SRI LANKA ~Sigiriya Frescoes-UNESCO~

Thanks to Ravindra I have a new great addition to my UNESCO collection... And one of the most famous from Sri Lanka! The King was known to have 500 concubines, of which he had frescoes painted. These frescoes have survived thousands of years and are still in amazing condition, mainly due to the natural pigments used by the artists..
Can't believe that they are so well preserved after so many years... Just beautiful!!
Some countries have so many different and great stamps!!

Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. The Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477 – 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.

Hidden in a cave along the citadel at Sigiriya are some of the most magnificent ancient frescoes in South Asia.

FRANCE ~Paris~

Great view of The Eiffel Tower against a beautiful colored sky... As being one of the most visited monuments in the world I must gonna see it someday... With the Thalys (a high-speed train) the travel time is only 1 hour 15 minutes from Brussels to Paris!


The Eiffel Tower is a 19th century iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris that has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower, which is the tallest building in Paris, is the single most visited paid monument in the world; millions of people ascend it every year. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was built as the entrance arch for the 1889 World's Fair.

NETHERLANDS ~Goirle~

Nice multiview from "Holland" also a dutch speaking country... It happens not so often but it is always nice to receive a postcard in your own language!


Goirle is a town in the southern Netherlands, in the province of North Brabant.

AUSTRALIA ~Sawtell~

ANOTHER HAPPY MAILBOX DAY... Postcard from Italy-Australia and Russia!!:D:D

Wonderful aerial view... sooo blue water...great coastline... and it seems to be a perfect place for whale watching... a perfect holiday destination!!:D
Those koala stamps are always so cute!

Sawtell is a coastal suburb of Coffs Harbour in northern New South Wales.The original inhabitants of the land were Aborigines of the Kumbaingeri clan. The Aboriginal name for the land where the town now stands was Bongil Bongil.
Sawtell's northern perimeter is defined by the Boambee Creek and scenic headland. Boambee Beach extends from Corambirra Point (near the Deep Sea Fishing Club) to Boambee Creek (north of Sawtell).

ITALY ~Reggio Emilia~

Great multiview from Italy... And with some interesting information on the back of the card...The Italian tricolore flag was “invented” here in Reggio Emilia and used for the first time. (they are now celebrating the 150th anniversary of that date) And it is also famous for its Parmesan cheese. I think we al know and tasted that delicious cheese..
With a lot of great stamps!

Reggio Emilia is a town of northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region and is the main comune (municipality) of the Province of Reggio Emilia.

RUSSIA ~Volgograd~

Got a very impressive statue from Russia today...Its called: "Mamayev Hill"; a Memorial Complex to the Heroes of the Stalingrad Battle. View of "Motherland", the main monument of the Complex.
This is the largest statue of a full human figure ever made. Motherland rises 270 feet(80m)from her feet to the tip of her ninety-foot long stainless-steel sword. That's almost twice the height of the Statue of Liberty!!! WOW!!
With great stamps!

Volgograd formerly called and Stalingrad (1925–1961) is an important industrial city and the administrative centre of Volgograd Oblast, Russia. It is situated on the western bank of the Volga River. The city was made famous for its resistance and extensive damage during the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II.(200 days and nights)

France ~Normandy~

View of a cottage in the heart of the beautiful Normandy countryside surrounded by a lovely blooming apple orchard... This card makes me already dreaming of spring....

The stamp named "Engrave your initials" is covered with a red metallic film on which you can "engrave" a message or your initials.(must admit I'm not that romantic :D)

The Normandy region of France combines a 360-mile dramatic coastline, including the dramatically evocative World War II landing beaches, with a verdant interior of lush farmland, bustling market towns, and historic landmarks such as the cities of Caen, Bayeux and Rouen. Gastronomic delights abound, from fine cheeses to cider and Calvados.

NIGERIA ~Cultural Dance~

HOORAY!!! A WRITTEN and STAMPED card from Nigeria arrived today!! The sender wrote that it is really difficult to find Nigeria views, but I don't mind... Any card from this "Hard-To-Get" country is amazing!!:D Love the colorful outfit of the dansers!
Nice stamps too!!

Music and dance are integral to Nigerian culture, and each ethnic group has its own specialties.Dance also has many varieties: Ishan stilt dancers in colourful costumes twist themselves in the air; while one Tiv dance, called ajo, features male dancers who work in pairs, and another involves teams of women who perform a dance called icough by composing songs about current events. Dance for the Ubakala shows their value system, helps resolve conflicts, and also institutes changes. Ekiti Yoruba dancers wear head masks so heavy that they can only do processional dances. The Hausa, who do not consider dancing to be a craft, divide their dances into the categories of social dancing and ceremonial bòorii dances.

MALAYSIA ~Rubber Tapping~

And a great and interesting Malaysian card...I didn't realize it was that labor intensive to harvest rubber.

Malaysia has always such great stamps!!

Each night a rubber tapper removes a thin layer of bark along a downward half spiral on the tree trunk. If done carefully and with skill, this tapping panel will yield latex for up to 5 years. Then the opposite side will be tapped allowing this side to heal over. The spiral allow the latex to run down to a collecting cup. (here a coconut shell is used as cup) The work is done at night so the latex will run longer before drying out.
The latex from multiple trees is then poured into flat pans, and this is mixed with formic acid, which serves as a coagulant. After a few hours, the very wet sheets of rubber are wrung out by putting them through a press before they are sent onto factories where vulcanization and further processing is done.

IRELAND

Fantastic view...The way the back of the card describes Ireland makes me even more want to go there...But Ireland is already a long time on my wishlist for a walking holiday!!
Typical view of "Glendalaugh" meaning "Glen of Two Lakes" a glacial valley renowned for its Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, located south of Dublin in county Wicklow!


On the back of the card:
The unique beauty of Ireland's landscape and its rich historic, literary and artistic associations have long made it a favourite resort for tourists. Encompassing a wealth of natural beauty within its modest dimensions, Ireland boasts a landscape which is as much diverse as it is gratifying. The scenic grandeur is set off by Ireland's position. Standing in the path of both the prevailing westerly winds of the Atlantic and the warming currents of the Gulf Stream, Ireland enjoys an equable climate which gives the country its unique fresh appearance.

CANADA ~Québec-UNESCO~

Great nightview of Quebec, one of the older cities in canada with the Château Frontenac (1893), a historic hotel which dominates the city skyline! The different shades of blue are so wonderful...
With nice Christmas stamp!

Quebec City or Québec is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. It is the second largest city in the province, after Montreal. Quebec's Old Town (Vieux-Québec), the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist, was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1985 as the "Historic District of Old Quebec". It is also one of the oldest cities in North America.

France ~Brittany-Eckmuhl Lighthouse ~

Got a wonderful lighthouse view...I think there is always something magical about them... The marking the lines between land and sea, sea and sky...This lighthouse secures one of the most dangerous coast of France because of its numerous cliffs!
Lovely Europa-CEPT children's book stamp!

The lighthouse is the towering Phare d’Eckmühl in Brittany is one of the most important in Europe, built late in the 19th century, still spreading its beam far and wide from its imposing 65-metre height (With this hight it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the world). Climb up inside (307 steps), and your reward is tremendous views, both across the Pays Bigouden and out to sea. The light carries 49 nautical miles. It was inaugurated in 1897 and dedicated to General Davout, prince of Eckmühl.

JAPAN ~Mt Koya-Autumn colors at Fudo Hall-UNESCO~

A typical lovely view of Japan arrived today...A nice temple surrounded by beautiful nature...The red and orange colors of the leafs are just wonderful... It is known as one of Japan's holiest mountain range and seems to be a unique spiritual place... You can feel the spiritual atmosphere just by looking at this card...
Lovely but really tiny stamps!

Mount Koya is a mountain in Wakayama prefecture to the south of Osaka. It is the center of Shingon Buddhism – a buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (aka Kukai), one of the most significant personalities in Japan’s religious history. There are over 100 buddhist temples standing in Mount Koya area. And one of the main attractions there is staying overnight in a temple.

Fudo Hall, a small temple hall which houses a statue of Fudo Myoo, one of the Five Wisdom Kings and protector of Buddhism. The statue is said to be carved by Kobo Daishi, one of the most important figures in Japanese religious history.

SERBIA ~Balkan Mountain~

This is only my second card from Serbia...All the views are so wonderful. Serbia is a really unknown country for me altough it is in southern Europe!
And a big thanks to the sender Ana for all the interesting information on the card...
With nice Christmas stamp.

Views from the Balkan mountain in Serbia, the Stara Planina or "Old Mountain". A big part of the mountain is protected as a nature reserve, because many rare species can be found there, with beautiful springs, streams and waterfalls. People from the mountain villagges grwow sheep and make delicious dairy products and women weave traditional rugs.
Midzor: highest peak of Stara Planina mountain (2169m)
Waterfalls near Kalna,
Knajzevac Town,
Denseflower Mullrn (Verbascum Densiflorum)

GERMANY ~Bremen~

Got a great multiview card today...With lovely pitoresque houses and so narrow streets, I think sometimes the width is only enough for one person..This card shows again that we don't have to travel so far to see nice places.(distance between Brussels and Bremen is about 400km)
With lovely stamps!

The ancient Schnoor quarter, which exists ever since the city was established in the 10th century. The name of the quarter is related to the city's long-standing status as a fishery center and seaport ("Schnoor" in the local dialect roughly means ropes and cables as used by ships). The structure of the Schnoor quarter is said to have been relatively unchanged since medieval time, although the buildings are relatively newer. In most of the small houses are toy shops, art shops, restaurants etc.
Here are the roots of the Hanseatic city Bremen.

UKRAINE ~kiev-T.G.Shevchenko National Opera~

My second card today is a wonderful nightview and comes from Ukraine.
After reading this I would love to go there for a performance in the theatre:
"Almost every day the theater opens its doors to spectators. Once the theater curtain rises, you start to be a part of the magical world created by talent and inspiration of the performers, composer, conductor, and artist."
I was wondering...have you ever been there Alex? THANKS A LOT!!

Lovely stamps too...

The Shevchenko National Opera-House - one of the most famous opera and ballet scenes in Europe. The building was built in 1901 to the design of architect V. Schreter in style of French Renaissance on the place burned down in 1896, the Municipal Theatre. It bears the name of T. Shevchenko from 1939.
On 15th of September 1901 the season of the Kiev Opera in the new building has opened. It has a multistage hall of 1628 places and the foyer is decorated with ornamental paintings.

PORTUGAL ~Guarda~

Received an impressive cathedral, at first I thought it is was a castle... But this building seems to have a bit of both!

Great stamp of a serie "Theatre in Portugal" starting with some of its greatest representatives from the end of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period: Gil Vicente (Auto da Barca do Inferno), Sá de Miranda (a Renaissance artist), António Ferreira, Luís de Camões, D. Francisco Manuel de Melo and António José da Silva.

The mediaeval Cathedral da Guarda is the main attraction of the city of Guarda, in Northeastern Portugal. Its construction took from 1390 until the mid 16th century, combining Gothic and Manueline styles.

ITALY ~Pisa- Leaning Tower - UNESCO~

Received a wonderful aerial view from Italy with one of the most famous buildings in the world, "De Scheve toren" or "Leaning Tower" of Pisa... I think you can asked anyone to name a few things they know about Italy and "the Leaning Tower" of Pisa will be one of them... But I never knew that it was in such a beautiful setting... And now I have a card showing it!! GREAT!! Thanks a lot Riccardo!!
Mail related stamps are always so nice...

Pisa is located in the Tuscany region of the Italian coast.The site of Santa Chiara is located in the heart of Pisa’s old town and borders the Cathedral Square (Piazza dei Miracoli), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The group of buildings, which dates back to 1257 and has been used since then as a hospital and university centre.The leaning Tower (La Torre di Pisa) is the bell tower for the adjacent cathedral.

ARGENTINA ~Cover~

Its so great that I met through my postcards so many wonderful new friends...
Some of "Hard-to-Get-Countries" of which I never could have dreamed to receive cards from... and now have wonderful collections.
And cards from closer to home but also speciale... I'm touched by all of you...
A BIG THANKS!! GERDA ^__^

Got a beautiful envelope from Viviana with great card. You can't find such wonderful envelopes here in my country... Love the stamps too!!


The card comes from:
"Rutas solidarios" or"Pathways of Solidarity" and it is a project of the Solidarity Network which aims to promote the development of community centers (soup kitchens, homes, gardens, schools, libraries and health centers).

SRI LANKA ~Galle Fort-UNESCO~

Thanks to Ravindra I got another wonderful card of Sri Lanka! By searching about this place on the internet I found out that it is also an UNESCO site... Soo an extra bonus!!:D

Unfortunately I also read: The fort was so strong that it withstood the 2004 tsunami which left Galle town utterly devastated. Most of the buildings were either completely destroyed or were damaged to a large extent. Those that were completely destroyed are being rebuilt afresh and those which were damaged are being renovated now. These are being done under the supervision of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs so that the new buildings and the renovations retain the old appearance which was there prior to Tsunami. Hopefully most of it is restored by now...
My Best Wishes to you too Ravindra and thanks a lot!!:D:D
Great and colorful christmas stamps too..

Galle Fort is the largest intact Dutch fort in Asia. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Located facing the Indian Ocean in the town of Galle, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Galle Fort is one of the best preserved examples of 17th century colonial fortifications in the world.

CANARY ISLANDS ~Fuerteventura~

Yeaaaah!!! Already a new place at the beginning of 2011.... I know the Canary Islands are a populair holiday destination for Belgian people... But to live at such a place with almost 365 days of sunshine must be wonderful... I admit I'm a bit jeaulous of the sender...
The name Fuerteventura (sounds really exotic) is said to come from the word Fuerte (meaning strong) and ventura(viento meaning wind)and sometimes the winds are strong on Fuerteventura.
Love the stamp too!

Fuerteventura a Spanish island, is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa and it is the second largest island after Tenerife.

Fuerteventura is the oldest Canary Island, and was formed about 70 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity

USA ~Saint Charles-Missouri~

I like all the views on this card (US-927976) very much!! It looks a really friendly street... The sender wrote that she works in a bookstore here (view with the green door) Not many people can show their workplace on a postcard! Just great:D


Early explorers and pioneers made St. Charles their place of choice for shopping in the 19th century.
For well over 200 years, visitors to St. Charles have been settling into comfortable accommodations. Our overnight guests have included explorers, pioneers, statesmen, and steamboat captains.

CHINA

And here a bit strange looking postcard from China (CN-297381)... I don't even know if it is a real postcard...its printed on a brown cardboard and the view is not so clear... The sender wrote that it shows a 1000 year old temple carved in the rocks...
Maybe someone can translate the word or text on the card??


Heng Shan, one of the five Buddhist mountains in China is located in Northeast Shanxi Province. While it is not one of the more impressive mountains in China, it is a healthy climb at about 2200 meters above sea level. Like nearly all mountains in China, it has stairs all they way to the top. Carved into the side of the mountain are several monasteries, still operated today.

FINLAND

Received a nice official map card from Finland (FI-982699) with snow views... they are looking a bit simular to what we had here the last couple of weeks, only without the moose! :D
Great stamp!

The NETHERLANDS ~Kinderdijk-UNESCO~

Got this fantastic ariel view as an official (NL-521931) from "Kinderdijk", Holland a neighbouring country... All the land you see is below sea level!!. I hope to visit it this summer. "Kinderdijk" is Dutch for "Children's dike."
WIth great stamps too!

Kinderdijk is a village in the Netherlands in the province South Holland.To drain the polder, a system of 19 windmills was built around 1740. This group of mills is the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands.
The windmills of Kinderdijk are one of the best Known Dutch tourist sites. They were placed on the list of UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.