UNESCO - Xanthos-Letoon, Turkey

The site of Xantos , once the capital of Lycia, illustrates the blending of Lycian traditions and Hellenic influence, especially in its funerary art. The epigraphic inscriptions are crucial for our understanding of the history of the Lycian people and their Indo-European language.

Thank you Onder :)

 

UNESCO - Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was a centre of the cult of Aphrodite and of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite's legendary birthplace was on this island, where her temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th century B.C. The remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs mean that the site is of exceptional architectural and historic value. The mosaics of Nea Paphos are among the most beautiful in the world.

I am very thankful to Iliyana for sending me this great postcard! The mosaics do look truly amazing :)

 

UNESCO - Delos, Greece

The island of Delos  near Mykonos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece. According to Greek mythology, Apollo was born on this tiny island - Apollo's sanctuary attracted pilgrims from all over Greece and Delos was a prosperous trading port. The island bears traces of the succeeding civilizations in the Aegean world, from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the palaeochristian era.

The Terrace of the Lions was also dedicated to Apollo by the people of Naxos shortly before 600 BC, had originally nine to twelve squatting, snarling marble guardian lions along the Sacred Way.

 

When my PC friend told me he was going to work on an island which is in its entirety an archaeological site, I thought wow thats so cool! Thinking about it a bit more I realise it cant be that different from me working on this small island...though its much smaller, and well it doesnt have some awesome ruins scattered around heh. Thanks Vangelis :)

 

UNESCO - Kairouan, Tunisia

The Great Mosque of Kairouan is also known as the Mosque of Uqba and is one of the most important mosques in Tunisia - it was established by the Arab general Uqba ibn Nafi in 670 AD at the founding of the city of Kairouan, and is one of the oldest places of worship in the Islamic world, as well as a model for all later mosques in the Maghreb.

Kairouan flourished under the Aghlabid dynasty in the 9th century, and despite the transfer of the political capital to Tunis in the 12th century it remained the Maghreb's principal holy city.  It is an important centre for Islamic and Quranic learning, and thus attracting a large number of Muslims from various parts of the world, next only to Mecca and Medina.

Thank you Mehdi for this nice addition :))

 

Circuit De Monaco

Formula One motor race Monaco Grand Prix is held each year on the Circuit de Monaco since 1929; it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world. The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One.

Famous Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna won three Formula One world championships, but was killed in an accident while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix -  he is to this day considered to be one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.

Many thanks to Ann for this great combo :)

 

GEO - Ocelot Chillin'

An ocelot in the Ecuador's jungle has chosen a giant tree root to rest. These night hunters are native to tropical and sub-torpical American continent; once being hunted for its fur, now its protected and the numbers are recovering.

 

One of the favourites...precious moment captured in this photo. Must be so cool to be a wildlife photographer! If I could choose any career that would probably be it. Well a biologist and a conservationist combined with documentarist :)

 

GEO - Raccoon Kits

Cute young raccoons grow up to be omnivorous predators; these Procyonidae originating in North America are colour-blind, therefore they feel up their food thoroughly, sometimes even under water to make the hard fruits softer.

 

GEO - Croc Hatching

The crocodiles in Botswana's Okavango Delta lay their eggs in the sand. Before it hatches the young one makes noises to signal his mum, who will carry the defenseless offspring to the safety of the water

 

This impressive photograph was in my favourites, well until last week :)

GEO - Colourful Bird Chain

They are considered to be the most colourful migratory bird species in Europe and love to gather in warm colonies - the bee-eaters. They spend their winters in warm Africa which is rich with flying insects.

 

 



Today is reserved for the newly acquired GEO postcards that, as usual, brought a smile to my face :))

At first glance I thought this was a caterpillar heh

 

Republique Du Congo

First update this week is a new country in my collection, lovely hand-made card with a painted african scene, and i couldn't be more happy about the beautiful stamp and postmark; thank you Jitendra! :))

Official - Puppies

I guess its really hard to go wrong with puppies! Love the stamp set, thank you Carli from Hong Kong :) Wishing everyone a happy weekend; over and out ;)

 

Streets Of New Orleans, USA

La Nouvelle-Orléans (New Orleans) was founded May 7, 1718, by the French Mississippi Company, under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, on land inhabited by the Chitimacha. It was named for Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans, who was Regent of France at the time.  Nearly all of the surviving 18th-century architecture of the Vieux Carré (French Quarter) dates from this Spanish period - this is one view of that historic quarter along the Mississippi river. Wonderful isn't it?! And so thoughtful to put a Louisiana stamp to match the card.

 

USPS issued this stamp to salute the bicentennial of Louisiana statehood. The stamp image is based on a photograph of renowned environmental photographer and writer C.C. Lockwood of Baton Rouge and shows Flat Lake near Morgan City, LA. In the image, a setting sun casts the shadows of bald cypress trees hung with Spanish moss across the dark water. Flat Lake is in the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest contiguous river swamp in the United States. Its bayous are home to alligators, crawfish, snakes, turtles, nutria, owls and eagles.

 

This is a post for today's landscapes theme on Sunday Stamps. More to see following the link:

 

 

 

UNESCO - Colonial City Of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

After Christopher Columbus's arrival on the island in 1492, Santo Domingo became the site of the first cathedral, hospital, customs house and university in the Americas. This colonial town, founded in 1498, was laid out on a grid pattern that became the model for almost all town planners in the New World.

In the ciudad colonial you can find as follows: ruins of the Hospital de San Nicolas de Bari; Alcazar de Colon (Viceregal residence) and plaza de Espana ; the Catedral Santa Maria la Menor; and a question mark heh. Many thanks to Idrialis for this swap, and lovely stamps :)

 

 

UNESCO - Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex In Essen, Germany

The Zollverein industrial complex in Land Nordrhein-Westfalen consists of the complete infrastructure of a historical coal-mining site, with some 20th-century buildings of outstanding architectural merit. It constitutes remarkable material evidence of the evolution and decline of an essential industry over the past 150 years.

Vielen Dank Michaela und Brigitte :)

 

UNESCO - Bryggen, Norway

Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen, is a reminder of the town’s importance as part of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century. Many fires, the last in 1955, have ravaged the characteristic wooden houses of Bryggen. Its rebuilding has traditionally followed old patterns and methods, thus leaving its main structure preserved, which is a relic of an ancient wooden urban structure once common in Northern Europe. Today, some 62 buildings remain of this former townscape.

 

Lviv, Ukraine

Snowy panoramic view of an UNESCO town, great stamps, whats not to like? Thank you Marina :)

Donkeys Overload

Last month I have done a multiple swap with Snježana who also loves donkeys and happened to have some doubles to share - she used some excellent stamps! First full set from 2001 with comic illustrations, second full set from 2013 with honey flowers. Hvala Snježa :))

 

Street Taxi In Trinidad, Cuba

Of course I was thrilled to find a donkey postcard in Trinidad! This is a prepaid card and is one of the first to arrive, sadly another one for my UNESCO collection and one for a friend sent with real stamps didn't make it...I didn't see this fellow on the streets - but lots of horse carts, as this street sign would suggest :)

UNESCO - Monastery Of Sanahin, Armenia

Actually the full name of the site is Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, and although I'd normally want to receive both monasteries before posting here, I don't think it will happen any time soon, and I am just too excited about my first viewcard from Armenia for it not to be shown!

Both were Byzantine monasteries in the Tumanian region from the period of prosperity during the Kiurikian dynasty (10th to 13th century). They were important centres of learning - Sanahin was renown for its school of illuminators and calligraphers. It consists of a large group of buildings on the plateau above the Debet gorge and skilfully integrated into the impressive mountain landscape.

Thanks so much Patrik! :))

 

UNESCO - Srebarna Nature Reserve, Bulgaria

The Srebarna Nature Reserve is a freshwater lake adjacent to the Danube and extending over 600 ha. It is the breeding ground of almost 100 species of birds, many of which are rare or endangered. Some 80 other bird species migrate and seek refuge there every winter. Among the most interesting bird species are the Dalmatian pelican, great egret, night heron, purple heron, glossy ibis and white spoonbill.

I am especially curious about the Dalmatian pelican! On some weeks it just so coincides that I receive many postcards from one particular country, lately it has been Bulgaria - and all the cards are just so excellent, what a beautiful country. I have Irina to thank for this new unesco card :)