AUSTRIA ~ Animals in the Alps ~

... Great postcard showing many native animals to the Alpine region... the Alps are one of the last remaining areas with truly wild places in central Europe... they are one of the last strongholds of nature.... the mountain ranges of the Alps and the Carpathians, which straddle the border of Austria and Slovakia, are the largest sources of biodiversity in Central Europe... the animals and plants that you might encounter in Austria are exceptionally diverse.... there are approximately 43.000 native species of animals... the Austrian Alps are also home to a large bird population... dawn and dusk are the best times for wildlife-watching... if you're lucky😉... with beautiful EUROPE White-tailed Eagle Bird stamp... Thanks a lot Dustin!(✿ ♥‿♥)

The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe separating Southern from Central and Western Europe and stretching approximately 1,200 km (750 mi) across eight Alpine countries: France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. The original meaning of the word was 'white'.

The mountains are divided into the Western Alps and the Eastern Alps. The Eastern Alps belong to Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Switzerland.

In Austria you'll find a predominantly Central European fauna: deer, stag, rabbit, pheasant, fox, badger, marten, partridge. Native to the Alpine regions are the chamois, groundhog, eagle and mountain jackdaw. Characteristic of the Pannonian fauna is the vast bird population in the reed beds of Lake Neusiedl (heron, spoonbill, scooper, wild goose, and many more).

In recent years, Austria is home again to a small bear population, which can mainly be found in the heavily wooded southern and central mountain regions.

Stamp:

National Birds
(Issued 09-05-2019)

PHILIPPINES ~ Paoya Church - Manila - UNESCO ~

.... Lovely views of one of the oldest churches in the Philippines... by far the most popular and visited... located in the middle of Manila in the historic district area called Intramuros... this Baroque Church represent a fusion of European church design (Baroque) and local construction techniques and decorations....  made of thick coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks, sealed with a mixture of limestone mortar and sugarcane juice... their specific characteristics include a separate bell-tower... and 24 enormous 1.67 m tick buttresses on both sides of the structure, to withstand the powers of earthquakes common in the region... as a centerpiece inside the church is the gold plated altar with a figure of its patron Saint Augustine... it's the only church to have survived the bombing by the Japanese in WWII in the Intramuros.... Thanks Marlon!【ツ】

The Saint Augustine Church commonly known as the Paoay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in the Municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The construction was commenced in 1694 and was completed in 1710.

Four churches were selected to make up this WHS, as samples of the development of this Phillipine-Hispanic style over a period of more than 150 years (16th-18thC). On the UNESCO list since 1993.

These four are:
San Agustin (Manila)
La Asuncion (Santa Maria)
San Agustin (Paoay)
Santo Tomas (Miag-ao)

Stamps:

3X Philippine Flowers
(Issued 23-04-2018)

GERMANY ~ Wismar - UNESCO ~

... Great postcard showing typical red Brick Gothic buildings ... a small idyllic Hanseatic port-town on the shores of the Baltic Sea... the main highlights of Wismar are the 3 Gothic red brick churches...the  St Nicholas Church, the St George's Church and St. Mary's Church (only the tower is left)... visit the huge market square, one of the largest in northern Germany... and the neo-classical Rathaus or town hall which houses an exhibition in the basement about the history of the town... take a boat trip around the working harbour where you may spot everything from massive cruise ships to small sailing boats... this scenic fisher town and its stunning beaches and forests attracts tourists from all over the world....more than 2.4 million day trippers a year... Big Thanks once more dear Dustin! ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿...  Be sure to have a look at the once more wonderful special postmark!!👍

Photo: Ⓒ D. Radke
With its origins as a Slavic settlement, Wismar's recorded history began in the 12th century. At various times, Wismar has been part of Mecklenburg, Sweden or Germany, including East Germany.

It became part of Germany in 1871, though Sweden officially renounced its claims to the city only much later, in 1903.

Wismar's old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002.

Stamps:

Flora - Flowers
(Issued 08-06-2017)

 Architecture | Art | Buildings | Interior Design (Issued 04-04-2019)

BRAZIL~ Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás - UNESCO ~

... Great views of a unique small colonial town in Brazil... a well preserved historical centre with peaceful atmosphere that has preserved much of its colonial heritage... also known as Goias Velho, and lies magically in the Serra Dourrado hills.... this town is living proof and witness of how central Brazil was occupied and colonized during the 18th and 19th centuries... the settlement of Goías is closely linked to the discovery of gold and precious stones... home to baroque churches, old houses, chapels, cobblestone streets and interesting museums... Thanks Rubens!!【ツ】

Goías was founded during the Gold Rush that took place in 18th century in Brazil by the famed Bandeirante explorer Bartolomeu Bueno da Silva, nicknamed Anhangüera, and was called in colonial times Vila Boa ("good village" in Portuguese). It dates from 1727, its name being a tribute to the Goyaz Indians, the inhabitants of the area before the arrival of the Europeans.

In 2002, the Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stamps:

Musical Instruments
(01-07-2002)

The 200th Anniversary of Independence - King João VI
(Issued 16_05-2018)

HONDURAS ~ Maya Site of Copan - UNESCO ~

... Great views of one of the best, well managed ancient Maya Sites... a jewel of Mayan architecture and sculpture... Copan, considered by many as one of the most important and impressive cities of the ancient Maya civilization to visit... the recovered and partially restored ruins that are possible to visit, make only one small part of what this beautiful city was at its peak stage during the classic Mayan period... the museum nearby  is among the best on-site museums... it has the real stellae (several stellae in the ruins are replicas)...  the site sit in an unbelievably lush valley, it is easy to spot a variety of resident animals that roam around the ruins...  among those are monkeys, guacamayas (large parrots), macaws, sloths, and peccaries...Thanks a lot Cesar!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

"Altar Q - Maya stelae"
Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. It was the capital city of a major Classic period kingdom from the 5th to 9th centuries AD.The site was abandoned shortly after 900.

These are the major areas of interest:
-The Acropolis
-The Great Plaza
-Stelaes
-The Hieroglyphic Stairway
-The Tunnels
-Copan Sculpture Museum
-Las Sepulturas

The ruins were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1980.

Stamp:

Tourism - Beautiful Honduras
(28-06-2016)

BERMUDA ~ St. George's Town - UNESCO ~

... Many lovely views of the beautiful and historic town of St. George’s... the oldest surviving English town in the New World... and my second postcard ever from this exotic island after collecting for over 10 years now😃👍... make a step back in time... this well-preserved charming town and nearby fortress are a haven for British colonial architecture, which features brightly painted stones and masonry buildings... you can also visit Tobacco Bay Beach, a popular pink sand beach and  an excellent spot for snorkeling... Big Thanks Andrene! \_(♥‿♥)_/

Bermuda is a British overseas territory located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It consists of 138 islands that form a fishhook-shaped landmass.  Bridges and causeways connect the eight largest islands.

St. George's Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named in honour of the patron saint of England, though it is indirectly regarded as being named for the founder of the Bermuda colony, Englishman Admiral Sir George Somers.

In 2000, the Historic Town of St. George and its Related Fortifications became a UNESCO WHS site.

Stamps:

2X Flowers - Bermuda in Bloom
(Issued 16-07-2015)

CYPRUS ~ Church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) - Pelendri - UNESCO ~

.. Beautiful and impressive frescoes scenes all over the walls and ceiling from the Church... showing the life of the Virgin Mary... there are thirteen scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary painted in the west arch and another two on the west wall... this makes it the most elaborate “life cycle” of the Virgin Mary extant in Cyprus... they have simple straight lines and shiny earth colours... the frescoes are also of great importance because they cover a large part of the history of Cyprus...Thank you Andrene!!  ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)

This church is at the southern end of the village of Pelendri. It is a one-aisled type church with a dome. The church was destroyed and the only one rescued was the arch, which was incorporated into a new church of the same type in the 14thC. In the middle of the 14thC, the northern chapel was added to the east with a straight wall instead of an arch, and in the 16thC the southern chapel, which has an arch, was added.

There are frescoes from the 12thC until the 16thC. The main part of the temple was decorated with frescoes of the 14thC, from at least three painters. The palaeological style was used by the first painter, the second painter was more linear and stylised and the latter followed the Byzantine technique.

In 1985 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List which included nine other painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos range.

Stamps:

Refugee Stamp (Issued 2018)

Houses of the Mediterranean
(Issued 09-07-2018)

SLOVENIA ~ Lake Bled - Julian Alps ~

... Beautiful tranquil lake views in amazing surroundings... with a church on an islet, a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps... makes this charming and picturesque town of Bled Slovenia's most popular resort... no motorized boats are allowed on the Lake... the place for fun water activities like boating, swimming or just sitting on the banks... an easy walk around the lake takes about an hour and a half with many spots to stop for the perfect picture... Thanks a lot David!!【ツ】

© Photo: Marco Cufar
Lake Bled  is a lake in the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia, where it adjoins the town of Bled.

The Julian Alps are a mountain range that stretch from northeastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 m at Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia and of the former Yugoslavia, divided into the Eastern and Western Julian Alps.

They are named after Julius Caesar, who founded the municipium of Cividale del Friuli at the foot of the mountains. The Julian Alps cover an estimated 4,400 km2 (of which 1,542 km2 lies in Italy).

Stamps:

Houses of the Mediterranean
(Issued 09-07-2018)

World Design Day
(Issued 23-03-2018)

NAMIBIA ~ Birds ~

... One more African beauty... postcard showing many beautiful birds... home to ± 600 bird species including the worlds largest bird the Ostrich and heaviest bird the Kori Bustard.... with only one true endemic bird, the Dune Lark and 14 near endemic species... the contrasting and diverse landscape with its variety of habitats provides for a wide diversity of bird species.... making it a paradise for birding enthusiasts and one of the best birding places in Africa🦅... Hééél Erg Bedankt Julien en Annie!!¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Gaining independence in 1990, Namibia is one of Africa’s “newer” nations.

Namibia is politically stable and a safe country to visit offering spectacular scenery, untouched wildernesses, vast game reserves, superb wildlife and fascinating cultural experiences. It has the second lowest population density (6.6 people per sq mi) of any country in the world (Mongolia has the lowest).

Stamp

Frogs of Namibia
(Issued 23-03-2011)

UK ~ Wordsworth's Lakeland - Grasmere - Lake District National Park - UNESCO ~

... Lovely views of the village of Grasmere... I love postcard of places connected with famous people... it is international important for being a centre for Wordsworth heritage, based on the several houses in the parish in which the greatest of the Romantic poets William Wordsworth lived and where he is buried... Spring is the best time to visit one of the most popular destinations in the Lake District National Park... it was while walking to Grasmere from Pooley Bridge on 15 April 1802 that William(1770-1850) and Dorothy Wordsworth first saw the daffodils along the shore of Ullswater which inspired his most famous poem... Thanks so much Andene!!(✿◠‿◠) (the daffodils are also blooming beautifully in my garden now🌾)

Grasmere village is a village in the centre of the English Lake District. It takes its name from the adjacent lake, and has associations with the Lake Poets. The poet William Wordsworth, who lived in Grasmere for 14 years, described it as "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found."

The Lake Poets were a group of English poets who all lived in the Lake District of England, at the turn of the 19thC. As a group, they followed no single "school" of thought or literary practice then known. They were named, only to be uniformly disparaged, by the Edinburgh Review. They are considered part of the Romantic Movement. The three main figures of what has become known as the Lakes School were William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Robert Southey.

The English Lake District became a UNESCO WHS in 2017.

Stamp:

Acorn - Oak Tree
(Issued ???)

POLAND ~ Narew National Park ~

... Beautiful Polish National Park view nr 10 in my collectionツ... in total there are 23 NP in the country... the most important value is its unique river system... a network of interconnected channels which flow throughout this area... nicknamed the "Polish Amazon"... also an important water reservoir and marsh birds find here a place to rest during their migrations..... the best way to explore its waters is by kayak or "pychówka", a traditional Polish boat.... or walking on footbridges... with nice special postmark... Thanks once more Krystyna!!【ツ】

Narew National Park is a National Park in eastern Poland, created in 1996. The total area of the Park is 73.5 km2, of which only 20.57 km2 is state-owned, the balance being privately held.

The park covers the Upper Narew Valley, a swampy area between the towns of Suraz and Rzedziany. Around 90% of Park’s area are either swamps or waters with the Narew as the main river, which splits in the area into many river beds, but also numerous smaller rivers.

Stamps:

Weather Phenomenon
(Issued 25-04-2008)

Flowers and fruits
(Issued 07-12-2015)

Flowers and Fruits
(Issued 20-10-2016)

MALI ~ Harbour - Mopti ~

... Great postcard nr2 from world traveler David's African adventure... and congratulations, he now has been to all countries on the African continent☝... don't think many people can say that... at the river harbour primary and most important is the loading and unloading of cargo and passengers... you can even see horses on the "Tombouctou", a large passenger boat o͜͡o... the city of Mopti is also called "the Venice of Mali" thanks to the pinnaces (ship's boat) each with their unique colors that lines the port... Big Thanks once more David!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Mopti is located at the confluence of the Niger and Bani rivers in eastern Mali. Originally a small fishing village, Mopti has become an important commercial town and the centre of Mali’s fishing and livestock industries.

The town is located on three islands and is one of the most densely populated areas in Mali. The harbour is situated along the Bani River in the Inner Niger Delta.

 Major crops grown in the surrounding area are onions, millet, rice, cassava, and peanuts. Livestock raising and fishing are also significant.

The major population groups are the Dogon, Fulani, Bambara, Bozo, Bwa, Songhai, and Tukulor.



Photo: Diango Cissé

Stamps:

Timbuktu Manuscripts
(Issued 2015)

Exhibits from the National Museum
(Issued 2001-2003)

Fauna - Wild Cats
(Issued 11-01-2014)

CANADA ~ By Ward Market - Ottowa - Ontario ~

... Lovely view of one of the largest and longest-running farmers’ markets in Canada, ... and oldest food market in Ottawa ... a historic landmark in the heart of the city with stalls inside and out....the market offers a variety of Canadian products and foods from all over...  this area has an averages of 50.000 visitors per weekend in the summer months... Thanks a lot Glenn!!【ツ】

The By Ward Market was established by Lieutenant-Colonel John By in 1826. Traditionally, the By Ward Market area has been a focal point for Ottawa's French and Irish communities.

The name refers to the old 'By Ward' of the City of Ottawa ('By' deriving from the surname of the engineer, Colonel John By, who was the area's original surveyor). The district comprises the main commercial part of the historic Lower Town area of Ottawa.

Stamps:

1&3 Canada Post Community Foundation  (Issued 25-09-2017)

Diwali - Joint Issue with India
(Issued 21-09-2017)

ISLE OF MAN ~ Lady Isabella - The Laxey Wheel ~

... Great views of the world's largest surviving waterwheel... a brilliant example of Victorian engineering... the most visible remains of a once extensive mining industry... one of the Island’s most iconic tourist attractions for over 150 years... a climb to the top is rewarded with beautiful panoramic views across the Laxey Valley... Thanks James!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

The Laxey Wheel (also known as Lady Isabella) is a large waterwheel built in the village of Laxey on the Isle of Man. Designed by Robert Casement, it has a 72-foot-6-inch (22.1 m) diameter, is 6 feet (1.83 m) wide and revolves at approximately three revolutions per minute.

It was built in 1854 to pump water from the Glen Mooar part of the ‘Great Laxey Mines’ industrial complex and it served the mine for 70 years. The wheel was named "Lady Isabella" after the wife of Lieutenant Governor Charles Hope who was the island's governor at that time.

It is currently maintained by Manx National Heritage as part of the Great Laxey Wheel & Mines Trail.

Stamps:

Matt Sewell’s Birds
(Issued 24-03-2016)

ANDORRA ~ The church of Santa Coloma - The Church of Santa Joan de Caselles ~

... Beautiful picturesque views... both Romanesque churches are located in a valley with the mountains in the background... unique pieces of architecture that stood the test of time... Andorra is the the only country without its own postal system, they are operated by Spain (Correos) and France (La Poste)... both have their own stamps and mailboxes... Thanks a lot Josep and Assumpta for this lovely surprise from Spanish Post♥... with as extra bonus matching St Coloma's Church...❀◕ ‿ ◕❀ ➞http://cartesipostalsdarreu.blogspot.be/

Andorra is a tiny, landlocked independent principality in the Pyrenees mountains, South Western Europe. It the the sixth-smallest nation in Europe and the sixteenth-smallest nation in the world.

Santa Coloma Church built in pre-Romanesque, Lombardy style with a 12thC circular bell tower was built in the 8th-9th C. It is one of the oldest in the country. The Church of Santa Coloma is in the village of the same name, in the parish of Andorra la Vella.

The Church of Sant Joan de Caselles located in Canillo dates from the 11th-12th C and follows the architectural style of other Andorran Romanesque churches: it has a rectangular single nave with wooden ceiling, a semi-circular apse and Lombard-style belfry.

Since 1999 the church of Santa Coloma together with other nearby cultural landmarks are on the Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Stamps:

Animals in Art
(Issued 09-02-2016)

Christmas Stamps - St Coloma's Church.
(28-11-1979)

UK ~ Northumberland National Park ~

... Breathtaking scenery and fantastic new National Park... it remains the least populated and visited out of the 15 UK parks.... officially England's most tranquil location... it is the biggest dark sky protected area in Europe... the best place to enjoy the starry nights✰✰✰... and voted National Park of the Year in 2016... Big Thanks Andrene!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Northumberland National Park is the most northerly park in England and lies between the Scottish border and Hadrian’s Wall. The Park covers an area of 1,049km, or 405 square miles.

The Northumberland National Park landscapes include everything from bogs and swamps, to rolling farmlands and patches of forest, to steep hills and striking Roman ruins.

Northumberland National Park was officially designated on the 6th April 1956.




"Hay meadows - Upper Coquetdale, Hadrian's Wall - Hareshaw Linn - Sheep in clover - Falstone, River Breamish - Simonside and Cheviot Hills"

Photo:Ⓒ Simon Fraser

Stamp:

Universal Mail UK postage stamps
(Issued 01-06- 2012)

CHILE ~ Traditions and food ~

... A really great postcard with many views of the countries nature, culture and cuisine.... a land of extremes... from the driest place on Earth, the Atacama Desert to the fjords of Southern Chile... it is one of the biggest exporters of wine... Thanks a lot Wilmer!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Chile is a South American country occupying a long, narrow strip of land between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It borders Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and the Drake Passage.

Chilean territory includes the Pacific islands of Juan Fernández, Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas, and Easter Island in Oceania. Chile also claims about 1,250,000 square kilometres (480,000 sq mi) of Antarctica, although all claims are suspended under the Antarctic Treaty.

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of the City of Chuquicamata
(Issued 03-06-2015)

ISLE OF MAN ~ West Coast ~

... Beautiful views of the islands West Coast... with over 40 percent of the Isle of Man unpopulated and uncultivated, this island is like a natural garden... a jewel in the Irish Sea... Thanks a lot James!!❁◕ ‿ ◕❁

"Views of Nairbyl, Eary Cushlin and Basking Shark which are often seen along the West Coast." 
The Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea in the centre of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, approximately seventy miles off the coast of the north-west of England. The island is approximately 50km long and between 13 km and 24 km wide.

It is not a part of the European Union and not even a part of the United Kingdom but a self-governing Crown dependency.

Stamps:

National Heritage
(Issued 03-08-2004)

USA ~ Honolulu - Hawaii ~

...♪ ♪ Aloha ♪ ♪ from Hawaii... fantastic "glittery" (doesn't show so good here)  postcard with views from Yesterday & Today...  more than 100 world-famous beaches form a ring around Honolulu... this city is also the home of some of Hawaii’s most historic places.... must have been the perfect winter☁  getaway... with nice selection of stamps... Thanks a lot Glenn!! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀➜ Gem's World Postcards

Honolulu  is located on the south-east shore of the island of Oahu,  one of eight major islands in the state of Hawaii, in the northern Pacific Ocean.

The name Honolulu comes from the Hawaiian language and means 'sheltered harbor'.

It is the capital city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is also the largest city in Hawaii and it has the most important harbor.

Stamps:

Star Trek
(Issued 02-09-2016)

Songbirds in the Snow
(Issued 04-09-2016)

The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of John F. Kennedy
(Issued 20-02-2017)

BAHAMAS ~ Whale Watching ~

... Fantastic postcard showing the "gentle giants of the ocean" ... to see one of the most majestic and extraordinary animals on earth in the wild must be an awesome experience... and swimming with them must be unforgettable... humpbacks are true “acrobats of the sea” and will give viewers an impressive show of jumps out of the water (known as breaching) and tail and flipper slaps... whale and dolphin watching has become a popular eco-tourism activity worldwide in recent years...Thanks a lot Roy!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Photo: Nicholas Popov
From backside postcard:
"A rare transcendent experience await visitors to the southern Isles of the Bahamas. Whales, the world's largest mammals, gently glide through serene blue seas in mysterious beauty."
The southern part of the Bahamas island chain has several more islands, which are less known, sparsely populated and undeveloped from a tourism perspective.  These islands are will San Salvador, Long Island, the Exumas, Crooked and Acklins Islands, Inagua and Mayaguana.

The whales migrate annually from their summer feeding grounds in the North Atlantic to their winter playgrounds in the Caribbean, where they spend approximately three months to find a partner and mate or give birth to a calf conceived the previous year.

Stamps:

Christmas
(Issued 14-11-2016)

2X Fauna - Marine Life
(Issued 03-01-2012)