KENYA ~ Maasai people ~

... Beautiful second postcard from Andrene's African cruise🛳️... view of the most well-known African tribe with unique culture, history, diet, clothing, brutal rituals, dances, lion hunting, and much more.... like the iconic wildlife that roam the plains, they are synonymous with the savannahs of East Africa... despite the initial pressures to give up their way of life, they have managed to tightly hold on to their culture... the bright colours of the Maasai cloth, beads and other adornments are all very symbolic... the vibrant red coloured cloth represents blood and is the symbol of bravery, it is the primary colour of all the shukas worn... blue represents the sacred sky and rain that provides sustenance and graving for the cattle... green subsequently represents the grass and nourishment... orange is symbolic of their warmth, friendliness and openness... yellow is the colour of fertility, and white is the symbol of peace... visiting a local Maasai village is a popular activity during a trip to East Africa... Thanks so much Andrene! (✿◠‿◠) (An African cruise must surely have been quite a different experience!🙂) 

The Maasai make up a large part of the East African landscape between Kenya and Tanzania, particularly in and around the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park.

Unlike many other tribes in Kenya, the Maasai are semi-nomadic and pastoral.They have a fearsome reputation as and live by herding cattle and goats. Relied on these animals as their primary diet only eating/drinking milk, meat and blood. Today, they have introduced more African foods such as rice, potatoes, ugali and even japati. 

They mostly live in mud and dung huts and right outside, their animals are kept in an enclosure built of sticks, which looks quite sophisticated. This is to keep them safe from the wild animals out there: Hyenas and big cats.

"Maasai" literally means "one who speaks the Maa language". 

Stamps:

Birds

(2014)

GAMBIA ~ Kotu Beach ~

...Stunning reddish-orange sunset view with a fantastic long stretch of golden sand... this coastal town is a very popular place in Gambia for a wonderful sun holiday... the beautiful beaches with waving palm trees and the surrounding nature reserves attract many holidaymakers... this is also the reason why there are many beautiful hotels and resorts... the warm and shallow water make Kotu ideal for families... but surfers and other water sports enthusiasts can also enjoy themselves here... it is one of the most lively places to be in The Gambia... Thanks a lot dear Andrene!(✿ ♥‿♥) 

The Gambia is a small country located on the western coast of Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for its coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Banjul is the capital and largest city of the country. 

Gambia is named after the Gambia River, which runs through the country.

The country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1965, and celebrates Independence Day annually.

Photo: Lotta Källarbo

 

Stamp: 

Butterflies 

 Issued 04-04-2005)

FAROE ISLANDS ~ Fugloy Island - Kirkja ~

... Great view of one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places on Earth.... unique nature, history and culture... Kirkja is located on the south-tip of the island... one of two villages on the island of Fugloy... Kirkja means  "Church" and is named after a church on this location in the middle ages... but despite their rich history, the future does not look bright for either Hattarvík or Kirkja... during the last half of the 20th century, these two settlements have not been able to keep up with modernization and the population has fallen steadily (Kirkja has a population of only 31 habitants)... without steady communications, the two settlements will become vacation settlements in a few decades... Thanks a lot josep&Assumpta! (✿◠‿◠)

Fugloy is the Faroe Islands’ easternmost island, but unlike other small islands in the Faroes, it is divided in two settlements, each with their own identity. Both settlements are without a doubt quite old, but while Hattarvík is probably the original name of the settlement, the name of Kirkja dates back to more recent times. 

The Faroe Islands are an archipelago of 18 islands of which 16 are inhabited in the North Atlantic Ocean, situated roughly midway between Iceland, Norway and the northern tip of Scotland. They are an autonomous country, self-governing but within the Kingdom of Denmark. Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands and fishing is the most important Faroese industry.

 

Stamp:

Villages: Kirkja & Hattarvík

(Issued 19-02-2021)

GERMANY ~ Rosgarten Museum - Constance ~

... Nice scene of the newly elected Pope Martin V riding through the city to the cathedral... part of one of the most prominent testimonials to the history of Constance "the Richental Chronicle"... in his richly illustrated chronicle, Constance citizen Ulrich Richental recorded events of the Council of Constance, which took place between 1414 and 1418... on large-size paper pages, the chronicler, in his Upper German Alemannic dialect, wrote about important occasions and small everyday occurrences... five illustrators later enriched his descriptions with coloured pen and ink drawings... the Constance manuscript was compiled around 1465... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】

The Rosgartenmuseum was built in 1454 as a guild house for butchers and is located right in the middle of Constance’ historic centre. The museum has been here since 1870, when it was founded by a Constance pharmacist. 

It is one of the oldest of its kind in the region and offers a rich collection of historical artifacts and artworks that tell the story of the city and region.

The Council of Constance marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Catholic Church and the history of Europe in general.

 

Stamps: 

Definitive - World of Letter

(Issued 0108-2024)

Superheroes - Hulk

(Issued 01-08-2024)

SEYCHELLEN ~ Aldabra Tortoise - Aldabra Atoll - UNESCO

... One more fantastic little gem coming from Rod... Aldabra is the most remote and most interesting of all the Outer Island groups... it contains one of the most important natural habitats for studying evolutionary and ecological processes... home to nearly 95 percent of the world’s giant tortoise population... there are about 100,000 of them😮... the atoll has been well protected and preserved, so these herbivorous gentle giants are able to roam safely and freely (and, it must be said, slowly😉), nibbling grasses and leaves.... there are no hotels on the Aldabra group which, apart from visiting scientists and the occasional small cruise ship or charter boat from Mahé, sees few visitors... stone-grey carapace gives them the appearance of a living fossil... its ancestors, looking very similar to the present day animal, date from the time of the dinosaurs or earlier... with wonderful special "Tortoise" postmark👍 ...Thanks a lot Rod!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Aldabra is the world's second-largest coral atoll and is located east of the continent of Africa. It is part of the Aldabra Group of islands in the Indian Ocean that are part of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles.The Outer Islands are are divided into four main groups. They are the Amirantes Group, the Alphonse Group, the Farquhar Group and the Aldabra Group. 

The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is one of the largest tortoises in the world, native to the islands of Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. Aside from having longer and thicker tails and weighing 240 kg, males are slightly larger than females, with an average length of 122 cm. Females measure around 91 cm and weigh about 159 kg.

Aldabra was designated at UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.

© Michel Gunther/Bios  

Stamps:

Marine Life Definitives

(Issued 01-12-2012)

Seychelles India Day 

(Issued 14-01-2016)

NEW ADDRESS!!! 📮 NEW ADDRESS!!! 📮

___________________________________________________________________________________

Dear postcard friends!🙋‍♀️

From now on I have a new address... not moving, we merge (fuse)😏with a neighbouring village and hence the reason for this change of address!

GERDA THEUNIS

GROOTVELD 2

3945 TESSENDERLO-HAM

BELGIUM

                                                                                                                    Groetjes, Gerda♥

_____________________________________________________________________________________

JAPAN ~ Nezu Museum Garden - Tokyo ~

....  Lovely view of a green peaceful oasis in the heart of Tokyo... this vast and verdant Japanese garden of approximately 17,000m2 combined with the architecture designed by Kuma Kengo creates a delicate and uniquely Japanese atmosphere of serenity... 4 carefully preserved teahouses dot the garden grounds that comprise the remnant of Kaichirō's private residence, and Japanese water irises in early summer and maple leaves in autumn make for plenty of sights to see in all seasons... here is shown the Ikaruga-an/Seikeitei teahouse... Thanks Jobbo!【ツ】 (Just saying I'm still blogging)😉

Based on the collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art built by the renowned entrepreneur Nezu Kaichirō I, the Nezu Museum was opened in 1941 in Minami-Aoyama.

The four teahouses laid out in different parts of the garden are: Konintei/Bujian, Kanchu-an/Ushibeya, Hikinsai/Ichiju-an, and Ikaruga-an/Seikeitei, each with its own distinctive features.

Stamps:

Edo-Tokyo

(Issued 03-03-2023)

Edo-Tokyo

(Issued 11-01-2023)

Doraemon 50th Anniversary

(20-05-2020)

ETHIOPIA ~ Aksum - UNESCO ~

... Great view of the "Chapel of the Tablet" supposedly containing the Biblical Ark of the Covenant upon which the Ten Commandments are inscribed... nobody really knows where the actual Ark of the Covenant is hiding, or whether it really exists... Aksum is considered to be a sacred site of Christianity... there is a long-standing religious legend in Ethiopia that describes how the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia 3,000 years... Menelik I was the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and it is believed by Ethiopians to have brought the Ark of the Covenant containing the Ten Commandments from Jerusalem to Axum... here is no historical proof, but Ethiopians believe it is still there... one of the most holiest places in the word but you can watch this only outside and from the distance and the area around it is off limits to women... Thanks a lot Rod for this wonderful surprise!(✿◠‿◠)

The ruins of the ancient city of Aksum are found close to Ethiopia's northern border. They mark the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Aksum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The massive ruins, dating from between the 1st and the 13th century A.D., include monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs and the ruins of ancient castles.

Aksum is a UNESCO World Heritage and was inscribed into the UNESCO list in 1980.
 

Stamps

Frogs of Ethiopia

(2022)

Stamp Fishes 

(20222)

GERMANY ~ The Climate House 8° Ost. - Bremerhaven ~

... Nice views of the Climate Experience Center... the tour along the 8° of longitude East leads through sceneries that are built true to original locations... trom the Swiss mountains through the desert of the Sahel and the pack ice of Antarctica, along the South Sea beach of Samoa and back to the North Sea coast... mixture between a science center, climate museum and theme park... an ideal place to learn about our world climate and how climate changes impacts the daily lives of individuals living in those climates... and that we have an ethical responsibility to protect environmental quality... with lovely matching stamp and special postmark👍... Big Thanks Dustin! (✿ ♥‿♥)

The Klimahaus Bremerhaven is located at the Old Harbor and is part of the Havenwelten and its shaped resembles a boat.

The Klimahaus was opened on 25 June 2009 by the Irish musician and human rights activist Bob Geldof . It is, alongside the already existing North Sea Science Center , the second science center in Bremerhaven and, together with the Universum Bremen , the third in the state of Bremen.

Stamp:

Natural Climate Protection 

(Issued 05-09-2024)

GElUKKIG NIEUWJAAR - HAPPY 2025!

I wish love and peace for everyone in the new year... I wish a safe and happy world in the new year... I wish a year full of happiness, health and joy for all my postcard friends and blog followers...                                                                             - Gerda ❤️

USA ~ Historic Moravian District - Bethlehem - Pennsylvania - UNESCO ~

... Nice aerial view of a settlement that serves as a prime example of Moravian architecture and town planning... it is the first permanent, best-preserved, and most important Moravian Church settlement in North America.... played a key role in both the international and American Moravian communities... also known as the Christmas City, this Lehigh Valley city was originally settled by the Moravians and got its name on Christmas Eve in 1741... the history, the charm and the unique Moravian heritage makes it a great place to visit... it is  known for its holiday magic, happenings, events, and light displays... Thanks Elena! (✿◠‿◠)

Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District constitutes approximately 14 acres in the heart of the City of Bethlehem and was created under the auspices of the original Moravian congregation in Hernhut, Germany. It was to be the principal center for Moravians in the New World serving as both the religious and administrative center. From here, they sent missionaries throughout the American colonies and to the West Indies.

In 2024, it became a World Heritage Site, together with other Moravian church settlements in Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

 

Stamps:

Flags 

(Issued 24-04-1981)

Peace Rose

(Issued 21-04-2018)

Tiffany Lamp

(Issued 07-03-2008)

Pinback Buttons

(Issued 15-08-2024)

GERMANY ~ The Universum - Bremen ~

... Nice museum view where you go on an extraordinary journey of discovery into the world of science... set across two buildings and several floors, Universum is full of interactive activities and experiments... you can explore in the open air as well... it has a theme on each floor: Nature, Humans and Technology...  more than 250 exhibits let you experience and understand scientific phenomena up close and with all your senses... there is such a range of things to try, such as a simulated earthquake, insights into your own body such as watching the pupils of your eyes change size in different lights, and seeing how a tornado forms... it receives on average 450,000 visitors annually... with great stamp and special postmark about Rock legend Freddie Mercury from the  "Legends of Pop/Rock Music" series👍... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】   

The Universum opened in September 2000 near to the University of Bremen and covers  over 4,000 m2.

The main building, which houses the permanent exhibition, is covered with 40,000 stainless steel shingles and was designed by the Bremen architect Thomas Klumpp . The shape of the building is reminiscent of a mixture of a whale and a mussel.

Stamp:

Personalities - Freddie Mercury

(Issued 05-09-2024)

SCOTLAND ~ Season's Greetings ~

...With Christmas🎅🎄🦌🌟 and New Year🎇⛄❄️ almost here it's time to start posting my first lovely "Season's Greeting card"... from dear postcard friend Andrene... and thanks so much for also this year sharing 2024 in a lovely family news letter😍... it is such a nice thing to do, and I'm honored to be included... hope 2025 will bring happiness, joy, love and good health to you and your loved ones!!💖💝💖Thanks a lot dear Andrene & Ron, sending a virtual hug!!😍

A charity christmas card to support the NSPCC, the leading children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. The charity helps children who have been abused to rebuild their lives, they protect those at risk and find ways to prevent abuse from ruining more lives.
 

Stamp: 

Christmas -Westminster Cathedral 

(Issued 05-11-2024)

MYANMAR (Burma)~ Kanbawza Thardi Palace - Bago ~

... A picturesque palace view coming from the "Golden Land"... though this palace is a replica... the original was burnt down in the 16thC... it is still beautiful with gold painted decoration, big teak timber and remaining original teak posts... all the detail work on the palace structure is remarkable... it gives an impression of the splendor and wealth of the second Burmese empire and an insight in the Burmese history and architecture... the visitors can also explore the Nandawya research museum, which exhibits items and artifacts found during the excavations, as well as information about the history of the second empire... Thanks a lot Jobbo!【ツ】

The original palace, built for King Bayinnaung in 1556, consisted of 76 apartments and

halls. Unfortunately, Myanmar is an unstable geologic area and earthquakes are very common. One of them along with the fire destroyed the original palace in 1599. The current building was reconstructed in 1990 and finished in 1992. It was rebuilt following the original design, based on knowledge gained from excavations and the original drawings of the building. 

Stamp: 

 Local musical instruments 

(Issued 27-07-2017)

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ~ Road Town - Tortola ~

... Lovely view of Glenn's last port stop🛳️ ... and my first postcard coming from the Virgin Islands👍😍... this beautiful part of the Caribbean is filled with slopes and peaks draped in lush tropical greenery... dozens of soft sand beaches, clear water,  coral reefs, hidden coves and a wealth of touristic infrastructure with bars, cafes and restaurants.... some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the entire Caribbean line Tortola’s shores... Big Thanks once more dear Glenn for bringing a bit of tropical sunshine🌞 in my mailbox in these dark days!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Dougai D Thornton
Road Town, located on Tortola, is the capital and largest town of the British Virgin Islands. It is situated on the horseshoe-shaped Road Harbour in the centre of the island's south coast. The name is derived from the nautical term "the roads", a place less sheltered than a harbour but which ships can easily get to. 

The British Virgin Islands (BVI), are a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles and part of the West Indies. 

The British Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, along with more than 50 other smaller islands and cays. About 16 of the islands are inhabited.

Stamps:

The 20th Anniversary of Cable and Wireless in the BVI

(Issued 28-10-1986)

MEXICO ~ Torreon - Coahuila ~

... Lovely views of a city full of history, culture, and natural beauty... the Jewel of Northern Mexico... known for its significant role in the Mexican Revolution... a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity... cowboy land with ranches, vast deserts and the most beautiful sunsets... with a great selection of lovely stamps👍... Thanks a lot Diego!(✿◠‿◠)  It's always a pleasure to see your postcard friends hometown😊...

"The Christopher Columbus Monument - Nazas Theatre - Nazas Bridge"
Torreón is located in southwestern Coahuila state, northeastern Mexico. It lies along the Nazas River at an elevation of 1,120 meters. It is is one of northern Mexico's main centers for manufacturing, services, and commercial agriculture.
 

Stamps:

The 65th Anniversary of Federal Justice Tribunal 

(Issued 23-09-2001)

2X Textile Art 

(Issued 13-10-2023)

ANTIGUA and BARBUDA ~ Dickenson Bay - St John's~

... Next postcard from Glenn's Caribbean winter escape🌞🏝️... one of Antigua’s 365 beautiful beaches is home to a boldly-coloured telephone box... the red phone booth at Siboney Beach Club has become an iconic landmark on Dickenson Bay... the bright red colour contrasts beautifully with the blue sea and the green of the surrounding palm trees... daily hundreds of "cruisers" walking through to take their photos by the phone box... but I still find it so weird seeing a red phone box against such a tropical backdrop😁... Big Thanks Glenn! \_(♥‿♥)_/ 

Dickenson Bay is located on the Northwestern coast of the island in  St. John Parish and is the most developed beach on the island, with hotels restaurants and water sports facilities.

While the official name is Antigua and Barbuda, the territory actually includes three islands. This comprises Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. Antigua is the largest island of the nation Antigua and Barbuda. It lies in the middle of the Leeward Islands and the capital is St. John's.

 

Stamp:

Chinese New Year - Year of the Monkey 

(Issued 19-01-2004)

INDONESIA ~ Ulun Danu Beratan Temple - Bali - UNESCO ~

...Wonderful picturesque temple view in the middle of a lake in perfect harmony with nature... known as the "floating temple" Ulun Danu Beratan is a visual masterpiece... thanks to the reflections of this striking temple on the smooth reflective surface of Lake Beratan... a living testament to Bali's deep-rooted spiritual traditions, dedicated to the goddess of water and central to the island's agricultural rituals... it’s one of the holiest places in the country for the locals... while not the biggest temple, it is undoubtedly one of the most photographed and visited spiritual sites on the island... Big Thanks Gian Luca and Raffaella!(✿ ♥‿♥) 

The Ulun Danu temple literally means " the beginning of the lake" was built in 1663.  The temple is used for offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess Dewi Danu, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali. The 11-storey pelinggih meru in the complex is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Parvathi. The water temple is located 1239m above sea level, sheltered on the flank of Mount Batur, the largest volcano in Bali.

The temple, along with 3 other sites in Bali, form the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province which was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012.

 

Stamp

G20 World Leader's Summit, Bali 

(Issued 24-09-2022)

INDONESIA ~ Big Komodo Lizard - Komodo Islands - UNESCO ~

... Great view of enormous pre-historic looking animals fighting... commonly known as "Komodo Dragons", due to its appearance and aggressive behavior... although not all the islands within the Komodo National Park are home to this creature, the mighty Komodo dragon reigns as king on Rinca Island... it is the best place to see them in their natural habitat because they prefer more savannah than jungle and trees... you will be guided by rangers who come from the Village of Rinca... they are very knowledgeable about the island and many different animals living in it... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella!(✿◠‿◠)

The Komodo National Park is located within the Lesser Sunda Islands. The park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Padar and Rinca, and 26 smaller ones, with a total area of 1,733 km². The national park was founded in 1980, later it was dedicated to protecting other species, including marine species.

The most remarkable inhabitant of Komodo National Park is the Komodo Lizard. These giant lizards, existing no-where else in the world, are of great scientific interest, especially for their evolutionary implications. The Komodo Lizard, is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2 to 3m.

In 1991 the national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 

Stamps:

G20 World Leader's Summit, Bali 

(Issued 24-09-2022)

USA Virgin Islands ~ Charlotte Amalie - St Thomas ~

... A fantastic view of a picturesque port city... a breathtaking Caribbean destination🌞...  this charming city, offers a unique blend of natural beauty,  historic architecture and vibrant shopping districts... the green hillsides with lush tropical foliage and colorful roofs... the blue-green seas, the white sand beaches and warm sunny days make St Thomas a tropical paradise and attracts thousands of cruise ship passengers each year... Thanks a lot Glen!!!【ツ】  

Charlotte Amalie, capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands and of St. Thomas Island is situated at the head of St. Thomas Harbor on the island’s southern shore. 

The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) are located in the Caribbean bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The USVI consist of 4 larger islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, and some 50 smaller islets and cays. 

Stamps:

Purple Heart 

(Issued 04-10-2019)

Personalities - John Wooden, 1910-2010 

(Issued 24-02-2024)

Thank You - Healthcare Community

(Issued 01-10-2024)

SCOTLAND ~ Greyfriars Bobby - Edinburgh ~

... For many visitors to Edinburgh, a must-see is the statue of Greyfriar's Bobby, a little Skye Terrier... one of the most faithful dogs of all time... it is such a heart-warming story especially for me as big dog lover (have owned dogs my whole live🐾💕)... the true story of Greyfriar's Bobby is so enchanting that even Walt Disney decided to make a movie about him... if you visit the Museum of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, you can see Bobby's collar and drinking bowl...to this day, tourists and locals alike gently rub the nose of the statue for good luck... Big Thanks dear Andrene!!! (✿◠‿◠) Enjoy your holiday!🛳️ 

John Gray was a night watchman who patrolled the Old Town every night with his dog for company. After he died his dog Bobby who had never been apart from John, refused to leave the cemetery and stayed by his owner's grave. Despite the efforts of the graveyard staff to evict Bobby, he always returned and eventually, they gave up and provided little Bobby with shelter beside John's Grave.

Bobby stayed by John's grave for 14 years until he passed away at age 16. He was buried in the same cemetery, just a few feet away from his beloved owner.

The Baroness Angelia Georgina Burdett-Coutts got permission from Edinburgh Council to erect a statue of Bobby at the junction of Candlemakers Row and George IV Bridge, just outside Greyfriars Kirkyard. The artist William Brodie was commissioned to create the statue in 1872.

© Roman Michnowicz

Stamp:

Christmas -Westminster Cathedral

(Issued 05-11-2024)

ITALY ~ Historic centre of Siena - UNESCO ~

...Beuatiful view of a small town in the heart of Tuscany... the historic centre of Siena, which has remained intact for centuries, appears today almost as it did in the fourteenth century... it feel as if you’ve been transported right back to the Middle Ages... a sea of terracotta-toned houses and gigantic sights... especially the Cathedral rising majestically in the city square....the Duomo di Siena is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture that attracts many visitors from around the world.... this stunning cathedral is filled with artistic treasures and rich history... Thanks a lot Ben & Loes!(✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Studio Donati
Siena, like other Tuscan hill towns, was first settled in the time of the Etruscans (c. 900–400 BC) when it was inhabited by a tribe called the Saina. A Roman town called Saena Julia was founded at the site in the time of the Emperor Augustus.

The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, having been a major banking center until the 13th and 14th centuries.Siena is also home to the oldest bank in the world, the Monte dei Paschi bank, which has been operating continuously since 1472. 

The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1995.

 

Stamp:

Toscana 

(stamp from a private mail company called "Globe Postal Service (GPS)". You can them only post them in GPN orange mailboxes)

RWANDA ~Memorial sites of the Genocide - Nyamata - UNESCO ~

 ... View of a silent and heartbreaking memorial to a devasting event... the interior of the Catholic Nyamata Church with piled clothes of victims covering the small pews up to knee height... you can also see bullet holes in the roof and other damage caused by various other instruments of death... these stand as a reminder of the death of thousands of ordinary, everyday people whose only crime was that they had been labelled a Tutsi on their identity card.... they also have a disturbing number of skulls and bones on display, both to allow you to pay your respects and also to ensure no one is able to deny this tradgedy... around fifty thousand victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi are buried here, including people murdered in the church and surrounding area... Thanks Karyna!(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)

The Rwandan genocide memorial centers are spread all over the country with some more prominent than others commemorating the Rwandan genocide of 1994. It is believed that over 800,000 people were killed in a space of 100 days starting in April 1994. 

In 2023, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee added four genocide memorial sites in Rwanda to the list of World Heritage Sites: Nyamata, Murambi, Bisesero and Gisozi, where the Kigali Genocide Memorial is located.
 

Stamp: 

 Folklore 

(Issued 15-11-2010)

FRANCE ~ Mont Perdu - Pyrenees - UNESCO ~

... Spectacular panoramic mountain view.. showing the Roland gap in the Hautes-Pyrénées, part of the Mont Perdu... a 40 meters wide and around 70 meters deep natural gap which opens in the cliffs and provides access to Spain... with also beautiful viewpoints, which are the Casque and the Tour de Gavarnie... certainly the most beautiful shot of the Pyrenees...  located in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park... Thanks a lot Nadia! (✿◠‿◠)

© Photo: L. Audoubert
The Pyrenees National Park was established in1967, covering six valleys from the Aspe Valley in the west to the Aure Valley in the east, with altitudes ranging from 1,000 meters to 3,298 meters at Vignemale and covers an area of 45,707 hectares. This protected area safeguards a variety of landscapes, including mountain peaks, glacial cirques, and valleys of great environmental significance bordering Spain.

The name Pyrenees-Mont Perdu refers to a vast cross-border mountain range between France and Spain included since 1997 on the list on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

 

Stamps:

International Stamp Exhibition - Paris 

(Issued 07-06-1980)

The 400th Anniversary of the Foundation of Quebec

(Issued 19-05-2008)

The 100th Anniversary of the Death of Claude Bernard

(Issued 16-9-1978)

GERMANY ~ Rosgarten Museum - Constance ~

... Nice view of the almost originally preserved guild hall in the house "Zum Rosgarten" where artisans used to hold their celebrations in the 15thC... the former butchers' guild house contains unique, faithfully preserved halls, rooms and exhibits from the time it was built... alongside prehistoric and early historical items are valuable artworks from the Middle Ages (illuminated books, sculptures, jewellery) as well as testimonies of everyday life right up to the 20th century... annual special exhibitions on topics from the art and cultural history of the region complement the permanent exhibition... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】 

Photo Thomas Dix
The Rosgartenmuseum, located in Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, is a museum dedicated to the art, culture, and history of the city and the Lake Constance region. Founded in 1870 by Ludwig Leiner, a pharmacist and city councilor from Konstanz, the museum is one of the oldest of its kind in the region. 
 

Stamps:

Definitive - World of Letter

(Issued 0108-2024)

Superheroes - Hulk

(Issued 01-08-2024)

UK ~ Ely Cathedral - Cambridgeshire ~

... Dawn in Ely with stunning Cathedral view...  a magnificent structure and the only UK building to be listed as one of the "Seven Wonders of the Medieval World"... the interior of the cathedral is not just a simple church... there are several chapels, ornate crypts, and incredible ceilings to take your breath away... visible for miles around, the Cathedral is often referred to as "The Ship of the Fens"... surrounded by beautiful parkland & meadows which are ideal for walks & picnics... an iconic building, a Christian place of worship, a tourist destination and a major film & TV location... Big Thanks once more Josep&Assumpta! (✿◠‿◠)  

Photo: Andrew Sharpe
Ely Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, is an Anglican cathedral. This cathedral can trace its origins to the 7th century when St. Etheldreda built an abbey church. The present building dates back to 1083 and is built in Romanesque style. 

Ely Cathedral is 161 metres  - the fourth longest of the English Cathedrals.  The Nave is 75 metres long, the width of the Nave and aisles is 24 metres and the height of the Nave ceiling is 32 metres.  Its most notable feature being the central Octagon lantern tower which is 52m  high and 23m  wide. 

 Stamps:

Tutankhamun 

(Issued 24-11-2022)

UK ~ The Cambridge Colleges ~

... Wonderful pen and watercoulour illustrations of the 31 Cambridge Colleges, each with its own facilities and traditions... artwork by artist K J Lewis, who lives near Cambridge since graduating from the university... Cambridge is a beautiful historic city... its elegant centre is framed by architectural triumphs, surrounded by green spaces and home to the University of Cambridge’s world-famous colleges... one of the oldest and highest-ranking universities in the world...Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! (ˆ⌣ˆԅ)  

© K J Lewis 2021
All of the University of Cambridge colleges were founded between the 13th and 20th centuries, but none were established between 1596 and 1800. This allows the colleges to be classified into two groups following their foundation date. There are 16 old colleges established between 1284 and 1596, and 15 new colleges established between 1800 and 1977. All students and the vast majority of academics are attached to a specific college within the university.

Stamps:

Flowers

(Issued 23-03-2023)