31. 03. 2015.

UNESCO - Historic Town Of Ouro Preto, Brazil





Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (Black Gold) was the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil’s golden age in the 18th century. With the exhaustion of the gold mines in the 19th century, the city’s influence declined but many churches, bridges and fountains remain as a testimony to its past prosperity and the exceptional talent of the Baroque sculptor Aleijadinho.
First card showing the church of Nossa Senhora da Conceiçao (Immaculate Conception) and the second card the Esrada Real, which leads to the hill top - but I couldn't for the life of me figure out which church awaits there..!
Thanks to Karina (who also used the beautiful Ouro Preto stamp) and Gisely :)

29. 03. 2015.

Chateaus Of France




Le Château de Chastellux and Château de Tanlay are medieval castles situated in Burgundy. There is more information about the latter, which  is entirely encircled by its rectilinear moat and approached on axis across a bridge marked by paired obelisks through a gatehouse built in 1558. The perfect symmetry of the cour d'honneur is part of Tanlay's serene charm.
Both thanks go to Tamayre :)

28. 03. 2015.

Waterway In Suzhou, China



Another one of those views that lure me to visit China...This may be any waterway in Suzhou or perhaps its best-known one, Seven-mile Shantang. Or indeed a canal near the quaint Pingjiang Road. Suzhou, the cradle of Wu culture, is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze Basin in Eastern China, adjacent to Shanghai Municipality.

27. 03. 2015.

UNESCO - Summer Palace, An Imperial Garden In Beijing, China




 

The Summer Palace in Beijing – first built in 1750, largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886 – is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.
Thanks to Kun and Yuen :)
 

UNESCO - Mesa Verde National Park, USA



A great concentration of ancestral Pueblo Indian dwellings, built from the 6th to the 12th century, can be found on the Mesa Verde plateau in south-west Colorado at an altitude of more than 2,600 m. Some 4,400 sites have been recorded, including villages built on the Mesa top. There are also imposing cliff dwellings, built of stone and comprising more than 100 rooms.
Many thanks to Valerie :)

24. 03. 2015.

Jerusalem In The Snow



The spring is here, but I still enjoy the snow views :) many thanks to Oleg, who used such fantastic stamps!

23. 03. 2015.

UNESCO - Historic Centre Of Avignon, France



In the 14th century, this city in the South of France was the seat of the papacy. The Palais des Papes, an austere-looking fortress lavishly decorated by Simone Martini and Matteo Giovanetti, dominates the city, the surrounding ramparts and the remains of a 12th-century bridge over the Rhone. 
Merci Sebastien :)

18. 03. 2015.

UNESCO - Vilnius Historic Centre, Lithuania



Political centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the 13th to the end of the 18th century, Vilnius has had a profound influence on the cultural and architectural development of much of eastern Europe. Despite invasions and partial destruction, it has preserved an impressive complex of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical buildings as well as its medieval layout and natural setting.
I was completely surprised to realise that I, in fact, haven't blogged about Vilnius so far..! Or maybe I forgot to add a tag...I do have a couple of views of this beautiful town, last received is from Heidi with the Lithuanian postcrossing stamp :)

17. 03. 2015.

Multi Holland





Feeling a bit blues-ey, time on my hands but no means to go anywhere...work is bound to start soon, with Easter behind the corner...and I am wishing I could just hop someplace nice once more, like beautiful Holland.
Thank you Kelly for using different stamps on your Amsterdam card :)

16. 03. 2015.

Old Murree Brewery, Pakistan



This was my first postcard from Pakistan - not properly stamped, but still interesting :) Murree Brewery is the maker of Pakistan's beer brand, Murree Beer. The Murree Brewery Company Ltd. was established in 1860 to meet the beer requirements of British personnel at Ghora Gali near the resort place of Murree- but its products are now only legally available in Pakistan owing to a prohibition on the exportation of alcohol from Pakistan.

12. 03. 2015.

UNESCO - Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania



Like last time with Tanzania, I have arranged a 'blind' swap and received something amazing :) At 5895 m, Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa. This volcanic massif stands in splendid isolation above the surrounding plains, with its snowy peak looming over the savannah. The mountain is encircled by mountain forest. Numerous mammals, many of them endangered species, live in the park. An estimated 220 endangered African elephants are distributed between the Namwai and Tarakia rivers.
The elephants in the photo are possibly not those mentioned because they roam the valley, it is nevertheless a great depiction of what we imagine Africa to be.

UNESCO - Cultural Landscape Of Sintra, Portugal





In the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture - the cultural landscape of the Serra and the town represents a pioneering approach to Romantic landscaping that had an outstanding influence on developments elsewhere in Europe. It is a unique example of the cultural occupation of a specific location that has maintained its essential integrity as the representation of diverse successive cultures.
I wish I had more time to explore this area, that is why I am almost certain I will go back to do a proper tour. It was a murky day and I have visited the town and the Moorish Castle, even though the Pena Palace is far more recognisable. I've enjoyed the kind of a fairytale setting and atmosphere :) The second postcard is made of cork and shows the Regalaleria Palace. Alas both cards weren't cancelled...something the Portuguese Mail seems to struggle with.

11. 03. 2015.

Baku Multiview, Azerbaijan



Some swaps via the official postcrossing do go really well :) Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located 28 metres below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world and also the largest city in the world located below sea level. 
The Inner City of Baku was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, however I am not sure if any of the pictures show these places. Still, great to have this card!

The Lukovka Izborsk Fortress, Russia



An official postcard received 'lately' that I appreciated for the subject and stamps used, showing a 14th-century fortress in Pskov Oblast in European part of Russia.
 

10. 03. 2015.

Wat Pho, Bangkok






As I am still under impression of my latest trip to SE Asia here is the 1st postcard I've sent (and received) from there - and I absolutely loved this place! Wat Pho is a Buddhist temple directly adjacent to the Grand Palace, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Outside the temple, the grounds contain 91 chedis (stupas) - it is said that the 21 large ones contain the ashes of Buddha.


08. 03. 2015.

Lizard In Komodo NP



Wasn't quite sure how to title this one! I have swapped for this purely because its a lizard card, luckily I already have a Komodo NP card...if I am not mistaken this on the photo is an iguana? Which is native to the Americas. Still, a handsome individual ;)

07. 03. 2015.

Multiviews Of Oslo




My mind has been on Norway again lately...as Röyksopp are touring this year presenting their latest and possibly last album, I am eagerly waiting for the tour dates; so far the (summer) dates are only related to their home country Norway. There are Ryanair flights from Zadar to Oslo but all the venues are outside the capital and...you know how everything is expensive in this beautiful country :( Fingers crossed they play someplace closer and easier to reach!

05. 03. 2015.

Las Palmas Cathedral, Gran Canaria



This fantastic view is of the Cathedral of Santa Ana, the seat of the Diocese of the Canaries in the Roman Catholic Church. The structure was finished, and the first offices celebrated, on the eve of Corpus Christi, 1570, in the time of the fourteenth Bishop, Fr. Juan de Alzolares.
Love the colours, thank you Tina it is good to hear you had a great time there :D
 

04. 03. 2015.

French Riviera




Andy sent this blue card from his holiday on the French coast, would be nice to cycle from cove to cove, n'est-ce pas?

Djerba, Tunisia



I am back from my 'holiday' but before I find my way back to a scanner, here is a card sent from someone else's holiday, thanks Anne :)