INDONESIA ~ Lorentz National Park - Papua - UNESCO ~

... Lovely views of a hidden paradise in the Papua region on the island of New Guinea. ... this is the largest protected natural area in South-East Asia and the only protected area in the world to include a full range of habitats and ecological gradients from snow-capped mountain peaks to a tropical marine environment... but despite its stunning beauty, Lorentz National Park has not escaped the challenge of preservation... climate change, exploitation of natural resources, and deforestation pose serious threats to the fragile ecosystems within it... hopefully through ongoing conservation efforts and awareness of the importance of preserving nature, this National Park will not only be a natural tourist spot, but also a guardian of natural wonders that must be carefully guarded... Thanks Serisa!【ツ】

This national park land covers an area of about  27.056 km² and stretches across three provinces, namely Highland Papua, Central Papua, and South Papua. Summarized from various sources, the name of the National Park comes from the Dutch scientist and explorer H.A. Lorentz, who explored the interior of Papua to the Mandala mountains in 1909. 

Lorentz National Park is home to a number of rare and unique species of flora and fauna. No less than 630 species of birds and more than 120 mammals have been identified in this area, including birds of paradise, cassowaries, tree kangaroos, and various types of wild orchids. 

The National Parks area is also host to significant cultural wealth, with dozens of indigenous ethnic groups living in and around the park area who have adapted harmoniously to their environment for thousands of years.

 

Stamps:

The 25th World Scout Jamboree 

(Issued 25-07-2023)

World Scout Jamboree

(Issued 22-07-2019
 

Definitives - Letter Box 

(Issued 003-2023)

CANADA ~ Treehouses - The Canada Post Community Foundation ~

... Sweet children's art postcard featuring colorful illustrated Treehouses issued in 2022... they symbolizes our belief that creating spaces – literal, virtual and figurative – where children can play, dream and thrive is of vital importance... and that is the reason the Canada Post Community Foundation exists... these cards were often only available to people who made a donation in person at a post office in Canada... each received postcard is always little gem but knowing it supports a good cause makes it even better☺️... Thanks a lot Glenn! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)

The Canada Post Community Foundation is a registered charity distributing grants to Canadian schools, charities and community organizations that provide programming to children and youth (up to age 21). Every dollar raised goes directly to recipients – Canada Post covers all administrative costs. 

Since 2012, the Foundation has provided $16.4 million to over 1,400 projects nationwide. Supporting initiatives that benefit children and youth helps strengthen communities – Canada Post’s commitment to building a stronger Canada in action.
 

Stamp: 

Prepaid postcard from Post Canada

Treehouses

 (Issued 19-09-2022)

UK ~ St Martin's Church - Canterbury - UNESCO ~

... Pretty church view from the air... postcard nr 3 of Canterbury's most important monuments... this modest St Martin's Church is the cathedral's mother church and the oldest continuously used panish church in the English Speaking World... the church itself has many old Roman bricks and pieces of walls that were reused... at the very center of the church, the remains of a Roman tomb were built right into the structure... there is a large cemetery surrounding the church... a very important early historical site and a place of spiritual significance... a peaceful, tranquil and atmospheric unique building... with once more wonderful Lord of the Rings stamps used👍... Thanks so much Paul!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Drone project: © Michael Butler
St Martin's was Queen Bertha of Kent's private chapel. She was a Christian princess from a place called Francia. She came to England with her chaplain, Bishop Liudhard. Queen Bertha's husband, Æthelberht of Kent, was not Christian. But he let her practice her faith. He helped her fix up an old Roman-British building around 580 AD to use as a church. 

When Augustine arrived in 597 AD, he used St Martin's as his main base for his mission. He even made it bigger. Later, when Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine's Abbey were built, St Martin's became less famous. 

St Martins is part of the trio which make up the World Heritage site in Canterbury they all  are directly and tangibly associated with the history of the introduction of Christianity to the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

Stamps: 

The Lord of the Rings

(Issued 20-03-2026)

KOSOVO ~ Prizren ~

... Great view of Kosovo’s most picturesque city known as the cultural capital... with the 17th-century majestic Sinan Pasha Mosque dominating the skyline... and the houses almost stacked on top of each other... nestled beneath the Shar Mountains along the Bistrica River, it offers some of the best preserved Ottoman-era architecture in Europe... this quaint town with its cobbled streets is a perfect mix of culture, scenery, and warm Balkan hospitality... Thanks a lot Michael for this lovely surprise!(✿◠‿◠) (it took me over 10 years to get another one from this small Balkan country). Must have been a wonderful vacation!☺️

Kosovo a is land-locked mostly mountainous and smallest country in the Balkans. It borders Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia with capital Prishtina. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 which makes it the youngest country in the world. 

Serbia has not recognized Kosovo as an independent state and continues to claim it as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.

Stamp:

Endemic Flora 

(Issued 05-03-2024)

UZBEKISTAN ~Kukeldash Madrasah -Tashkent - Unesco Tentative ~

... Beautiful view of Tashkent’s oldest surviving monument and a symbol of 16th-century Islamic education institutions... widely celebrated as a crucial part of Uzbekistan's rich Islamic heritage and a major cultural landmark... its yellow brick facade frames a grand entrance portal over 20 meters high, surrounded by two-storey arcaded galleries and an inner courtyard lined with student cells... the Kukeldash Madrasah has resumed its function as a religious school, with classes and Friday prayers still held... but also remaining a cultural heritage site open for tourists to explore its courtyard, garden and facades... learn its history and legends and admire the traditional-style architecture, which despite having been recently restored still manages to evoke memories of Uzbekistan’s medieval past... a living historical and spiritual place...Thanks a lot Juliia!【ツ】

Tashkent’s Kukeldash Madrasah was built under the Shaybanid Dynasty by the vizier Dervish Khan in 1570. Due to his close relationship with the ruler, the khan was better known by his nickname "Kukeldash", meaning “the khan's milk brother”, and thus the madrasah built by him came to be known as Kukeldash. The finished structure, rich in décor and replete with sky-blue majolica, rivaled the finest architecture of Samarkand and Bukhara. Throughout the course of its history, Kukeldash Madrasah was repurposed, abandoned and rebuilt numerous times.

The specific structure is formally recognized as a prominent component of the region's Silk Roads and on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
 

Stamp:

Fauna of Uzbekistan - Cats

(Issued 26-10-2021)

Nazruz 

(Issued 20-03-2020)

ANGOLA ~ The Cathedral of Saint Savior of Congo - Mbanza Congo - UNESCO ~

... View of the ruins of one of the oldest places of Christian worship in sub-Saharan Africa outside Ethiopia known as Kulumbimbi... the first centuries-old Portuguese Christian church built by the Jesuits in 1491 and elevated to a cathedral in 1596... located in the center of the city of Mbanza Congo (capital of the Zaire province) next to the cemetery of the kings of Congo... this adobe and stone walls, which fuses indigenous African and European architectural styles, have survived centuries of modification, conflict and ultimately abandonment...  nowadays only ruins remain; however, they have aroused the interest of national and international experts due to the rarity of their architectural aspect... Thanks a lot Alena! (✿◠‿◠) 

This ruined capital of the former kingdom, Mbanza Kongo, lies near the country’s northern border. The vast realm was established in the late 14th century and lasted into the 1900s. At its height, the kingdom stretched from what is now Gabon, down through the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo and into northern Angola. While other parts of the former kingdom took on the name ‘Congo’, modern-day Mbanza Kongo, capital of northern Zaire Province, retains its pre-colonial spelling. 

The city boasts a respected museum dedicated to the kingdom’s monarchs that houses cultural artefacts and royal portraits. Today’s Mbanza Kongo is an important market for regional produce, including corn, almonds and cassava.

Mbanza Kongo was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017.
 

Stamp:

Traditional Ceramics 

(Issued 01-01-1995)

GERMANY ~ Kunsthalle - Bremen ~

... Nice view of the Kunsthalle with the new eastern extension on the park side... over the course of its 180 year history, it has developed into a museum with an international reputation and one of Germany's finest art museums... the Kunsthalle Bremen houses a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and graphic works... it offers a varied program of exhibitions, in particular spectacular and highly acclaimed special exhibitions dedicated to important artists from Impressionism to the latest art production... visitors enter the museum through the centrally located main entrance of the old building... here, the rooms and circulation cores are designed in such a way that the difference between the new and old sections is barely visible... Thanks Dustin!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photo: © Stefan Müller
The museum was built between 1847 and 1849 according to plans by the Bremen architect Lüder Rutenberg. Since then, the neoclassical building with its historic sandstone facade has undergone numerous alterations, renovations, and even demolitions. To expand the exhibition space, two simple, four-story wings with a gross floor area of ​​5,560 m² were added to the east and west of the 7,410 m² main building, maintaining and continuing the eaves height of the original building.
 

Stamp:

100th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II, 1926-2022 

(Issued 02-04-2026)

INDONESIA ~Tropical Rainforest - Lampung - Sumatra - UNESCO~

... Lovely views of Lampung part of the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park which makes up the southern third of the UNESCO-listed Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra... home to some of the world's most biologically diverse tropical rainforests... the province is known for its lush jungles, rich biodiversity, and iconic national parks, offering adventurous travelers a mix of deep-jungle trekking, wildlife conservation encounters, and active volcano exploration... home to the critically endangered species like the Sumatran tiger, elephant and rhino... Thanks Mia!【ツ】

The 2.5 million hectare Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra site comprises three national parks: Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. 

The protected area is home to an estimated 10,000 plant species, including 17 endemic genera; more than 200 mammal species; and some 580 bird species of which 465 are resident and 21 are endemic. Of the mammal species, 22 are Asian, not found elsewhere in the archipelago and 15 are confined to the Indonesian region, including the endemic Sumatran orang-utan. 

The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

 

Stamps:

Marine Life - Joint Issue with Singapore

(Issued 07-09-2017)

(?????)

UK ~ St Augustine's Abbey - Canterbury - UNESCO ~

... Lovely aerial view of the impressive ancient remains of a great historic abbey with the Canterbury Cathedral towering in the background.... one of the most important and oldest monasteries in medieval England... the Abbey played an important role in the introduction of Christianity throughout England... originally established to convert the Anglo-Saxons, it served as a grand Benedictine monastery and royal burial site for nearly a thousand years before being destroyed by Henry VIII's Suppression of the Monasteries in the 16thC... the museum at St Augustine’s Abbey contains artefacts and stone carvings found at the Abbey during excavations... with wonderful Lord of the Rings stamps to celebrate the25th Anniversary Of “The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”👍... Thanks a lot Paul! (✿◠‿◠)

St Augustine's Abbey was a Benedictine monastery in Canterbury, Kent, England. 

Founded in AD 598 by St Augustine's a missionary from Rome, baptised the pagan King Ethelbert of Kent, the most powerful Anglo-Saxon monarch and the first to convert to Christianity.

To mark his conversion, Ethelbert gave Augustine land to build this very first monastery in Anglo-Saxon England.

The Cathedral, St. Augustine's Abbey and St. Martin's Church were declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1988.

 

Stamps:

The Lord of the Rings 

(Issued 20-03-2026)

CAYMAN ISLANDS ~ Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park - Grand Cayman ~

... Nice postcard showing the visitor centre of the park... a two-story Caymanian style building with a wide, welcoming veranda... inside is a gift shop where you can pick up a free map of the park... from there you are welcome to stroll into a verdant courtyard graced with orchids and tropical plants surrounding a water feature and stepping stones... this Botanic Park was opened in 1994 to preserve and promote local flora, fauna and wildlife in its natural habitat... it is home to the Blue Iguana Conservation facility and is the only place in the world where you can see these magnificent creatures... the endangered Blue Iguana is only found on the island of Grand Cayman... card was mailed in February and arrived yesterday... took a long time to get here😊... Thanks a lot Glenn! ( ˘ ³˘)❤

Photo:© Mrs Maggie Jackson
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is located in the North Side District of Grand Cayman Island in the British West Indies.The North Side of Grand Cayman is scenic, unspoilt, quieter and less developed than the more touristy western part of the island.

The Cayman Islands is made of three islands, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Grand Cayman is the largest and westernmost of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the territory's capital, George Town.

Stamp:

120th Anniversary of the Cayman Islands Ship Registry

(Issued 2024)

GERMANY ~ City Palace - Potsdam ~

... Great city view showing the Potsdam City Palace in the foreground, with the prominent dome of St. Nicholas' Church visible in the background... located right at the heart of the city's historic center at the Old Market Square... rebuilt in the historical Baroque style... nowadays it serves as the seat of the Landtag of Brandenburg (the state parliament)... Potsdam is known for its magnificent palaces and gardens... with nice stamp and special postmark of Luise Queen of Prussia and the mother of Emperor William I... during her time as crown princes she partly lived in this place...Thanks a lot Dustin!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

The Potsdam City Palace is a building used as the official winter residence of the Prussian Kings and German Emperors. It was built in 1662-1669, renovated in 1744-1752 and partially destroyed during an Allied bombing attack in 1945 during the World War II. 

After the war, Potsdam fell under Soviet occupation and later the communist German Democratic Republic (1949-1990) which destroyed the building in 1960 for ideological reasons. Following the fall of Communism and German reunification in 1990, the former palace was rebuilt (2010-2013).

 

Stamp:

The 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Luise of Prussia, 1776-1810 

(Issued 02-03-2026)

CROATIA ~ Euphrasian Basilica - Porec - UNESCO ~

...Nice view of the atrium, a beautiful open-air courtyard with columns that were brought from Istanbul...  a rather small yet very impressive complex of buildings in the middle of the Old Town... this characterful and picturesque seaside town on the west coast of Istria has a long history, dating back to Roman times... the basilica is one of Europe’s finest intact examples of Byzantine art with wonderful mosaic decorations... not only is it an impressive site for the art and architecture, it’s also a great example of early Christianity in this part of the world... today, it is still used for church services, even though there is an archaeological side to the site... Thanks Nikola!(✿◠‿◠)

Photo: Ivan Coric
The basilica was built in 553 under the bishop Euphrasius on the site of the older basilica that had become in decline. All basic components such as the church, memorial chapel, atrium, baptistery, and episcopal palace have been preserved, but have undergone changes over time. The wall mosaics were executed by Byzantian masters and the floor mosaics by local experts. 

It has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997.

 

Stamps:

The 50th Anniversary of EUROPA Stamps 1956-2006 

(Issued 08-09-2005)

Croatian Marian Shrines

(Issued 10-06-2025)

MALAYSIA ~ Kuala Lumpur ~

... Great aerial view of Kuala Lumpur city skyline... a mixture of old and new... the capital of Malaysia has grown from a tin-mining settlement to the present cosmopolitan and modern city of impressive and inspiring high-rise buildings and towers... with the national icon and most famous landmark the Petronas Towers twin buildings... the financial centre of the country... the top attractions of the city includes historic monuments and buildings, futuristic and modern skyscrapers... colorful mosques... shrines and temples, green and lush parks and jungle areas... huge shopping malls, bustling street markets  and a lively nightlife of cool pubs and bars... Thanks Sam!【ツ】 

Kuala Lumpur located in the Klang valley was founded in 1857 by a group of Chinese tin miners at the swampy confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. In Malay, the name literally means "muddy confluence" or "muddy estuary," reflecting the difficult, jungle-heavy terrain the prospectors first settled in. In 1880 Kuala Lumpur superseded Klang (now Kelang) as the state capital; it went on to become the capital of the independent Federation of Malaya in 1957 and of Malaysia in 1963.

 

Stamp:

Local Pottery

(Issued 22-01-2026)

AUSTRALIA ~ Murujuga Cultural Landscape - UNESCO ~

... Great view featuring one of the world’s oldest and densest known rock art collection... it's not an extremely large area, but it's packed with an estimated of one million petroglyphs etched across the region’s ancient cliff faces... what's truly amazing about Murujuga is the incredible variety of petroglyphs, in both age and subject matter: the oldest petroglyphs here have been dated at around 40,000 years old, while some are as recent as the 19th century... especially notable are the depictions of human figures; they continue to be part of the traditions and beliefs of the Ngurra-ra Ngarl... also the sheer number of animal petroglyphs provide a fascinating showcase of how the local fauna has changed over the millennia... there is a very clear petroglyph of a thylacine (aka Tasmanian Tiger), which has been extinct on mainland Australia for at least 20,000 years... Thanks Helen! (✿◠‿◠) 

© Magpie Postcards
The cultural landscape is centred on Murujuga National Park, part of the Burrup Peninsula in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia. It's located on the traditional lands of the Ngarda-Ngarli people. Murujuga was declared a National Park in 2013, covering an area of 48.51 km2.

The park is privately owned by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and jointly managed with WA’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions – Parks and Wildlife Service who work together to preserve the site’s cultural and environmental significance.

Stamps:

Corals of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

(Issued 20-05-2025)

World Heritage Islands

(Issued 0605-2025)
 

Astronomical Observatories

(Issued 30-09-2025)

GERMANY ~ Cologne Cathedral - UNESCO ~

.. Beautiful aerial winter view of a spectacular masterpiece of one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture in the world... standing proudly on the banks of the Rhine River... probably Germany's most known religious structure that includes two huge twin spires that serve as the defining symbol of Cologne's skyline... Cologne Cathedral is 157 metres tall and was under construction for over 600 years... the iconic blackened facade is a natural reaction between weathering and the city air... the platform of the southern tower provides visitors with a fantastic panoramic view from a height of about 97 meters... with over 6 million visitors per year it is the most visited landmark in Germany... cute "Spongebob" stamp and great special postmarks👍...  Thanks Dustin!【ツ】

Cologne is located on both sides of the Rhine, near Germany's borders with Belgium and the Netherlands. It is Germany’s fourth-largest city and one of the oldest cities in the country. 

In 1248, the construction of the Cathedral was started. Until 1560 the work on this Gothic Cathedral was in progress, but an accumulation of problems prevented it to be finished. Only during the 19thC the Cathedral was finally completed, stimulated by Emperor William I. Not anymore as a pure construction to honor God, but also as a national Prussian symbol. 

It was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1996.

Stamps:

2X World of Letter

(Issued 02-11-2022)

(Issued 02-11-2024)

Spongebob

(Issued 02-02026) 

FRANCE ~ Saint François Longchamp ~

... Many lovely views of the town, mountains and local animals and flora... Saint François Longchamp 1650 is the higher, bustling main village of this family-friendly iconic French Alpine destinations... famous for challenging road cycling, scenic Tour de France ascents, and year-round outdoor recreation (skiing in winter, hiking/biking in summer)... the ski station of the town is a welcome sight and typically marks the final, grueling 3-4 km stretch up to the summit of the Madeleine... one of the thoughest climbs in the French Alps but also one of the prettiest... Heel Erg Bedankt Ben en Loes! (✿◠‿◠)

Saint-François-Longchamp is located in the Rhône-Alpes in the region of Savoie on the north side of the Maurienne valley. The town is situated between 800 and 2800 meters above sea level.The ski resort  was built in the 1950s with the longest and fastest ski lift in Savoie at the moment.

The Col de la Madeleine 2000m altitude and over is 19 km long with an average gradient of 8%.

Stamp:
 

Marianne 

(Issued 20-07-2018)

MOZAMBIQUE ~ Island of Mozambique - UNESCO ~

... Great view of a small coral island that blends centuries of architecture, trade, and tradition... it is the oldest European settlement in East Africa, famous for its Swahili, Arab, and Portuguese colonial architecture... its forts, sacred chapels, shipwreck museums, and artisan communities set it apart from other Indian Ocean islands... a stunning coastline of warm water, nodding palm trees, excellent seafood... the Island of Mozambique is one of Mozambique's fastest-growing tourist destinations... as for most of my African received postcards I donated money to supporting the Bookfeeding Project for local libraries💙... Thanks a lot Alena!【ツ】

Located off the northern coast of Mozambique, Mozambique Island served as the capital of Portuguese East Africa for nearly 400 years (1507–1898) before the capital was moved to Maputo. Vasco da Gama landed here in 1498. Sitting off the mainland in Mossuril Bay, the island is tiny—roughly 3 km long and between 200 and 500 meters wide. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge constructed in the 1960s.

The Island of Mozambique was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
 

Stamp:

Pope Franciscus

(Issued 2019)

UK ~ Portmeirion Village - Gwynedd - Wales ~

... Beautiful view of a little piece of Italy tucked into a coastal hillside of North Wales... a unique Italianate style coastal resort with hotels, cafes, shops, and holiday cottages sitting directly in front of a giant, snow-capped Snowdon... designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis... with lovely letter from the "Urdd Gobaith Cymru" a National Voluntary Youth Organisation... the organisation is promoting the Welsh language through social activities like summer camps and sports events... since 1922 (same day as today, 18 May) they sent messages to young people around the world... with the words 'Wales calling' a message of goodwill"... my letter was translated from Welsh to Dutch or Flemish👍... Thanks a lot Paul!(✿◠‿◠) As asked I waited until today to open the envelope!😉

Urdd Gobaith Cymru is a National Voluntary Youth Organisation with over 55,000 members between the ages of 8 – 25 yrs old. Since 1922, we've provided opportunities through the medium of Welsh for children and young people in Wales to enable them to make positive contributions to their communities.

This year, the Urdd’s Message of Peace and Goodwill focuses on Minority Languages.  Its aim is to educate people around the world about these languages and to encourage them to value, learn, and use them. In doing so, the Message opens up a wider conversation about the role of language in empathy, equality, and our understanding of the world around us.

Cymraeg (Welsh) is the native Celtic language of Wales and is one of the oldest living languages in Europe. Alongside English, it is an official language in Wales and is actively spoken by around 650,000 people.

 

Stamps:

Paddington 

(Issued 05-09-2023)

Aardman Classics 

(Issued 19-10-2022)

POLAND ~ Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Haczow - UNESCO ~

... Nice view of a masterpiece of medieval, wooden Gothic architecture... the largest, oldest and best preserved wooden gothic church in Europe... a "wooden giant" standing on a small hill, characterized by its steep shingled roof and dark ancient wood... it survived almost unchanged for over 600 years and the logs that build it are made of wood some 800 years old today... surrounded by a historic wooden fence and a stone foundation... a must see for anyone interested in architecture, especially the traditional one... the unique interior atmosphere is noted as peaceful, quiet, and atmospheric... Thanks Kamilla!【ツ】

Photo: Pecold
Haczów is a village in southeastern Poland. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Michael the Archangel is situated on the Wisłok River in the Carpathian region. Built around the 1450s–1460s, it boasts a gothic south portal and a tall, distinct, steep-roofed structure designed to mimic brick Gothic buildings. The church contains unique 15th-century figural wall paintings (polychrome) from 1494, covering over 600 square meters. 

This is one of the six Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland, on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 2003.
 

Stamps:

Definitives - Flowers and Fruits

(Issued 15-09-2015)

Postcrossing

(Issued 26-10-2024)

EUROPA Stamp 

(Issued 28-04-2025)

SCOTLAND - Crocodile Rock - Millport - Cumbrae ~

... Fun view of one of the islands most iconic and quirky landmarks... a bizarre stone beast lurks on the beach of a popular tourist island... this painted rock has been delighting visitors for over a century and is considered a must-see attraction... the rock has been painted to resemble a crocodile since around 1914, making it a piece of local history... first painted by a local resident, and over the years, maintaining its vibrant appearance has become a beloved community tradition.... Crocodile Rock is not just a painted stone; it’s a symbol of Millport’s playful spirit and creativity... the rock is easily accessible and provides a unique backdrop for memorable photos... generations of children have their photo taken with the Millport Crocodile... must say it really does look like a crocodile😁😉... Big Thanks dear Andrene!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

© Roman Michnowicz
A local man named Robert Brown was the mastermind behind this unusual beachside attraction. One day while returning from the pub after some lunch and a few beverages, he noticed that a group of rocks along the shore seemed to resemble a certain reptile. Armed with paint and a brush, he set out making a thing now called the Crocodile Rock.

Great Cumbrae is the larger of the two islands known as The Cumbraes in the lower Firth of Clyde in western Scotland. The island is sometimes called Millport, after its main town.The island is roughly 4 kilometres  long by 2 kilometres wide.

 

Stamp:

Definitives - King Charles III

(Issued 07-04-2026)

SPAIN ~ Old Town of Avila - UNESCO ~

..Nice view of a beautifully preserved medieval town known for its 2.5km pristine wall that encircles the old town and for being the birthplace of Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582)... Teresa was a Spanish mystic, a Carmelite nun... famous for being the only woman founder of an order of men... Ávila is one of the most striking and authentic fortified medieval cities in all of Europe... also known as the "City of Stones and Saints"... practically the entire series of walls can be toured along the top as a walking route... it gives you amazing views over Ávila’s rooftops, churches, and the surrounding countryside, and really helps you appreciate the sheer scale of the city’s defenses... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta!  ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ) 

The city of Ávila is located in the centre of Spain, in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León.

The defensive wall of Avila was built to protect the Spanish territories from the Moors between the 11th and 14th centuries, has an average height of 12 meters and a thickness of three meters. There are 87 turrets, 9 gates and 2 small gates and 2,500 merlons. (a solid, vertical part of the wall of a fort or a battlement)

The  Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches was designated a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1985. It is a serial property, which includes the walled town of Ávila and four extra-muros Romanesque churches: San Segundo, San Andrés, San Vicente, and San Pedro. 

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of the Death of Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973  

(Issued 16-06-2023)

AUSTRIA ~ The Kalkalpen National Park - UNESCO ~

... Great nature view of the most important national forest park in the Alps that protects Austria’s largest continuous forest area... with ancient beech forests, towering peaks, river gorges and extensive karst landscapes... home to the oldest beech tree with a proud age of over 550 years... its cave systems include some of Austria's deepest explored caverns, with underground passages extending over 50 kilometers beneath the limestone peaks... the park is also the only place in the Austrian Alps where lynxes are once again native... it offers a range of natural and cultural sites for exploration... Thanks Monika!(✿◠‿◠)

The Kalkalpen National Park  in Upper Austria was founded in 1997 with an area of 20,850 ha and is located in the Reichraminger Hintergebirge and Sengsengebirge mountains.The most valuable of these beech forests – approximately 5,250 hectares – have been proposed as a World Heritage Site. 

A total of six different beech forest can be found here: the cyclamen beech forest, the hellebore beech forest, the woodruff beech forest, the carbonate-alpine spruce-fir beech forest, the loamy spruce-fir beech forest, and the high-montane carbonate beech forest.  

Since 2017, the old beech forests and primeval beech forests of Kalkalpen National Park have been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Stamps:

Holidays in Austria 

(Issued 01-01-2002)

Impressions from Austria 

(Issued 01-03-2015)

ROMANIA ~ The Monastery of the Three Hierarchs of Iași - UNESCO tentative list ~

... Nice views of a monastery that symbolizes the cultural and spiritual legacy of the Moldavia region of Romania... an architectural masterpiece renowned for its incredibly detailed exterior stonework and holds historical significance as the final resting place for Moldavian rulers... more than thirty different carved stone decoration bands cover the entire outside walls of the church from the base to the top of the steeples and none of them occurs twice.... they are inspired from the national old wood carvings and embroideries blended with Asian and Western elements... an impressive threefold twisted cord – a symbol of the Holy Trinity – makes the architectural complex of the church absolutely perfect... Thanks Manus!【ツ】

The Monastery of the Three Hierarchs is an important 17th century monument, whose church was erected between 1637 and 1639  by Vasile Lupu, prince of Moldavia, as a royal necropolis.

The church is under the patronage of The Three Holy Hierarchs (St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom); they are celebrated on the 30th of January.  

Plundered and burned by armies (1650, 1686), shaken by earthquakes (1711, 1781, 1795, 1802), the church was restored between 1882 and 1904. 

In 1970 the monastery was shut down and remained so until 1989 when it was reopened. The complex's architecture represents a combination of Romanian, Turkish, Arab, Georgian, Armenian and Persian elements.

Stamp:

Fauna - Horses 

(Issued 03-12-2021)

GERMANY ~ Peacock Island - Berlin - UNESCO ~

... Bit outside the Berlin area you find this little oasis... Peacock Island (Pfaueninsel) is a gorgeous and remarkably peaceful escape from the city, renowned for its free-roaming peacocks, white fairy-tale castle, and strictly preserved nature... filled with old trees and a huge variety of plant life... there are nearly 400 old oaks and the oldest rose garden in Berlin... it is perfect for romantic walks, picnics, and family day trips... the small white castle is meant to look like a ruined Roman country house and a major landmark... the king himself insisted that it be crafted from Prussian wood... the well-preserved interior is open to the public between April and October... with lovely stamp and special postmark of Queen Luise of Prussia, who spent some summers on this island but not really liked it... Thanks a lot  Dustin!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photo: Siebrandt Rehberg
Pfaueninsel is an island of 67 hectares in Berlin. The island is mostly woodland with some open areas, including lawns and fields. The total size of the protected area, including some water-covered areas, is 98 hectares.

The Pfaueninsel Palace is a Romantic-style building on the shore of the Havel river. Constructed on behalf of Frederick William II, the Lustschloss was completed in 1797. Today, the palace is a museum of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg.

In 1990, UNESCO included the palaces and parks of Potsdam and Berlin on its World Heritage list.

 

Stamp:

The 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Luise of Prussia, 1776-1810 

(Issued 02-02026)

UAE ~ Fireworks - Dubai Marina ~

... Breathtaking panoramic view of the Dubai Marina skyline, featuring iconic skyscrapers adorned with dazzling fireworks displays💥🎆🎇💥 beautiful reflected in the marina's waters... Dubai's New Year's Eve fireworks are widely acclaimed as among the best in the world... the celebrations are characterized by synchronized light shows, massive, record-breaking laser displays, and amazing, long-lasting fireworks that illuminate the entire city skyline...  a global celebration with lights, music, and thousands of people in awe of the world’s tallest building... Thanks a lot Ravindra! (✿◠‿◠)

Dubai is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. Located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is a global city and the business hub of the Middle East. It is also a major global transport hub for passengers and cargo.

Dubai Marina is a waterfront city framed by some of the tallest and some the most architecturally impressive residential towers in the world.  The Burj Khalifa at 829.8 meters is the tallest man-made building in the world.

 

Stamps:

Arab Postal Day

(Issued 21-08-2016)