31. 08. 2015.

A Cottage In Devon



With more getaway thoughts...does it get any better than the british countryside? I just love these thatched cottages, and imagine a small shop and post office around the corner, some sort of a quirky fare on a weekend, and green hills in the background...my heart is set. Thank you Helen, and the stamp with Waterloo battle stamp is fantastic!

28. 08. 2015.

Fishermen On Sri Lanka



This is such an iconic image isn't it? A wonderful view from a dear friend on holiday :)) What can I add, except that I so wish that I was there with her. And look, it is NOT a zodiac stamp..!

27. 08. 2015.

Hohenzollern Castle, Germany



Hohenzollern Castle is the ancestral seat of the imperial House of Hohenzollern.The third of three castles on the site, it is located atop Berg Hohenzollern, a 234 m bluff rising above the towns of Hechingen and Bisingen in the foothills of the Swabian Alps of central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The first fortress on the mountain was constructed in the early 11th century. 

Germany is so wonderfully abundant with castles, and yet I have seen only a few so far. On the stamp is another one, Marksburg, one of the principal sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge. Danke sehr Diana ;)

19. 08. 2015.

UNESCO - Roman Walls Of Lugo, Spain



The walls of Lugo are an outstanding example of the type of construction and architectural and archaeological group which illustrates various significant periods of human history. Starting with their Roman origins and passing through the problematical Middle Ages to the innovatory and disturbed 19th century, they unite in a single monumental construction over 2 km long different proofs and facets of the evolution of a town such as Lugo (itself a historical and artistic ensemble) from the original Lucus Augusti.

I feel like I have gained a very good postcrossing friend this summer, the one who sent me this romantic night view od the roman walls with a fantastic matching stamp - gracias Beatriz!

UNESCO - The Forth Bridge, UK



This railway bridge, spanning the estuary of the Forth River in Scotland, was the world’s earliest great multispan cantilever bridge, and at 2,529 m remains one of the longest. It opened in 1890 and continues to carry passengers and freight. Its distinctive industrial aesthetic is the result of a forthright and unadorned display of its structural components. Innovative in style, materials and scale, the Forth Bridge is an important milestone in bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel.
This is one of the 24 newly-inscribed  whs sites, courtesy of Eileen and a friend - very much obliged  :)

18. 08. 2015.

Endemic Mauritius



Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean to the east of Madagascar. Due to its isolation, it has a relatively low diversity of wildlife; however, a high proportion of these are endemic species occurring nowhere else in the world. Many of these are now threatened with extinction because of human activities including habitat destruction and the introduction of non-native species. Some have already become extinct, most famously the dodo which disappeared in the 17th century.

This postcard shows some of those wonderful endemic species that are critically endangered - Pink Pigeon. Day Gecko, Mauritius Kestrel, Echo Parakeet, Fody and Mauritius Olive White-Eye. Always a sad story...I mean look at that gorgeous colourful gecko, or tiny bird on human's fingertips...

Conservation work in Mauritius is carried out by the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) and by non-governmental organizations such as the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT). Efforts to preserve native flora and fauna have included captive breeding, habitat restoration and the eradication of introduced species.
Thank you Xahrah :)

17. 08. 2015.

Collared Lizard, USA




My lizard collection has grown considerably in the last few months, yay :) I absolutely LOVE this pic, what a pose! Its the eastern collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris), found in dry, open regions of Mexico and the south-central United States. They are well known for the ability to run on their hind legs, looking like small theropod dinosaurs. The name "collared lizard" comes from the lizard's distinct coloration, which includes bands of black around the neck and shoulders that look like a collar.
Many thanks to Arnold for another great swap :)
 

16. 08. 2015.

Soldattorps In Sweden



Soldattorps are soldier cottages in use in Sweden and Finland for centuries up to the early 1900s. Now they are a pefect getaway (!) for holidays, Karin said to have had a cafe in one of them which must have been just lovely!

Rural Scene From South Africa



I have swapped for this postcard aaages ago, in the autumn of 2011 to be exact. I have only had one card from South Africa included here so it had to be rectified :) With donkeys nonetheless. Lovely stamps too, thank you Jocelyn :)

15. 08. 2015.

The Expectation By Gustav Klimt



I have swapped for this card merely because it looked beautiful, now I learn it is one in a series of three mosaics named Stoclet Frieze, a detail of The Expectation. As it is placed in the Brussles' Stoclet Palace it also turns out to be a part of an Unesco site, never thought there would be such a connection...! Many thanks to Zuzana who also used such pretty stamps :))

14. 08. 2015.

Philippine Fauna




New lizard and new cute animal for my collections, thanks to Isabel :)
Varanus salvator (water monitor lizard) is a large lizard native to South and Southeast Asia. Water monitors are one of the most common monitor lizards found throughout Asia, and range from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India to Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, and various islands of Indonesia, living in areas close to water.
Tragulus napu (greater mouse deer)  is solitary and nocturnal. It uses small trails through thick brush in the forest. It was thought to be regionally extinct in Singapore until it was rediscovered on an offshore island in 2008. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.

13. 08. 2015.

Snowdonia, Wales



Continuing with getaway thoughts...Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, located in Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) in Gwynedd, and has been described as "probably the busiest mountain in Britain''.It is designated as a national nature reserve for its rare flora and fauna.
I have climbed the mount exactly six years ago, and loved every second of it...well almost, at one point we stepped off the designated track and the stones started slipping under my feet, and i could see nothing but clouds and mist around me, but also i am easily freaked out heh. Thank you Bryony-Fjara for sending me this card to remind me of the good times :)
And the stamps are quite refreshing for these hot summer days..!

Alphonse Mucha In His Atelier



Mucha is one of my favourite artists, and here is a photo showing his atelier where all those great works of his came to life. Eliška seems to be quite the artist herself, at first I thought the dragon was printed on the postcard (it wouldn't made sense but its so nicely done) but it was done by her, great stuff! 

12. 08. 2015.

Alishan National Scenic Area, Taiwan



Another welcome getaway scenery, a mountain resort in the Chiayi County in Taiwan. Looks like a set for a fairytale, no?

How About...A Little Rest?



I longingly look at this card wishing I could get away from this crazy peak of tourist season...just me and a good friend and some good music and a good book...

Long-Ears From Normandie



A beautiful donkey card from a swap with Stephane :))

11. 08. 2015.

Chain Postcard - Tree Frog



I participated in quite a few chain postcards this year, thanks to Leon of Slovenia. I love the colours on the postcard, and of course the stamps are great too :)

09. 08. 2015.

Wild Donkeys Of The Turks And Caicos Islands





Wild donkeys, remnants of the salt industry on Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos, still roam around the islands looking inquisitively at passing visitors

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory consisting of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands, two groups of tropical islands in the Lucayan Archipelago, north of the larger Antilles island grouping. The resident population is about 31,500 on  a total land area of 430 square kilometres.

What a great surprise to receive this card from Denise, a new country, and donkeys nonetheless! The gorgeous flower stamp shows Oncidium auriferum, a species of orchid. So very happy, thanks sooo much Denise :))

UNESCO - Danube Delta, Romania





The waters of the Danube, which flow into the Black Sea, form the largest and best preserved of Europe's deltas. The Danube delta hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes.
One of those species is the great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), whose wingspan can range from 226 to 360 cm. The pelicans arrive in the Danube in late March or early April and depart after breeding from September to late November.
I simply love these cards! Looks like such an amazing place. Mulțumesc Anca :))
 

UNESCO - Golden Temple Of Dambulla, Sri Lanka



I have written about this site some posts ago as it featured on a multiview card, but here is a reminder - a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues. There is also a spring which drips its water, said to have healing powers, out of a crack in the ceiling.
My dream of visiting this amazing place called Sri Lanka continues...in the meantime, I am thrilled to have postcards from there, thanks to Hema :))

UNESCO - Su Nuraxi Di Barumini, Italy



During the late 2nd millennium B.C. in the Bronze Age, a special type of defensive structure known as nuraghi (for which no parallel exists anywhere else in the world) developed on the island of Sardinia. The complex consists of circular defensive towers in the form of truncated cones built of dressed stone, with corbel-vaulted internal chambers. The complex at Barumini, which was extended and reinforced in the first half of the 1st millennium under Carthaginian pressure, is the finest and most complete example of this remarkable form of prehistoric architecture.
I love learning about such unique places, perhaps it would take me much longer to even hear about them if it wasn't for (unesco)postcrossing...grazie Selina :)

Chain Postcard - Animals



Rainforest Snake



I won a lottery and was waiting for a surprise card - and I got this perfect snake card! Thanks so so much Mirka, you really got it right :))

08. 08. 2015.

UNESCO - Las Médulas, Spain



In the 1st century A.D. the Roman Imperial authorities began to exploit the gold deposits of this region in north-west Spain, using a technique based on hydraulic power. After two centuries of working the deposits, the Romans withdrew, leaving a devastated landscape. Since there was no subsequent industrial activity, the dramatic traces of this remarkable ancient technology are visible everywhere as sheer faces in the mountainsides and the vast areas of tailings, now used for agriculture.
The 'devastated landscape' looks almost romantic here...half-covered with snow. Many many thanks to Beatriz, and for a selection of stamps too :))