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..!

UNESCO - Belfries Of Belgium

If one was waiting to gather all postcards of Belgian belfries they would have a huge blog post to write, as there are 33 of them! I did prefer having a few for posting, so here they are :)

Firstly the capital's Town Hall belfry, and Bruges' tower of the halls, are perhaps the most prominent examples, and featured on more than a single postcard from these towns. Here I found a vintage postcard sent in 1974! The 3rd is of Ghent, and I used my visit there this spring to send a postcard :) with its height of 91 meters it is the highest in Belgium. The last two I received thanks to Gerda - Veurne's 'country-house' belfry and Ypres' 'Cloth Hall' belfry.

Built between the 11th and 17th centuries, belfries showcase the Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of architecture. They are highly significant tokens of the winning of civil liberties - over the centuries, they came to represent the influence and wealth of the towns.

UNESCO - Qutb Minar And Its Monuments In Delhi, India

Built in the early 13th century a few kilometres south of Delhi, the red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high - surrounded by funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and two mosques.

Looks magnificent in the sunset colours, thank you Sita - and for lovely stamps! :)

 

Macau Tower

This 338-meters-high tower allows a great view of the Macau City, Hong Kong and the Pearl Delta. I have arranged this swap via Facebook, yes I have dared as it is known to be quite a bit risque..! Some previous tries have ended up in blind alleys. In this case I was sent a totally different card than agreed; but that was partially redeemed by the awesome stamps :)

UNESCO - Mudejar Architecture Of Aragon, Spain

The development of Mudejar art in Aragon in the 12th century resulted from the particular political, social and cultural conditions that prevailed in Spain after the Reconquista. This art is influenced by Islamic tradition but also reflects various contemporary European styles, and is characterised by the refined and inventive use of brick and glazed tiles in architecture, especially in the belfries - as these from Zaragoza shown on the postcard.

They do look gorgeous, gracias Pilar :)

UNESCO - Historic Areas of Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya) is perhaps the best-known site in Istanbul. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople; except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.

It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture - it remained the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years thereafter, until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520. Its famous in particular for its massive dome, which can be seen on the 2nd postcard.

A personal favourite - Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city. Built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian, it is located some 150 meters southwest of the Hagia Sophia, and be careful cos you might miss it! It may have the capacity of 80000 cubic metres but its not conspicuous from the outside.

This postcard I received just before my trip to Istanbul, as a sort of an invitation :) I like the Galata Tower, especially in the night under those lights. Its a nine-story medieval stone tower (66.90 meters tall) in the Galata/Karaköy quarter, just to the north of the Golden Horn.

In the end what I found most fascinating about Istanbul is the skyline dotted with numerous imposing mosques...and just how tasty a street kebab can be :))

UNESCO - Maiden Tower in Baku, Azerbaijan

Some months ago I have received my 1st w&s postcard from Azerbaijan, and oh what a joy it is also an Unesco card! The full name of the site is Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower. The Maiden Tower is also known locally as Giz Galasi and is located in the Baku's Old City; it is an ancient tower built in the 12th century and the city's most distinguished landmark. 

The legendary tale of the king willing to force his daughter to marry a man she doesn't love, which she escapes by asking her father to first build a tower for her, and when it is finished committing suicide by jumping from the top of it has been the subject of many Azerbaijani poems and plays.

Thank you very much Dilara :)

Japan - Sapporo TV Tower

Sapporo is Japan's fourth-largest city, and the largest on the island of Hokkaido. On the photo is one of its most recognisable landmarks, the Sapporo TV Tower, located at the eastern end of the Odori Park. It was built in 1957, is 147 meters high and has an observation deck at the 90-m-height. Must be an awesome view!

Thanks to Anna :)