Strážov Mountains, Slovakia

Strážov Mountains are one of the largest mountain ranges in the Fatra-Tatra Area of Slovakia in the country's north. The postcard shows the Kostolecká tiesňava (Kostolcka narrow). Loving the panoramic view...and the 2012 Europa stamp, thank you Lubeno :))

 

UNESCO - Changdeokgung Palace Complex, South Korea

Built in The 15th century, the Changdeokgung Palace Complex is an exceptional example of Far Eastern palace architecture and design, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. It occupies a 57.9 ha site in Jongno-gu, in northern Seoul at the foot of Ungbong Peak of Mount Baegaksan - here you can see only a fraction of it (the Nakseonjae complex, built in 1847 as a library and living quarters for King Heonjong), but it gives you an idea just how beautiful this place must be..!

Many thanks to Harleen Park, and the most wonderful stamps! :))

 

UNESCO - Maya Site Of Copan, Honduras

Copán was one of the most important cities of the Mayan civilisation, whose great Classical period lasted from AD 300-900. The archaeological remains reveal the three main stages of development, during which evolved the temples, plazas, altar complexes and ball courts that can be seen today, before the city was abandoned in the early 10th century.
1st postcard shows one side of a ballcourt - such structures were used in Mesoamerica for over 2700 years to play the Mesoamerican ballgame, particularly the hip-ball version of the ballgame; but also for other functions.
The first sculpture on the 2nd postcard seems to be one of two simian sculptures on Temple 11, possibly representing Howler Monkey Gods; the other sculpture represents a bat.

Many thanks to Cesar for these great Unesco postcards showing two aspects of the site, and for using such wonderful stamps! These postcards have arrived regularly and fairly quickly :))
 

UNESCO - Samarra Archaeological City, Iraq

Samarra is a city in Iraq situated 130km north of Baghdad, and is famous for its vast archaeological site of the former Islamic capital - the minaret of the Great Mosque on this postcard is its best-known feature. Looks fantastic!

As does the back of the postcard with no less than three different cancellations of two consecutive dates. Also a great stamp with landmarks map. Love everything, thanks so much Ahmed!

 

Cuban Tobacco

 

Here are my first postcards from Cuba...Most of the sent cards arrived safely by now but some are still travelling...fingers crossed they also reach their meant destinations.

These show the world-renowned Cuban tobacco, i.e. the fields, production...and the 'Godfather of Cuban tobacco' Alejandro Robaina. His family had been growing tobacco in the Pinar del Rio province since 1845, and even after the 1959 revolution he remained an independent grower (even though the most plantations were absorbed into cooperative organisations). Respect!

Cool Cat

Are words necessary? :)

Olá!

I am Agi's new friend, she discovered me in a tucked-away shop in the streets of lovely Coimbra...and now she wants me to tell you 'welcome back to the blog!' - after the winter sluggishness there will be more posts, new countries and unesco sites, and of course more donkeeeys ;)

 

UNESCO - Bremen Town Hall, Germany

I have come back from my brief European tour to a pile(chen) of postcards and among them a surprise from a friend who was visiting Bremen on a weekend break :) The old town hall was built in the Gothic style in the early 15th century, after Bremen joined the Hanseatic league. It is part of Bremen Unesco - the other part being the Roland statue on the Marketplace. Nice to have this unsuspectingly :)