Postojna Cave, 21 km of Stalactite Paradise

Postcard

This is the second postcard that Igor sent me, picturing Postojna Cave in Slovenia.

“Stalactite paradise on every corner

21 km of passages, galleries and magnificent halls offer a unique experience of the underground world. The Postojna cave is definitely one of the most diverse cave systems in the world.”

Stamp

Posta Slovenije issued a joint commemorative block with Austria entitled “Postojna cave, cave post office 1899″. On 15 August 1899, 500 meters from the entrance to the cave, the first underground post office in the world was opened. 

The Salamander-like creature on the cancellation is an Olm. It lives in caves like Postojna Cave.

Read More

140 Years of Postojna Cave Railway

Postcard

Postojna Cave is a 20km long karst cave system near Postojna, Slovenia. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Slovenia, welcoming half a million visitors each year. Visitors are taken for a tour by a special cave train launched on 16 June 1872, celebrating its 140 years anniversary in 2012.

Igor was so kind to contact me and send me two Postojna Cave postcards. Thx Igor!

Stamp

A matching stamp. On 15 August 1899 the first underground post office in the world was opened in Postojna Cave. 

Read More

Sunset over Larnaca Salt Lake, Cyprus

Postcard

The Larnaca Salt Lakes are located west of the city of Larnaca, near the main airport. During the winter months the lakes fills with water whilst in the summer the water evaporates, leaving a crust of salt and a haze of grey dust. During spring and autumn seasons, the Larnaca's Salt Lake is visited by many pink flamingos.

 

The Mosque of Umm Haram or Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque is located on the shores of Larnaca Salt Lake.

Stamp

Issued 2013, 100th Anniversary of the Cyprus Scouts Association.

Read More

The capital of Argentina

Postcard

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina.

The tango is a partner dance that originated in the 1870s along the Río de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world.

Tango is a popular dance that has influences from European and African culture. It was originally considered a scandalous dance. But at present it is the representative dance of Argentina around the world.

Read More

Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland

Postcard

Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights is a light display in the sky, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. This natural phenomenon paints the night sky with unearthly, surreal (green) color.

Stamp

In May 2013 Finland issued two (self-adhesive) Europa stamps, themed "The postman van". 

Read More

Jökulsárlón-Glacier lagoon, Iceland

Postcard

“Ice and fire” – these are two words, which perfectly grasp the nature of Iceland. This postcard is about the Ice-part. Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in southeast Iceland.

This lagoon is a result of a warming climate. Situated at the head of Breiðamerkurjökull-glacier, it evolved into a lagoon after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean about 90 years ago. The lake has grown since then at varying rates because of melting of the Icelandic glaciers. The lagoon is not very wide but it is over 200 meters deep which makes it the deepest lake in Iceland.

Stamp

In May 2013 Iceland issued a sheet of four stamps with the Northern Lights as its theme. The northern lights can be seen anywhere in Iceland when the so-called aurora collar is over the country on a dark cloudless night. 

Read More

Emperor Penguins from Antartica (T.A.A.F.)

Postcard

The Emperor Penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species and is endemic to Antarctica. The Emperor Penguin breeds in the coldest environment of any bird species; air temperatures may reach −40 °C. The penguins are well designed to withstand these harsh conditions. They have the highest feather density of any bird, about a hundred feathers per square inch.

The Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (T.A.A.F.) is an overseas territory of France.  

Stamp

Lyallia Cushion (Lyallia kerguelensis) is a perennial herb that is endemic to the subantarctic Kerguelen Islands, part of T.A.A.F. 

Read More

Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (zoom level 3)

Postcard

In 2007 85 percent of the ice that covered the mountain in 1912 had been lost, and 26 percent of the ice there in 2000 is now gone.

The remaining ice fields atop of Mt Kilimanjaro could be gone within two decades and perhaps even sooner, based on the latest survey of the ice fields remaining on the mountain.

Read More

Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (zoom level 2)

Postcard

At 19,336 feet, snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is Africa's highest peak. The vast ice fields of Kilimanjaro are melting at a faster pace than at any time over the past 100 years.

This is due more to land use than to global warming. Deforestation of the mountain's foothills is the more likely culprit. Without the forests'  humidity, previously moisture-laden winds blew dry. No longer replenished with water, the ice is evaporating in the strong equatorial sunshine.

Read More

Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (zoom level 1)

Postcard

Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes in the World and it is the highest mountain in Africa. Even though the mountain is very close to the Equator, the peaks are so high that snow and ice can form on them. 

Covered in mist most of the day, Mt Kilimanjaro is the leading tourist attraction in Tanzania.

Stamps

Butterflies of Tanzania and Spiderwort plant.

Thx Mzee Steve!

Read More

Le Coeur de Voh, New Caledonia

Postcard

"Coeur de Voh" is French for "Heart of Voh". It is a natural large formation of mangrove vegetation that resembles a heart. At ground level it is impossible to see the heart shape, it can only be seen from above.

Voh is a commune in the North Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean.

 

Stamp

Unfortunately the stamp is missing. 

Read More

The capital of the Philippines

Postcard

Manila is the capital city and the second largest city of the Philippines. On the left you see a Kales, a horse carriage, a popular way of transport for tourists in Manila. Originally introduced in the Philippines in the 18th century by the Spaniards.

A Jeepney is a popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They are known for their crowded seating and flamboyant decorations.

Stamp

(right) A 2002 Christmas seal.

Philippine Christmas seals are produced and sold every year by the Philippine Tuberculosis Society.

Read More

The capital of Croatia

Postcard

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. The postcard shows 7 major sights: Zagreb Cathedral, Mimara museum, Mestrovic gallery, Zrinjevac square, Ban Josip Jelacic square, the National Theater and Dolac market.  

 

On the left you see the Zagreb Cathedral, the tallest building in Croatia.

Stamp

2010 issue, Croatian Ethnographic Heritage - Posavina

Read More

The capital of Belgium

Postcard

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and could be considered as the capital of the European Union. Brussels hosts the official seats of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Council, as well as a seat of the European Parliament.  

 

At a height of 90 meters the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart is one of the landmarks of the city of Brussels. Building started officially in 1905 but only in 1970 it was fully completed. The Basilica ranks fifth among the world’s largest churches.

Stamp

A swallowtail butterfly.

Read More

The capital of Mexico

Postcard

Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world with over 20 million inhabitants (including Mexico City Metropolitan Area).

 

In the background you see Popocatépetl volcano (local name: Popo), a still active volcano. Popo is just too predictable to be considered a properly dangerous volcano. It vents off all its gas rather than storing it up, waiting to explode.

Stamps

Two stamps part of a large set of stamps picturing “Mexico Creacion Popular” (folk art). 

Read More

The capital of Norway

Postcard

Oslo is the capital of and most populous city in Norway. Aker Brygge is a popular area in Oslo with a shopping mall, apartment buildings, offices, restaurants, bars and a theatre. It is one of Oslo’s primary attractions.

For more than a century Aker Brygge was the site of a shipyard. The architecture is a mixture of old and modern.

Stamp

Tourist stamp about active holidays: Hiking at Mount Gaustatoppen.

Thx Joan!

Read More

The British Virgin Island of Tortola

Postcard

The British Virgin Islands is a British overseas territory located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The four main islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke.

Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands. The Dutch settled there in 1615 and called it Ter Tholen. When the British took over, they altered the name to its present-day Tortola.

Stamps

(left) Issued in 2005 as part of a set of four stamps, Fruits Definitive , the Hog Plum.

(right) 2004 FESTIVAL GOLDEN anniversary, horse races. 

Read More

Two nations, one Island: Saint Martin - Sint Maarten

Postcard

Saint Martin is an overseas collectivity of France located in the Caribbean. Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It encompasses the southern half of Saint Martin.

Going clockwise we see:

Marigot, the main town and capital on the French side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin.

Orient Bay, a coastal community and beach on the French side of the island.

Grand Case Bay also known as "Gourmet Beach".

Pinel Island, a little island just off the coast of St. Maarten / St. Martin.

Thx Pat!

Read More

Kykkos Monastery, Cyprus

Postcard

The Monastery of Kykkos is situated on a mountain peak, at an altitude of 1300 metres, northwest of Troodos. The monastery was founded sometime between the end of the 11th century and the beginning of the12th century. The first President of the Republic of Cyprus, ArchbishopMakarios III, served here as a novice.  

 

This card shows the entrance of Kykko Monastery.

Thx Steve!

Read More

The House of Justice in Batumi, Georgia

Postcard

Batumi is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast in southwest Georgia, located about 200km from the Turkish city of Trabzon.

The tall shaped building is the House of Justice. The building foundation was laid by president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. 

Today, 27 October 2013, presidential elections are held in Georgia.  

Read More

Sumela Monastery near Trabzon, Turkey

Postcard

Trabzon is a city on the Black Sea coast of north-eastern Turkey. Located near Trabzon you find the magnificent Sumela Monastery, a Greek Orthodox monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The monastery is nestled in a steep cliff at an altitude of about 1,200 metres.

Stamp

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881 - 1938)

Read More

The city of Antakya | Hatay, Turkey

Postcard

Antakya is a city in southern Turkey, near the border with Syria. It was known as Antioch in ancient times. The city has historical significance for Christianity, as it was the place where the followers of Jesus Christ were called Christians for the first time.

As a symbol of religious tolerance, Antakya's Catholic church is next door the Sermaye mosque (as can be seen in the back).

 

After the first World War, Antakya was part of the French protectorate of Syria until 1939 when it became independent as the Republic of Hatay. After a short period Hatay joined the Republic of Turkey on 23 July 1939.

Stamp

2013 The 500th Anniversary of the Piri Reis World Map. 

Piri Reis (1470 – 1553) was an Ottoman admiral, geographer and cartographer who compiled a map of the world in 1513. 

Read More

Crac des Chevaliers, a Crusader castle in Homs, Syria

Postcard

The Crac des Chevaliers (Castle of the Knights) is located near Homs, a city in western Syria. The castle was the easternmost of five Crusader fortifications guarding the only major pass between Antakya in Turkey and Beirut in the Lebanon. 

Homs has played a central role in the ongoing Syrian civil war against the Baathist government and has suffered greatly from the conflict.

Stamp
Syrian President Bashar Assad. 

Read More

Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut, Lebanon

Postcard

The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque is a Sunni mosque located in Independence Square (or Martyrs' Square) in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. About one third of the Lebanese population are Sunni Muslims.

In fact, Lebanon, being a country in the Middle East, has a very religiously diverse society. You will find Shia and Sunni Muslims. Christians off all kinds: Greek Orthodox, Maronites, Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholic, Roman Catholic, Copts, Syriac Orthodox and many others. And not forget the Druze.  

Stamp

Lebanese singer and actress Sabah (1927)

Read More

Atomic Bomb Memorial Dome in Hiroshima, Japan

Postcard

The Atomic Bomb Memorial Dome (or Genbaku Dome) is a skeletal domed building in Hiroshima City. It serves as a memorial to the people who were killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Over 70,000 people were killed instantly, and another 70,000 suffered fatal injuries from the radiation.

The dome was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1996 as a monument that reminds us of the tragedy of the bombing. 

Read More