Hamburg Map

 

Hamburg was my starting point - I wanted to see the city for a few days before moving further north. And it is an amazing city! I could totally see myself living there - if only it wasn't so far away from home...it wouldn't have mattered years ago, but now as my parents are rather old I prefer staying somewhere closer, at least that is the plan...

My favourite thing about Hamburg must be the great coffee culture; as a major European harbour it is the entry point for coffee beans from around the world, and specialist roasters and shops are ample throughout the city. Also the UNESCO Speicherstadt is a splendid site, with its powerful red-brick architecture and numerous canals and bridges - it is the world's largest complex of warehouses (I thought I have posted about it some years back upon receiving a Speicherstadt postcard, but no...it must be in one of the old folders still waiting, sniff). While checking my received cards I was surprised that I have sent only one Hamburg postcard 🤷

Official - Route 66

The classic - always a dream, I wonder if it'll ever come true...Its one of those trips when I'd rather have company, but not so easy to find..! As a child I thought the old American cars are rather ugly, now I'd like nothing more than to drive one through the expanse of the North America.

Map Of Madeira

Just as I thought, I couldn't find an older cruise schedule (but I found two of the more recent ones, coincidentally starting from the date the 'good management' left the ship and different kinds of 'bad management' started rolling in), so I had to resort to retracing my steps via facebook lol. Well, I did write on this postcard 'here is a first postcard!' so that I can be sure of :D I flew to Hamburg while the ship was still on dry dock, had a few days of practice, and...then off to Southampton, the ship's turn-around port. The first cruise was so-called 'party cruise' or 'booze cruise' - those are generally the short 2-3 day trips over to Zeebruge/Bruges As those are the busiest cruises (you have to fit in all the different shoots plus the selling into a small time-frame) I didn't even go out in Zeebrugge. Well I couldn't have anyway as the company I worked for still didn't sort out my Bermuda ID by that point, plus it requires actual planning and sufficient free time to get to Bruges, so I thanked the Lord that I have visited lovely Bruges on my own, and simply had some rest.

Party cruise, or should I say 'fiery baptism' (is what we call any tough introduction into a job), over and done with, Xmas cruise around the Canary Islands (and a few other ports) next. Madeira was a delight - I actually had enough free time to go to the Funchal town centre, have a stroll, enjoy a bit of a Xmassy-feel, have a snack, and buy some postcards. Many souvenir (and tobacco) shops were open and were also selling stamps - not that you could tell from this stamp-less postie..! (The stamp thief strikes again)

Map Of Uganda

This great card was received about a year ago, many years after my first cards from Uganda. The combination of the map, flag and view highlights is the best. Also very happy about the stamps! Thanks so so much Grace :))

Map Of Antigua

The 2nd time my friend visited Antigua he sent me this wonderful map card :))

The tree on the stamp is mesquite - is one of the most expensive types of lumber in the U.S. A mature tree can be milled and sold for thousands of dollars. It was a very popular type of wood used by early Spaniards to build ships; but is now used most commonly for high end rustic furniture and cabinets.

Map Of Gibraltar

'So much to see in such a small space' my friend says, and it sure looks that way on this map. Awesome stamp too, unsurprisingly not cancelled.

Map Of Cyprus

After some (unintentional) abstinence a new card from Cyprus, and a great map at that. Has a unique shape doesn't it, one of those countries you immediately recognise from the outlines. I've just checked the weather map and its still so warm and cosy there! Thank you Dorota :)

Desert Map, Morocco

After a long while a swap from Morocco - this inviting map, reminding me of good days. Great stamps too! Thank you Ouissal :)

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?

Map Of Ireland

This post is an ode to unfulfilled dream...well only for now, i hope! My lingering and indecisiveness made me miss the cheap flights to Dublin for october. After that i.e. november to march there are no ryanair flights to/from Croatia...Basically coincides with my free time, boo. But I do believe another opportunity will come! In the meantime I'll daydream about green pastures, high cliffs and Guiness...thanks to Connor and Choose a Country tag :)

 

Maps Of Luxembourg

A friend went on a short trip to Luxembourg last month and dedicatedly sent me these map cards :) Have actually received the latter one via official postcrossing some 5 years ago while I haven't even thought of writing a blog. I believe it was my first card ever from Luxemourg. And now I am being spoilt heh

 

Map Of The Summer Palace In Beijing, China

End of last year I got the opportunity to swap for this amazing shaped map card showing one of the 45 Unesco sites in China - just one glimpse at it and you can tell its an awesome place. I mean who can doubt the combination of historical buildings, lakes and grassy fields..?! Was tricky to scan...crookedness is the word here :) many many thanks to heng yao xD

The Summer Palace covers an expanse of 2.9 square kilometres, three-quarters of which is water.  Its a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces  first built in 1750 - later largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886. It is considered to be a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.

Now a little secret is about to be revealed...i am hoping to see this place next winter. I have already mentioned the times I've fallen in love with China through postcards (esp unesco!) and the time has come to look into it and check if I can make it my next destination. China is so vast and wonderful in so many aspects, it'll be really hard to choose where to go! And I do have to choose, time and resources are limited...tough job being a jury here. Btw I have looked at all the 45 Unesco sites briefly - estimate is one could easily spend (at least) $600 on entrance fees..!

Map Of Slovenia II

Something I picked on my visit to Ljubljana this winter, and left to my friend to surprise me with some ludicrous writing :) And once again I've concluded I so wouldn't mind living there..!

 

Food Map Of Portugal

I have sent a yummy map to remind me of some of the tastiest experiences in Portugal (bacalhau/cod, francesinha, pasteis de nata, though much more left to try) - then i realised it can be seen as a Intangible Cultural Heritage postcard, as Mediterranean diet has been added to the list in 2013. Wish Croatia had some nice food postcards..!

 

Map Of Venezuela

Many thanks to Luis for sending me this wonderful map card...I hope things are going for the better in this country full of beauty...:))

 

Ukraine Borscht Map

The eyes of the world are directed to Ukraine these days, and not for a good reason...In hope things will resolve for the best in this beautiful country, I am posting a map of their regional soup specialty, and wonderful illustration stamps (2008) of Ukrainian traditions - holiday of Holy Transfiguration and christening in Crimea, wedding ceremony and Harvest Festival in Dnipropetrovsk. 

Are thoughts are with you Ukraine!

Corsica Map

Before I go home and do another blogging break, a few maps of Corsica that I've received from a dear friend. He was sure that I have loads of postcards of Corsica already, when in fact these are my 1st! Some places in Europe are still elusive...from the little pictures it looks absolutely lovely :)

Isle Of Man

Before I disappear for the weekend, more views of Isle Of Man from my dear friend, he was worried if the map was mappy' enough, but I think its one of the coolest I have ever seen xD

Tehran Metro Map

This is a hand-made postcard sent from Iran, with a colourful stamp (from a set of two) celebrating World Child And Post Day. The special cancellation is of the same image, I love details like that! Won the postcard in a lottery organised by i-puentchen, thanks so much :)

Maps Of Iceland

 

 

 

 

 

Properly spoilt aren't I..?! Thanks to my friend Ash I have every possible map of Iceland in my collection heh. And so great to see all the different stamps..! I really REALLY wanna go there one day...