Purr

These days are all about cats...There were three, and then there were five, but presumably even more...There are a lot of unwanted kittens this time of year, trying to find their forever home. Here's hoping they all find good hoomans to look after them, so they can be rewarded with lots and lots of purrs...

This Postallove card was in my favourites, thank you Marion :)

Bumper Crop In Vietnam

Sometimes the back of the card gives you a title for the postcard that you're not entirely sure about; however, this girl looks really content with the crop she's carrying, beautiful smile. I'd guess it a paddy field she's working in. 

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...

The Hill Of Crosses, Lithuania

A card that was in my favourites and was sent to me for vacation RR on the forum many many months ago...many thanks to Ieva :) 

The Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnas) is a site of pilgrimage about 12 km north of the city of Šiauliai, in northern Lithuania. The precise origin of the practice of leaving crosses on the hill is uncertain, but it is believed that the first crosses were placed on the former Jurgaičiai or Domantai hill fort after the 1831 Uprising. The exact number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 100,000 in 2006. I guess putting a cross there is believed to give you blessings..!

The Westernmost Point Of Ireland

A stunning view of the Dunmore Head (officially the westernmost point of Ireland and arguably Europe) and beyond the Blasket Islands, taken from Slea Head - all Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, southwest Ireland. Lots of names to remember! But the view is very easy to remember surely even more so 'in person', especially with all those sheep staring at you lol thanks Patrik! Extra thanks for the lovely stamps :)

 

St Barnabas Chapel, Norfolk Island

St Barnabas Chapel was the mother church of the Church of England's missionary work in Melanesia between 1880 and 1920 - it was built as a memorial to Bishop Patterson who was killed by natives in the Solomon Islands in 1871.

Lovely postcard and stamps, many thanks to Azzi for my first viewcard from Norfolk Island :)

Circuit De Monaco

Formula One motor race Monaco Grand Prix is held each year on the Circuit de Monaco since 1929; it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world. The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One.

Famous Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna won three Formula One world championships, but was killed in an accident while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix -  he is to this day considered to be one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.

Many thanks to Ann for this great combo :)

 

Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan  is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar; from the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day.

 

I was surprised to learn that this awesome site is only on UNESCO tentative list - the explanation lies in  restorations conducted in the 1990s by the military government, which drew widespread condemnation from art historians and preservationists worldwide. Critics are aghast that the restorations paid little attention to original architectural styles, and used modern materials.

 

Sadly, Croatia has some experience in breaching the UNESCO restoration guidelines...I will probably have an opportunity to say more about that some other time. I was really lucky to get my first w&s postcard from Myanmar via an RR, and thanks to azzi who has chosen a wonderful view :))

 

UNESCO - Old And New Towns Of Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Once I posted about beautiful Edinburgh but since then I've received more postcards so an update is required :) I better not tell you how long it took me to identify the buildings on this picture...I thought the Bank Of Scotland in the front is New Town, but oh so confusing when a bank has a dozen addresses..! The Old town is of course represented by the Edinburgh Castle, and the gothic spire on the left doesnt belong to a church as I readily presumed, but to The Hub which is home to Edinburgh International Festival. I was happy to find a matching stamp in the local PO, which is quite a feat on the British soil :)) The cancellation is kind of funny cos it appears to be only a circle..!

This view of Edinburgh Castle by the fool moon was sent to me by Polina/Poncha for the vacation RR :)
After closer inspection I found out that in fact this postcard includes the New Town - the Clock Tower belongs to the luxury Balmoral Hotel which is situated at its very southern edge. Still, would be nice to get a postcard vith a more substantial view of the New Town :)

 

Another great view, this time a surprise card from Sara - and awesome stamp! Danke vielmals ;)
Although I've been to Edinburgh some years ago i get a bit envious when I hear of people travelling there heh. I have been in love with the British Isles for as long as i can remember, and Edinburgh was everything i imagined and wished for esp as we arrived during the famous Fringe Festival - the streets were so busy, colourful and alive!

At the camping site we got free tickets for a comedy act by the Irish comedian Paddy Lennox, which was a new experience for me :) and the streets were full of exciting young performers, just so much fun! I hope to return to Scotland one day, as I still need to go further north to spot Nessie :)

Native Birds Of New Zealand

These beauties are as follows...Tui, one of the finest songsters in New Zealand; Bellbird, so named because of its bell-like call; Wood Pigeon, which once formed a staple item of early Maori food; Kea, well known by trampers for its comical antics and inquisitive nature; Kiwi, New Zealand's national bird seldom seen in daylight; and Red Crown Parakeet, normally found on offshore islands living in the native bush.

Thank you Kassie :)

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!

UNESCO - Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

These are among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Zambezi River, which is more than 2 km wide at this point, plunges noisily down a series of basalt gorges and raises an iridescent mist that can be seen more than 20 km away.

It was great to receive this romantic sunset view of the Victoria Falls, thanks so much Luke :)

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei Darussalam

Brunei or Negara Brunei Darussalam is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, surrounded by the Malaysian state Sarawak and the South China Sea. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a royal Islamic mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. The building was completed in 1958 and is an example of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque's most recognizable feature, the main dome, is covered in pure gold. Impressive!

Thank you Yana for sending this beautiful view from your travels :))

UN Headquarters, New York, USA

A fantastic addition to my collection, a postcard sent from the United Nations Headquarters in New York! The UN Post Office issues its own stamps and this one is just gorgeous, representing African World Heritage - Old Towns Of Djenné in Mali.

The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City, constructed in 1949–1950 and located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan.  There are three additional, subsidiary, regional headquarters or headquarter districts located in Geneva (Switzerland), Vienna (Austria), and Nairobi (Kenya). Perhaps one day I'll be able to display cards sent from all - wishful thinking! Thanks so much Megan for hosting this special group :)))

Street View Greece

A lovely detail of a house front in beautiful Greece; hvala Snježana!

(or it must be an extra large window..?! old entrance? Or does it just look like there are plants across the front..? In any case, very charming :))

Postcrossing Meeting - Ipswich, UK

Always great to receive a postcard from a PC-meeting and see some familiar names on there (though it makes you wish you could have been there); this time it was held in Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, England. Many thanks to Raquel and everyone who signed (for vacation RR) :)

Two Bunnies

For good night and sweet dreams, two cute fluffy bunnies, sent with a lovely postmark from Honkong. Thank you Natalie :)

UNESCO - Town of Bamberg, Germany

Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, whose historical city center was listed as Unesco WH site in 1993. Bamberg extends over seven hills, each crowned by a beautiful church - this has led to Bamberg being called the "Franconian Rome". One of its main sights, shown on this photo, is the Old Town Hall or Altes Rathaus (1386), built in the middle of the Regnitz River and accessible by two bridges.

Bamberg looks like a gorgeous quaint little town! Thank you Lotty :)

Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain National Park

The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is the state mammal of Colorado and the living symbol of Rocky Mountain National Park. They forage windswept ridges, rock ledges and the treeless alpine tundra, with spongy inner hooves to cling to precipitous terrain. With keen eyesight, hearing and sense of smell, and a dense winter coat, they are well adapted to their alpine home.

I love this kind of photo where you can see animals in their natural habitat, also providing a great scenery shot. Many thanks to TeamBearCat who were holidaying there and chose this card for me :)

UNESCO - Douro Valley, Portugal

This is my second card of Douro Valley, but a different and still enjoyable view :) The Douro vinhateiro is the area of the river valley in northeast Portugal concentrated on production of wine, especially the world-renowned fortified wine port. I have never tried port but would really love to! (surprise surprise, heh)

Love the Portuguese stamp design. Thank you Lotty, I really like your choice of card :))