SCOTLAND ~ Linlithgow Palace - Linlithgow - West Lothian

... View of the magnificent ruin of a great Royal Palace set in its own park and beside Linlithgow Loch... a visit to Linlithgow Palace allows visitors to explore one of Scottish history’s most important royal residences, and walk in the footsteps of some of its most famous figures...  its royal connection and picturesque setting makes it an enduring tourist attraction... the palace is enormous and you’ll spend an age wandering through its countless rooms and passageways... the loch and surrounding parkland are beautiful  and great for wildlife spotting... it’s a popular filming location, as it’s also used in the Outlander series...Thanks so much Andrene!!! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ) ... must have been once more a wonderful place to visit... Hope you enjoyed your stay with family and friends!❤️😊 

©Photography by Historic Scotland
The palace was one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. Although maintained after Scotland's monarchs left for England in 1603, the palace was little used, and was burned out in 1746. 

It is the birthplace of a number of Scottish monarchs, including both James V and his daughter Mary, Queen of Scots and hosted most of the Stuart kings.

Stamp: 

 National symbols - Scotland

 (Issued 24-03-2015)

GHANA ~ Cape Coast Castle - UNESCO ~

... View of an impressive building with a grim history and a stark reminder of a horrific past... Cape Coast Castle is the largest of the buildings which contains the legacy of the trans-Atlantic slave trade... somewhere around 12 millions of enslaved Africans from regions near and far, were taken to these castles to be sold to slave ships... today, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year... but the Castle is also a place where tourists learn about Ghana's history... not only about the history of the slave trade but also the history of the country within which the slave trade occurred... Cape Coast Castle was a way station in history's largest, and darkest, forced human migration... Thanks a lot Karolyn! (✿◠‿◠)

Cape Coast Castle is situated in the small town with the same name on the central coastline of Ghana. Originally built by Sweden in the 1650s, Cape Coast Castle shifted into Danish, Dutch, and then English possession by the 1660s. In the castle's early decades, trade revolved around gold, wood, and textiles before English merchants began to seek captive Africans in large numbers. The Brits formally declared the slave trade illegal in 1807, though Cape Coast Castle remained their local headquarters on the Gold Coast until 1877. 

The Forts and Castles of Ghana, as inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979, consist of three castles, 15 forts in a relatively good condition, 10 forts in ruins and seven sites with traces of former fortifications.

 

Stamps: 

 2X The 20th Anniversary of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

(Issued 04-11-1985)

GHANA ~ Asante Traditional Buildings - UNESCO ~

... First of two lovely new African UNESCO sites... the Asante Traditional Buildings are a collection of traditionally built buildings from the time of the Ashanti Empire in the area near Kumasi, the empire’s former capital... once one of the most powerful states on the African continent, today survives only in the form of a handful of shrine complexes... decorated with richly symbolic bas reliefs, with spiral and arabesque forms and representations of animals, birds and plants... since the dwellings are made of earth, wood and straw, they are vulnerable to the onslaught of time and weather... Thanks Karolyn! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The Asante Kingdom had its golden age in the 18th century, fell during the British occupation of the area from 1806 to 1901, and most Asante buildings of the period were destroyed during the area. Among other buildings, the royal mausoleum was destroyed by Baden-Powell in 1895.

The Asante Traditional Buildings were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980.

Stamps:

2X  The 20th Anniversary of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 

(Issued 04-11-1985)

AUSTRALIA ~ Hardy Reef - Great Barrier Reef - UNESCO ~

... Great view of the renowned Hardy Reef located in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands famous for their rugged, green-clad islands, blue waters and white sands... Hardy Reef has spectacular colourful soft and hard corals and an abundance of marine life along the Reef walls... it's one of the hundreds of Reef that made up the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system and the biggest living structure on the planet... an area so large that it can be seen from space... in biological terms, the Reef is home to a treasure trove of plants and animals, many of them as yet unknown to science... one of the seven wonders of the natural world... Thanks a lot Cathy!【ツ】

Photo: Craig Lamotte
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300km over an area of approximately 344,400km2 The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland.

Hardy Reef is 13km long and located 78.3km east of the Queensland coast from Airlie Beach. Visitors usually travel by boat, which takes approximately three hours. Helicopters and seaplanes also take visitors to Hardy Reef. 

The Great Barrier Reef was declared a World Heritage Area in 1981.

Stamp: 

Bungle Bungle Range

(Issued 22-08-2022)

TRISTAN DU CUNHA ~ Inaccessible Island - UNESCO ~

... A wonderful postcard and amazing little "gem"💙 to add to my UNESCO collection... it came as a total surprise from one of the world's remotest Post Offices😮... this United Kingdom's remote Overseas Territory is sitting in solitude in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean... an uninhabited island that developed almost free from human interference, making it some of the least disturbed habitats left on earth... this isolation means they have also become home to unique arrays of plants and animals... Inaccessible island is perhaps best known for the Inaccessible Island rail, the world's smallest living flightless bird (shown on the postcard)... Thanks a million Paul! (✿ ♥‿♥)

"Top to bottom: Tristan Albatros, Sooty Albatros, Inaccessible rail." Photo: Aniket Sardana
Inaccessible Island is located in the archipelago of Tristan da Cunha on an extinct volcanic island which was active 6 million years ago. Its central area is a dissected plateau reaching 449m above sea level at the summit of Cairn Peak. It is fringed with sheer sea cliffs and only a few boulder beaches, which made generations of sailors wary of difficult landings and inhospitable terrain.

The island has one small beach, made up of pebbles, that provides a non-ideal but technically possible place to land a boat. There’s a small research cabin on one end of the beach, used every once in awhile by scientists. For most people, that’s where the trip to Inaccessible ends.

There are two explanations for the name "Inaccessible" island. One is that on maps the newly found island was referred to as "inaccessible" because the Dutch crew who landed were not able to get further inland than the beach, as they were blocked by 1000-foot high cliffs. The other claims that French captain d'Etchevery renamed the island in 1778 after not being able to land.

The islands' listing as a UNESCO WHS Site began in 1995. In 2004 the WHS boundary was extended to include Inaccessible Island and the waters surrounding the islands to 12 nautical miles, and the site name was changed to "Gough and Inaccessible Islands".

Stamp:

Vagrant Species - Salvin's Albatross  (Issued 06-10-2022)

BAHAMAS ~ Hog Island Lighthouse - Paradise Island ~

... Pretty view of the western tip of 🌞Paradise Island🌞 with the19m tall white brick lighthouse and red-lantern top... its surrounded by the ocean and to the east you can see the rest of the island including the Atlantic resorts at a distance... built in 1817, when the island was known by its previous name, Hog Island... this makes it the oldest lighthouse in the Bahamas and it is believed to be the oldest in the West Indies as well... unfortunately it has now fallen into disrepair... the lighthouse is abandoned and there is hardly any maintenance done... but you can hike along the northern coastline to get to it... Dear Glenn, it was once more a great pleasure to be a *little* part of your Caribbean cruise vacation🚢... Thanks so much!! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)  

Paradise island, with an area of 277 hectares, is located just off the shore of the city of Nassau, which is itself located on the northern edge of the island of New Providence. It is best known for the sprawling resort Atlantis with its extensive water park rides, pools, beach, restaurants, walk-in aquarium and casinos. Paradise Island is connected to the island of New Providence by two bridges that cross Nassau Harbour. 

Originally, the cay across from Nassau was called Hog Island. The island was bought by the A&P supermarket heir Huntington Hartford in 1959, and the name was changed from Hog Island to Paradise Island.

Stamp:

The 70th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II Accession to the Throne 

(Issued 17-03-2022)

GERMANY ~ Humboldt Forum - Berlin ~

... Nice view of one the biggest cultural buildings in Europe dedicated to human history, art and culture located in the historic centre of the city... Berlin’s reconstructed Prussian palace is home to the Ethnological Museum, the Museum of Asian Art, as well as temporary exhibitions and the Humboldt Lab exhibition and event spaces... the Humboldt Forum, within the beautiful walls of this Berlin Palace, is a popular meeting place and attracts national and international visitors... with a cute cat😺 stamp from the series: popular pets and special first day postmark... Thanks Dustin!❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

The Humboldt Forum in Berlin Mitte extends over an area of around 30,000 square metres and is visible from afar. 

The reconstructed baroque palace façades on the northern, southern and western sides of the Forum shine in bright quince yellow. The eastern side of the Forum on the banks of the Spree is surprising: a modern, smooth exterior façade, with the “Spree balcony” viewing platform in front and a large terrace just above the surface of the water on the riverbank.

The museum is named after the brothers Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt, who brought forward a scientific and educational model influenced by the arts and philosophy of the beginning of 19th century.

 

Stamp:

Cats

(Issued 02-02-2023)

BRAZIL ~ Saltos do Rio Preto Waterfall - Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park - UNESCO ~

...  Spectacular view of a unique and beautiful natural wonder located within the National Park... the Saltos do Rio Preto waterfall has a total height of approximately 120 meters, with several drops that form a series of pools and smaller waterfalls along the way... one oft the best waterfalls in Chapada dos Veadeiros.... surrounded by rocks, lush vegetation and  crystal clear water... Saltos do Rio Preto is a must-visit attraction for nature lovers and those who enjoy hiking and outdoor activities...  Thanks a lot Rodrigo!【ツ】

Photo: Aline Fortuna
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located in central Brazil on the top of an ancient plateau with an estimated age of 1.8 billion years.The park was created in 1961. The elevation varies from 600 to 1,691 m and represents the highest plain in the country's central area. The region is also known for the Cerrado biome, home to a very unique and rich biodiversity.

The ecosystem of the park sustains an abundance of wildlife. Some of the popular and threatened species include the anteater, capybara, giant armadillo, jaguar, maned wolf, marsh deer, pampas deer, and tapir. Some of the popular bird species include the toucan, the black vulture, and the king vulture.

In 2001 the park was declared a Natural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco.

Stamps:

2X Professions

(Issued 30-12-2005)

Popular Movements in Brazil 

(Issued 25-06-2022)

GERMANY ~ Thousand-Year Rose - Hildesheim - UNESCO

... The beautiful German city of Hildesheim is the home to what is believed to be the world's oldest living rose known as the rose of Hildesheim or the thousand-year rose... it grows on the apse of the Cathedral and its presence is documented since A.D. 815... it was thought that the bush was planted when the church was built... the rose bush slowly grew up the side of the cathedral and now continues to bloom each year usually around May... with a lovely first day special postmark... Thanks Dustin! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  

There is a legend about the rose. Once upon a time, Emperor Louis the Pious ( on the postmark) while out hunting lost a sacred relic containing a lock of St. Mary’s hair. 

His men looked everywhere and finally found it in the forest, hanging on a wild rose tree.The king thanked God and built a cathedral where the rose tree stood.

The cathedral was destroyed by Allied bombers in 1945 during the Second World War, but the roots of the rose bush survived and it blossomed again among the ruins. According to legend, while the rose bush flourishes, Hildesheim will prosper. 

The cathedral and the adjacent St. Michael's Church have been on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 1985.

 

Stamp:

World of Letters 

(Issued 01-03-2022)

SENEGAL ~ Bandia Nature Reserve ~

...  Lovely views of Bandia wildlife reserve located in the classified forest of Bandia that boasts 500 hectares of baobabs and acacias... it has succeeded in reintroducing much of the marvellous native flora and of some of the most best-known African animals... it’s an amazing experience which gives you a chance to get close to most of these mammals and reptiles (excluding predators) and watch beautiful bird species... visitors can get around the reserve in a private car or in the reserve’s own safari trucks which can be hired on site... a visit of the park is worthwhile for every nature lover... Big Thanks Gian Luca and Raffaella!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ Must have been a fantastic holdiay!😊👍 

© Photos Laurent Gerrer Simon
The Bandia Reserve is a small nature reserve in located 65 km from Dakar in North Senegal. The area of this reserve is 3500 hectares and fully fenced. Created in 1990,  Bandia is privately-owned conservation park, which takes good care of the animals and their reproduction.

In addition to the fauna and flora, visitors can also see replicas of Serere pyramids with burial chambers, griot (traditional story tellers and entertainers) tombs in the hollow of a thousand year old baobab containing authentic human bones, a charcoal makers’ grindstone, Peulh huts, etc...

 Stamps: 

The 24th Paris-Dakar Rally

(Issued 13-01-2002) 

Transport in Senegal

(Issued 2002-2004)

SENEGAL ~ Flag ~

... First of two more fantastic African beauties💚... a pretty flag view from the FOTW series... although Senegal’s flag is relatively new it still contains a lot of important symbolism... the green, yellow, and red tricolors are the colors of the Pan-Africanist movement that represents unity amongst the African countries... the green five-pointed star is on the flag as a symbol of freedom and hope... adopted in 1960, it has been the flag of the Republic of Senegal since the country gained independence from France that year... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffealla! (✿◠‿◠)

Senegal is the westernmost country of Africa. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north. Dakar is the capital and largest city.

Stamps:

The 24th Paris-Dakar Rally

 (Issued 13-01-2002)

Transport in Senegal

(Issued 2002-2004)

GERMANY ~ Henry the Lion tomb - Brunswick ~

...  View of the sculptures on the tomb of Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, and his second wife Matilda of England in Brunswick Cathedral... of which he was the founder... this Gothic tombstone depicts the Duke as a young soldier with the model of the cathedral in his hand... the “Lion's portal” is in the northern part of the cathedral beneath the alter.. with great special postmark👍 to commemorate the dead of the first German Pope, Benedict XVI... Thanks Dustin! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Henry the Lion 1129/1131 – 1195 was a member of the Welf dynasty who ruled as the duke of Saxony and Bavaria from 1142 and 1156, respectively, until 1180.

Henry was one of the most powerful German princes of his time. At the height of his reign he ruled over a vast territory stretching from the coast of the North and Baltic Seas to the Alps, and from Westphalia to Pomerania. Henry achieved this great power in part by his political and military acumen and in part through the legacies of his four grandparents.

In 1168, Henry married Matilda (1156–1189), the daughter of King Henry II of England and Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine and sister of King Richard I of England.

Stamp:

World of Letters 

(Issued 07-07-2022)

DENMARK ~ Christiansfeld - UNESCO ~

....Nice view of the Moravian church in the protestant Settlement Christiansfeld... Denmark’s largest church interior without supporting pillars and with capacity for up to 1000 people... the architecture of the church is of a wonderful simplicity.... this interesting small town is a unique cultural heritage... all the historic buildings are so well-preserved that it’s considered the best example of Moravian Church architecture in the world... it contains more than 1,000 places of particular history and culture, or landscapes, that should be protected for future generations... the old buildings are still in use today, and many are still owned by the Moravian Church and retain their original uses... Thanks a lot Karolyn!【ツ】 

Christiansfeld was founded in 1773 as a planned settlement of the Moravian Church (a non-conformist Lutheran congregation from Germany) and named after the Danish king Christian VII. The town was designed to represent the Protestant urban ideal, centred around a simple church square. 

The church was consecrated in 1777, and 20 years later the two side wings were added. The large room is completely white without an altar, font or wall decoration. Nor are there a pulpit, but just a liturgy table where the minister can lead the church service. The lighting in the church consists of the old handmade chandeliers from 1776. The wooden floor is sanded and untreated. In the church you'll find the great Marcussen-organ from 1865 containing 20 stops.

Christiansfeld was added on the UNESCO WHS list in 2015

 Stamp:

Astronomy

(Issued 03-01-2022)

USA ~ Shenandoah National Park - Virginia ~

... Nice view of the Skyline Drive from the north Entrance of Shenandoah National Park near Front Royal... the most popular activity in the park is to drive this famous Skyline Drive as it navigates its way along the Blue Ridge Mountains... It will feel like just about around every bend there’s a terrific view... it’s easy to fill a day by simply driving and enjoying those panoramic views, including those that only require a short walk to reach the best vantage points... although this narrow strip of Virginia wilderness is only a little over 160km long... you’ll discover abundant examples of Virginia wildlife, nature, and magnificent mountain views... USA National Park nr 30!😀👍Thanks a lot Mark & Nancy!ヽ(ヅ)ノ 

Photo: Ann & Rob Simpson
Shenandoah National Park is located in North Virginia and was established in 1935. The park has four entrances and covers a total area of  308 km², the lowest point is 161m at an unnamed stream and the highest point in Shenandoah is 1352m at Hawksbill Peak.

The park is comprised primarily of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountain Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world formed over 300 to 500 million years ago.

"Shenandoah" is derived from native American languages, most likely the Algonquin “schind-han-do-wi.” Many translations have been proposed, but the most enticing is "Beautiful Daughter of the Stars." 

 Stamps

2X Definitive - Red Pears

(Issued 23-03-2017)

Definitives - Flags

(Issued 09-01-2022)

Go Beyond 

(Issued 03-08-2022)

BELGIUM ~ Circuit de Spa Francorchamps ~

... Great aerial view of the Spa Francorchamps racetrack 🏎️ located in the stunning Belgian Ardennes surrounded by fir forests... it is one of the oldest tracks in the world and regularly voted as the best by drivers from all over the world... thanks to the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack the little place of Francorchamps became world famous... it is heaven for every motor sports enthusiast... each year the Belgian F1 Grand Prix🏁 and the 24 hours of Spa races take place attracting tens of thousands of spectators... with nice stamp and special postmark👍 "The Great Spas of Europe" highlighting the town "Spa" one of Belgium’s most popular tourist destinations, being renowned for its natural mineral springs and production of “Spa” mineral water, which is exported worldwide and on the UNESCO WHS list since 2021... Thanks so much Johan for once more three special and unique philatelic items!!【ツ】

© La Photo Postale éditions
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is a 7.004 km motor-racing circuit located in Stavelot. Hosting its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985 (except 2003 and 2006).

The circuit has undergone several redesigns through its history, most extensively in 1979 when the track was modified and shortened from a 14.100 km circuit using public roads to a 7.004 km permanent circuit due to safety concerns with the old circuit.

Stamp:
 

Great Spas of Europe - Belgium

(Issued 23-01-2023)

BELGIUM ~ Capital of Art Nouveau - Brussels ~

.... 2023 will be the year of Art Nouveau in Brussels... 130 years after the construction of Victor Horta's iconic Hôtel Tassel, known as the very first Art Nouveau building in Brussels our capital takes advantage of this anniversary to celebrate Art Nouveau in all its diversity... this year's program includes a variety of initiatives, architectural masterpieces open to the public, workshops, lectures, publications, interior visits, city guided tours... in spite of Brussels’ city planning free-for-all between the end of the Second World War and the late 1960s, Brussels still has more than 500 Art Nouveau buildings... almost every street corner reveals splendid façades which often hide idyllic interiors... with great stamp (The Nymphs lamp) dedicated to this artistic movement and wonderful first day postmark👍... Hééééél Erg Bedankt Johan!¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

The Former Old England department store dates from 1899. Since 2008, the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) has been located there.

Art Nouveau is an international art movement and style based on organic forms. It was seen in modern art, graphic design, architecture and applied arts such as decoration, jewellery, ceramics and glass. It peaked in popularity at the fin de siècle of the late 19thC (1890–1905), and continued until the First World War. 

Stamp:

The Year of Art Nouveau in Brussels

(Issued 23-01-2023)

BELGIUM ~ Queen Mathilde ~

... First of three great postcards with Belgium's newest released stamps and lovely first day postmarks👍... in January Queen Mathilde turned 50... in celebration of this happy milestone, the Belgian royal family released two elegant new portraits of Mathilde... this postcard shows our Queen wearing a gorgeous fuchsia-coloured dress by Armani, which she has already worn twice during foreign state visits and the spectacular Nine Provinces Tiara... the other one was aso used for a new commemorative stamp by Bpost in honour of this birthday...Thanks a lot Johan! (✿◠‿◠)

Queen Mathilde was born on 20 January 1973 in Uccle, Belgium, working as a speech therapist before marrying Prince Philippe in 1999. Mathilde became Queen Consort after her father-in-law, King Albert II, abdicated in 2013.

They have four children together - Princess Elisabeth, 21, Prince Gabriel, 19, Prince Emmanuel, 17, and Princess Eleonore, 14.

Queen Mathilde’s 50th birthday passed without any grand celebrations, however, the Queen has been undertaking a series of mental health walks throughout the provinces of Belgium to encourage people to get outside and get active, and to talk about their mental health.

Photo Michel Gronemberger © Palais Royal

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Mathilde

(Issued 23-01-2023)

GERMANY ~ Roman Bridge - Trier - UNESCO~

...Nice view of the oldest bridge in the country over the Moselle river... another Roman relic that has withstood the test of time... it's only the lower portion of the bridge, the black piers that is authentically Roman built... the red arched superstructure was added in the Middle Ages and renewed later... but what's impressive is that the 2nd century basalt columns still support the modern bridge structure that cars and trucks traverse every day.... some of the original wooden support pillars are displayed in the Landesmuseum... and as always with nice stamp and special UNESCO postmark... Thanks Dustin! (ヅ)

The nine bridge pillars date from the 2nd century AD, replacing two older, wooden bridges that date at least as far back as 17 BC. They are deeply embedded in the bedrock underneath the river gravel. The upper part was renewed twice, in the early 12th and in the early 18thC, after suffering destruction in war.

They were build with huge stone blocks held together with iron clamps. The black colouring is genuine as the stone is mostly whinstone from the Eifel National Park. 

Along with other Roman and Early Gothic sites in Trier, the bridge was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.

Stamp:

Landmarks of Germany 

(05-01-2023)

ARUBA

... One more great Caribbean surprise... a green iguana against a green background... so, all green💚😄... lovely illustration by Sarah Wouters... when I googled her I found out that she is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based in Belgium👍.... she designs quirky illustrations for magazines, posters, kids fashion... Thanks a lot Glenn!❀◕ ‿ ◕❀  

© 2010, The Loft Books
The Yuwana is a green iguana, the largest lizard around on Aruba and has an almost dinosaur-like appearance with its rough skin and massive body. From head to their tail-tip adult iguanas can reach a total length of up to 2 meter.  When in danger or experiencing stress or threats, iguanas change to a camouflage color, adjusting to their environment. You can tell the age of an iguana by the shade of green of their skin; a bright green iguana is young; a dull-colored, more greyish green iguana is old. Iguanas are vegetarians and feed themselves with all kinds of foliage and certain fruits.

 

Alto Vista Chapel 

(Issued 2007)

UK ~ Moel Cynghorion - Snowdonia National Park - Wales~

... Amazing nature view with the Snowdon Mountain Railway making it's way up to Snowdon peak with Moel Cynghorion in the background... described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world... experienced by some 12 million travellers since 1896... with stunning scenery and awe-inspiring views it’s all part of a great day out in North Wales... there's a hiking trail leading to the summit of Moel Cynghorion that is situated on a wide plateau, marked by a pile of stone and offers wonderful views of Snowdon... the southern slopes are gentle, while the northern part is steep... Thanks a lot Paul!【ツ】

Photo: Jeremy Moore
Moel Cynghorion (the Hill of the Councillors) is a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales. It lies two miles north-west of Snowdon, and forms part of the Moel Eilio Horseshoe walk.

Situated on the west coast of Britain, Snowdonia National park covering 2,130 km2 of diverse landscapes, this National Park is a living, working area, and is home to over 26,000 people. As well as being the largest National Park in Wales, Snowdonia boasts the highest mountain in England and Wales. Snowdonia features nine mountain ranges, fifteen peaks above 915m and 23km of sweeping coastline.

Stamp: 

Definitives - Thistle (Regional Definitives Scotland)

(Issued 11-08-2022)

ARUBA ~ California Lighthouse ~

...  Beautiful view of the tall, white column of the historic California Lighthouse against a gorgeous blue sky... originally designed to warn ships... now one of the most iconic and famous landmarks on this small tropical island🌞... it has been a fixture on the island for more than 100 years... you can take a guided tour to learn about the history of the lighthouse and to climb the narrow 117steps to the top for fabulous 360-degree impressive views of the Caribbean Sea... and a picture perfect view of the island's western coastline of beaches and coral shorelines...Thanks a lot Glenn! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The old stone California lighthouse stands as a silent watchman in the area known as "Hudishibana," near the island's northwestern tip.

The lighthouse was designed by a French architect and was erected between 1914 and 1916. It takes its name from the SS California, a ship that had been wrecked off the coast nearby back in 1861. The lighthouse was first lit in 1916 and is still active today functioning as a coastal warning light.  

Stamp:
 

Royal Family

(Issued 11-11-2019)

CURACAO

... Dear Glenn 😍I'm sooo happy to find two great postcards from your Caribbean cruise in my mailbox today... first one is a perfect bright, colorful illustrated view of how I imaging a tropical paradise island must look and feel like🌞... yellow beach, blue water, sun, lovely sky and as extra bonus beautiful pink flamingos🦩🦩... a perfect holiday destination for chasing away the winter blues... and also a cute goat stamp... Thanks a lot Glenn!! (✿◠‿◠)

There are several places in Curaçao where the pink birds have their permanent home. You can see flamingos in the salt pans of Jan Thiel, Sint Michielsbaai, and at the Flamingo Sanctuary around the salt flats near Jan Kok. This last spot is also known as Rif Sint Marie.

Curaçao is a Lesser Antilles island in the southern Caribbean Sea and the Dutch Caribbean region, near the Venezuelan coast. Curaçao is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the capital is Willemstad.

 Stamp:

Goats of Curaçao

(Issued 3103-2023)

GUYANA ~ Smith Memorial Church - Georgetown ~

... Nice Church view situated in the capital Georgetown... the Smith Memorial Congregational Church was erected as a tribute to the memory of missionary Rev John Smith who was sentenced to die by hanging for the role he reportedly played in the East Coast Demerara slave rebellion in 1823, 20 years after is death... due to the work and suffering he had endured on behalf of his deacons, members and followers... the site on which the building is located is now regarded as a heritage site.... Thanks a lot Janet for this lovely surprise...(✿◠‿◠) The postcard was dated June16, 2021 and arrived January 2023!!!😮

Guyana is located on the South American continent on the North Atlantic Ocean bordering Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil, but considers itself a Caribbean country due to shared language and culture with Trinidad, Jamaica, etc.

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17thC, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966. It is the only country in South America where English is the official language.

The Demerara Rebellion was an uprising involving more than 10,000 enslaved people in the Crown colony of Demerara-Essequibo (now part of Guyana). The rebellion lasted only two days. No particular incident sparked the rebellion; the enslaved simply grew tired of their servitude and sought to resist in the most direct way they could.

Stamp:

2X The 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Guyana 

(Issued 30-12-2019)

GREECE ~ Samari National Park - Crete ~

... Spectacular panoramic nature view with impressive rock faces... the Samaria Gorge is one of the most popular sights on the island.... at the Gates, the narrowest section of the Samaria Gorge, the ravine’s towering cliffs are less than four meters apart and the gorge walls reach straight up to 300 m... the views are beautiful but the hike itself is very challenging... if you are a hiking fan, the Samaria National Park should be on your bucket list... the gorge is 15 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250m at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea near the pretty coastal village Agia Roumeli... Crete’s most stunning canyon offers those who traverse it an unforgettable experience... Heel Erg Bedankt Loes en Ben! (✿ ♥‿♥)  

Samaria Gorge is located in the southwest of Crete, in the White Mountains known as Lefka Ori.

Surrounded by the Samaria National Park, this area has a beautiful and unique ecology due to its isolated mountainous terrain.It became a National Park in 1962, to protect many endangered species and their sustaining ecosystems, especially the Kri-Kri or Cretan mountain goat. These goats do now survive in the mountains, jumping and climbing high on very steep and treacherous rocky cliff tops. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

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Old Harbour of Xania 

(29-05-2019)

GERMANY ~ Cathedral - Brunswick ~

... Nice view of a majestic medieval structure located in the city centre... like many medieval churches and cathedrals, this one is large and imposing... the church itself is without too much ornament, but the sheer height of the building is awesome... a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture... one of the most important churches in Brunswick full of ancient artefacts, sculptures and tombs... among the most important pieces on display in the church are a wooden crucifix and one of very few huge bronze candlesticks with seven arms... Thanks Dustin!(✿◠‿◠)

The Brunswick Cathedral is a large Lutheran church built from 1173 to 1195. The construction was started by Henry the Lion and finished by his wife Dutches Matilda. They both are buried in front of the altar with other members of the House of Braunschweig buried in the crypt. While commonly called a cathedral, it is not actually a seat of a bishop.

The cathedral was consecrated on December 29, 1226, dedicated to Saints Blaise, John the Baptist and Thomas Becket. It turned Protestant in 1543 after the City of Brunswick in opposition to Duke Henry V of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel had joined the Schmalkaldic League.

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Organ Building Organ Music

(Issued 05-01-2023)