Stargazing At Arizona Desert

Anyone had any luck with the Perseids? Traditionally I see hardly any when I set out to do it - this year I even saw a few when not planned, just not when I actually expected to see them because of a later hour and less light pollution lol. Weird. 

This postcard comes from a tag with possibly the longest name in the history of tags (or not?) - Tag the latest sender from a country other than the last five posts.!. Its goal is to avoid repeated countries at the end of the tag. So I received this great desert night sky view from Michael, thank you :)

Jbeil / Byblos, Lebanon

The coastal town of Byblos is located on a cliff of sandstone 40 km north of Beirut. Continuously inhabited since Neolithic times, it bears outstanding witness to the beginnings of the Phoenician civilization. This postcard shows the harbour ruins.

I started this post thinking it was UNESCO, but I have researched some maps and couldn't find this, or a more specific name for it. However, I am still thrilled to receive a postcard from Lebanon, my 2nd overall and 1st through a swap, thanks to Hadi :)

UNESCO - Tower Of Hercules, Spain

The Tower of Hercules has served as a lighthouse and landmark at the entrance of La Coruña harbour in north-western Spain since the late 1st century A.D. when the Romans built the Farum Brigantium. The Tower, built on a 57 metre high rock, rises a further 55 metres, of which 34 metres correspond to the Roman masonry and 21 meters to the restoration directed by architect Eustaquio Giannini in the 18th century.

The ship was in Lisbon on the 30th, it was nice to re-visit, and since I sent quite a few postcards whilst there almost three years prior to, I didn't search for any new ones but rather spent my free time roaming around trying to remember stuff. The New Year's Eve was again spent on board, working until 23:59h and then rushing down to the crew bar for the countdown. As I haven't really clicked with any peeps yet I just went to bed to rest. Actually throughout my two contracts I haven't found my kind of peeps...I guess thats how it goes for an introvert in an extremely extrovert surroundings. It felt like even those who may have come on board with some true values have adapted to the specific ways of life. Anyways!

On the 1st of January 2017 the ship docked in A Coruña, a busy port located on the Atlantic coast, on a promontory in the Golfo Ártabro. Learning it is home to a WHS site I immediately worked out how to get there and took a longish walk in drizzly weather. My eyes were abnormally watery, I remember that distinctly as in town I met some guests from the ship and they asked me whats wrong! Maybe it was an omen of what was to come?

(Ok that was a bit overdramatic lol)

And that is the end of the 2nd/Xmas cruise! If I've continued sending as many postcards per cruise or fortnight I'd have had a full box of them. Still, I do have a few pretties left to show, so stay tuned :) Esp becauseee...the big 50-night cruise across the Atlantic is next..!

Shanghai Night View

Fantastic night view of the Shanghai Old Town, possibly the Yuyuan Garden Bazaar area. Sent by 'aeronest' for one of the Vacation RRs...all those great stamps and cancellations, many thanks :) 

I was thinking of going back to swapping on the forum, I do have a stash of postcards and stamps left over...

Brighton Night Street View, UK

Once upon a time, I visited this hip british coastal town for the 2nd time...and I hope there will be a 3rd one.

UNESCO - Historic Site Of Lyons, France



The long history of Lyons, which was founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. as the capital of the Three Gauls and has continued to play a major role in Europe's political, cultural and economic development ever since, is vividly illustrated by its urban fabric and the many fine historic buildings from all periods.

This night view encompasses the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière built on the spot of the  forum vetus (old forum), medieval Cathédrale St-Jean (Lyon cathedral) and Pont Bonaparte on the Saône river.

I have just learned thanks to this postcard that Lyon is also known for its famous light festival 'Fête des Lumières', which occurs on my birthday 8th of  December - plans are already in the making!!

Merci Clotilde :)

 

UNESCO - Medina Of Tétouan, Morocco

 

From the 8th century onwards Tetouan was the main port of contact between Morocco and Andalusia; after the Reconquest the town was rebuilt by Andalusian refugees who had been expelled by the Spanish, which is well illustrated by its art and architecture. The medina is one of the smallest in Morocco but the most complete one, largely untouched by subsequent outside influences. The postcard shows a nightview of Bab Al-Oqla, or in Spanish Puerta de la Reina.

Many thanks to Eva for this great swap :)

Hong Kong Night View

I just love this fantastic night view of Hong Kong sent to me a few years back by IvanWong - thanks a lot!

I have this pile of postcards waiting to be scanned for some time...and when I've found out that the theme for todays Sunday Stamps is China (and Taiwan) I wondered why not add Hong Kong too...as I really wanted to post this one anyway :)

Lourdes, France

This is a nightview of the Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, consecrated in 1901 and with a capacity for 1500 worshippers.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes or the Domain is an area of ground surrounding the Catholic shrine (Grotto) to Our Lady of Lourdes; it is a destination for pilgrimage, where sick pilgrims are reputed to be miraculously healed by holy water. It is a site where, starting on 11 February 1858, a 14-year old peasant girl called Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have experienced a series of apparitions of a girl dressed in white and with a blue belt around her waist, who eventually introduced herself as the Immaculate Conception.

A colleague of mine went on a pilgrimage a few weeks ago, as did some other aquaintances and relatives. My mum wishes to go and I should really work towards making that wish come true...she was always inspired by the life story of the little Bernadette. This postcard was sent by a school friend. I like the cancellations and the stamp showing the 21st President of the French Republic, François Mitterrand. Sadly the post seems to be 'improving' by simplifying everything...

Landshut, Bavaria, Germany

Landshut is a Bavarian town situated on the banks of the River Isar, and is the capital of Lower Bavaria. The city is of national importance because of its predominantly Gothic architecture within the historic city centre, especially Trausnitz Castle and the Church of Saint Martin featuring the world's tallest brick tower. Also world-known for the Landshut Wedding, one of the largest historical pageants in Europe, commemorates the wedding between Hedwig, the Polish King's daughter, and George, the son of the Duke of Landshut. It is being held every four years, and it seems 2013 is the next date..! I dont think I'd be able to go but ehm...lets see..!

Beautiful town that I visited last winter, and I have to add a few of my own photos to show what I liked most about it, its colourful houses :)

UNESCO - Sydney Opera House, Australia

An amazing sunset/night view of the famous Sydney Opera House, a multi-venue performing arts centre conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. It was inaugurated in 1973 after a long gestation that had begun with his competition-winning design in 1957. The Sydney Opera House is a modern expressionist design, with the unique 'shell' roof structures made of concrete. Its among the busiest performing arts centres in the world, hosting over 1500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people.

I am very happy to have seen it, though i'd love to refresh my memory someday :)

Thanks Heather! :)))

Brugge, Belgium

I already have a card showing Brugge belfry but this charming night view was just too beautiful to miss...When I see it I cannot but think of the movie In Bruges ('08), a gangster movie like no other - so much more interesting than what you usually see in the cinemas. However, the scene in the belfry may not be as charming as its setting..!

Thank you Amina for this swap :)

St. Ives, Cornwall, UK

There are St. Ives aplenty in the good ol' England heh. Perhaps this is the best-known one, situated in Cornwall on the coast of the Celtic Sea. In Cornish the name is Port Ia, after the legend of the Irish saint Ia Of Cornwall arriving there in the 5th century. (Cornish is a Brythonic Celtic language recognised as a minority language of the UK).

Beautiful night view - my favourite kind after a snowy view :) esp if the full moon is watching from above..!



Views Of Northern Ireland

Lucky for me Ash also went for a short trip to the Northern Ireland :) And he did well, sending three different aspects of the country.

Murals in Northern Ireland have become its symbol, depicting the past and present in the spirit of the political events of the time - almost 2000 in number, they promote either republican or royalist political beliefs. Such a turbulent history in such a small space...something I can relate to, and should learn more about it.

Views Of Melbourne, Australia

It is a trial enough to try and update all the current swaps...and then there are so many cards that I've received over the years, before blogging and during the winter breaks - I hope to manage to post at least a portion of it...! Recently I've re-discovered a huge pile of cards that Ash sent me from his travels and time spent living & working in Australia. He really was generous! So here are some glimpses of it :)

                                    
                                

                                 

Melbourne is the second most populous city in Australia, and capital of Victoria State. It is situated in the large bay known as Port Phillip, at the estuary of the Yarra River. The city was founded in 1835 and officially declared a city by Queen Victoria in 1847.

I was lucky to be able to live in this great city for three months in the winter of 2005/06 :) It is vibrant yet very relaxed...always something to do but the image of a hectic urban hub escapes it. Moreover, it is surrounded by beautiful nature, there are opportunities for short day trips aplenty! AAhhh lately I have been getting signs that I should go back...Thats just not fair, how do I find time and resources..?!

Singapore At Night

SG-46603

I've been double-minded about official postcrossing cards for a while now...but i've started to miss the anticipation, even though i get mildly disappointed on many an occasion..! Cards like this Singapore night view would surely inspire me more to participate :) It doesnt always have to be a card for a collection or something stunning, but a nice view of one's home area is always appreciated. And the stamps are lovely too!