Brazilian Beach Donkeys

Most recently acquired postcard of cute long-ears; obrigado Marcos :)

UNESCO - Serra Da Capivara National Park, Brazil

Established in 1979, the Serra da Capivara National Park stretched across the municipalities of São Raimundo Nonato, São João do Piauí, and Canto do Buriti in the south-eastern section of Piauí state in Brazil’s Northeast Region. It covers nearly 129, 140 hectares and has a circumference of 214 kilometres. The area houses one of the most important archaeological sites in the Americas, the majority consisting of rock and wall paintings dating from 50,000-30,000 years BP,  bearing exceptional testimony to one of the oldest populations to inhabit South America.

No paintings to be seen here, but quite frankly I find it a success to find any UNESCO cards from Brazil, apart from the big cities. Many thanks Paulo :)

 

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 :)

Panoramic View Of São Paulo, Brazil

São Paulo is a municipality, metropolis and global city located in southeastern Brazil. It is the most populous city in Brazil, in the Americas, and the world's twelfth largest city by population. 

Sent the day after the 2014 World Cup final, where São Paulo was also one of the host cities - it will actually be remembered in Croatia for it was the city where the opening game vs Brazil was played. Thank you Christine :)

UNESCO - Brasilia, Brazil

 

Brasilia, a capital created ex nihilo in the centre of the country in 1956, was a landmark in the history of town planning. Urban planner Lucio Costa and architect Oscar Niemeyer intended that every element – from the layout of the residential and administrative districts (often compared to the shape of a bird in flight) to the symmetry of the buildings themselves – should be in harmony with the city’s overall design. The official buildings, in particular, are innovative and imaginative.

A while ago I have received a postcard showing the Supreme Federal Court, and last year I've swapped/tagged for views of the Cathedral of Brasília. I really appreciate everyone using different stamps!

Official - Brazilian Beach Donkey

US-2359727

How lucky for me that the sender happened to be in Brazil on holiday when he got my address, and bought a donkey postcard earlier that very day xD Everything fits sometimes! Many thanks to Raymond :)

Btw the Jericoacoara Beach in northeast Brazil was selected by Washington Post as one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.

September Officials

Now here is my story with the official postcards...I haven't sent any for quite some time, almost a year I think. Then I've decided to remind myself what it was like...and sent four. Since they were registered I've received 12 postcards to register, and I have a +9 ratio. Still not sure how come! Here are the last five total-surprise postcards:

 SG-112436

 RU-1927060

 

BR-274187 

RU-1932664 

PL-749033

Overall impression? Its a nice selection of postcards from frequent countries, if I had more resources I would send more, but with lots of going on in private swaps arena I don't feel encouraged to expand my field of action! What I miss most is the element of surprise, which subsides with time...

Petropolis, Brazil

Petropolis is also known as The Imperial City of Brasil, situated about 65 km from Rio de Janeiro. Its name honors the emperor Pedro II and is a popular summer holiday spot.

Vacation RR; thank you xiru :)

UNESCO - Iguaçu National Park, Brazil

Which side of  the famous falls to see, when you have one day only and a hole in your pocket? I cannot remember why exactly, but we've chosen the Brazilian side...We've actually peeked into Argentina from Paraguay, with a candid intention to snoop around for a week or so...but then we realised the prices have gone up two- and threefold from our last info (read: 2yo-guide) so we just sweeped the north to get to the falls and continued back (can one do so?!) to Paraguay. A shame it is, but then again we wouldnt have seen that much anyway, and a separate trip (Arg, Uru, Bra, S.Chile) is definately necessary and planned for the future!!

Another great view of the Iguacu Falls, this time from the forum i.e. the favourite RR. Thank you Anita/hanitles for reminding just me how gorgeous these falls are! And the stamp reminds me of another memorable day on my trip, visiting Itaipú Dam.:D

Toucan In Pantanal, Brazil

From La Paz on we have taken a somewhat irrational route heh. The decisions were made along the way - all I really knew is that I wanted to see some native animal (wild)life. So I read the Pantanal is a heaven on earth in that sense, but from Paraguay side its both cheaper and less touristy. We've taken a train to the Brasilian border as my friend was so certain we can catch a ride on Rio Paraguay from there - though it wasnt mentioned anywhere! :P We came to Corumbá and found nothing of the sort - only blank looks and ads for the Brasilian Pantanal touristy tours. So we moved on south to Pedro Juan Caballero on the border of Paraguay.

I really wanted to send a card showing toucan, this awesome and cool bird that I only used to see in the encyclopedia..! Until that lovely day while waiting for the train in San José de Chiquitos, when i spotted a pair flying over the station. They look so funny when flying! :D

UNESCO - Historic Centre Of Salvador De Bahia, Brazil

Wonderful night views of the Salvador lighthouse and the historic quarter Pelourinho (whs). The full historic name is Cidade de São Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos; Salvador is the capital of the Bahia state in NE Brazil, and also carries the title of Brazil's capital of happiness :))). And is the country's third most populous city! (ca 2.7 million)

Its historical centre is renowned for its Portuguese colonial architecture - after all, it was the first colonial capital of Brazil and is one of the oldest cities in the country. All this makes it a very desirable holiday spot doesnt it? :)

Both cards were sent by dear Cristina/Trisk, who always uses awesome stamps and therefore contributes to the beauty of my Brazilian postcard collection. Big thanks, as always! ;)

UNESCO - Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes Between The Mountain And The Sea, Brazil

The site consists of an exceptional urban setting encompassing the key natural elements that have shaped and inspired the development of the city: from the highest points of the Tijuca National Park’s mountains down to the sea. They also include the Botanical Gardens, established in 1808, Corcovado Mountain with its celebrated statue of Christ, and the hills around Guanabara Bay, including the extensive designed landscapes along Copacabana Bay which have contributed to the outdoor living culture of this spectacular city. Rio de Janeiro is also recognized for the artistic inspiration it has provided to musicians, landscapers and urbanists.

I believe these are my 1st cards of Rio! I was happy to do a swap with Cristina, she has such beautiful postcards :) And the stamps are great too, and the cancellations..!

I love it on the first card how the statue of Cristo Redentor 'embraces' the city. It really looks like he's watching over everything and everyone :) In 2007 it was listed as one of the New Seven  Wonders Of The World - it is the largest Art Deco statue in the world and the world's 5th largest statue of Jesus Christ, with the height of 39.6 meters and the massive weight of 635 tonnes. It is situated on the Corcovado mountain, 700m high.

I hope to see the city and the statue 'live' one day...

as well as ride the only streetcar still active in the city, the beautiful La Vereda.

The Rio neighbourhood Santa Teresa has the only active tram line  in the city, which passes its winding, narrow streets and the colonial aqueduct. Santa Teresa is nowdays considered an artistic hotspot, dotted with many galleries and museums. Sounds like a 'must'!

Ad Cards, Brazil

Photography Exhibition in Rio de Janeiro - 'Guardians of the Amazon Forest' 

 David Lynch - 'The dark Side of the Soul'

 Seabed 3D - Imax

Normally i dont exchange ad cards in an envelope - but the donkey card was just too good to be missed, and it had no place in the back whatsoever to put the address or the stamps. The same handicap follows the other two cards, so i was happy to get an envelope. It was great to swap with Cristina - obrigada :)