Sunset In Bangkok, Thailand

Another sunset card from the same corner of the earth, and again its Nat :) Interesting self-adhesive stamp with cute elephants!

This view inevitably makes me feet itch...

Sunset In Taipei, Taiwan

Today, a short time after a real-time sunset, I've decided to dedicate to sunset views :) This one thanks to my busy-bee friend Nat.

The most prominent building on this picture is the Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, a landmark supertall skyscraper in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building was officially classified as the world's tallest in 2004 (509,2 m), and remained such until the completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (829,8 m) in 2010. In 2011, the building was awarded the LEED platinum certification, the highest award according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, and became the tallest and largest green building in the world.

Pristina, Kosovo

Oh my has it been almost three weeks that I've posted here...and now I have a new pile to be scanned next month, before I have 'cleared out' the old batch. Well the story repeats and continues!

This card I have received a year ago, almost to the date. My second card from Kosovo, thanks to Ruedi who went there on a business trip, and was so diligent and sent like a million of postcards! Showing The Cathedral of Blessed Mother Teresa and The Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque, also known as the Imperial Mosque.

Some More Stockholm

Today I was looking into cheap Ryanair flights to Stockholm...as the line opens in april, but there are uncertainties in the air...ah excuse the pun! In the meantime I'll let this great card inspire me, thank you Tiina :)

Adamstown, Pitcairn Islands

Ohoh I have completely forgotten to show a new country - received a year ago! Many many thanks to Susan for arranging this card for me :)

The Pitcairn Islands are a group of four volcanic islands ( Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno ) in the southern Pacific Ocean that form the last British Overseas Territory in the Pacific. They are spread over several hundred miles of ocean and have a total land area of about 47 square kilometres (18 sq mi). Only Pitcairn, the second largest island measuring about 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) from east to west, is inhabited by the descendants of the Bounty mutineers and the Tahitians (or Polynesians) who accompanied them, an event retold in numerous books and films. Amazing!

This view shows Adamstown, the only settlement on, and as such, the capital of, the Pitcairn Islands. It has a population of 56, which is therefore the entire population of the Pitcairn Islands - the hamlet currently holds the record for being the smallest capital in the world. It has access to television, satellite internet, and a telephone. The main means of communication is still the ham radio. According to Google Maps, the only named road in the capital is called "The Hill of Difficulty".

German Xmas Markets

A tiny bit late with this one...though some of the markets last well into the new year. I have missed these two examples of the well-known 'Adventmarkt' by days last year in November...this year I was near Munich when the season started and have visited a nice example in a lovely Bavarian town of Landshut. A curious info: this years top-destination for a xmas market in Europe is Zagreb, so I went, and had a great few days :)

UNESCO - Archaeological Site Of Panamá Viejo And Historic District Of Panamá

Two great additions to my collection come from Panama - muchas gracias Blanca!

The whs site comprises two parts of Panama City, the old ruins and the historical district. Here we have cathedrals from both parts. 

Founded in 1519 by the conquistador Pedrarías Dávila, Panamá Viejo is the oldest European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. It was laid out on a rectilinear grid and marks the transference from Europe of the idea of a planned town. Abandoned in the mid-17th century, it was replaced by a ‘new town’ (the ‘Historic District’), which has also preserved its original street plan, its architecture and an unusual mixture of Spanish, French and early American styles.

17th century was devastating for the original Panama City - it was attacked several times by pirates and indigenous people from Darién; in 1620 an earthquake damaged many buildings in the city; in 1644 the Great Fire destroyed 83 religious buildings, including the cathedral.

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 :)

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 :)

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!

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.

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!

Brandenburg Gate, Germany

This is a silent reminder of my recent (1st) visit to the fascinating German metropole :)
From a postcrossing meeting, thanks to Andy :)

Paramaribo, Suriname

This might be Unesco i.e. the Historical Inner City but I am not really sure..! In any case a lovely view, really love this card :) Even the lack of stamps doesn't cause a stir because this cancellation is quite interesting. Heel hartelijk bedankt Jo ;)

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 :)

Stockholm Old Town, Sweden

One of my favourite posties from Sweden is this view of Stockholm's Gamla stan (Old Town), it looks so quaint and pleasant..! It consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen which is relatively small; it dates back to the 13th century, and consists of medieval alleyways, cobbled streets, and archaic architecture. Stortorget is the name of the scenic large square in the centre of Gamla Stan, which is surrounded by old merchants' houses. Looks lovely!

 

UNESCO - Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

This fantastic view of Kathmandu Valley was sent to me some years ago by Ash while on his travels through Asia. I suppose this may and may not be an Unesco card, as it doesn't show the actual cultural sites which it is famous for...
But here is a recent postcard that I have received via vacation RR!

One of the aforementioned cultural sites is Swayambhunath Stupa, with Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on, and underneath a symbol of unity. It is the oldest Buddhist monument in the valley and a part of a religious ensemble. Many thanks to karas, and the stamp and cancellation are also great! (i've never received last postcard sent to me from nepal so this made me that extra bit happy..!)

St. George's Harbour, Grenada

St. George's is the capital of Grenada  -  a city surrounded by a hillside of an old volcano crater and situated on a horseshoe-shaped harbor. It is a popular Caribbean tourist destination with a moderate tropical climate that ensures the success of spice production. Both its fortified system and historic district are placed on the Unesco's tentative list.

The little birdie is a yellow-breasted warbler; the colourful representative of sea creatures is Holacanthus tricolor also known as the rock beauty, a species of marine angelfish that inhabits reefs from the tropical western Atlantic Ocean to the northern Gulf of Mexico.

 

Views Of Isle Of Man

Work took my friend to Isle of Man and here you can see its symbols, as well as the capital Douglas and the medieval Castle Rushen in aptly called Castletown :)

The symbols, or as the back of the postcard says all that is Manx, are the Loaghtan Sheep, the official currency the Manx Pound (though Pound Sterling is also used), Manx tartan and the Manx Parliament, and in the middle the well-known flag in triskelion design showing three armoured legs with golden spurs upon a red background. It has been the official flag of Mann since 1931 and is based on the Manx coat of arms, which dates to the 13th century.

Thank you Ash, as always :))

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The aerial view of Argentina's capital Buenos Aires with its extensive Parque Tres de Febrero in the foreground, situated in the city's largest neighbourhood (barrio) Palermo.

This postcard was received for a 12-12-12 date swap - the cancellation is wonderfully large and clean, but I have such trouble identifying the stamps..! They show Perito Moreno glacier and the southernmost city Ushaia, but there is no year of issue. Thank you Julio for this swap :)