bear -- symbolizing strength." (The Big Dipper is part of the constellation Ursa Major, or Great Bear)

In May of 1927, the Alaska Legislature adopted Bennie’s design because of its simplicity, originality, and symbolism. Before that, only the US flag had been flown since the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. When Alaska was admitted into the union as the 49th state, Bennie’s design was retained as the official state flag.
In 1935, Department of Education employee Marie Drake wrote a poem that mirrored Bennie’s illustration. Because Drake did a lot of work for the School Board, the poem appeared in the October School Bulletin.

Shortly after that, Elinor Dunsenbury composed a song that mirrored the poem. She had no idea that it would become the official state song of Alaska. Dunsenbury, the wife of the Commanding Officer of the Chilkoot Barracks, had fallen in love with the state but had to move because her husband was transferred. After reading Drake’s poem, she used it to compose a song because she was homesick! In 1939, Dunsenbury visited Juneau and got to play her song for Drake. Over the next two decades, the song grew in popularity and was played unofficially. The Territorial Legislature adopted “Alaska’s Flag” in 1955 and made it the official state song when the Territory of Alaska became the 49th state in 1959.

Check out our fabulous Alaska adventure packages and discover what awaits you. Visit Alaskaoffers.com or call 1-800-922-9000 today!

Alaska's Flag Song Lyrics
Written by Marie Drake

Composed by Elinor Dusenbury

Eight stars of gold on a field of blue

Alaska's flag. May it mean to you

The blue of the sea, the evening sky,

The mountain lakes, and the flow'rs nearby;

The gold of the early sourdough's dreams,

The precious gold of the hills and streams;

The brilliant stars in the northern sky,

The "Bear" - the "Dipper" - and, shining high,

The great North Star with its steady light,

Over land and sea a beacon bright.Alaska's flag - to Alaskans dear,

The simple flag of a last frontier.

The Salmon of Alaska

2009-10-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

YMT Vacations offers you many chances to experience the glory of Alaska! With a variety of different cruises available to this magestic destiation, you are sure to find one that fits your style. When one thinks of Alaska, the breathtaking scenery is first to come to mind; also popular is the spectacular wildlife. YMT wants to make sure that you don’t forget another part of Alaska that’s just as exciting: fishing!

Alaska is a place that any fisher (or a curious traveler eager for new experiences) can find something exhilarating. Fishing for sport and commercially are a big part of Alaska and the state is full of halibut, trout and more! And let's not forget about the salmon! There are five types of the species: Chinook, Chum, Coho, Pink, and Sockeye. Each is discussed below.

Chinook Salmon

Is the state fish
Is the largest of all the Pacific salmon
Other names: spring, quinnat, tyee, tule, blackmouth, king, Colombia River, black, chub, hook bill, and winter salmon
Color: blue-green on the back and top of head with silvery sides and white ventral surfaces with a dark grey mouth and black spots on the tail and upper half of the body
Size: adults range from 10-50 lbs and 33-36 inches in length

Chum Salmon

Has the widest distribution of all the Pacific salmon
Other names: dog, calico, and keta salmon
Color: silvery blue green, when near spawning, develops purple streaks near the caudal fin
Size: adults range from 9-15 lbs and average 2 feet in length

Coho Salmon

Other names: silver salmon
Color: in the ocean phase, has silver sides with a dark blue back
When spawning: has bright red sides, blue-green head and back with a dark belly and dark spots on the back
When sexually maturing: gets a light pink shading along the belly
Mature adults: have a red skin and darker backs
Size: adults range from 8-12 lbs and 24-30 inches in length

Pink Salmon

Smallest of the Pacific salmon
Characterized by a white mouth and black gums, large oval shaped black spots on its back and v shaped tail, and an anal fin with soft rays
Other names: humpback salmon
Color: is bright silver in the ocean but pale gray with a yellow/white belly when it returns to its spawning stream
Size: adults average 4.8 lbs and range from 20-25 inches in length

Sockeye Salmon

Other names: red or blueback salmon
Color: in freshwater is bright red with a pale green head (females may have green and yellow marks) and in saltwater is blue-green on top and silver on bottom

Jasper National Park

2009-10-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Alaska is a magnificent state full of awe-inspiring scenery. It has always been a popular destination and with amazing destinations like Jasper National Park, it’s no wonder why. Alaskaoffers.com has many exciting discount packages to Alaska that you can choose from, all featuring different spectacular highlights, including national parks. But one of our favorite places to visit is Jasper National Park. Located in Alberta, the park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies.

It’s full of breathtaking sites such as lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, mountains and even glaciers. It’s not only rich in scenery but also in wildlife such as moose, caribou, elk, white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears, beavers, the Rocky Mountain pika and many more. Among many others, the park’s attractions include Mount Edith Cavell, Maligne Lake, Medicine Lake, Pyramid Mountain, Tonquin Valley and the Icefields Parkway.

This amazing place was granted national park status in 1930 and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. And it sure is a popular place as it had almost two million visitors in 2006! So if you’re looking through the many Alaskaoffers vacation packages trying to find the perfect one and Jasper National Park seems like a place you want to visit, try checking out the Alaska Cruise and Canadian Rockies Tour package. If that one doesn’t fit just right, there are always plenty of other value-laden options that feature a number of other gorgeous sites as well.

So don’t wait to finally book your spot on the vacation-of-a-lifetime and call us today at 1-800-922-9000 to get started.

NCL Alaska Cruise and Tour

2009-09-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

Discover our NCL Alaska Cruise and Tour. For an affordable price, you can get a value-laden all-inclusive package like this one. Explore San Francisco, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Medford, and Seattle on the tour then enjoy a luxurious freestyle cruise through Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Prince Rupert. Alaskaoffers wants to give you the best, and that’s why we’ve chosen amazing ships like the Norwegian Star for our cruises. With the freestyle cruising Norwegian Cruise Lines offers, you can decide what you want to do and when you want to do it. There’s no limit to the fun you can have!

The Norwegian Star features:

Spinnaker Lounge
Cinema and Auditorium
Oasis Pool
The Video Zone
Barong Spa and Fitness Center
Red Lion Pub
Stardust Theater
Carousel Bar and Nightclub
Star Club Casino
Countless restaurants and dining areas
And much more!

So experience what cruising is all about on the fantastic Norwegian Star. Now is the time to reward yourself with that dream vacation, and Alaskaoffers has got just the thing for you. An unforgettable vacation with breathtaking sights combined with the unparalleled service aboard the Norwegian Star make the perfect package! Call 1-800-922-9000 today to book your spot!

Click here to hear about the Norwegian Star from a customer or click here to learn more about NCL.

Holland America's ms Volendam

2009-09-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

The last entry featured the wonderful Alaska Cruise and Canadian Rockies Tour by Alaskaoffers. This fantastic offer is an all-inclusive discount package that is sure to appeal to any traveler. Like many of our other cruises, this one features a luxurious experience aboard a fabulous Holland America cruise ship. On the Alaska Cruise and Canadian Rockies tour, you will experience the 5 star service and unparalleled quality of Holland America onboard the ms Volendam.

This leading company has been in business for over 136 years and today their fleet goes to destinations on all 7 continents. Your unforgettable experience is sure to be enhanced by their Signature of Excellence commitment that applies to any one of their 14 elegant liners. Want to learn more about the ms Volendam?

The ship has a relaxing garden theme that is reflected in its floral motif. The many fresh flowers and beautiful pieces of artwork onboard lend to the mood of this enchanting ship, whose features include:

Rotterdam Dining Room
Pinnacle Grill
Lido Restaurant
Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine
Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times
Greenhouse Spa & Salon
Frans Hals Show Lounge
Crow’s Nest
Club HAL
The Loft and The Oasis

The Volendam is only one of the many luxurious Holland America ships featured on a variety of Alaskaoffers’ vacations. Discover for yourself what it feels like to cruise with an industry leader and learn about their many awards and accolades. Call us today at 1-800-922-9000 or visit our site to learn more about our trips.

Alaska and the Canadian Rockies

2009-08-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

Alaskaoffers has a new great package: the Alaska and Canadian Rockies Cruise! Its splendor and majesty has always made Alaska favorite destination for many. Now you can explore this pristine paradise for a low price with our all-inclusive discount offer. You’ll spend 15 days cruising the Inside Passage in luxury aboard a 5 star Holland America cruise ship and touring the Canadian Rockies on this vacation-of-a-lifetime.

Tour Highlights:

Seattle, WA
Vancouver, BC
Kamploops, BC
Jasper, AB and Jasper National Park
Banff, AB and Banff National Park
Icefields Parkway
Glacier Experience
Lake Louise
Calgary, AB

Cruise Features:

Alaska’s Inside Passage
Juneau, Alaska
Skagway, Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park
Ketchikan, Alaska

The wonders you can discover on a trip like this are endless. There is no better company than Alaskaoffers to take you on a journey through Alaska for an unforgettable experience. Our focus is to excel beyond the expectations of our customers, and we are introducing this new trip to show our appreciation for our customers. Call us at 1-800-922-900 and take advantage of this magnificent opportunity today. Tour Departs May-September 2010.

Check out this video on Alaska and more at Youtube.com!

2009-08-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

Experience Alaska like never before with YMT’s discount Alaska and Denali Cruise and Tour. You’ll discover striking scenery and divine destinations with this great tour and cruise vacation package from a company that cares enough to offer you the best. Don’t wait any longer to take that trip-of-a-lifetime you’ve been waiting for. With YMT, a trusted company that’s been providing value packed offers to satisfied customers for over 20 years, you can finally afford to take your dream vacation.

Alaska is an amazing place to visit, and with this package you can discover its beauty from the inside out. This wonderful 14 day vacation includes tour and cruise portions, so you can take your adventurous journey with a tour and still get to relax and enjoy the serenity aboard the ms Ryndam that a cruise offers. You’ll begin in Fairbanks and work your way through Alaska, staying in the Alyeska Resort before beginning your cruise.

Trip departs select Saturdays in June-September 2009 so check us out and book your spot today!

Highlights:

Fairbanks

Denali National Park

Anchorage

Portage Glacier

Alyeska

Seward

Hubbard Glacier

Yakutat Bay

Sitka

Skagway

Juneau

Ketchikan

About some of the new and exciting destinations:

Alyeska

Visit this alpine ski area that was developed in the early 1960s. This area of ski cabins is located about 35 miles south of Anchorage. Spend some time enjoying the activities this wonderful place has to offer, including river rafting, bear viewing, biking, fishing, flight seeing, and much more!

Yakutat Bay

This small village on Monti Bay is the only deep water port in the Gulf of Alaska. Enjoy fishing, arts and crafts of the Tlingit Natives, and visits to retail shops on your stop at this exciting destination.

Hubbard Glacier

This tidewater glacier is the longest in the state and certainly an amazing site to see! You might see one of the glacier’s icebergs, which can be as big as a ten story building.

Portage Glacier

One of the most visited tourist attractions in Alaska, Portage Glacier is another stunning site you’ll get to visit on this trip. Be sure to stop at the visitor center, which contains exhibits and a film about glaciers. This breathtaking site is one you won’t want to miss.

Glacier Bay

2009-08-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

Alaska is an amazing place full of wonder and majesty. Its stunning sites and breathtaking beauty make it the perfect destination for any traveler looking for the experience of a lifetime. Alaskaoffers has a variety of discount all-inclusive vacation packages for you to choose from, so see for yourself why our customers rave about us.

Many of our options include the magnificent Glacier Bay. Before you secure your spot on your next vacation, we understand you may be interested in further exploring the different highlights, so here’s some more information about Glacier Bay:

Runs about 65 miles between two pinchets of Alaska

Ranges from 3-20 miles wide

1794 Glacier Bay almost entirely iced over

1879 ice had retreated almost all the way up the bay

1916 Grand Pacific Glacier had moved 65 miles…the fastest documented glacial retreat ever

200 year old spruce and hemlock forest exists at the entrance

Contains 16 glaciers, 12 of which have produced icebergs

This amazing site is definitely worth seeing. Alaska is a place so full of beauty and makes a wonderful destination for anyone looking for that unique getaway. Imagine finally taking that serene cruise of your dreams to destinations like these! Check out our packages today!

YMT Vacations....Affordable, Quality, Exciting!

Bears of Alaska

2009-08-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

Alaska is a place of wonder and beauty. It has been a popular destination for cruises for a very long time, and it's no surprise. With stunning views and countless opportunities to see some amazing wildlife, Alaska is a perfect vacation destination. Alaskaoffers features many great all-inclusive vacation packages to this majestic destination so you can easily afford to experience the splendor of Alaska for yourself.

We invite you to browse through our fabulous options to find the itinerary that best fits your travel needs. Because Alaskaoffers is a company that works hard to satisfy our customers, we also want to give you a little preview of what awaits you in gorgeous Alaska. There are all kinds of wildlife, but this week's special feature is bears! Read more below on the Black Bear, Brown Bear, and Polar Bear.

Black Bear

Most abundant type of bear in Alaska

Most associated with forests

Smallest of North American bears

Adults measure about 29 inches tall and 60 inches long

Colors range from jet black to white

Distinguished from brown bears by their straight face and sharply curved claws

Brown Bear/Grizzly Bear

"Brown bear" usually refers to the species found in coastal areas

"Grizzlies" refers to the bears found inland and in Northern habitats

Has more prominent shoulder hump, less prominent ears, and straighter claws then the black bear

Colors range from dark brown to light blond

A large bear can have a skull measuring 18 inches long and 12 inches wide

Kodiak Bear

Subspecies of brown bear that live only on the Kodiak islands

There are about 3,500 Kodiak bears

Largest bears in the world

Typical litter is 2-3 cubs

Eat more grass, berries, and plants than meat

Only 1 person in the last 75 years has been killed by a Kodiak bear

Polar Bear

Closely related to brown bears

Have translucent fur and black skin

Most mature males are 8-10 feet long

Mostly eat ringed seals

Also eat walruses, beluga whales, small mammals, and bird eggs

Forget-Me-Not

2009-08-01T16:06:00.000-07:00

Alaska is a spectacular place full of beauty and wonder. You are guaranteed a vacation to remember and breathtaking sites on a trip to this majestic destination. Alaskaoffers is a trusted company that provides a variety of all-inclusive vacation packages for you to choose from all at an affordable price. This amazing vacation spot is a customer favorite because it's full of rich culture, various wildlife, awe-inspiring scenery, and so many opportunities for unforgettable experiences.

The gorgeous landscape is a feature that makes Alaska so special. You can experience the beauty of nature like never before and even see the state's national flower, the forget-me-not. There is much variation among the almost 50 species of his stunning flower. Here's a little more information about the forget-me-not:

Color variation includes blue, pink, or white forms

Can be annual or perennial plants

Popular in gardens

Cultivated forms show a mixture of colors

They prefer shade

Come see this beautiful flower and more. Call 1-800-922-9000 or click today to discover what awaits you in Alaska!

Baked Alaska

2009-08-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

Visit Alaska and experience its rich culture and food! Let Alaskaoffers.com take you on an amazing journey through this pristine paradise full of marvelous sites. While you're there, be sure to try some of the food…especially the Baked Alaska! Don't know what that is? Read about it below!

About the Dish:

Consists of ice cream in a pie dish
Early versions have the ice cream surrounded by pastry, while the later versions have sponge cake topped with meringue

There is much debate about where the Baked Alaska started. Below are some of the common sources of origin:

In 1866 a French master cook introduced the concept to a French chef. The French then substituted the pastry with meringue and called it omelet surprise.

Baked Alaska started with the discovery of the meringue not melting by Anglo-American physicist Benjamin Thompson in 1804

The dish originated in New York City at Delmonico's Restaurant in 1867 and was named after the newly acquired Department of Alaska

President Eisenhower's chef, Francois Rysavy, claimed it is a Scandinavian delicacy

Other Varieties:

Bombe Alaska--dark rum is splashed over the dish, which is then flambéed while served

People often substitute fruit filling for the ice cream or along with the ice cream

People use a variety of toppings, including chocolate

Below is one recipe for the dish, courtesy of Cooks.com

BAKED ALASKA

1 (8 inch) cake layer (frozen) any flavor
1/2 gallon ice cream, any flavor
6 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 c. powdered sugar

Grease a 7 inch diameter bowl (large enough to hold 1/2 gallon ice cream). Grease the bowl with vegetables cooking spray, butter. Let ice cream soften until it is workable. Pack tightly in the bowl. Return bowl to freezer until it hardens.

When ready to assemble, beat egg whites until foamy. Add tartar and whip until stiff. Gently fold in powdered sugar a little at a time.

Place frozen layer cake on a plate slightly larger than the cake. Unmold the ice cream centering it on the cake. Do not trim the cake. Frost cake and ice cream with meringue, covering completely.

Bake in preheated at 450 degrees for 6-7 minutes until meringue peaks are golden.

Store in freezer until serving time. Baked Alaska is delicious plain, or you could use fudge, strawberry, or your favorite topping.

Welcome to the Alaskaoffers Blog

2009-07-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

Looking to finally take that perfect vacation for an affordable price? YMT’s Alaskaoffers is a trusted company that works hard so you can do just that. We’ve been in business over 42 years and are proud to have so many satisfied customers. We offer a variety of discount all-inclusive vacation packages to majestic Alaska so you can find the one that best suits you. Let us take you on a journey to remember!

Check out the many fabulous packages we offer, which include highlights to:

Anchorage
Spokane
Juneau
Glacier Bay
Skagway
Ketchikan
Penticton
Whitehorse
Dawson City
Tok
Fairbanks
Sitka
Denali National Park
Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
And more!

You can even witness such spectacular wildlife as:

Polar bears
Ptarmigans
Sea otters
Whales
Grizzly Bears
Black Bears
Wolves
Caribou
Eagles
And more!

Alaska is a gorgeous place full of awe-inspiring sights and many exciting adventure and wildlife viewing opportunities. Don’t miss out on your chance to discover the stunning scenery on one of our many relaxing cruise options. Book online or call 1-800-922-9000 today! Alaska awaits you.