Autumn In Ontario

The autumn is in full swing by now but here where I live and work we are surrounded with coniferous trees, so we don't get to see the greatest autumn feature of all - the colour changes. Instead, we are 'trapped' on the island because of the extreme SE winds, with 65-knot gusts as we speak. Its a gamble to walk outside, with all the objects flying around! So instead let's enjoy this peaceful autumn view from Canada :) Thank you Katie :)

Rainy View In Kyoto

A dash of refreshment during this heat wave we have, at least in a form of a postcard...Another one of those I-want-to-jump-right-in scenes.

Dotty Caravan

Being 'plagued' with constant thoughts of possible getaways (what will it be? or will it be?) this comes forward as a most desirable image. As it happens there IS a caravan named Dotty lol though more in the 'eccentric', rather than 'covered in dots' sense. The Porsche on the stamp is also not an ignorable sight. Thanks to Claudia :)

Also, this is a 100th German card posted! As Germany is most represented country here on my blog, I thought it would be nice to mention this :)

A Beach House In Terengganu, Malaysia

This is not mentioned in the previous post, but how about a walk between the palm trees? I am sure not many would mind :) Thanks goes to Shane.

(The 100-Walks post was a quick reaction to saving a list I stumbled upon while looking for some info online. A few walks I have done, a few have been on my to-do list since forever, and plenty can serve as further inspiration. Hmm its not like I need more trouble to choose my next travel destination, humph.)

Let's Move To Stavanger

First I thought I want to move to Tromsø, but then we came to Stavanger. It is the third largest city and metropolitan area in Norway, and the administrative centre of Rogaland county (southwest). Its official founding year is 1125, the year the Stavanger Cathedral was completed. Stavangers core is to a large degree 18th- and 19th-century wooden houses that are protected and considered part of the city's cultural heritage. 

Those  houses are the first thing I saw from the ship and immediately fell in love with that sight - I was so sure it is a WHS site and was sending this for my collection lol. Because you can't really grasp it by looking at this postcard (its still the most representative I could find) I will again post a photo of my own, taken from the ship's deck.

Laid Back In República Dominicana

And now for something different! I got a tour for the Dominican Republic, which is just as well because the port of Amber Cove is very much tourist-orientated (read: expensive. and western.) and I've dodged another port-only experience. The tour was mainly historical - first we visited a small town of Luperón for some church time, and then continued to the site of the former colony of  La Isabela - one of the first European settlements in the Americas, established by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage in December of 1493. 

Later on we enjoyed some local food at a wonderfully positioned restaurant Rancho Las Paredes.

In Amber Cove I had the opportunity to laze around a pool and bar, at least thats what some folks were talking about...As I am not into that lifestyle, I just snooped around some souvenir shops trying to find postcards. And there was a nice range of them, and stamps available, so I grabbed quite a few! Alas when I was told one stamp is $2 I had to re-think it...The thing is, I have a list of friends at home I send postcards to, and if I send it to one of them, I have to send to all of them..! So its 'all or nothing' type of situation; decided to send from Barbados, if (hopefully) possible. 

Moving on to Guadeloupe...

And yay, my 1500th post on this blog *jiggle wiggle* :)))

Baie Sainte Anne, Praslin Island, Seychelles

Another lovely island view, to continue this week's posts with more getaway destinations! As one may suspect, I am not very happy with where I am in my life right now...but fingers crossed for some positive changes. The weather has been too nice ( yes there is such a thing!) lately, sunny and no winds, but the morning/evening fog and the mist don't really make it seem healthy. Also, last night there was a 5-second-thunder feel of an earthquake to be experienced, something not very common in these parts. Well that was a quick update on local going-ons , now lets enjoy this tropical view of the Praslin Island! Sent by Samuel and Visha a few years back, it was a splendid surprise, thank you! :))

Hawaiian Moonlight

Another getaway destination...and on stamps the King himself, who used to croon about Blue Hawaii.

Thank you Bryon - I have also continued to receive your postcards over the last year even though I was such a lousy sender myself, you make me feel a bit guilty now..! I have explained some of the reasons here on the blog, but I hope I'll make it up to you, some time soon...or rather as soon as I sort myself out :)

On The Sunny Side Of The Alps

Now this is perfect! A house on a hill surrounded by vineyards. Lately I've been facing the dark sides of human behaviour...and could use a break in a place like this. Its funny, this sunny card was written in late april and it was still snowing. Hvala Mirjam!

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.

Some More Stockholm

Today I was looking into cheap Ryanair flights to Stockholm...as the line opens in april, but there are uncertainties in the air...ah excuse the pun! In the meantime I'll let this great card inspire me, thank you Tiina :)

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.

Stoły Mountain Cottages, Poland

One would think the winter has just begun and I am already dreaming of spring...but its been so warm these days, 15 degrees and sunshine, that you can still find flowers in the fields and the orange tree is showing new buds again! We are far from white Christmas...Very nice view of the mountain meadows, thanks Magda :)

On The Way To Green Canyon, Indonesia

This looks fantastic, a boat ride on the Indonesian island of Java (of course we are ignoring the probable millions of mosquitos and other insects ;)) ' Boats buzz up the jungle-fringed, emerald river from a small marina to a waterfall and a beautiful canyon...' 

The stamp thief was active a year ago...

Thank you Cheni :)

 

Aroa Beach, Cook Islands

Lovely Aroa Beach on the most populous of the Cook Islands, Rarotonga. Thank you Susan for arranging this card for me :) It was missent to Gibraltar for some reason :)

The Cook Islands (Māori: Kūki 'Āirani) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres. The Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), however, covers 1,800,000 square kilometres of ocean.  Tourism is the country's main industry, and the leading element of the economy, ahead of offshore banking, pearls, and marine and fruit exports.

Sure would love to go there someday for a relaxing holiday..!

 

Turks & Caicos Beach

Such a soothing sight, I can hear the sound of the ocean while looking at this image...the beautifully coloured shell is Lobatus gigas, commonly known as the queen conch, one of the largest molluscs native to the tropical northwestern Atlantic, reaching up to 35.2 centimetres.

As always, a big heart and thanks to Denise :))

Oh the stamp is Year Of The Horse, fantastic!

 

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..!

Kuda Bandos Beach, Maldives

The awesome 'lying' palm trees on one of the paradise Maldives beaches...need I say this gets in the 'getaway' section? Even though the summer is almost over here, and I was kind of looking forward to it, I'd still love a few days on a white sandy beach with crystal waters in front of me...hmm who wouldn't. Diana was lucky to go there, and kind to send me this postcard!

A Cottage In Devon

With more getaway thoughts...does it get any better than the british countryside? I just love these thatched cottages, and imagine a small shop and post office around the corner, some sort of a quirky fare on a weekend, and green hills in the background...my heart is set. Thank you Helen, and the stamp with Waterloo battle stamp is fantastic!

Soldattorps In Sweden

Soldattorps are soldier cottages in use in Sweden and Finland for centuries up to the early 1900s. Now they are a pefect getaway (!) for holidays, Karin said to have had a cafe in one of them which must have been just lovely!