SOUTH KOREA ~Tumuli Park - Gyeongju - UNESCO~

South Korea card nr2...The view looks so peaceful and even mysterious...beautiful grass-covered hills in a fantastic setting!! Thanks a lot Johnson!!

With nice stamps: Special shaped Philately Week Special Stamp((Issued 09-08-2012)
Wild Grapes stamp (Issued 10-09-2001) and Arctous ruber stamp (Issued 10-07-2007)

Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom. The tombs of the Silla rulers can still be found in the centre of the city. These tombs took the shape of rock chambers buried in an earthen hill, sometimes likened with the pyramids. Excavated tombs reveal wooden coffins covered with gravel and rich grave goods of gold, glass, and quality ceramics. A famous example of a tomb in this park is the Heavenly Horse Tomb which contained a mural painting on birch bark saddle flap of a winged horse.

The historic area around Gyeongju was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage in 2000.

USA ~Florida-Tampa~

...Great view of beautiful colored skyscrapers... Thanks a lot Jesus!!
I hope everything is alright over there because we hear a lot of disturbing news about hurricane "Sandy".:(

With lovely stamps: Madonna of the Candelabra by Raphael (Issued 13-12011)
Tiffany Lamp stamp (Issued 28-04-2009)
Navajo Jewelry (Issued 12-02-2011)

Tampa is the commercial center of Florida's West Coast. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County and is located on the west coast of Florida, on Tampa Bay near the Gulf of Mexico.
While it's the country's eleventh busiest seaport and a center of banking, it is also bustling with attractions that bring visitors from all over the world.

SRI LANKA ~Kandy Perahera~

...Last friday I received a card showing the "Kandyan drummers" and today I got a postcard from the festival itself... I'm really amazed by this whole ceremony...There is so much to see on this picture...Look at the beautiful decorated elephants... Many thanks Ravindra!!

And again great stamps used:
World Tourism Day 2011 Celebrations in Sri Lanka
National Postal Museum and Philatelic Exhibition Centre 2010
Diamond shaped World Children's Day 2010

The festival, held in the city of Kandy, is one of the biggest Budhist celebrations of the year. It involves a 10 day festival exhibiting traditional music, dancing and drumming, with the the procession of the all-important Tooth Relic.
The Tooth Relic, is placed inside a dome like structure affixed to a Tusker Elephant and after 8pm on the sixth night, it is paraded around the city with whip-dances and fire-dances, Kandian dances and other various cultural dances clearing the path.

SRI LANKA ~Kandyan drummers~

...Happy looking musicians...wonderful costumes...life must be a lot nicer where the sun shines more...sigh...here it's cold, dark and rainy...makes me feel a bit down :(...Thanks a lot Ravindra!!

With a block of 4 lovely colorful flower stamps (Issued 07-10-2012)

There are various types of traditional drum. The most important is the classic Kandyan drum, the geta bera (literally “boss drum". This is a double-headed drum, measuring exactly 67cm (26in) long, slightly bigger in the middle than at the ends. The drum is suspended from the player’s waist by a piece of rope and played with both hands. Different skins are used for the two drum heads (monkey or goat on one side, for example, and cow on the other) to produce contrasting tones.
Sri Lankan drummers are usually deployed in ensembles (hewisi) of anything between three and, in the largest festivals, 50 performers.

Kandyan drumming is distinguished by its frequent sudden changes of tempo and highly irregular rhythmic patterns which ebb and flow in a series of percussive onslaughts – the almost telepathic coordination displayed by the members of top drum groups during performances can seem almost magical.

TIBET ~Lhasa-Mount Everst~

...After seeing one of my all-time favorite movies, "Seven Years in Tibet" I've been fascinated by Tibet...their culture, religion, nature...and a postcard from the magical "Mount Everest" sent from Lhasa was for a loooong time on my wishlist!! Thanks a million Johnson... you've made my day!!:D:D

Love the back of the postcard too!
With an imprinted lotus flower stamp making it a prepaid postcard and a wonderful special cancellation!!
Other stamps: Subject Foreign Musicians - Mozart(Issued 25-07-2010) Rock Painting in Helan Mountain-Hunting (Issued 23-09-1998) About the first two I couldn't find anything

"Mount Quomolangma ~rooftop of the world"
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain (dominant peak of the Himalaya's) above sea level at 8848 metres (29029 ft). It is located on the border between Nepal and Tibet and was first climbed by Sir Edmund Hillary and sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

Its Tibetan meaning of 'Goddess the Third' adds more mysterious color and magic power to the subject. As a result, it has intrigued all kinds of people since it was first discovered. Pilgrims trek long distances to present a pious worship, climbing enthusiasts run great risks to challenge its high altitude and the common tourists also yearn for a reverent look at this holy peak.

The area of Mt. Everest has been built as one of the national natural reserves, wherein live thousands of kinds of plants, hundreds of varieties of wild animals and dense virgin forests. Many of these are precious and rare, like the first-class protected animal ounces and the valuable timber sandals, etc.

At the foot of Mt. Everest is located the highest temple in the world, Rongbuk Monastery.

BRAZIL ~Gramado-Main Gate~

...Mostly we see Brazil as the land of white sandy beaches, samba and tropical temperatures...not expecting a wintery snow view.:D(BR-230541) Thanks Guilherme and Mirna!!

With nice stamps: Sapateiro (making shoes) 2005
Trumpet 2002
Theme Sport (Soccer): The Road to the 2014 World Cup (Issued 4-04-2009)

Entrance gate to Gramado Gramado was originally settled in 1875 by Portuguese immigrants. Five years later, the first German immigrants arrived and these were followed shortly after by Italian immigrants.
The city is located at the mountains of Rio Grando de Sum State, southern Braziland and is the most important city for tourism of the south region.Gramado is one of the towns along the scenic route known as Rota Romântica.(Romantic Route)

RUSSIA ~Lake Baikal-UNESCO~

Great views of the largest natural tank of fresh water in the world... It contains 1/5 of the world's fresh water...that sounds unbelievably...it must be huge...(RU-1264275)Thanks Larisa!!

With nice stamps: Fountains of Russia (Issued 15-12- 2009)and Definitive stamps (Fox) of Russia (Issued 29-08-2008)

Lake Baikal in eastern Siberia is the deepest lake in the world with a maximum depth of 1,632m, 640km long and judging by it size only it would be more of a sea than a lake.There are 26 islands on the lake, the largest being Olkhon Island. Baikal is also the world's most ancient freshwater lake, it originated 20-25 million years ago. In the winter, the place completely freezes over, which means there are no lake ferries. Instead, you can drive across the ice!

Lake Baikal was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.

BULGARIA ~Srebarna Nature Reserve-UNESCO~

...Great view ...must be heaven for birdlovers and birdwatching...Thanks a lot Lilia!!

With matching stamp:Bulgarian regions-North Eastern Bulgaria (Issued 24-11-2010)
Defenitives:Thracian gold treasure of Panagurishte (Issued 15-11-1999)

"A variety of legends surround the naming of Lake Srebarna one of them tells of a boat full of silver that lies somewhere along its shores! Srebro is the Bulgarian word for silver so the myth may have its roots in fact, although a more likely explanation is that the name was inspired by the silvery reflections of the full moon in the lakes surface."
The Srebarna Nature Reserve is a freshwater lake bordering to the Danube river over 600 ha. It is the breeding ground of almost 100 species of bird, many of which are rare or endangered It isAlso a bird migration route between Europe and Africa Some 80 other bird species migrate and seek refuge there every winter. Among the most interesting bird species are the Dalmatian pelican, great egret, night heron, purple heron, glossy ibis and white spoonbill, white-tailed eagle, little cormorant.

The reserve was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.

GIBRALTAR ~Barnaby Monkey~

My second card from Gibraltar...A soo cute looking mother and baby ape...but they are wild animals...and I read many stories of monkeys who steal, hiss and bite... Thanks a lot Rachel!!

With great stamps:Definitive 2008 'Birds of Gibraltar' and Centenary of Naval Aviation 2009

According to popular legend, Gibraltar will remain under British rule as long the Barbary Apes exist on Gibraltar.
Home to the world-famous Barbary Apes, Europe's only free-ranging primates.One of Gibraltar’s most popular tourist attractions. At present there are some 300 animals in five troupes occupying the area of the Upper Rock. Here you have the rare opportunity to observe the tail-less macaques closely.

GIBRALTAR ~O'Hara Battery-Rock Gun~

Received not one but two wonderful cards cards from a new place...Gibraltar...
...To stand on this point where you have panoramic views over three countries, two continents and one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, must be breathtaking!! Thanks a lot Rachel!!

With lovely stamps: Gibraltar Chess festival 10th Ann 2012HM and
Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Grandchildren 2009

Aerial view showing Rock Gun from O'Hara BatteryAccording to legend, Hercules parted the two continents of Africa and Europe, resting an elbow in Gibraltar and one in Mons Abyla in Morocco.
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. Today its economy is based largely on tourism, financial services, and shipping.

O’Hara's Battery is located at the very top of the Nature Reserve. No cars, not even taxi’s are allowed up.
It is an artillery battery and located at the highest point of the Rock of Gibraltar, near the southern end of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. It was constructed in 1890 at the former site of a watchtower that had earned the name O'Hara's Folly. The battery and tower were both named after the Governor of Gibraltar Charles O'Hara. The battery was in use during World War II and was last fired during training exercises in 1976. O'Hara's Battery has been refurbished and is open to the public.

USA ~Fort Jefferson Lighthouse~

...Nice card showing one of the 115 lighthouses of Michigan that has also 5000km of freshwater shoreline, the world only floating post office (would love to see how that looks :D) and the world's busiest locks...(US-1905725)Thanks a lot Jeff for all this great information you wrote on the card!!

Great matching stamp:Gulf Coast Lighthouses Stamped Cards (Issued on July 23-07- 2009) from the popular series of Lighthouses stamps presenting five Gulf Coast Lighthouses.
The Earthscapes forever stamps "Cranberry Harvest"
Aloha Shirts stamp (19-01-2012)

Built in 1876, Fort Jefferson Lighthouse (also known as Garden Key Ligjt) helped warn sea traffic away from the dangerous shoals and reefs that surrounded the Florida Keys until it was deactivated in 1912 but currently acts as a harbor light, guiding vessels safely into the anchorage outside Fort Jefferson. Today the hexagonal lighthouse is part of Dry Tortygas National Park.

SOUTH KOREA ~Hwaseong Fortress UNESCO ~

Received my first of 3 South Korean postcard promissed by Johnson who visited their UNESCO sites.
...a lovely view with such a calm and tranquil atmosphere...Thanks a lot Johnson!!

With nice but tiny flag and sea shell stamp.

Banghwa Suryujeong, pavilion of the Northeast Angle Tower, standing above Yongyeon, the Dragon Pond of of Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon
Hwaseong Fortress is actually a circular wall (nearly 6km long) surrounding the old city. It stands on Mount Paldalsan. Around it there are numerous bastions, towers and gates. The construction of the fortress was initiated by King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon dynasty in January 1794 and it was completed in September 1796. It was designed to defend the southern approach to the capital, primarily against the old enemy, theJapanese.

Hwaseong Fortress was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1997.

MALAYSIA ~Langkawi Island-White bellied Sea Eagle~

...An amazing view of one the most impressive birds...The Eagle!!(MY-121629)Thanks Yap!!

With nice stamps:
The Spotted Dove from the 2005 'Birds' definitive sets (reprinted many times). And from a set of four stamps featuring various fireflies of Malaysia-Pteroptyx valida.(Issued 10-05-2010)

A White-bellied Sea Eagle swoops to catch a small fish.
Langkawi or also known as the the Jewel of Kedah is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea. Sanctuary of some of the most ancient rainforest in the world, full with exotic flora and fauna. On june 1, 2007 Langkawi Island was given a World Geopark status by UNESCO.

The White-bellied Sea Eagle (71cm) is the largest of the species present. The sea eagle's head and under parts are white with grey back and wing-coverts. Its impressive wingspan lifts the eagle high above the crowd and is usually spotted soaring in higher altitudes. These birds are the lords of the skies.

SPAIN ~Begur~

Could have been a wonderful postcard (ES-182880)... the view is ruined by this ugly postmark on front...so sad...I don't mind a bit of damage (shows that the card has travelled)...but why does one something like this...I don't understand. :( Thanks Berta!!

With nice stamp: "IAtento a la conducción" Attentive driving (Issued 09-01-2012) Lose the call, not your life!

Begur is situated in Catalonia, in the Catalan speaking part of Spain.
In the frontside you can see a part of Begun with behind a little cape, where you find a town called "Estartit" and also a sea-protected aera known as "Medas Island" (Illes Medes) further away is the Cross Cape (Cape De Creus) almost in France! Great information all written by the sender!! Great!!

SLOVENIA

Great map postcard with lots of small pictures showing highlights of Slovenia...(SI-65689) Thanks Petra!

With nice stamps from the Flowers Definitive Series (Issued 01-01-2007)

Slovenia is a country in southern Central Europe bordering Italy, The Adriatic Sea, Croatia, Hungary and Austria with capital Ljubjana.

UNITED KINGDOM ~Dover's Castle~

Very imposing and so huge castle in a wonderful setting on the coast of Dover... Must be an amazing view on top of the tower and loooking over the sea...Thanks Margaret!!(GB-367416)

Machin definitive & Country stamps (Issued 25-04-2012)

Dover Castle, one of medieval England's most strategically important fortificationsand and also one of the most famous of European fortresses, stands above the Kentish coast's famous white cliffs at the narrowest point of the English Channel.
Also known as ‘The Key to England’ (because it was never defeated) it has over 2000 Years of History, from an Iron Age fort, Roman lighthouse and Saxon church to the Castle that is seen today with the massive Great Tower built by Henry II.

AUSTRALIA ~Victor Harbor~

...Just love this amazing postcard showing the "gentle giant of the ocean" ... My whale card Nr 33!!
Thanks a lot Heather!:D:D

Also with 3 great stamp:
Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil stamp is one in a set of four showcasing Australia’s most iconic native plant industries: (Issued 17-05-2012)
The Australian Zoos stamps, features seven remarkable animals currently housed in seven of Australia's larger zoos.(Issued 28-09-2012)
Australian Medical Doctors honoured by Australia Post:Dr Jane (Jean) Stocks Greig (1872-1939) was one of five extraordinary sisters and a public health specialist. (Issued 10-04-2012)

View over Encounter Bay from the Bluff Lookout
Southern Right Whales.
The Steam Harbor, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia.

ITALY ~Frasassi Caves~

My first received postcard of an underground temple...a natural beauty!!(IT-199669)Thanks Lea!!

With great stamp:Europe 2012 - "Visit..." shows the dove in the window above the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, a masterful work by Bernini symbolizing the Holy Spirit. (Issued 11-05-2012)

These are located in the Italian region Marches, in the province of Ancona, in the Regional Natural Park of Gola della Rossa and Frasassi.
Only discovered in the 1971 the Grotte di Frasassi is one of the largest known cave systems in Europe, and has an impressive array of stalactites and stalagmites along the 1500 metres of accesible caverns.

COSTA RICA ~San-Jose National Theatre~

Costa Rica mostly known for its beautiful beaches, sea, palm trees.. has also wonderful architectue...
And the most special for me is that this great building was designed by Belgian architects...what a coincidence!! Thanks a lot Erick!

With lovely ATM stamp dedicated to the tourist area "the Gulf of Papagayo", it shows the image of a shoal of reef fish.
This design was first used in the Correo Central or San José main post office counters on August 25th 2010... a spot varnish with the text CORREOS DE COSTA RICA, in 2 lines, visible only when tilting the stamp slightly, in front of a light. (yes, I've seen it!:D)

This theatre was built in 1897 and is considered as San Jose's Architectural gem. It was designed by Belgian architects and decorated by Italian artists. With its 1,000 seats stone and metal structure it offers performances by the world´s most famous of artists.

Wealthy coffee barons voted a tax on coffee exports to fund construction of a theater. Craftsmen were brought in from Europe were imported to build the magnificent structure with a classical Renaissance facade. The Theater was inaugurated in October 1897, with a performance of Faust by the Paris Opera and its famous Corps de Ballet.

Statues on the outside of the theater represent Dance, Music, and Fame. The inside foyer is decorated in pink marble with allegorical figures of Comedy and Tragedy. Beautiful murals depict native Costa Rican themes. A giant crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

GERMANY ~Ammergau Alps- Schleierfalle~

Not as spectacular as my last received "fall" postcard (from Sri Lanka)but ever sooo beautiful...
Thanks Anke!! (DE-1633959)

With the common 2011 UNESCO Altstadt Regensburg Stamp.

High lime water leaks from the water resistant rock formation on the hillside of the gorge. Through loss of preasure, warming and mainly through the growth of tuff moss the water deposits lime. The water trickles with countless water drops over the formed lime tuff rocks and looks like a impressive curtain of water.

The Ammergau Alps are a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps in the states of Bavaria and Tyrol.

NETHERLANDS ~Wintertime bicycles~

Lovely wintery scene from Holland (NL-1477097)...I do like cycling... but I'm not so fond of snow and not at all of cycling in the snow!!:D Bedankt Nienke!!

With great stamps ( printed before the euro, still in guldens):
Stamp WillemIII&Mary StuartII (Issued 14-06-1988)
Stamp showing Women's suffrage meeting (60th anniv of Women's suffrage) (Issued 1979)
Stamp for golden jubilee of the wedding of Queen Juliana with Prince Bernhard (Issued 1987)

Cycling for the Dutch is a way of life, it is the most popular form of daily transport; using a bicycle for daily needs is fun, convenient and almost for free!
The quality of bicycle lanes (fietspaden) is very high throughout the country.

SRI LANKA ~Devon Falls~

...An amazing waterfall view surrounded by beautiful tropical forest...Another wondeful gift from Mother Nature... And this one is ranked as 19th highest on the island...I was thinking how spectacular must the highest waterfall then look ! Thanks a lot Ravindra!!

With three great stamps:
World Tourism Day 2011 Sri Lanka waterfall stamps.
58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (Issued 19-09-2012)
25 Years of Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Sri Lanka Branch (Issued 09-02-2012).

Named after a pioneer coffee planter called Devon, whose plantation is situated nearby the falls.This waterfall is one of the most prominent waterfalls of Sri Lanka which is situated near to Talawakele, Nuwara Eliya District. It is a massive waterfall which is 97 meters high and has several continuous cascades.

NEPAL ~Krishna Mandir-Patan Durbar Square-UNESCO~

...Fantastic card from the country "On top of the world " ...thousands of worshippers from around the country celebrating and offering for their Lord by an amazing temple... Thanks a lot Emil!!

The Krishna temple is built in 1637 in the Shikhara style, imported from India. Beneath its 21 golden pinnacles are three floors. The first floor enshrines Krishna, the second Shiva, and the third Lokeshwor. Scenes from the Ramayana narrated in Newari script decorate the interior of the temple.

Legend says that it was built because of a dream. One night, King Siddhi Narasigh Malla dreamt that the gods Krishna and Radha were standing in front of the palace. The King ordered a temple built on the same spot. During a war with a neighboring kingdom a decade later, the King emerged victorious after calling on Krishna to vanquish his enemies. In gratitude, the King built a replica of the temple inside the Sundari Chauk courtyard.

The most important monument of the city is Patan Durbar Square, which has been listed by UNESCO as one of seven Monument Zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site. The monument zone of Patan Durbar Square is one of the seven monument zone of Kathmandu Valley.The seven monument zones were included in the World Heritage List in 1979 as one integrated site.


With great stamps!

From the Architecture (Classical) series:
Yetser Jangchubling Monastery-Upper Dolpa (Issued 30-12-2011)
And from the Geography&Meteorology serie:
Badaiya Taai-Bardiya (Issued 30-12-2011)

CHINA

CN-541221... I do like the back of this card more than its front... I'm not so into "cute" postcards (although those little bunnies looking really sweet :D)... Thanks Kiel!

With really lovely stamps: Rock Painting in Helan Mountain (Issued 23-09-1998)
Next two: Shennongjia; Grasland on Yhe mountain and Primitive Forest (Issued 06-06-1998)

NETHERLANDS ~Rotterdam~

Great offical (NL-1366222) aerial view of Rotterdam...It's always nice to receive a postcard from a "neighbour" and in the same language as me, dutch! Heel erg bedankt Djube!!

With two self adhesive stamps, love and cube stamp.(Issued 1-07-2010)

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world.Rotterdam is known as a city of architecture. A few square kilometres of the city centre offers a complete overview of what the 20thC has produced in terms of modern architecture.