Costa Brava Market Scene

(Successful) private swaps through the official Postcrossing sites have become such a rarity for me...but every now and then there is a swapper that brightens up your day - thank you Dolores :)

Guajiquiro, Honduras

A rural scene sent by amigo querido Cesar, gracias :) Guajiquiro is a municipality in the Honduran department of La Paz, situated in the hills of the same name in western Honduras. The community that forms this municipality is of the Lenca ethnic group, who still cherish their traditions such as clothing, crafts and embroidery, but have over time replaced their Lenca language with Spanish. The area also constitutes a protected natural reserve.

I am showing the whole back of the postcards because I love the correo stamp (as the rest ):)

City Of Münster, Germany

Münster is an independent city and a cultural centre of the Westphalia region, northwestern Germany. Its origins go back to the 8th century when a church and a cloister were built on the right bank of the Aa river; by the Middle Ages the city became an important member of the Hanseatic League. Today it is thriving with students from all over Germany and the world.

These are more recent cards I've received, and you know how? I won a lottery, and yes for both cards! On top of that, amazing mini-sheets were used as postage. Many thanks go to Frank :)

Poznań Old Town, Poland

                   Woźna Street - view of the old market and tenement houses, XVI c

Poznań is a city on the Warta River in west-central Poland, best known for its renaissance Old Town; today it is an important cultural and business centre. The Old Town is called Stare Miasto in Polish, and is centred on Stary Rynek, the Old Market Square where the historic Poznań Town Hall (Ratusz) stands. It represents the glory of Poznań, from its foundation in 1253.

What I find most inviting is the mention of  traditional Saint Martin's croissants, which are produced specially for the patron's day, which is also National Independence Day. Many thanks to Eunice for one of my favourite postcards (and stamps) from Poland :)

Peñíscola Street

Peñíscola is a municipality in the province of Castellón, Valencian Community in Spain,  located on the Costa del Azahar along the Mediterranean coast. Such a lovely street view with a girl and her grandpa on a bench, and what can I say about the stamps but...fantastic! O Ana, o Ana, srećo mojih dana :P

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.

Golden Lane In Prague Castle

Lovely view of the colourful Golden Lane -  its name is connected with 16th century alchemists, who had to look there, according to legends, for a reaction to produce gold. As part of the castle it is also UNESCO - but so many places in Prague are, I have already posted about them too, so this comes separately..! I am hoping to visit Prague again soon, it is definitely one of the most beautiful towns I have ever been to.

Oranjestad, Aruba

Another newbie in my collection, thanks to Denise :) Colourful street scene of Oranjestad or Orange Town, the capital and largest city of Aruba. located on the southern coast near the western end of the island country. In the local language, Papiamento, Oranjestad is often referred to simply as "Playa". In 2010 the population of the capital was estimated at just under 30 000.

There is some Dutch Colonial architecture - due to increased government interest in maintaining the island's cultural heritage, a number of old buildings and houses in the center of town have been transformed into colorfully restored landmarks. The picture shows the Royal Plaza Mall.

 

Streets Of New Orleans, USA

La Nouvelle-Orléans (New Orleans) was founded May 7, 1718, by the French Mississippi Company, under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, on land inhabited by the Chitimacha. It was named for Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans, who was Regent of France at the time.  Nearly all of the surviving 18th-century architecture of the Vieux Carré (French Quarter) dates from this Spanish period - this is one view of that historic quarter along the Mississippi river. Wonderful isn't it?! And so thoughtful to put a Louisiana stamp to match the card.

 

USPS issued this stamp to salute the bicentennial of Louisiana statehood. The stamp image is based on a photograph of renowned environmental photographer and writer C.C. Lockwood of Baton Rouge and shows Flat Lake near Morgan City, LA. In the image, a setting sun casts the shadows of bald cypress trees hung with Spanish moss across the dark water. Flat Lake is in the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest contiguous river swamp in the United States. Its bayous are home to alligators, crawfish, snakes, turtles, nutria, owls and eagles.

 

This is a post for today's landscapes theme on Sunday Stamps. More to see following the link:

 

 

 

The Smallest Town In The World

Hum is a town in the central part of Istria peninsula, northwest Croatia. This small fortified habitation has maintained all the features of medieval urban architecture and organization. It has a population of only 17 people (2001 census), but is officially a town, and is the Guinness World Record holder for the smallest town in the world.

Its cool to have one of the Guiness -ests in one's country..! It looks perfectly charming too - I just looove the stone houses and cobbled streets. I have never been there but is of course on my list. Hvala Nato! :))

How Lovely Is The South Of France?

Menton is a commune in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France, with a nickname La perle de la France. It boasts a warm micro-climate favorable to lemon, tangerine, and orange groves whence one of the town's symbols, the lemon. In the late 19th century the town was popular with English and Russian aristocrats who built many of the luxurious hotels, villas, and palaces which still grace Menton today.

No explanations needed for the lovely lavander fields in Provance :))

Santa Lucia, Honduras

My 1st written and stamped postcard from Honduras, sent in an envelope cos the first try didnt work out i.e. the card never arrived...and I really wanted this lovely quaint view of Santa Lucia with a donkey on the street :)

Santa Lucía is a small town in the Honduran department of Francisco Morazán, only half an hour drive from the capital city Tegucigalpa. Its economy is based on agriculture and dairy production, whereas in colonial period it used to be a centre of silver mining. Looks gorgeous, wanna go there!

The cancellation is so interesting and unique. Thank you very much Mervin! :)

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Next stop - Chefchaouen, a city in northwest Morocco in the Rif Mountains, known for its buildings in shades of blue. My last stop before returning to Marrakech, and the most relaxing and enjoyable one! Just walking around the blue streets is enough to make the visit unforgettable :))

UNESCO - Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua is a colonial town situated in the central highlands of Guatemala, famous for its well-preserved baroque architecture and (ruins of) colonial churches. It was the third capital of Guatemala in the 16th century, when it prospered until a devastating earthquake of 1717 when much of its magnificent architecture was destroyed. This beautiful postcard shows Calle de Los Pasos :)

Nowdays the city is renowned for its many language schools, a perfect spot to start or brush up on your Spanish :)

The long-standing gap in my collection called 'central america' was nicely filled in the last year or so - I only still miss Honduras. Thanks goes to Florencia and her trip this winter :) The Guatemalan Post cancellations are among the coolest I've ever seen!

UNESCO - Port, Fortresses And Group Of Monuments, Cartagena, Colombia

Situated in a bay in the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena has the most extensive fortifications in South America. A system of zones divides the city into three neighbourhoods: San Pedro, with the cathedral and many Andalusian-style palaces; San Diego, where merchants and the middle class lived; and Gethsemani, the 'popular quarter'.

Not enough time, not enough budget to do Colombia properly - but the bits I've seen, oh were they lovely! I soooo want to go back...! Cartagena is a beautiful town with an atmosphere of its own <3 One thing about the colombian mail - there is no 'proper' postal service, mail is handeled by private carriers and its all a bit of a mess really. Sending postcards is expensive, but i've read they have better chance arriving than letters cos they cant be opened and compromised..This one travelled a long while but i am thoroughly happy it arrived :D