York Minster, a Gothic cathedral in York, England

Postcard

Around the year 1080 Thomas of Bayeux became Archbishop and started building a cathedral that in time grew into the Minster we have today. This vast Norman church was completed around the 1100. In 1215 Walter Gray became archbishop and he was to serve the cathedral for 40 years. It was Walter who started to transform the Norman Church in to the Minster we have today. The Minster that we know today had taken about 250 years to build.

Stamp

One of seven Christmas stamps (2011)

Read More

A postcard from Ethiopia

Postcard

Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants. Ethiopia is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and South Sudan to the west, and Kenya to the south.

The country is a land of natural contrasts, with waterfalls and volcanic hot springs. Ethiopia has some of Africa's highest mountains as well as some of the world's lowest points below sea level. It has the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa.

Want to know more about or travel to Ethiopia, go visit http://www.holiday-to-ethiopia.com/.

Stamps

A Menelik’s Bushbuck and a Black Rhinoceros (The species overall is classified as critically endangered, and one subspecies, the Western Black Rhinoceros, was declared extinct by the IUCN in 2011).

Read More

Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica

Postcard

The National Theatre of Costa Rica is located in the central section of San José, Costa Rica. Construction began in 1891, and it opened to the public on 21 October 1897 with a performance of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust.

The National Theater was modeled after the art deco style of Paris’ Opera House.

Stamps

THX Erick

Read More

Take me for a carriage ride through The Bahamas

Postcard

Greetings from Nassau, Bahamas.

Horse drawn surreys (carriage rides) take you to focal points in Nassau.... Government House, Parliament Square, Queen’s Staircase. National Art Gallery, Pompey Museum, Stately Houses & Cathedrals, Straw Market, Festival Place where cruise ships dock and much more.

   

The pink building in the backround is Government House, where the Governor General lives. The statue is of Christopher Columbus who discoverd the New World when he landed on the tiny Bahamian island of San Salvador in 1492.

Stamp

From a set of 4 stamps: Hurricane awareness.

Read More

Aerial view of the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel

Postcard

Founded in 1845 by Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, the Academy started as the Naval School on 10 acres of old Fort Severn in Annapolis.

Prospective candidates must be first nominated by a Congressman, Senator, Vice-President, or the President, or be the child of a Medal of Honor recipient. it is the second-oldest of the United States' five service academies, and educates officers for commissioning primarily into the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

On the postcard the US Naval Academy Chapel is shown.

Stamps

From a set of 4 stamps picturing ships:  a container ship.

Read More

A postcard from Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon

Postcard

Bhutan is a small country covering a little over 18,000 sq miles (47,000 sq km), its land is very varied. Snow peaks in the Himalayas, swamps and highlands are just some of the land conditions that are found in a short range from each other. Bhutan is an incredibly beautiful nation surrounded by mountain ranges, waterfalls, rivers, forests and green vegetation is an ideal tourist spot.

This legendary land was first settled in the 9th century by wandering migrants from the Tibet region of China. This small, landlocked country, lying in the Eastern Himalayas , literally surrounded by mountains, is most difficult to navigate as there are few roads and no air connectivity or trains. Long influenced by the culture of India it gained its independence from India in 1949. Bhutan is thinly populated with only 600,000 inhabitants.

On the postcard we see a Golden Langur, White bellied Heron with chick and a Black Necked Crane.

Stamp

“Visitors to the 42nd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival will have the opportunity to purchase specialty items rarely seen for sale outside the remote Himalayan country of Bhutan.”

A stamp to commemorate this festival.

Read More

A monument in memory of the first president of Ghana

Postcard

A monument in memory of the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (1909 - 1972). He was a leading advocate of Pan-African unity. He aimed at rapid economic development of Ghana which until 1957 was then the Gold Coast Colony. Was active in the struggle for independence for Ghana from European colonial rule. Modern Ghana became thus the pace maker for other African countries seeking independence.   

Stamp

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (1909 - 1972)

Read More

Texas sunset

Postcard

Texas is the second most populous and the second most extensive of the 50 United States.

Stamp

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Read More

A postcard from Hong Kong

Postcard

The back of the postcard reads: Wading Across, Shatin, 1967

Stamp

From a set of 6 stamps, Centenary of The University of Hong Kong

Read More

Lithuania national costume

Postcard

Folk costumes from Lithuania, 19^th century.

Stamp

Mečislovas Reinys (1884 – 1953) was the Lithuanian Roman Catholic bishop, a professor at Vytautas Magnus University, a Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and a social activist who publicly condemned racism and national hatred. Mečislovas Reinys was imprisoned by the Soviets after refusing to collaborate with the KGB and sent to Vladimir Prison, where he died in 1953.

(source: wikipedia)

Read More

The last steam locomotive built in Soviet Union (1956)

Postcard

In 1956 the last steam locomotive was build and in 1957 the first diesel locomotive was build.

Stamps

(left) Europa stamp – Astronomy (2009)

(right) 150th Anniversary of painter A.M. Vasnetsov (1806-1933). Novodevichy Convent. Towers.

(bottom) The first Native trucks - ZIS-5V, 1942

Read More

The Karakoram Highway from Pakistan

Postcard

The Karakoram Highway known as K.K.H., has been cut through the highest and the mightiest mountains of the world, that is, the Himalayas and the Karakorams. This Highway connects Pakistan with the People's Republic of China via Khunjrab pass (16,200 feet above sea level).

This highway has been described as the eighth wonder of the world by hundreds of travellers and beyond any doubt, it is the marvel of modern engineering. The brave road builders of China and Pakistan took twenty years to complete this 774 km. long highway which has been stretched over the hills, gorges, valleys and rivers.

Source: http://rpakistan.tripod.com/kkh/kkh.htm

Stamps

125th Founder's Day Celebration Of Karachi Gymkhana.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan

Rohtas Fort, a garrison fort (UNESCO whs)

Read More

Rhônexpress rail service between Lyon and Saint Exupéry Airport, France

Postcard

Aug 10, 2010

A NEW rail service between Lyon city centre and l'Aéroport Lyon - Saint Exupéry has been opened, with a journey time of around 25 minutes.

The Rhônexpress will provide a fifteen minute service between the airport and the railway station at Lyon Part-Dieu.

Trains will operate from 5am until midnight with one-way adult tickets costing €13, a return costs €23, prices for young people aged between 12 and 25 are €11 single and €19 return and children under 12 travel free with an adult.

Stamps

Read More

A postcard from Slovakia

 

Postcard

The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe.  It has a population of over five million and an area of about 49,000 square kilometres (19,000 sq mi). Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south.

Not only is Bratislava the largest city in Slovakia, it also serves as the state capital. It borders with Hungary in the south and with Austria in the west.

Stamps

(left) Cultural Heritage of Slovakia - The Church of St John the Baptist in Sedmerovec – Pominovce

(right) Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic

Read More

Kathakali Dance from India

Postcard

Kathakali is the most well known dance drama from the south Indian state of Kerala.  The word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play".  It is known for its large, elaborate makeup and costumes.  The elaborate costumes of Kathakali have become the most recognised icon for Kerala.

The themes of the Kathakali are religious in nature. Kathakali has a long tradition.  It dates back to the 17th century. A Kathakali performance is a major social event.  They generally start at dusk and go throughout the night.

Stamps

(left) Protul Chandra Sorcar (1913 – 1971), a famous Indian magician.

(middle) Major General Dewan Misri Chand (1907 – 1970).

(right) Gaurishankar Dalmia (1910 – 1988) took an active part in the freedom struggle.

Read More

The Banaue Rice Terraces from Philippines

Postcard

For 2,000 years, the high rice fields of the Ifugao have followed the contours of the mountains. The fruit of knowledge handed down from one generation to the next, and the expression of sacred traditions and a delicate social balance, they have helped to create a landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between humankind and the environment.

The Banaue Rice Terraces refer to the cluster close to the Banaue poblacion as seen from the viewpoint. Contrary to popular belief, the Banaue Rice Terraces are not a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

They were not included in the UNESCO inscription Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras due to the presence of numerous modern structures, making it score low in the integrity criterion of UNESCO.

(source Wikipedia)

Stamps

A Striped Surgeonfish and a Ribbon Eel.

Read More

Tuomiokirkko | The Cathedral from Helsinki, Finland

Postcard

The Lutheran Cathedral was built in 1830-1852 to replace an earlier church from 1727. The church is Greek cruciform in shape. There are statues of the Apostles made of zinc on the roof, and they are the biggest unique set of zinc sculptures in the world.

The church was called St. Nicholas church until the independence of Finland in 1917. Since 1959, it became a Cathedral, and is called Helsinki Cathedral or the Lutheran Cathedral.

Stamps

An odd-shaped € 0,05 and Christmas stamp 2011

Read More

Makli Tombs from Thatta, Pakistan

Postcard

Thatta is a historic town of 220,000 inhabitants in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Thatta's major monuments especially its necropolis at Makli are listed among the World Heritage Sites.

This is one of the most visually stunning archaelogical sites in Pakistan. Covering 15-1/2 sqaure kilometers, and said to contain over one million tombs, it is considered to be the world's largest necropolis. The tombs and mausoleums are seen as the most substantial remains of Sind's greatness between the 14th and 18th centuries, with many belonging to kings, queens, saints, governors, military commanders, philophers and poets.

Stamps

60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Thailand and Pakistan Commemorative Stamp.

Thx Sadiq! great surprise, I sent you a new cover. 

Read More

Kaungh Mu Daw Pagoda from Myanmar

Postcard

The Kaungh Mu Daw Pagoda is a large pagoda on the northwestern outskirts of Sagaing in central Myanmar (Burma). It is known for its egg-shaped design, which stands out among more traditional-style, pyramid-shaped Burmese pagodas.

The enormous dome rises 46 m (151 feet) in the shape of a perfect hemisphere and was modeled after the Maha Zeti Pagoda in Ceylon.

Stamp

Myanmar Harp (Saung) used in traditional Burmese music.

It travelled more than three months because it was "missent to Thailand".

Read More

St Augustine Lighthouse from Florida

Postcard

St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United States.

The St. Augustine Light, built in 1874, is an active lighthouse on the north end of Anastasia Island.

(source: wikipedia)

Stamp

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

Read More

Sidon Sea Castle by night | قلعة صيدا البحرية from Lebanon

Postcard

Sidon (Saida in Arabic) Sea Castle is a castle in Sidon, Lebanon. It was built by the Crusaders in 1228 on a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway. A climb to the top leads to the roof where there is a good view of the port and the old part of the city.

Stamps

(left) from a series of 10 stamps with different themes, Civil Defence

(right) René Moawad (1925 – 1989) was President of Lebanon for 17 days in 1989 when he was assassinated by unknowns.

Read More

Launching Space Shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center

Postcard

The John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Located on Merritt Island, Florida, the center is north-northwest of Cape Canaveral on the Atlantic Ocean, midway between Miami and Jacksonville on Florida's Space Coast.

Stamps

Read More

Postcard

Fighter World Aviation Museum, Williamtown, Australia

Fighter World is a showcase of Australian Fighter and aircraft related history, providing a unique insight into the past and the present. Located adjacent to the entrance of Royal Australian Air Force Base Wiliamtown, the home of Australia's Strike Fighter Force, Fighter World showcases the important role a potent Fighter Force plays in the defense of a nation.

Source: www.fighterworld.com.au

Stamps

Read More

Launching an Ariane 503 from Kourou, French Guiana

Postcard

Europe's Spaceport is situated in the northeast of South America in French Guiana, an overseas department of France. In 1964 the French Government chose Kourou, from 14 other sites, as a base from which to launch its satellites.

Stamp

A label.

Read More