Merry Ginger Xmas!

I had to dig deep into my scan archives to find a postcard relating to Christmas holidays! And voila - here is a joyous (and dancing?) Gingerbread Man, all the way from Nova Scotia. A curious fact (for me at least!) is that the Gingerbread Man cookies pre-date the Gingerbread Man fairy tale, and that by centuries..! The cookies could even have been found at the court of Elizabeth I of England. I don't know why I always assumed it was vice versa...Baking GB men (ha!) was never a tradition in my region, ours was much more modest in a way. The special cancellation is awesome, and who else to thank for it but dear Byron :) Another lesson today, that there is a Christmas Island in Canada, just east of Nova Scotia peninsula. Merry Xmas everyone!

Rocher Perce, Gaspe, Canada

I was going through my scans thinking what to post next...there is much left to do. On the other hand, I've hardly swapped during this hiatus so there won't be many new scans to add. When I saw this one I remembered someone in the Facebook Postcrossing group recently asking if anyone could help him get an actual postmark on a postcard from Canada rather than the machine cancel. I think this is not my only Canadian 'proper' cancellation but it sure is nice to see! Many are not cancelled at all...and that is yet still better than the infamous 'pencilling'.

I quite like this official card too, its nicely atmospheric, thank you Carmen :)

UNESCO - Kluane National Park And Reserve, Canada

Kluane National Park and Reserve is part of one of those 'complicated' whs sites, namely Kluane/Wrangell-St. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek which beside Kluane comprises three other national parks, which again as a whole boast an impressive complex of glaciers and high peaks on both sides of the border between Canada (Yukon Territory and British Columbia) and the United States (Alaska). The spectacular natural landscapes are home to many grizzly bears, caribou and Dall's sheep. The site contains the largest non-polar icefield in the world.

The first postcard shows Mount Logan, standing at 5595 metres, which makes it the highest mountain in Canada and 2nd highest in North America. On the second are the aforementioned Dall Sheep, also known as thinhorn sheep, native to northwestern North America. As always a great swap with Jason, thank you :)

Autumn In Ontario

The autumn is in full swing by now but here where I live and work we are surrounded with coniferous trees, so we don't get to see the greatest autumn feature of all - the colour changes. Instead, we are 'trapped' on the island because of the extreme SE winds, with 65-knot gusts as we speak. Its a gamble to walk outside, with all the objects flying around! So instead let's enjoy this peaceful autumn view from Canada :) Thank you Katie :)

Autumn In Québec

After a long hot summer the autumn is finally here, literally arrived to the date...Where I live it sadly doesn't display all these wonderful colours, but instead a strong chilly wind is the main 'culprit'. Canada seems awesome during this time of year. Still on to-visit list...

On a side-note: don't you just 'love' it when there are such great stamps on the postcard, but no proper cancellation? Instead crossed out with a black marker...groar.

UNESCO - Joggins Fossil Cliffs, Canada

From the series of Canadian pre-paid UNESCO cards: The Joggins Fossil Cliffs is a 689-ha palaeontological site along the coast of Nova Scotia (eastern Canada), described as the “coal age Galápagos” due to its wealth of fossils from the Carboniferous period (354 to 290 million years ago). There are remains and tracks of very early animals and the rainforest in which they lived, left in situ, intact and undisturbed; there are 96 genera and 148 species of fossils and 20 footprint groups to be found here. The site is listed as containing outstanding examples representing major stages in the history of Earth.

What is also interesting to note here is that the site is situated in the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tidal range in the world - in specific, Burntcoat Head in Nova Scotia, where tides average 17 meters (it can go over 20 meters). This area is where I'd love to spend time slow-travelling, eastern Canada in general - though taking the iconic train all across to Vancouver would make it perfect. Sadly such extensive travels might be a thing of the past for me...Still, fingers crossed.

Saskatchewan, Canada

And the news is...not news at all dear raven, just living day by day and dreaming of better days; and one of the dreams sees me visiting this fascinating country, Canada. Saskatchewan is one of its ten provinces, nestled between Alberta on the west and Manitoba on the east. The capital is Regina and the biggest city Saskatoon (fun names). These cards are from a dear postcrossing friend Brenda, who now lives in the westernmost British Columbia. Very appreciative of the various animal stamps..!

Sagittarius In 2018

Seeing this postcard made me curious what the astrology online cafes say about the new year in a Sagittarius' life...Not that I believe in such a general aspect of a horoscope, but why not..!

The most sensible in a way is the one by a certain John Terry on www.horoscope2018.co.uk

(Call me bias but I was looking through the British rather than the American pages).

'With Pluto slowly wending its way through your sign, you're beginning to understand that you must create your own luck, and that it's your attitude that makes all the difference. As the new year dawns, the natives of your sign, more than any other, stand ready, willing, and able to make whatever evolutionary leaps are necessary in order to adapt, change, grow - and make the grade.'

More than ever I think this is real, and its gonna be a challenging year!
(Look at that, it even rhymes)
 

UNESCO - Old Town Lunenburg, Canada

An official card from Canada, one of the prepaid UNESCO cards issued in 2015. Thank you Betty :)

Lunenburg is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial settlement in North America. Established in 1753, it has retained its original layout and overall appearance, based on a rectangular grid pattern drawn up in the home country. The inhabitants have managed to safeguard the city's identity throughout the centuries by preserving the wooden architecture of the houses, some of which date from the 18th century.

UNESCO - Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada

In addition to its particularly beautiful scenery, Dinosaur Provincial Park – located at the heart of the province of Alberta's badlands – contains some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made from the 'Age of Reptiles', in particular about 35 species of dinosaur, dating back some 75 million years.

Dinosaur Provincial Park is an outstanding example of major geological processes and fluvial erosion patterns in semi-arid steppes. These badlands stretch along 26 kilometers of high quality and virtually undisturbed riparian habitat, presenting a landscape of stark but exceptional natural beauty.

It is hard to find postcards showing Canadian UNESCO that are not from the pre-stamped series. But here is one - and oh what a beauty it is! Many many thanks to April, who also used some really cool dinosaur stamps - from a set of 5, issued in 2015, with a unique 3-D-like design :))

 

UNESCO - Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies

I really REALLY feel like escaping to the mountains to reconnect with nature! Its been too long. This view fascinates me, its absolutely stunning don't you think? As this WHS site comprises 7 national/provincial parks, I will post one at the time, in hope I will indeed collect all seven of them. Thanks so much for this one Katie - and she lives a short drive away from some of these parks, uhh ohh..!

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning 10,878 square km. It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff National Park and west of Edmonton. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and mountains. Its most prominent peak is Mount Edith Cavell, named in 1916 after an English nurse executed by the Germans during World War I for having helped Allied soldiers escape from occupied Belgium to the Netherlands.

Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

Mont-Tremblant is a city in the Laurentian mountains of Quebec, Canada, approximately 130 kilometres north-west of Montreal - it is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country. So picturesque, right..?!

Sugar Shack In Québec, Canada

As the autumn approaches (33 hours to go..!) I am already excited about its awesome colours - sadly not around here, but will hopefully still have time to witness them once the job for the season is over and I can travel to continental parts.

As a preview - a shugar shack immersed in autumn splendour. The Sugar Shacks are where the sap of the maple tree is boiled and made into maple syrup.  Most Sugar Shacks in Quebec are only open during sugaring off season – which is normally the spring.  Many families traditionally spend their Easter dinner together at a Sugar Shack, eating traditional Quebec food and lots of maple sugar. Yum! Thanks Isabelle :)

Polar Bear Cub, Canada

I had no idea what I'll receive in my swap with Marie - and there comes this gorgeous polar bear cub! And aren't the letters just cute with the little paws prints? Thanks so much for this!

I am equally happy about these stamps issued  Friday the 13^th last June, from a series telling some of the country’s most inexplicable and popular ghostly tales.

Edit: i really wanted to explore the meaning of these stamps...and thought I could share them on Sunday Stamps (this week being an open theme). They are also apt for the upcoming Halloween - a holiday not traditional in my country but is surely sneaking in..!

The issue called Haunted Canada comprises 5 stamps, and is start of a continuous series planned for years to come. They are as follows:
*Ghost Bride Of The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Employees and guests have reported seeing a figure with a long, flowing dress descending the stairs. She is believed to be a bride who tripped and fell to her death on her wedding day.
*St. Louis Ghost Train
There are tales of a ghostly glowing light, known as the 'St. Louis light', in the Saskatchewan River Valley. Those who believe in the ghost train claim it's the long-dead CNR conductor who literally lost his head back in the 1920's to a passing train while examining the track with his lantern.
*The Haunted Of Fort George
Due to battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath, spirits are said to still be seen or heard wandering within its stone walls. Cold spots, crying, moaning and the sound of footsteps have all been reported. Tales  are told of people having being poked or having their hair pulled, only to turn around and find no one there.

Brrr this last bit made me shiver. I will be turning around a lot now as a useless matter of precaution lol. Other entries via link:

UNESCO - Rideau Canal, Canada

The monumental early 19th-century construction covering 202 km of the Rideau and Cataraqui rivers from Ottawa south to Kingston Harbour on Lake Ontario, it is the best-preserved example of a slackwater canal in North America, demonstrating the use of this European technology on a large scale. It is the only canal dating from the great North American canal-building era of the early 19th century to remain operational along its original line with most of its structures intact.

This snowy view courtesy of Jason, thank you :)

UNESCO - Landscape Of Grand Pré, Canada

The Grand Pré  landscape is an exceptional example of the adaptation of the first European settlers to the conditions of the North American Atlantic coast.  Over 1,300 ha, the cultural landscape encompasses a large expanse of polder farmland and archaeological elements of the towns of Grand Pré and Hortonville, which were built by the Acadians and their successors.

The postcard shows a statue of Evangeline (an epic poem Acadian heroine), a stained-glass window in the nearby church, and a panoramic view of this National Historic Site. Thank you Susannah :)

 

Vancouver, Canada

Gorgeous view of Vancouver, the largest city in British Columbia (Canadian West-Coast province) whose one of the many nicknames is Vansterdam :) Courtesy of Bryon, many thanks!

 

Official - Something Odd

I have sent official cards after a long time...and when I got this card in return, I wondered if its just me or if anyone else would think finding something like this in their mailbox odd! This is blood vessel configuration of the head acquired on sender's holiday. Its just not something I'd consider sending unless someone has 'weird cards' on their wishlist...

In any case I've received also a few ho-hum cards and one cutie, so overall I am not too encouraged to send officials again, but will do so from time to time to 'keep the ball rolling' and there is still a tiny bit of curiosity left..!

UNESCO - Historic District Of Old Québec, Canada

Québec was founded by the French explorer Champlain in the early 17th century. It is the only North American city to have preserved its ramparts, together with the numerous bastions, gates and defensive works which still surround Old Québec.

The city's most famous landmark is the Château Frontenac, a hotel which dominates the skyline. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1980. Prior to the building of the hotel, the site was occupied by the Chateau Haldimand, residence of the British colonial governors of Lower Canada and Quebec.

After a long while, my 1st Unesco WHS postcard from Canada! With the list of 16 sites it has been proven the toughest country to collect, who would have thought eh? Many many thanks Guy, for this lovely snowy view! :))

Montreal, Canada

Montreal is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec, with french as the official language. It has the title of  "Canada's Cultural Capital" and was named a UNESCO City of Design in 2006. Archaeological evidence demonstrates that various nomadic First Nations native people occupied the island of Montreal for at least 2000 years before the arrival of Europeans in the 17th century.

It looks sublime under the snow blanket. Thanks to Ash :)