UNESCO - Mount Sanqingshan National Park, China

Mount Sanqingshan National Park, located in the west of the Huyaiyu mountain range in the northeast of Jiangxi Province, has been inscribed for its exceptional scenic quality, marked by the concentration of fantastically shaped pillars and peaks, many of which resemble human or animal silhouettes.

Which could this one be, perhaps an eagle sitting on a branch..? 

Thank you Tyanyi :)

Scenic Thingvellir, Iceland

Here is another view of the picturesque (but also historical) Thingvellir National Park in Iceland; I have already covered it in an earlier post. However I haven't had the chance to visit. Perhaps some other time...

Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote, Spain

Timanfaya National Park (Parque Nacional de Timanfaya) is entirely made up of volcanic soil - the greatest recorded eruptions occurred between 1730 and 1736. The volcanic activity continues as the surface temperature in the core ranges from 100 to 600 °C at the depth of 13 metres, which is demonstrated by pouring water into the ground, resulting in a geyser of steam.

This landscape looks otherworldly, alas couldn't be visited as at this point of the job we were pretty much restricted to the port areas. Xmas was behind us (spent at sea), the day after the port of Fuerteventura was unreachable because of the strong winds so we spent an extra day at sea. Lanzarote was sunny and I had a fish sandwich for lunch, in a place teeming with locals so I thought it must be good! And it was. My colleague ate half of it with words 'I'll treat you when we get first pay' which of course she didn't lol, I've learnt the hard way she was a taker and none a giver, and that lasted for months. Now thats a special story! Perhaps not to be dwelt upon on a postcard blog heh.

Patagonia Chileana

When it comes to amazing nature views, Patagonia must be on everyone's top-list...Another one of those desired trips...Muchas gracias Alvaro, for such a soothing sight of the Torres del Paine national park.

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 - 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.

UNESCO - Pirin National Park, Bulgaria

The World Heritage property covers an area of around 40,000 ha in the Pirin Mountains, southwest Bulgaria, and overlaps with the undeveloped areas of Pirin National Park. The diverse limestone mountain landscapes of the property include over 70 glacial lakes and a range of glacial landforms, with many waterfalls, rocky screes and caves. Forests are dominated by conifers, and the higher areas harbour alpine meadows below the summits. The property includes a range of endemic and relict species that are representative of the Balkan Pleistocene flora.

There is no signature on the card so I don't know who to thank for this fantastic panoramic card - but whoever and wherever you are, I am grateful to you  :)

Zion National Park, USA

Ah the nature of the northern american continent...All I could do is sigh when seeing this amazing view. One of the reasons I've decided to get a drivers licence at the late age of 38 is the thought of going on a road trip in North America, to see the things buses and trains don't take you to...thank you Elena for this inspiration.

Zion National Park is located in the Southwestern United States, near Springdale, Utah. A prominent feature of the 229-square-mile (590 km²) park is Zion Canyon, which is 15 miles (24 km) long and up to half a mile (800 m) deep, cut through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone by the North Fork of the Virgin River. 

Guided horseback riding trips, nature walks, and evening programs are available from late March to early November. There are also free shuttle-bus services available for the Zion Canyon road.

UNESCO - Garamba National Park, DR Congo

Garamba National Park is located in the north-eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the transition zone between the dense tropical forests of the Congo Basin and the Guinea-Sudano savannas. It contains the last worldwide population of the northern white rhinoceros, endemic sub-species of Congolese giraffe and a mixed population of elephants, combining forest elephants, bush elephants and individuals demonstrating morphological characteristics common to the two elephant sub-species. It is also characterized by an exceptionally high level of biomass of great herbivores as a result of the vegetation productivity of the environment. 

Huge thanks to Mike, for the new country, unesco card and endangered species, all in one :)

Dartmoor Ponies, UK

Helen lives on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, an area of moorland in south Devon, England. The Dartmoor pony is a horse breed that has lived in south western England for centuries and is used for a variety of disciplines. Because of the extreme weather conditions experienced on the moors, the Dartmoor is a particularly hardy breed with excellent stamina. Over the centuries it has been used as a working animal by local tin miners and quarry workers. It is kept in a semi-feral state on Dartmoor.

Very cute, thanks Helen! Also for the excellent stamps :))

Kornati National Park

This is one of my favourite views of my 'workplace' which is further in the background but in the national park. I am spending my last days here for this year, and if I'm lucky then for good. I've sent this card for another special cancellation, trying to keep to maritime images :)

Šumava National Park, Czech Republic

Šumava National Park is situated in the South Bohemian Regions of the Czech Republic along the border with Germany and Austria. Since 1990 it has been the protected Biospherical Reserve of UNESCO. Vltava, the longest river within the Czech Republic, runs from and through it.

Yesterday I watched the movie 'Wild' which set me in the mood for hiking. This looks like an incredible place for doing just that. Many thanks to Vlastička for this view of the Czech countryside..!

Snowdonia, Wales

Continuing with getaway thoughts...Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, located in Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) in Gwynedd, and has been described as "probably the busiest mountain in Britain''.It is designated as a national nature reserve for its rare flora and fauna.

I have climbed the mount exactly six years ago, and loved every second of it...well almost, at one point we stepped off the designated track and the stones started slipping under my feet, and i could see nothing but clouds and mist around me, but also i am easily freaked out heh. Thank you Bryony-Fjara for sending me this card to remind me of the good times :)

And the stamps are quite refreshing for these hot summer days..!

UNESCO - Mesa Verde National Park, USA

A great concentration of ancestral Pueblo Indian dwellings, built from the 6th to the 12th century, can be found on the Mesa Verde plateau in south-west Colorado at an altitude of more than 2,600 m. Some 4,400 sites have been recorded, including villages built on the Mesa top. There are also imposing cliff dwellings, built of stone and comprising more than 100 rooms.

Many thanks to Valerie :)

UNESCO - Grand Canyon National Park, USA

Carved out by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon (nearly 1500 m deep) is the most spectacular gorge in the world. Located in the state of Arizona, it cuts across the Grand Canyon National Park. Its horizontal strata retrace the geological history of the past 2 billion years.

Its sort of strange, but it took me a while to get postcards of Grand Canyon - it's only been last year that I've received this gorgeous panoramic view of the South Rim, thank you Denise! I've also looked for a close-up, which is here the first waterfall of the Elves Chasm - thank you Mik :)

Grand Teton National Park, USA

I am sorting some stuff out this weekend and am leaving the blog with this great image in my head, one of my favourites EVER. The reflection of a Shiras Bull Moose in the crystal waters of Grand Teton National Park...thanks so much Kate :)

P.s. what is happening with this blog lately..?! I have so many visits, I am not used to it :)

 

UNESCO - Þingvellir National Park, Iceland

 

Thingvellir National Park is where the Althing, an open-air assembly representing the whole of Iceland, was established in 930 and continued to meet until 1798. Over two weeks a year this assembly of free men set laws and settled disputes. Also, many geological features here display the consenquencef of Iceland being situated at the meeting point of two tectonic plates - volcanoes, fissures, faults and the sunken valley.

Thank you vinur minn ,)

UNESCO - Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

 

The Los Glaciares National Park is an area of exceptional natural beauty, with rugged, towering mountains and numerous glacial lakes - including lake Argentino, which is 160 km long. At its farthest end, three glaciers meet to dump their effluvia into the milky grey glacial water, launching massive igloo icebergs into the lake with thunderous splashes.

It is always a pleasure to receive a postcard from Argentina, and then it doubles when it is such a fantastic UNESCO view! Plus, the selection of stamps, so nicely cancelled, adds to its beauty. Thanks so much Cynthia :))

Dajti National Park, Albania

Mount Dajti National Park has a surface area of 3300 hectares, is situated 26 km east of the capital and considered the 'Natural Balcony of Tirana'.  In winter, the mountain is often covered with snow, and it is a popular retreat to the local population of Tirana. This must be one of the lodges or restaurants situated in the area. Many thanks to Jelena who recognised my love for snowy views :)

Mount Kirishima, Japan

Kirishima-Yaku National Park is situated on Kyūshū island in Japan - this is a view of the 1700-m-high active volcano Mount Kirishima. Many thanks to Megumi for the nice view and lovely stamps :)