Cork, Ireland

Ahh bless me, thinking all those months ago that I'll be more active with postcrossing and/or blogging. There have been a few swaps, alas the low number is not due to covid, but rather due to extortionate postage prices. Since those prices almost doubled in Croatia a few years back I have mainly been using my stash of stamps, which is running seriously low now...I want to arrange a few more swaps for the 22-02-2022 date, and then we'll se what happens next. I have so many unused postcards it borders a crime.

Anyways! They call Cork 'the city of steps and steeples'. Its been almost a year since I left it behind and I haven't regretted it (yet) as it was just too tough for a newbie. What I did like about it were the numerous coffee shops, book stores, large green parks, and of course TK Maxx 💀👻😅. In a normal situation it would be a decent place to live, I gather. I found oodles of great Irish postcards but not many showing Cork. This one is a good representation of the main sites: Blarney Castle, Shandon Bells & Tower, Saint Finn Barre's Cathedral, and St. Patrick Street.

 

Land Of Contrasts, South Africa

I have received this great card at the end of last year, it was like: wait, I don't remember swapping with anyone from South Africa....and then I read the date, March 2016. A nice surprise when you forget about a card and then it suddenly arrives..! A year and a half is a mighty long time. Great stamps too, thank you Santie and George :)

Official - Frankfurt, Germany

I've always thought of Frankfurt as one of the 'citiest cities', with nothing but skyscrapers and rectangular buildings (a bit of exaggeration of course), but here it looks attractive and pretty diverse. Danke Andrea :)

UNESCO - Archaeological Ensemble Of Tárraco, Spain

First I thought Tarragona is WHS, then I couldn't find it on the list, and now I realise parts of it are under a different (ancient) name. Tárraco (modern-day Tarragona) was a major administrative and mercantile city in Roman Spain and the centre of the Imperial cult for all the Iberian provinces. It was endowed with many fine buildings, and parts of these have been revealed in a series of exceptional excavations. Although most of the remains are fragmentary, many preserved beneath more recent buildings, they present a vivid picture of the grandeur of this Roman provincial capital.

This postcard shows some of the mentioned  remains, but also the 12th-century Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Mary and the magnificent adjacent cloister. As Tarragona is a Catalonian port on Costa Daurada it is near Barcelona, and that's where the ship actually anchored. I was happy to go the first time; when I got exactly the same tour the 2nd time I was confused (to say the least) and wished to have more relaxing time for Barcelona. Too fussy eh? :P

Isle Of Skye

Skye is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillins, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. The island's largest settlement is Portree (bottom right), known for its picturesque harbour.

Having gangway photo shoot that day I stayed in Portree; just a short walk away lots of green and picturesque nature. This was one of the ports where one reaches it with tender boats from anchored ship.

Dublin, Ireland

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! My first time in Ireland was while working on the ship, yep its true..! Three times in Dublin, with quite a longish ride to/from the port, higher prices than expected, very touristy esp in the bars area called Temple Bar (and one of the most famous pubs there being The Temple Bar, not confusing at all). I can only imagine how lively it is there tonite..!

Nature Views Of Serbia

Nope, the cruise ship didn't go up the Danube for this one :D Rather I got a bit tired of posting about my ship life, as some others possibly are too, so a break is needed (and the 2nd contract postcards will be posted at some later point) - and what better break than a nature break, and from two very dear fellow postcrossers! Two Anas met in Belgrade last autumn (as some of you will know it is already a sort of a tradition, cheesecake included ;)) and sent me this beautiful card. You are right girls, the cat on this stamp IS a bit psycho, but it had to be sent, and I love you for it :))

South Coast Jamaica

As I haven't had a view card from Jamaica before, I am so verrry happy about this card :) It shows: 1) the Black River - its name refers to the darkness of the river bed caused by thick layers of decomposing vegetation. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the Black River morass. 2) Bamboo Avenue - a two and a half mile stretch of road between Lacovia and Middle Quarter,  established in the 17th century by the owners of the Holland Estate to provide shade for travelers and to protect the road from erosion. 3) A Crocodile Safari, self-explanatory. And 4) the magnificent seven-tiered cascading Y S Waterfalls.

Not that I have seen any of these places...its a special kind of experience coming to Jamaica on a cruise ship. I don't see much sense in it. In fact I don't even count as being in Jamaica. At least thats what happens if you are on a tight budget. Just to get to Montego Bay (and back) from the cruise port you need to pay 14 dollars. Once there, what you face is a line of shops with touts outside and unfriendly staff inside. On the bright side, the tiny post office was open and the young lady working there most helpful :) I've seen a sign for the crafts market so I ventured there, and was 'attacked' by women there who all suddenly wanted to be my 'friends'. One of them braided like one tiny strand of my hair and didnt let me go until i bought something (hard to believe but I am way too polite sometimes!) and the stuff wasnt cheap at all. I ended up with two shot glasses as there was nothing else for my pocket (excluding bracelets and such). Then I went to the beach for a walk, the only beach you didnt have to pay for, and hey now I see its called a Dump-up Beach lol. (The urban dictionary's explanation of this term is most concerning btw). There was hardly anyone there, just a few local groups of people. And some glass to step on.

So that was my Jamaican adventure :) Now THIS is where you really wish to have a tour! You look at the photos and see sand and beach and think 'oh you are so lucky!' In some instances you are so right - this was not one of them.

Views Of La Gomera

Next stop: La Gomera. I have posted a little bit about this island before, as my sister visited and sent a postcard from there. The ship docked in the port of San Sebastián de La Gomera, which can be seen here top-left - I best remember the black sand beach, and seeing a first cat since on board :) Went for a walk, then looked for a decent wi-fi (which will become one of the major sports to do in ports!) and that was pretty much it. The choice of postcards was again tempting; whole of the Macaronesia seems to be like that, donkeys and lizards aplenty..!

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!

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!

UNESCO - Anuradhapura / Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Two Unesco sites on one postcard! Showing on the left the Sacred City of Anuradhapura and on the right the Golden Temple of Dambulla. As I have posted a postcard of the 1st I will include some info on the latter:

The ensemble of Dambulla is an outstanding example of the religious art and expression of Sri Lanka and South and South-East Asia. 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 are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

Thanks so much Hena!

UNESCO - Churches Of Chiloé, Chile

The Chiloé Archipelago consists of several islands lying off the coast of Chile, widely known for its distinctive folklore, mythology, cuisine and unique architecture. The perfect example of the latter are these beautiful, colourful wooden churches which represent a tradition initiated by the Jesuit Peripatetic Mission in the 17th and 18th centuries, continued and enriched by the Franciscans during the 19th century and still prevailing today.

There are about 70 churches built in similar way, sixteen of them excelling as an outstanding examples of the successful fusion of European and indigenous cultural traditions. Just lovely, gracias Hernan :)

 

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 :)

 

Absolute Feelings Of Budapest

Craiova, Romania

I have a very exciting assignment for today - through postcrossing friends on FB I have discovered an excellent online printing shop, and now I have to browse through my photos to see which ones may make a good postcard! I had my friends telling me a number of times to do this...so I hope the results will be pleasing :) If not, well I tried..! But also I need to do more blogging as I have a huge pile of postcards waiting...and as usual I won't be able to do it much over the winter, so lets chop-chop! xD

Starting with a view card of Romania's 6th largest city Craiova, the capital of Dolj County in the country's south. Lovely stamps of Romanian flora from 2012. Jelena went there via student-exchange programme, hvala ;)

Monte Carlo, Then And Now

Two postcards from Monaco, multiviews of Monte Carlo from 1900 and 21st century. Great stamps and very interesting stamp/cancellation with sharks, very happy! Thank you Ash :)

Jersey Multiview

During the last week I have received many wonderful cards, most of them Unesco (yay) but also a few precious items 'on the side' :) As I am heading home for a break and dont have much time to update, here are some of the un-unesco cards!

My 2nd postcard from Jersey is a multiview of this small territory that is part of the Channel Islands, complete with the current Europa stamp. Wonderful, thanks so much Andrea!

Mauritius Multiview

 

One of my favourite multiview cards, images of the gorgeous Mauritius framed with bright red. Thank you Samuel :))