30. 10. 2012.

Good Night


Time for bedtime stories....

UNESCO - Škocjan Caves, Slovenia



Skocjan Caves is a cave system in Western Slovenia - this exceptional system of limestone caves comprises collapsed dolines, some 6 km of underground passages with a total depth of more than 200 m, many waterfalls and one of the largest known underground chambers.
The system of subterranean passages, fashioned by the Reka River, constitutes a dramatic example of large-scale karst drainage. The river enters the Škocjan grotto in an underground passage 350 m long, reappearing in the bottom of a 150 m deep and 300 m long chasm, before disappearing into a passage 2 km long. The system of grottos is rich in speleofauna; the underground galleries hold five species of wintering bat.

Everything about these caves sounds so grand and amazing, and I wasnt aware of it until I started collectiong Unesco sites! For some reason Postojna Cave was always so familiar but the other Slovenian caves...and there seems to be many for such a relatively small country. I think I am not done with visiting Slovenia! Hvala puno Tamara :))


Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara, Turkey



The Kocatepe Mosque is the largest mosque in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. It was built between 1967 and 1987  and its size and prominent situation have made it a landmark that can be seen from almost anywhere in central Ankara.
This beautiful postcard with equally beautiful stamps was sent to me by Leslie some years ago, thank you! :))

29. 10. 2012.

UNESCO - Butrint, Albania



I was already too happy to arrange a swap for an Albanian card; when I received this great Unesco view, I was over the moon :))) Thank you so much Sonni!
Butrint or Buthrotum was an ancient Greek and later Roman city in Epirus region - in modern times it is an archeological site in Sarandë District in Albania, some 14 kilometres south of Sarandë and close to the Greek border. Bouthroton  was one of the major centres of the Ancient Greek tribe of Chaonians. The earliest archaeological evidence of settled occupation dates to between 10th and 8th centuries BC.
The amphitheatre on the photo dates from the 3rd century BC and  is situated at the foot of the acropolis.

UNESCO - Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System



The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs straddling the coast of Belize - its a 300-kilometers-long section of the 900 kilometers of Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is continuous from Cancún in Mexico through the Riviera Maya to Honduras. Reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals, and is one of the most diverse ecosystems of the world, with 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species and 500 species of fish; and only about 10% of the area has been thoroughly researched..!
The reef is under threat from oceanic pollution as well as uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing; also the hurricanes along with global warming and the resulting increase in ocean temperatures, which cause coral bleaching. This is why the back of the card also invites you to help to protect this unique environment...
Many many thanks to Jason for this awesome card and Harpy Eagle stamp! :))

UNESCO - Old town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof, Germany




Regensburg  is a city in Bavaria located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers. The first settlements in Regensburg date to the Stone Age, and there are ruins (a fortress) from the Roman period. Between 1135 and 1146, the Stone Bridge across the Danube was built, which opened major international trade routes between northern Europe and Venice - this began Regensburg's golden age as a residence of wealthy trading families. Regensburg became the cultural centre of southern Germany and was celebrated for its gold work and fabrics.
The Dom (Cathedral of St. Peter) is an example of pure German Gothic and counts as the main work of Gothic architecture in Bavaria. It was founded in 1275 and completed in 1634, with the exception of the towers, which were finished in 1869.
The Goliath House was built in 1260, but the painting of David and Goliath was done in 1573. Its one of the most distinguished landmarks of the Regensburg Old Town.
I was thrilled when I learned that one German Unesco site is fairly close to where my sister lives, so I was only too happy to visit earlier this year :)) The whole town was covered in snow, the river was half-frozen and I sincerely enjoyed the serene winter atmosphere. The German Post issued the Regensburg stamp around the same time. Happy Agi xD

27. 10. 2012.

Vaduz Castle, Liechtenstein


Vaduz Castle is the palace and official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein; the castle gave its name to the capital  town of Vaduz, which it overlooks from an adjacent hilltop. The first owners and presumably the builders were the Counts of Werdenberg-Sargans in the 12th century.
A lovely card sent from which must have been a great PC meeting in such settings, thank you Diana! :))
(I have seen the castle on an early morning drive-by, it was closed to the public :()

Autumn Wolf



What a handsome fella, what a beautifully framed shot :))
I've always wondered about these indigo stamps with big T and a fraction on German postcards, any hint?

Santo Antão, Cabo Verde



Santo Antão, or Sontonton in Cape Verdean Creole, is the westernmost and largest of the Barlavento islands of Cape Verde; second largest in the country. The island is entirely made up of volcanic material -  the tallest mountain is Topo de Coroa, reaching a height of 1,979 m. The main product on the island is a kind of rum known as grogue. The exportation of many of the island's agriculture products to other islands has been prohibited for nearly two decades because of the millipede blight, but tourism is becoming one of its most dominant industries.
What a gorgeous bird stamp! As I was looking thru my stamps for this week's Sunday Stamps I've realised I would have trouble if birds were the topic, as I have so many. On the other hand, this week's topic is giving me trouble...This time thanks go to Gilles :))

26. 10. 2012.

UNESCO - Upper Svaneti, Georgia



Svaneti is a historic province in Georgia, in the northwestern part of the country. It is inhabited by the Svans, a geographic subgroup of the Georgians. Surrounded by 3000–5000 meter peaks, Svaneti is the highest inhabited area in the Caucasus - four of the 10 highest peaks of the Caucasus are located in the region.
Geographically and historically, the province has been divided into two parts—Upper Svaneti and Lower Svaneti. Architectural monuments of Upper Svanetia are included in a list of Unesco WHS. The towers were erected mainly in the 9th-12th centuries, and the botany is legendary among travelers.
Thank you Sini for sending a card from your visit to Georgia :))

Saaremaa, Estonia




Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia, measuring 2,673 km², located in the Baltic Sea. Its territory has been inhabited for at least 5000 years. The capital is Kuressaare, also famous for its medieval castle - which was originally built in wood between 1338 and 1380, and is on Unesco tentative list.
Kaali is a small group of nine unique meteorite craters on Saaremaa - the largest one measures 110 meters in diameter and contains a small lake known as Kaali järv. Fable-like!

UNESCO - Nemrut Dağ, Turkey



Mount Nemrut is a mountain (2134m) in southeastern Turkey, notable for the summit where a number of large statues are erected around what is assumed to be a royal tomb from the 1st century BC. These statues are 8–9 m high and represent the founder King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene, two lions, two eagles and various Greek, Armenian and Iranian gods. Looks so surreal doesnt it??! Like Dali painting :) I got this for Choose a Country RR from aykutalpc, many thanks :)) Great huge stamps too!

Movies - Quadrophenia



Quadrophenia is a 1979 British film, loosely based around the 1973 rock opera of the same name by The Who. Its a story about London Mod Jimmy Cooper, played by Phil Daniels (picture) - Mod is a subculture that originated in London, England, in the late 1950s and peaked in the early-to-mid 1960s. elements of the mod subculture include fashion (often tailor-made suits); music, including African American soul, Jamaican ska, British beat music, and R&B; and motor scooters. The 1990s Britpop scene featured noticeable mod influences on bands such as Oasis, Blur, Ocean Colour Scene and The Verve.
I've enjoyed this movie but its a while back. I am posting a movie card today cos I am playing with the thought of blogging about the flicks, inspired with a few excellent ones I've watched recently. Perhaps :)

25. 10. 2012.

NI Multiples - African Masks



This excellent NI card was sent to me by dear sis way before postcrossing and my knowledge of NI existance - it shows the African masks of Gabon, Zaire, Burkina, Congo and Ivory Coast. I got two similar masks at home, a present from a drifting nomad who travelled Mali :)

Canarian Gecko



Lanzarote is a Spanish island, the easternmost of the autonomous Canary Islands - and this is one of its cutest inhabitants :)) thanks Brian!

24. 10. 2012.

Currie's Whisky, Scotland



We are in Perth but not as far as Australia - rather in central Scotland, where we visited on a day trip from Edinburgh. A vintage reprint of a whisky ad was a great find! Does google suck or is there really so little info on this online..?

Brokopondo Reservoir, Suriname



This looks like an idyllic islet somewhere in the Caribbean doesnt it? Well its close enough - but is actually located on Suriname's largest reservoir, and one of the largest in the world. Its full name is Professor Doctor Ingenieur W. J. van Blommestein Meer, and is also called the Brokopondostuwmeer.  Many thanks to Cheryll, this was my first w&s card from Suriname and I was ecstatic :)))
(Love the cute bird, some kind of parrot? Couldnt find it..!)

Glimpses Of Bavaria, Germany



The Free State Of Bavaria is Germany's south-eastern and largest state - its larger than Croatia and the population is triple! The capital is Munich, country's third largest city. It is one of my favourite cities, perhaps because it was my home for a year...but I think I am objective when I say there is lots to see and do there, lots of history and happenings. I really like this multiview cos its so different from what you usually see on german postcards...And the flower stamp is gorgeous :)

23. 10. 2012.

Isle Of Capri, Italy


Capri is an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea on the south side of the Gulf of Naples in the Campania region of Italy. It has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic, and became most popular in the 1950's.
The picture shows Faraglioni, the three stacks located off the island's south coast. Their names are Stella Mezzo and Scopolo (the outermost one). Fantastic blue sea eh?! Thank you sis :))

The Smallest Town In The World


Hum is a town in the central part of Istria peninsula, northwest Croatia. This small fortified habitation has maintained all the features of medieval urban architecture and organization. It has a population of only 17 people (2001 census), but is officially a town, and is the Guinness World Record holder for the smallest town in the world.
Its cool to have one of the Guiness -ests in one's country..! It looks perfectly charming too - I just looove the stone houses and cobbled streets. I have never been there but is of course on my list. Hvala Nato! :))

22. 10. 2012.

How Lovely Is The South Of France?




Menton is a commune in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France, with a nickname La perle de la France. It boasts a warm micro-climate favorable to lemon, tangerine, and orange groves whence one of the town's symbols, the lemon. In the late 19th century the town was popular with English and Russian aristocrats who built many of the luxurious hotels, villas, and palaces which still grace Menton today.
No explanations needed for the lovely lavander fields in Provance :))

Lourdes, France



This is a nightview of the Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, consecrated in 1901 and with a capacity for 1500 worshippers.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes or the Domain is an area of ground surrounding the Catholic shrine (Grotto) to Our Lady of Lourdes; it is a destination for pilgrimage, where sick pilgrims are reputed to be miraculously healed by holy water. It is a site where, starting on 11 February 1858, a 14-year old peasant girl called Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have experienced a series of apparitions of a girl dressed in white and with a blue belt around her waist, who eventually introduced herself as the Immaculate Conception.
A colleague of mine went on a pilgrimage a few weeks ago, as did some other aquaintances and relatives. My mum wishes to go and I should really work towards making that wish come true...she was always inspired by the life story of the little Bernadette. This postcard was sent by a school friend. I like the cancellations and the stamp showing the 21st President of the French Republic, François Mitterrand. Sadly the post seems to be 'improving' by simplifying everything...

21. 10. 2012.

Croatian Ships


Today's theme for Veridian's Sunday Stamps #93 are ships of all kind - as it happens i have two covers with ships, and have posted them already on my other blog..! So, to come up with something fresh, I've found this postcard & stamp on the blog's waiting list :) The postcard shows the fishing boat in the harbour of the Adriatic harbour Zadar; the stamp is from a set of 9 issued in 1998 showing Boats of Croatia (I have the sheet but no scanner :( ). This particular boat is called Bracera, the coastal cargo sailing-vessel 12 to 17 metres in length,  shows the perfection of form of a small boat, achieved in the course of a thousand-year-long evolution.

The other stamps showing ships are from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and British Virgin Islands. I hope I have managed to fulfill the assignment to some extent xD



If you find these weekly assignments fun and want to join, or just check some of the finest selections of stamps by bloggers, feel free to visit Viridian's blog :)