GERMANY ~ Jasmund National Park - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful views from the spectacular coastline of the smallest National Park in Germany... famous for the chalk-white cliffs, offering a panoramic view of the Baltic Sea and Germany's mainland coast... the highlights of the island's national park and visited by millions each year.... the beech forests behind the cliffs are also part of the national park... because of the special geological characteristics of the Jasmund National Park, it is home to rare plants and animals... it has also many luxurious seaside resorts... Bismarck, Sigmund Freud, Thomas Mann and Albert Einstein all vacationed here... Thanks so much dear Dustin for thinking of me while on vacation! ✿乂◕‿◕乂  With fantastic special postmark honoring the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing👍...The Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle carrying mission commander Neil Armstrong (shown on the postmark) and pilot Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon’s surface on July 20, 1969, while command module pilot Michael Collins orbited above!💙

Photo: R. Jung, G. Reymann
Jasmund National Park is a natural forest surrounded with White Chalk cliffs and sea beach. It is located on the Island of Rugen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. This National Park was established in 1990 and covers an area of of 30 km² along the Baltic coast.

In 2011 the beech forest in the park was added to UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of the Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany.

Stamps:

Flowers
(Issued 18-12-2018)

Moon Rock  - Astronomy
(Issued 01-07-2019)

GERMANY ~ Stralsund - UNESO ~

... Beautiful aerial view of Stralsund, once the second most important city in the Hanseatic League... the historic old town is surrounded by water, giving it an island feel... Stralsund is almost perfectly preserved, so anyone who enjoys history or unique architecture will love visiting the city because it has so many historic sights and touristic attractions... the Gothic red brick churches, the Old Market Square with the Gothic Town Hall dotting the skyline... and many of the local pharmacies, shops and restaurants are housed in old churches or medieval buildings...  the city of Stralsund is also viewed as the gateway to Scandinavia with its so-called royal ferry line to Trelleborg, steeped in tradition... Big Thanks Dustin !【ツ】With nice First Day cancellation to tribute to the European comet mission Rosetta!👍

Photo: Jochen Knobloch
Stralsund is a city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, situated at the southern coast of the Strelasund (a sound of the Baltic Sea separating the island of Rügen from the mainland). In 1293 Stralsund became a member of the Hanseatic League. From 1949 until German Reunification in 1990, Stralsund was part of the German Democratic Republic.

Since 2002, Stralsund's old town  is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage, along with its sister city Wismar.

Stamps:

2X ESA Rosetta stamp - Astrophysics
(Issued 01-07-2019)

PHILIPPINES ~ Fort Santiago - Intramuros - Manila ~

... This postcard shows one of the few ancient remains of the Philippines in Manila....Located inside the walled city of Intramuros in Manila lies Fort Santiago, the oldest Spanish fortress in the Philippines...a visit to Intramuros will transport you back in time... visitors can walk the grounds and see the ruins along with a museum dedicated to Dr. Rizal and see the cell he was kept a prisoner in... you can walk along the ramparts and look out over the Pasig river and imagine what the place looked like in colonial days and during the dark hours of Manila in WW2...it makes a wonderful escape from the bustle of the big city...Thanks Jobbo!!【ツ】Never heard before of "pagpag"... I watched a video and it really made me sad and I’ll never look at leftovers the same way again... it's called "pagpag" (which roughly translates to "dusted off food") leftover food scavenged from garbage bins and eaten by the poorest people who can't afford to buy fresh meat... these are being re-heated or re-cooked (frying).😟 Don't know if this is something to be "highlighted" on a postcard!

Fort Santiago was built in 1571. Originally the site of a Muslim kingdom headed by Rajah Sulaiman the area was destroyed by Spaniards and the fort was built and soon became the main defense fortress during the spice trade with the Americas.

The original earthen and log fort was destroyed by invading Chinese Pirates and was reconstructed with volcanic rock. The fort served as a Spanish Fortress, Headquarters of the US Army during the American colonial period and WW2 and was captured by the Japanese during WW2 and used as a prison.

Most of the fort was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in February 1945. In 1946 the U.S. gave back Fort Santiago to the Philippine Government and it is now a historical park administered by the Philippine National Parks Development Committee.

Stamps:

2018 Philippine Flowers
(Issued 23-04-2018)

People Power
(Issued 1999)

Battle of Candon
(Issued 24-09-1997)

PHILIPPINES ~ City Hall - Manila ~

... First of two more nice Philippines views... the city hall of Manila is one of the iconic landmarks in the capital.... the most prominent feature is the Clock Tower, the largest clock tower in the Philippines, reaching close to 100 feet in elevation... this hexagonal tower features three red-faced clocks and is beautifully illuminated at night... the bell is rung three times every hour continued by a melody...  Manila City Hall has a curious shape when viewed from the top... it looks like a coffin with a cross... rather than the coffin it closely resembles, it’s actually in the shape of the shield of the Knights Templar to symbolize the great influence of Catholicism in the Philippines.... Thanks a lot Jobbo!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ (think the p***s look as you mentioned is only your own interpretation😉)

From backside postcard:

"The Manila City Hall was originally part of Daniel Burnham's masterplan for Manila, of which only a few buildings actually got constructed. The structure was designed by Antonio Toledo, and the construction on the City Hal started in the 1930's, and was finished in 1941, just before the Japanese invaded Manila.

Manila City Hall sustained major damage during the Battle of Manila, but was more or less still standing by the time the fighting ceased."

The clock tower was first renovated during the time of Mayor Atienza. The second time was after Estrada won in 2013. He had the clocks upgraded and digitalized so that it will always be synchronized with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration for Philippine Standard Time. He plans to convert it into a coffee shop and the first two floors of the tower had been turned into spacious halls.

Stamp:

Marine Life
(05-05-2011)

GERMANY ~ Ozeaneum and Oceanographic Museum - Stralsund ~

... Great views of the German Oceanographic Museum the largest natural history museum on Germany’s Baltic Coast and the Ozeaneum...  the most visited museum in North Germany... the Oceanographic Museum (Meeresmuseum) has Germany’s largest sea turtle aquarium... while the interactive exhibits and aquariums of the Ozeaneum take visitors on a fascinating underwater journey through the northern seas... the new museum complex has large aquaria, comprehensive exhibitions about the Baltic Sea, the oceans of the world, marine research and resources.... you can also see a 26 metres long blue wale true-to-life replica, "Giants of the Sea"... the Humboldt penguins on the museum’s roof terrace are one of the main attractions.... both are a declaration of love to the sea💙... with lovely special first day flower postmark...Thanks a lot Dustin!!【ツ】Must have been a fascinating and interesting place to visit!👍

Since 1951 the German Oceanographic Museum in the historic city of Stralsund has its domicile in the former dominican monastery St. Katharinen. Topics like Oceanography, Marine Biology, Fishery as well as fauna and flora of the Baltic Sea are presented and communicated in the exhibitions.

36 Aquaria of the tropics and the Mediterranean inhabitate sharks, sea horses, colorful coral fishes and huge sea turtles in their 350 000 liters-turtle-aquarium with a three by eight meters sized window.

Stamp:

Flowers
(Issued 01-07-2019)

SPAIN ~ Cadaques - Costa Brava - Catalonia ~

... Wonderful sunset view of a picturesque small fishing town.... situated above the cobalt-blue waters of a rocky bay on Catalonia’s most easterly outcrop... its rocky coast, fringed by beautiful beaches, pretty harbour and quiet coves, forms one of its main attractions... together with the incredible landscape offered by the Cap de Creus Natural Park... the Old Town is a labyrinth of cobbled streets, bright white buildings and blue details, full of shops, restaurants and art galleries... the natural quality of its sea offer the best conditions for all kinds of sports and aquatic activities, like diving, sailing or windsurfing.... a seaside town that inspired Salvador Dalí’s surreal world... Cadaques is home to the famous Casa-Museo de Salvador Dali (House-Museum)... Thanks a lot Josep&Assumpta! (✿ ♥‿♥)

The Costa Brava forms the most northerly stretch of the coast of Catalonia.

 Cadaqués is a town of the county of Alt Empordà, in the province of Girona, Catalonia. It is on a bay in the middle of the Cap de Creus peninsula,where the Pyrenees mountains meet the sea, just south of the French border.

Many notable artists, including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Marcel Duchamp, Richard Hamilton, Albert Ràfols-Casamada, Antoni Pitxot, Henri-François Rey, Melina Mercouri and Maurice Boitel spent time here.

Cadaqués is mentioned in the story "Tramontana" by Gabriel García Márquez.


Ⓒ Photo: E. Gomà

Stamp:

Design Competition DISELLO
(Issued 05-02-2018)

Pope John Poul II, 1920-2005
(Issued 25-09-2014)

TOGO ~ Flag ~

Pretty flag view from the FOTW postcard series... Togo is one of the smallest countries in all of Africa... the colors of the flag are the same as those utilized by the pan-African movement, a political ideology designed to unite all African countries... the current flag of Togo was adopted in 1960, the day after this country gained its independence from France... the 5 stripes that make up the background are representative of the 5 political regions... the golden yellow color symbolizes the subsistence agricultural work performed by the residents of Togo, while the green is represents the agricultural produce... the red stands for love, although some sources claim it represents the blood shed during the fight for independence... finally, the white star symbolizes hope and purity... Thanks a lot Boyana!!【ツ】

Togo is a country in West Africa.  It is bordered by Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso and the Gulf of Guinea. The official language is French.

Lomé is the capital and largest city of Togo. Located on the Gulf of Guinea, Lomé is the country’s administrative and industrial center and its chief port.

Stamp:

Emmanuel SOGBADJI
(Issued 28-02-2019)

GERMANY ~ Wismar - UNESCO ~

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

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

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

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

Stamps:

Flora - Flowers
(Issued 08-06-2017)

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

PHILIPPINES ~ Makati City and Greenbelt ~

.... More Philippines postcards to come... the first one shows a skyline aerial view of the country’s financial hub... known for its skyscrapers and shopping malls, Makati is the financial center of the Philippines and one of the sixteen cities that make up Metro Manila... seeing these postcards it's hardly to believe that Manila is the worst capital in SE Asia...  according to Jobbo, bad roads, poor drainage and armies of beggars are the dominant features of life here (http://www.smokeytours.com/)... Thank you Jobbo!!【ツ】never heard of "Bubble Tea"... had to look it up on Internet...(we have our delicious beers)😉

Ⓒ Kevin Hamdorf

.. Great card 2 shown Greenbelt... this mall is unique because it is a complex of five modern buildings with each section having its own architectural style and features... the buildings form an oval surrounding the creek and trees in the center of the mall.... it has a train station, museum, park, chapel, supermarkets, and countless restaurants, shops and stores....  beautiful landscaped gardens and well-chosen water features create a combination that makes this 3-hectare area truly an oasis... the Center is a respite from the summer heat because it is air conditioned and a shelter from the monsoon rains because it is covered... Okay, maybe this place I would consider to visit... as Makati is probably the nicest, cleanest and safest area to stay when travelling to Manila🙃..... Thanks Jobblo!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Photo: Ⓒ Kevin Hamdorf Makati City belongs to the seventeen urban centers that define Metro Manila, one of the most highly populated Metro regions anywhere. Having a population of over half a million people, Makati is rated as the 42nd most densely populated city in the world, with roughly 7,200 residents per square mile.

Makati is the financial center of the Philippines; it has the highest concentration of multinational and local corporations in the country. Major banks, corporations, department stores as well as foreign embassies are based in Makati.




Stamps:

Both machine labels

GERMANY ~ St. Mary's Church - Rostock ~

... Great view of Rostock's most important church... the biggest of three town churches in this Hanseatic city... and one of the largest brickstone Gothic buildings in the whole Baltic region... the church has precious furnishings, such as the oldest astronomical clock in Northern Germany still working with original parts (from 1472)... and a bronze baptismal font from 1290.... for more than 770 years, it has been a place of prayer, worship, meetings of civil or academic character... about 150.000 people visit this church every year... it is not a museum but a meeting place of a vital city parish and for the citizens of Rostock... with beautiful special postmark celebrating 100 year anniversary of the Bark "Seute Deern" a unique cargo ship... Thank you Dustin!【ツ】

The first reference to a church on this site is in 1232, which is thought to be the predecessor of the current building. It was enlarged and modified at the end of the 14thC into the present basilica.

The triple-nave cross-shaped basilica is in Brick Gothic, a building style typical of the Hanseatic port cities of northern Germany.

The huge tower with a baroque lantern at the top was not completed until the end of the18thC.

Stamps:

Flora - Flowers
(Issued 03-12-2015)

Flora - Flowers
(Issued 11-05-2017)

NORWAY ~ Bergen - UNESCO ~

... Pretty view of the colourful iconic old timber wharfside buildings... one of Bergen's and Norway's main attractions... Unesco Bryggen wharf dates back to the Hanseatic era... Norway's second largest city... beautifully located right in the heart of the Fjord Norway region... midway between the main Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord... so it is the perfect starting point for day trips to one of the world’s biggest scenic attractions, "the fjords"... surrounded by 7 mountains... picturesque Bergen is a “must-see” city in Norway... Big Thanks dear Andrene!! (✿ ♥‿♥) I wonder if nature is really so magical and impressive as shown on my postcards... would love to see it myself one day!!💚

Photo: N.K. / T. Jentoftsen Bergen is located in the southern part of the west coast of Norway. The name Bergen derives from the word Bjørgvin, which translates as "the meadow below the mountains".

Bryggen has been ravaged by many fires, the great fire of 1702 in particular. It reduced the whole of the city to ashes. The area was rebuilt on the foundations that had been there since the 12th century, which means that Bryggen is basically unchanged despite the passing centuries

German merchants of the Hanseatic League lived in Bryggen from the mid-14thC for the best part of 400 years, trading in dried fish and grain.

Most of these buildings are on the UNESCO WHS list since 1979.

Stamp:

Norwegian Trekking Association 150th Anniversary
(Issued 15-O6-2018)

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

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

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

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

Stamps:

Musical Instruments
(01-07-2002)

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

CROATIA ~ Church of St Donatus - Zadar - UNESCO (Tentative) ~

... Beautiful evening view of the most well-known of Zadar’s monuments... imposing building but also absolutely harmonious and original in form...  this church is one of the oldest Croatian churches with unique architecture... the circular shape is typical of the early Byzantine age in Dalmatia... it takes a while to climb all the steps to the bell tower, but you are rewarded by a fantastic panoramic view of the town and the sea... while no longer used for religious purposes, it serves as a venue for many musical events because of its excellent acoustics... with nice special local postmark and also EUROPE stamp taking part in "The Europa Stamps Bird Project 2019" which allows you to scan the stamps in order to hear the bird's song with a special app... Thanks a lot dear Agi for this lovely surprise!! \_(♥‿♥)_/ ...Miss your regularly blog updates.😞

Zadar is historical town in southwestern Croatia, the former capital of Dalmatia.

The Church of St Donatus Chruch name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction this church in the 9thC and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest pre-Romanesque building in Croatia. This mean that their architectural style was signified by roughly cut stone with a layer of malter on the exterior, smaller narrow windows, and 3 apses.

Originally this church was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, but from the 15thC it took the name of Zadar’s Bishop Donat.

Stamp:

EUROPE stamp
 (Issued 07-05-2019)

FRENCH GUIANA ~ Map ~

... WOW!! My first postcard coming from this remote region of France💚... slowly but steady my missing places list is gettting shorter👍... the country's largely unspoiled wilderness is home to an astounding diversity of wildlife... a long the coast, nature lovers can explore bird-rich marshes and caimans...  in the northwest corner of French Guiana, Plage les Hattes at Awala-Yalimapo is the most important single nesting site in the world for giant leatherback turtles... a paradise for ecotourism... being a French overseas department it uses French stamps (with stamp code for Kourou 24923A)... Big Thanks Davide??? and Gian Luca for this wonderful surprise!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

French Guiana (also known as "Guyane")  is located on the north Atlantic coast of South America between the Republic of Suriname and Brazil, in the Guyanas.

French Guiana is the only French department on the South American continent and the only territory of the mainland Americas that is still part of a European country.

Guiana is also part of the European Union, and its official currency is the euro.

The capital  is Cayenne.  Some of the other main towns are Kourou, Matoury, St Laurent and Macouria.

Stamp:


Africa Inspired Nature Patterns
(Issued 04-01-2019)

GERMANY ~ Map Island Hiddensee - The Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park ~

... Great map view and part of a new National Park... Hiddensee has a natural beach along the entire west coast of the Baltic Sea... cars are not allowed on the island... the ideal place to take a bike and go around the Island... stunning and peaceful place away from it all.... a landscape of cliffs and dunes, spits and lagoons...  the perfect destination for anyone who loves beaches or woodland....the national park is characterized by very shallow water housing a unique coastal fauna... all parts of the park are famous for being a resting place for tens of thousands of cranes and geese... with of course a wonderful special postmark... Big Thanks once more Dustin!!【ツ】

Hiddensee island is located in the Baltic Sea, located west of Germany's largest island, Rügen, the German coast.

It is is about 16.8 km long, about 250 m wide at its narrowest point and about 3.7 km wide at its broadest point. It is the largest island within the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park that covers an area  805 km² of very shallow waters.

The national park includes:
-the Darß peninsula
-the western coast of the island of Rügen
-the island of Hiddensee
-the island of Ummanz
-several tiny islets between the above places
-the multiple lagoons in between the land masses



Card from Jana Ninnemann

Stamp:

 Flora - Flowers
 (Issued 11-05-2017)

PHILIPPINES ~ Boracay Island ~

... Fantastic sunset view... Boracay is known for its amazing picturesque purple and red sky... this is the time of day when people gather by the shore to witness one of nature’s most beautiful phenomenons... the Philippines most famed island, was closed to the public in 2018 for six months after suffering the effects of overtourism... this "rehabilitation" period was used to restore the island to its former glory and it has since reopened with a limit on the number of daily visitors and a set of rules designed to protect the environment... Thanks a lot Jobbo!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ Glad you found a post office with stamps!👍

Photo: Daffy Morales 
Boracay Island is located at the north-western tip of Panay Island  and is seven kilometres long. The narrowest point in the middle part of the island is only one kilometre wide and flat. The Northern and Southern part of Boracay are hilly with the highest elevation at 100 meters above sea level.

Boracay belongs to the municipality of Malay in Aklan province and consists of three villages or barangays; Yapak in the North, Balabag in the centre and Manoc-Manoc in the South



Stamps:

Teresita Reyes - Founder of Mama Sita’s
(Issued 05-05-2014)2014

The 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Apolinario Mabini, 1864-1903
(Issued 23-07-2014)

LAOS ~ Wat Xieng Thong - Luang Prabang - UNESCO ~

... Great view of probably the most popular Budhist temple in the city... also the most beautiful and complex... not only is the temple itself covered in intricate golden detail but there are also buildings surrounding the temple that create one completely magnificent masterpiece... Luang Prabang is the spiritual center of all of Laos... it has 34 UNESCO-protected temples within the small city... most wats here are living, breathing structures and social institutions... monks live, pray, meditate and study at them...  important ceremonies are still performed, devotees visit and pay respect... here you get a glimpses of real monastic life... Heel erg bedankt Benny!!【ツ】

Photo: Jatupom Rutnin
Wat Xieng Thong, once known as “The Temple of the Golden City”, holds great cultural, historic and architectural importance. It is situated near the tip of the peninsula at the confluence of two rivers, with a grand staircase leading up from the Mekong.

For centuries it was considered the ceremonial gateway to the town, with visiting dignitaries and soon-to-be-crowned kings arriving via these steps.

King Setthathirat, who ruled from 1548 till 1571, built Wat Xieng Thong in 1559. Over the years it has survived war and raids including the sacking of the city in 1887 by the Black Flag Army. Up until 1975, it was the site of coronation ceremonies for Lao kings.

Stamps:

Bananas
(Issued 01-11-2006)

SRI LANKA ~ Map ~

... Lovely illustrated map card showing many highlights of the island..."the spice island" for its flavors... also known as the "Pearl in the Indian Ocean" and not just because of its teardrop-like shape... surrounded by the Indian Ocean Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful tropical islands in South Asia... because of its unique location there are so many things to do and see... visiting ancient ruins, hiking in the lush green mountains, the Ella train journey, trek through tea plantations, see beautiful beaches, spotting wildlife in the National Parks... of all of the places shown here I have received many wonderful postcards over the years from my dear postcard friend Ravindra💙! Thanks! ❁◕ ‿ ◕❁

Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal and  separated from the mainland portion of the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait.

The island  has a maximum length of 432 km and a maximum width of 224 km.

The legislative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, is a suburb of the commercial capital and largest city, Colombo.

For administrative purposes, the country has been divided into nine provinces and subdivided into 25 districts.

 It is known until 1972 as Ceylon.

Stamps:

The 100th Anniversary of Volleyball
(Issued 07-12-2016)

2X Vesak Festival
(Issued 07-05-2019)

HONDURAS ~ Maya Site of Copan - UNESCO ~

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

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

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

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

Stamp:

Tourism - Beautiful Honduras
(28-06-2016)

SINGAPORE ~ Sultan Mosque ~

... Nice view of the largest mosque in Singapore... one of the country’s most impressive religious buildings.... and one of the most imposing landmarks, located in the Malay-Muslim quarter of town...  a good place to learn about Southeast-Asia Islamic Culture... also called Masjid Sultan... spectacular of it's stunning architecture... dominated by the Sultan Mosque’s huge tri-part golden dome... a finial at the very top... a huge onion dome at the bottom  and a lotus decoration connecting... non-Muslimsen can visit if dressed appropriately... Thank you Jobbo!!【ツ】I like your *addiction*...😉

Photo: Albert Lam
The mosque is named after Sultan Hussein Shah, the first sultan of Singapore.. He started construction of this mosque in 1824.

A hundred years later, the old mosque was in desperate need of repair. The present mosque as you see it today was designed by Denis Santry from Swan and Maclaren, Singapore’s oldest architectural firm, and rebuilt in 1932.

The mosque holds great significance for the Muslim community and is considered the national mosque of Singapore. It was designated a national monument in 1975.

Stamp:

International Year for Disabled Persons
(Issued 24-11-1981)

Canada ~ Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve - National Park ~

... Another wonderful view of Earth's natural wonders💚... don't think you can travel faster from one amazing country to another than in postcard land😍... a peaceful stunning mountain view reflected on the lakes tranquil crystal clear water... one of Canada’s newest national parks... a haven for adventurers who enjoy hiking and paddling through its remote wilderness... the park is home to several endangered species, including grizzly bears and woodland caribou, as well as Canada’s northernmost population of mountain goats... the Park is named after the Nááts'įhch'oh (pronounced NATS-ee-cho) mountain... a powerful place for the the Dene First Nations... the region is rich in cultural history... Thanks a lot Andrene!! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)...  no problem for me those "really" small letters😃... I always have a magnifying glass🔍 on my desk and using it for years now (mostly for finding the year dates on stamps).

LOWE-MARTIN Design: Stéhane Huot
Nááts'ihch'oh, meaning "the mountain that's sharp like a porcupine," is named for a spine-like peak long sacred to the region's First Nations. Nááts'ihch'oh  is the Northwest Territories' newest national park, officially created in 2014 in collaboration with the Sahtu Dene.

The national park reserve covers an area of 4,850 square kilometres, protecting the Sahtú Settlement Area of the upper South Nahanni River watershed, adjoining Nahanni National Park Reserve.

The Shúhtaot’ine (Mountain Dene) travelled these lands and river corridors as part of their hunting and gathering cycle that took them from Tulita to Nááts’įhch’oh and beyond.

Stamp:

Prepaid  postcard from Post Canada - must see places
(Issued 15-01-201).


.

NORWAY ~ Nærøyfjord - Gudvangen - UNESCO ~

... Breathtakingly beautiful scenery of one of the World’s Greatest Landscapes...  one of the longest, deepest and narrowest fjords on Earth... the Nærøyfjor, with its steep mountainside, hanging valleys, towering peaks, snowfields, waterfalls and small hamlets, is the most outstanding natural attraction in Norway... the stunning landscapes of Fjord Norway are created by ice and rock during the last Ice Age... and since then the landscape has stayed pretty much the same... there is be said that Nærøyfjord was used as inspiration for Disney’s fictional kingdom of Arendelle in the movie Frozen... and I must say the landscape looks straight out of a fairytale... the fjord is one of multiple highlights on several of our tours... more than 400.000 visit this fjord every year😲... Thanks a lot Tone!!【ツ】

Gudvangen is a village in the municipality of Aurland in Sogn og Fjordane county. It is located at the end of the Nærøyfjord where the Nærøydalselvi river empties into the fjord.

The Nærøyfjord is a 17 kilometre long branch of the Aurlandsfjord. It is only 250 meters at the narrowest, and more than one kilometer at the widest. The depth varies between 10 and 500 meters. The surrounding mountains are up to more than 1400 meters high.

The Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord are two of many fjordarms in the 204 km long Sognefjord.The Nærøyfjord is the best known of the many arms of the Sognefjord.

The name Nærøyfjord origin from the norse god ‘Njord’, the God of the Seafarer and the sea.

In 2005, the Nærøyfjord became a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage together with the Geirangerfjord.




© Photo: Jon Fjellstad



Stamps:

Posthorn - defenitives
(Issued 07-02-2001)

Posthorn - defintives
(Issued 15-04-2005)

EUROPA Stamp Palaces and Castles
(Issued 21-04-2017)

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HUNGARY ~Hortobágy National Park - the Puszta - UNESCO ~

... Great new Hungarian National Park and UNESCO site... the largest protected area in the country...  a unique example of the harmonic interaction of man and nature... in Western Europe, similar areas have disappeared long ago due to intensive agriculture....here the shepperds still live in the wild with Hungary’s famous Grey cattle as they lived hundreds and even thousands of years before... the village of Hortobágy is the centre of the park, here you find the visitor centre.....large parts of the WHS are protected and can only be visited with a special permit and a guide, but there are three trails where the National Park is accessible...it is mostly famous for its beautiful landscapes and the different species of birds that inhabit the area... part of the national park is a dark sky preserve... Thanks a lot Bori!! ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

The first Hungarian national park (established in 1973), with a protected area of 82 thousand hectares rich with folklore and cultural history. The Largest Semi-Natural Grassland in Europe which means that it was not formed as a result of deforestation or river control.

Hortobágy is the plainest part of the Great Hungarian Plains and it is part of the Tisza Plain of eastern Hungary. It is surrounded by settlements to the south, east and west.

 The landscape features the following manmade structures:
 -Early Bronze Age burial mounds (kurgans)
 -low mounds (tells) that mark the sites of ancient settlements
 -bridges, among which the Nine Arch Bridge (the longest stone bridge in Hungary)
 -csárdas (18th and 19th century)

 Hortobagy (or the Puszta in Hungarian) is a Unesco World Heritage site since 1999.


Stamps:

Small History of Hungarian Chess - Hungarian Defense
(Issued 24-09-2004)

Art - Joint Issue with Iran
(Issued 10-11-2010)

Postal History
(Issued 005-2017)

GERMANY ~ Quedlinburg - UNESCO ~

... Great aerial view of a charming small medieval town with the largest number of half-timbered houses in Germany... the narrow, cobblestone streets are lined with over 1300 half-timbered houses... it has a nice market square with the town hall and the Roland statue, the Castle Hill with the Collegiate Church St Servatius, and several other churches...  the authentic Middle Ages urban layout has hardly changed in the 700 years that have passed... it's like stepping back in time... this city along with the other cities in the region truly represent some hidden gems in the Harz mountains of northern Germany... with "of course"😉 a lovely special postmark... Thanks you very much Dustin!!(✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Steffen Schellhorn Quedlinburg is a City in the state of Saxony-Anhalt and lies on the Bode River, in the northern foothills of the Lower Harz Mountains, southwest of Magdeburg.

Founded in 922 as a fortress by Henry I (the Fowler), it became a favourite residence of the Saxon emperors, and in 968 Otto I founded an imperial abbey there (with his daughter Mathilda as abbess), which was secularized in 1803. A member of the Hanseatic League until 1477, the city then came under the protection of the electors of Saxony until it passed to Brandenburg in 1698.

The church, castle, and old town were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

Stamp:

Flora - Flowers
(Issued 11-05-2017)

GERMANY ~ Cathedral of Saints Catherine and Maurice - Magdeburg ~

... Beautiful (southeast) view of the oldest Gothic-style church in the country... its location on the Elbe river makes it even more impressive... a famous city landmark... fine example of medieval architecture blending the history and culture of the area... because it took over 300 years to complete, you can see different buildings styles being used throughout... luckily, it’s two towers survived bombings in World War II.... after the war, the rest of the church got restored... one of the main sights here is the burial site of Otto the Great... with great special "European Elections" postmark... Thanks a lot Dustin and Good Luck with your thesis🤞!!【ツ】

Magdeburg Cathedral, officially called the Cathedral of Saints Catherine and Maurice is a Protestant cathedral.The first church built in 937 at the location of the current cathedral was an abbey called St. Maurice, dedicated to Saint Maurice; the current cathedral was started from 1209, and the completion of the steeples took place only in 1520.

Magdeburg Cathedral is important because:
It’s the burial place for Otto the Great, the first German Holy Roman Emperor, the first church constructed in Gothic style on German soil and the largest consecrated space in east Germany.

In the 10thC, Magdeburg was the home of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I (“Otto the Great”) and later Otto von Guericke, a politician and scientist who lived in Magdeburg through the difficult period during and after the Thirty Years’ War and worked as the city’s urban planner, protector and mayor for about 50 years. With these two important Otto’s shaping the history and future of Magdeburg, it’s perhaps of no surprise then that the city often gets dubbed as “Otto’s City”.

Stamps:

2X Flora - Flowers
(Issued 11-05-2017)