Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77881
12/12/04 02:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,732
ColonelWes
OP
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OP
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Posts: 1,732 |
Hi ya'll,
This will be our final installment as I want to save some hours for Ermine, Margo's bartendar in the Starrs Lounge.
Dave, Laura, Ida and I had reservations for Portifino's on the 10th for "A taste of Italy" Our menu:
AntiPasti (Fresh Asparagus, with oil, lemon, parsley and Parmesan); Gamberoni Fra Diavola (Jumbo shrimps in hot spicy tomato sauce)
Pasta Rigatoni all Amatriciana (tossed with garlic, bacon, onion and tomato)
Insalata (Mixed Green Salad with extra virgin Olive Oil and lemon dressing
Fish Grilled Tuna with Lobster Reduction and Saffron risotto
Secondo E Conorno Vitello Parmigiana
Torta Di Fruitta al Mascapone E Tiramisu
Wines: Santa Margerita Pinot Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva, Getano D Aquino
Meal was outstanding--the wait staff all dressed up and sang, we had plastic song sheets (Che Sara Sara, Mi Amore, etc.,) and we sang too...Dave even played the spoons.
That evening Dave and I went to the Coniesurs (Sp) club and had Macanudo Maduro's I brought..he bought the Cognac..perfect cap to a delightful evening with new cruise friends.
Saturday was a full Sea day...started with the daily run and swim (25 min)...then Ida and I enjoyed a superb breakfast at the Compass room..
Ida then went to the Gym to do three hours of aerobics a couple hours Tae bo, sauna..she went through lunch... I found the secret--never used except for AMX-P parties, Amx Mariner parties, Repeaters Parties--the empty Vista Lounge and read for a few hours. Dave, Laura and I enjoyed lunch in Portifinos on the porch with the gentle sea breezes..Met Ida back in the room and suggested she order room service...she ordered a shrimp cocktail (four shrimp the size of a fist) and a turkey club...She told me this is why she loves cruising Rad style...you can do anything you want anytime you want and eat whenever you want with whoever you want....well said!
Dave and I then went to our favorite pool deck lounge chairs and read for a few hours..At 4 were were back in the gym doing 25 min of elipticals then I followed this workout with another 20 min swim as the sun set..(I earned desert)
We met DAve and Laura in the Compass room for Dinner...we met two other couples..had a delicous degustation menu mixed with the evening selections.
Avocado Fritters Stuffed Rottini (A tony manutuano special)
Cream Cauliflower Capuccino (A Tony M special)
Salad & Pasta
Broiled Turbot (Me) Braised Shortribs (A Tony M specialty)(Ida)
Rocky Road Ice Cream
Wines: Gavi--Italian dry white Neibum Coppolla Claret (Superb)
We then went to watch Sean O'shea and Navigator Five for the evening's entertainment.
Sunday -- Grand Cayman
Had an early Room service breakfast as Dave and I were diving today. Met with 8 other divers for the Rad sponsored two tank dive...went to Don Fosters in GC...amazing destruction still present here in GC...sky cranes dot the skyline.. many roofs still covered by tarps...
Wonderfully organized dive operator...we got to dive the grand cayman wall...spectacular sea life and coral..We saw turtles, sharks, jelly fish (ouch), Yellow tail snapper, barricudas, et. al.
Back to the ship and lunch on at Poolside Grill at 2 pm Good Minute Steak sandwich...then off to our lazyboy lounges and a few hours of reading & sleeping.
It is now a tad after 6 pm and we have dinner again in the Compass Room...all of the couples from last night asked us to do it again sam, tonight at 8. Well have to drag myself back to the suite and prepare the Gin & Tonics....tough life---and we're loving it.
Thank you all for sharing our first cruise with us. Your positive, kind, thoughts spurred me on to continue to share our experiences...We'll book a cruise tomorrow to get the 5% discount--but it really is a holding cruise--to transfer to a South America itinerary in 2006.
See you again on the Paul Gauguin in March!
Absolutely all the best to each one of you for this upcoming Holiday season...and may you have a safe a joyous New Year.
Wes & Ida
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77882
12/12/04 02:33 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,821
Suzie
cruiser
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,821 |
Thank you Wes and it was good to read such positive and enthusiastic reports, especially the foodie parts...drool, I can't wait for March when it's my turn!
Suzie
The days pass happily with me wherever my ship sails. - Joshua Slocum
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77883
12/12/04 02:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,471
sedona
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,471 |
Wes & Ida,
Thank you for letting us live vicariously through you. We went on the PG in March and it is a great time of year. Wish we were joining you.
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77884
12/12/04 02:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,868
Betty K
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cruiser
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,868 |
Wes, Thank you so much for your wonderful reports. I am so glad that you and Ida enjoyed your cruise. It has been great fun following along with you through your posts. Good job!
Betty
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77885
12/12/04 03:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,239
bebop bonnie
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,239 |
Thanks, Wes for your wonderful reports. Among other things you've motivated me big time to do my daily gym thing if I'm gonna enjoy all that sensational food next week when we follow you on the Navigator!! :D
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77886
12/12/04 03:32 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967
jhp
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967 |
Wes, seems like you are "hooked" like many of us on this board. You and Ida seem to be the type who take every opportunity to enjoy the ship to the max, including all those exercise "things". How I wish I could be that motivated, no, disciplined, to do all those healthy things on a cruise! Did you take pictures? Hope you will post them on ofoto!
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77887
12/12/04 03:39 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,026
Fogmalkin
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,026 |
Boy, I'm going to miss your posts almost as much as you'll be missing the ship! I think I gained weight vicariously...
Suzanne
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77888
12/12/04 03:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,859
robert
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,859 |
Colonel:
Living this cruise through your eyes has truly been a delight. So glad you and Ida had a great time!
Robert
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined. -Thoreau
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77889
12/12/04 04:24 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 419
Claudia M
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cruiser
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Posts: 419 |
Wes -
So glad you and Ida enjoyed your first Radisson experience! Happy Holidays to you, too!
Claudia
My idea of roughing it is when room service is late!
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77890
12/12/04 05:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,026
Leejnd
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cruiser
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,026 |
I can't believe it's almost over! I'm ready to cry... I'm going to miss this so much, especially all that wonderful food, and the diving, and great exercise and relaxing on the pool deck... Oh wait, I haven't actually been ON this cruise, have I? Gosh, seems like I have! :D
Thanks for letting us experience it with you!
LeeAnne
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77891
12/12/04 05:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,920
Ngaire
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cruiser
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,920 |
Great reviews Wes thanks for sharing your week with us.
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77892
12/12/04 05:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,744
pkd
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,744 |
Wes, my mouth was watering as I read every installment! Glad you enjoyed the cruise so much. No surprise, though! You are now officially a Rad addict like so many of us.
Editing to say that not only do I wish I'd had all those good dinners this past week, but I wish I had done all that exercise too. Very admirable behavior!!!
Priscilla
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77893
12/12/04 09:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,646
ChatKat...
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,646 |
Wow, Wes. We better think up a good virtual reward for you for keeping us all hooked on your Novella. You are a wonderful poster!
Karen, can you help us find an appropriate gift for Wes?
VOYAGER: MC to FLL 11/07 MC/Dover 6/06 MARINER: BCN / Ven 10/11 Alaska 2001|2006 Panama Canal 2003 NAV Caribbean 11/06 Bermuda|New Eng/Canada 6/04 PG 5/05 OCEANIA Nautica |Ist/Athens 6/07 Regatta|Baltics 6/08 Riviera 2013 Crossing -Istanbul to Miami
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77894
12/12/04 10:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,051
Mrs. Masaki
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cruiser
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,051 |
Thanks for the incredible updates, Wes! We gained weight vicariously through you and Ida! If only I had your willpower to exercise that faithfully...
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77895
12/13/04 04:11 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 31
kimk
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cruiser
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 31 |
Wes- thanks for the great reviews- really enjoyed them. I can't wait until the PG in March!!
kim
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77896
12/13/04 04:17 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641 |
Wes: I feel like I do when I finish a good book - happy but a little sad too - I will miss your wonderful reports -
Joanna
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77897
12/13/04 05:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,681
ITravelNow
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,681 |
Wes, has it been 10 days already???
Thank you so much for the reports. Your activities and dining descriptions made many muscles ache and mouths water!
Best wishes for a safe trip home to you and Ida.
Margo
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77898
12/13/04 09:09 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 656
Loon
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cruiser
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 656 |
Thanks for the grand reports, Wes. As a die-hard foodie, I was prepared to swim to catch up with you. Sounds like the trip was a real gem!
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77899
12/13/04 01:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,303
Kathy Z
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,303 |
Wes, I've had little time to be on the boards recently due to a number of factors, but I've certainly enjoyed reading the reports you have been so faithful to keep writing for all of us back home.
Wishing you and Ida the happiest of holidays.
Kathy
Kathy
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77900
12/13/04 04:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 808
Susan W
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 808 |
Wes, So excited to read all your reports including your dive with Don Fosters. I have dove with them and found them to be a quality operator. Don't you love the wall? Guess you didn't get to dive the wall in Cozumel, but I hope you will someday. I think it is a little better there but love them both. Can't wait to hear more.
Susan
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77901
12/13/04 06:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,288
Gatowoman
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,288 |
Mi Coronel!
Saved the best for last, eh!!
Thanks for the live journal!!
Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends ~~M. Angelou~~
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77902
12/13/04 07:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,799
Arlene
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cruiser
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,799 |
I have really enjoyed reading about your cruise. I'm not so sure about all that exercise though. ;)
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77903
12/13/04 08:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,440
gf
cruiser
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cruiser
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,440 |
Welcome home, Wes & Ida, to frigid Hotlanta!
Really enjoyed your reports although I'm not the gourmet you are; so glad you had a wonderful time!
Another Kathy
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77904
12/14/04 04:07 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395 |
Enjoyed the reports, Wes. I'm impressed with all the exercise. Maybe your good example will rub off on us!
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77905
12/14/04 04:43 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 391
wagsalot
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 391 |
Great reports Wes! Helped me better anticipate my upcoming cruise in January!
Bobbi
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77906
12/15/04 04:51 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,732
ColonelWes
OP
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,732 |
All, you are very welcome..
back at work...and still going through cruise withdrawals...Ida found another woman in the Sauna Monday looking for a place to stow away.
r/wes
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77907
12/15/04 02:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,637
Claudia
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,637 |
Welcome back and thanks for the menus.. Man made me very hungry! Have to agree though, with Arlene.. whoa too much excercize!
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77908
12/16/04 05:03 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 906
dougburns
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 906 |
Thanks for all the good info, Wes. We're off for San Juan and Navigator on 27 Dec.
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77909
12/16/04 05:23 AM
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171
KarenS
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171 |
Welcome home Wes and Ida!
Pictures, pictures, pictures!!!!! (please!)
Karen Live long and prosper
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77910
12/16/04 08:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,732
ColonelWes
OP
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,732 |
Karen,
We have some that ida is taking to the camera store today..(will change the Avitar with our formal night photo (Ida gown, me clown suit--i mean mess dress)...should send them tomorrow or early next week.
r/wes
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Re: Navigator Novella (final chapter)
#77911
12/16/04 09:11 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641 |
A handsome couple, no doubt - Joanna
Joanna
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