Cards from my "sister" Déa

Yesterday i didn't have time to post all the cards i got, so i'm doing it now.

Déa "andreaeiko" sent me an envelope with these 3 cards.

This is a card from Paraguay, a new country in my collection. The card shows a cathedral in Ciudad del Este, the second largest city in Paraguay.

After a new country, a new unesco card, this one from Brazil - The Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás.

"Goiás testifies to the occupation and colonization of the lands of central Brazil in the 18th and 19th centuries. The urban layout is an example of the organic development of a mining town, adapted to the conditions of the site. Although modest, both public and private architecture form a harmonious whole, thanks to the coherent use of local materials and vernacular techniques.
In its layout and architecture the historic town of Goiás is an outstanding example of a European town admirably adapted to the climatic, geographical and cultural constraints of central South America.
Goiás represents the evolution of a form of urban structure and architecture characteristic of the colonial settlement of South America, making full use of local materials and techniques and conserving its exceptional setting." - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/993

"The Paço Imperial (Imperial Palace) is a historic building in the centre of the city of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. The Paço Imperial was built in the 18th century to serve as residence for the governors of colonial Brazil and was later used by King John VI of Portugal and the rulers of the Empire of Brazil, Pedro I and Pedro II. It was one of the main political centres of Brazil for nearly 150 years, from 1743 to 1889.
The Paço Imperial is located in the Praça XV in central Rio. Due to its architectural and historical significance, it is one of Brazil's most important historic buildings. Nowadays it serves as a cultural centre." - in: wikipedia

Convent of St. Gall - Switzerland

I got this beautiful card today, sent by Doris "theswissmiss". This is the cathedral of the Convent of St. Gall in Switzerland. This is my 3rd unesco card from Switzerland.

"The Convent of St Gall, a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery, was, from the 8th century to its secularization in 1805, one of the most important in Europe. Its library is one of the richest and oldest in the world and contains precious manuscripts such as the earliest-known architectural plan drawn on parchment. From 1755 to 1768, the conventual area was rebuilt in Baroque style. The cathedral and the library are the main features of this remarkable architectural complex, reflecting 12 centuries of continuous activity." - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/268

Prambanan - Indonesia

From the postmark i can see that this card was travelling almost for 2 months. This is my 1st unesco card from Indonesia and is really beautiful. It was worth waiting. Thanks Shinta :P

"Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple compound in Central Java in Indonesia, located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta.
The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.
It was built around 850 CE by either Rakai Pikatan, king of the second Mataram dynasty, or Balitung Maha Sambu, during the Sanjaya Dynasty. Not long after its construction, the temple was abandoned and began to deteriorate. Reconstruction of the compound began in 1918. The main building was completed in around 1953. Much of the original stonework has been stolen and reused at remote construction sites. A temple will only be rebuilt if at least 75% of the original stones are available, and therefore only the foundation walls of most of the smaller shrines are now visible and with no plans for their reconstruction." - in: wikipedia

Other Languages RR - Group 22

A few weeks ago i've decided to try a new RR and joined the Other Languages RR, group 22 for traditional sayings. I liked it so much that i'm already in another group and i think i join more groups in the future.

I've received this card today, last card of the group and it was sent by Ariel from Taiwan.

"The Presidential Office Building houses the Office of the President of the Republic of China. The building, located in the Zhongzheng District in Taipei, was designed by architect Uheiji Nagano during the period of Japanese rule of Taiwan (1895-1945). The structure originally housed the Office of the Governor-General of the Taiwan Province. Damaged in Allied bombing during World War II, the building was restored after the war by Chen Yi, the Governor-General of the Taiwan province. It became the Presidential Office in 1950 after the Republic of China lost control of mainland China at the end of the Chinese Civil War." - in: wikipedia

This was the 2nd card i've received and it was sent by Judit "panarea" from Hungary. On this card of typically hungarian things, i can identify the Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest and goulash.

"The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849.
Goulash is a dish, originally from Hungary, a stew or a soup, usually made of beef, red onions, vegetables, spices and ground paprika powder. The name originates from the Hungarian gulyás (pronounced goo-yash), the word for a cattle stockman or herdsman." - in: wikipedia
Maybe Judit can help with the other 2 images.

And this was the 1st card to arrive. It was sent by Sarah "asgerd" from Scotland.
"Lews Castle is a Victorian era castle located west of the town of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. It was built in the years 1847-57 as a country house for Sir James Matheson who had bought the whole island a few years previously with his fortune from the Chinese Opium trade.
In 1918, the Lewis estate including the castle was bought by industrialist Lord Leverhulme from the Matheson family. He gifted the castle to the people of Stornoway parish in 1923.
During World War II the Castle was taken over as accommodation for air and ground crew of 700 Naval Air Squadron, who operated a detachment of six Supermarine Walrus aircraft from a slipway at Cuddy Point in the Grounds. The base was referred to as HMS Mentor. It was also used for accommodation for students of Lews Castle College in the 1950s.
Today the building is owned by the local council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and is category A listed building." - in: wikipedia

Thanks Ariel, Judit and Sarah for the wonderful cards :)

Veliko Tarnovo - Bulgaria

"Veliko Tarnovo is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Turnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture.

Tsarevets is a mediaeval stronghold located on a hill with the same name in Veliko Tarnovo. It served as the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress and strongest bulwark from 1185 to 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces, and is a popular tourist attraction." - in: wikipedia

The Nile - Egypt

This surprise mapcard of the Nile was sent by Alice. Apparently she went on a cruise to Egypt, didn't know that, and send some cards to some friends. I would love to visit Egypt.

"The Nile is a major north-flowing river in Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world.
The Nile has two major tributaries, the White Nile and Blue Nile, the latter being the source of most of the Nile's water and fertile soil, but the former being the longer of the two. The White Nile rises in the Great Lakes region of central Africa, with the most distant source in southern Rwanda and flows north from there through Tanzania, Lake Victoria, Uganda and southern Sudan, while the Blue Nile starts at Lake Tana in Ethiopia, flowing into Sudan from the southeast. The two rivers meet near the Sudanese capital Khartoum.
The northern section of the river flows almost entirely through desert, from Sudan into Egypt, a country whose civilization has depended on the river since ancient times. Most of the population of Egypt and all of its cities, with the exception of those near the coast, lie along those parts of the Nile valley north of Aswan; and nearly all the cultural and historical sites of Ancient Egypt are found along the banks of the river. The Nile ends in a large delta that empties into the Mediterranean Sea." - in: wikipedia

Surprise Trade - Round 7

These are the 3 cards i've received from the Surprise Trade.

This card from Taiwan was sent by reiner. 

This is the Martial Temple, in Yanshuei Town, used to commemorate Guan Yu, who is one of the bravest and best known generals in chinese history. He lived in the "Three Kingdoms Era" (208-280 A. D) and in 1662, his theophany, is said to have rescued Yanshuei from a terrible plague. The temple was built as a thank you and his birthday is celebrated every year.

I don't have many cards from Lithuania so i was really glad to get this one sent by Vilmante "wavycactus".
These are the sand dunes in Nida, Neringa Municipality, a resort town located in the Curonian Spit, which is an Unesco whs. Neringa is separated from the mainland Lithuania by Curonian Lagoon which, while there is no bridge, it is still accessible from the mainland by ferry only.

And this is my 1st card from South Africa :D Finally a card from there!! Thanks to Gisela "Protea".
"Cape Point is a promontory at the south-east corner of the Cape Peninsula, which is a mountainous and very scenic landform that runs north-south for about thirty kilometres at the extreme southwestern tip of the African continent in the Republic of South Africa. The rugged sandstone (Table Mountain sandstone) ridge that rises from Cape Point at sea level develops into two peaks. There is a major peak that dominates the skyline locally but there is also a smaller peak about 100 m further south. The higher peak has the old lighthouse on the top. A funicular railway runs from a car park to the north up to slightly below the level of the old lighthouse and a short flight of steps leads to a viewing platform at the base of the lighthouse. The new lighthouse is at a lower elevation for two reasons: the old lighthouse could be seen 'too early' by ships rounding the point towards the east, causing them to approach too closely. Secondly, foggy conditions often prevail at the higher levels, making the older lighthouse invisible to shipping. On 18 April 1911, the Portuguese liner Lusitania was wrecked just south of Cape Point on Bellows Rock for precisely this reason, prompting the relocation of the lighthouse.
The new location cannot be seen from the West until ships are at a safe distance to the South. The light of the new Cape Point lighthouse is the most powerful on the South African coast." - in: wikipedia

Official cards

I've received these two unexpected official cards today. The 1st one is from the USA and the 2nd from Malaysia.

US-316197. This is the Faith Chapel in Jekyll Island, Georgia.
On the back of the card: The Faith Chapel was designed by Howard Constable mixing both gothic and early colonial styles. The chapel was built in 1904 to meet the growing needs of the Club Members. There are two beautiful stained glass windows. One window by Loius Comfort Tiffany, the other by Maitland and Helen Armstrong.

MY-14655. My 2nd official from Malaysia.
This postcard was issued to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Reign of His Royal Highness Sultan Ismail Petra.

Surprise cards

Today i didn't receive cards but yesterday, besides Américo's envelope i've also received an envelope from Brazil with these cards. They were sent by Mauro in Água Branca, Piauí state - Brazil. The envelope was supposed to be a surprise but he got worried because of the delay and told me he had sent it. Luckly, after 1 month, the envelope arrived.

When Mauro told me he had sent me some cards, he mentioned a card from Bolivia and i was happy to know that because i only had 1 card from there. But when i saw the card i was really happy because the card is from Sucre, an unesco whs. Really, really a good surprise.

On the back of the card: Tarabucos. Dance for the tarabucos race is not just mystical, but a euphoric demonstration of how people defende theur native customs.
"In 1991, Sucre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city attracts thousands of tourists every year thanks to its well-conserved downtown with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Nestled at the foot of the twin hills of Churuquella and Sika Sika, Sucre is the gateway to numerous small villages that date from the colonial era, the most well-known of which is Tarabuco, home of the colorful "Pujllay" festival held each March. Most of these villagers are members of one of the indigenous ethnicities. Many dress in clothing distinctive to their respective villages." - in: wikipedia

"The Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, commonly called Estádio do Maracanã ("Maracanã stadium"), is an open-air stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Owned by the Rio de Janeiro State Government, it is named after the Maracanã neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro. It was opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup. Since then, it has mainly been used for football matches between the major football clubs in Rio de Janeiro, including Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama. It has also hosted a number of concerts and other sporting events. Although the paid attendance at the final game of the 1950 FIFA World Cup was 199,500, the stadium currently seats 95,000 spectators. Despite the reduction in capacity it remains the largest stadium in South America, and the twelfth largest in the world." - in: wikipedia

Palmela - Portugal

These are my 1st portuguese cards of the year. They were sent, i mean resent by Américo "valdagua". He sent me an envelope in the beggining of december and i've never received it and he decided to resend the cards.

This beautiful bulding from the 17th century is the City Hall of Palmela. On the back, there's the tower of the castle.

This is the D. Maria I Fountain for the 18th century.

Finally, the Joaquim José de Carvalho Garden.

GTKY Christmas cards RR IX

And after the birthday card from Ana, i've received today her handmade Christmas card. This one didn't travel for two but almost one :P

Ana, i don't need to wait for Carnival to get the card :P

It happened a little accident when i opened the envelope... upps! The envelope was glued into the card. It's still a beautiful card with paper, glue, love and friendship :D

Thanks Ana.

Fenis Castle - Italy

Now that i've started my new job, i just can check my mailbox around 4 pm. Today when i got home, i've found 3 cards. One of them is a birthday card from Ana, send from Macedonia 2 months ago :o I bet she thought the card was completely lost ;)

The other card is from the surprise trade and i'll show it as soon as i received the last card of the trade.

This gorgeous card from Italy was sent by Irene "iside82" and i love it. Grazie Irene.

"Fénis Castle is an Italian fortress dating back as early as the 1242 CE. The castle is located in the town of Aosta on the Dora Baltea River.
It was constructed under the direction of Prince Challant who owned the region of Val d'Aosta and wanted to use it in order to control the area's iron trade. Though it has never been assaulted, it is fortified with tall stone walls and several cylindrical towers.
The Castello di Fenis more commenly known as the castle of Fenis is a 13th century castle built by the Challant family. This fairytale like castle took almost 100 years to build and is the best presserved castle in the Valle d'Aosta. It has survived long enough to become a museum today." - in: wikipedia

TW-28330

Today was a very happy day, so happy, so happy :) I got a job, it snowed a lot, my city is all white, one of my best friends visited me and invited me for her wedding and received cards. I'm really, really happy :D

TW-28330, sent by Aaron.

Yesterday i've received my 1st card from Taiwan. Today i've received the 2nd and the 3rd. I had none till wednesday, now i've 3 and another 1 is on it's way :P I'll show the 3rd one, from the surprise trade, when i get the other 2 cards i'm waiting for.

This is an official card sent by Aaron, his 1st registered card! The card is from Alishan.

"Alishan (Ali Mountain) is the most famous scenic spot which is formed by Dawu Mountain range, Jian Mountain, Zhu Mountain and Ta Mountain. The mountain is well known to the whole world for its four beautiful scenes of mystical tree, oriental cherry, a sea of clouds and sunrise, thus goes the saying; "Those who haven't been to Alishan can not know the beauty of Taiwan."
In the evening, there appears often the magnificent sea of clouds in Alishan. Reaching the terrace at the peak, when one looks far into the distance, he can see the white clouds emerging form valleys and hovering with wind. Sometimes it looks like a vast expense of water drowning mountains and peaks, making pinnacles and tops of trees above turn out like floating islets. Sometimes it looks like waves breaking and foaming with tides high and low. Sometimes it looks like earth covered with cotton, and you feel a vast expanse of whiteness under you feet. When it is fine day, the verdant sunset-bathed sea of cloud glitters in different colors, dark-brown, apricot pink, sapphire blue, bright red and dark green, all changeable without end, it appears more mystical and attractive." - in: http://www.orientaltravel.com/province/city/area/TaiwanAlishan.htm

Danshuei - Taiwan

This is my 1st official of 2009 and my 1st card from Taiwan.

TW - 28016, sent by "eating". The card is from Danshuei.

"Danshuei is a town filled with history. As you walk the streets of the town you will see old buildings, one after another, in the Western, southern Fujian, and Japanese styles. A casual stroll is a good way to savor the sights of the town, with the ancient flavors of the old streets and the special characteristics of buildings from different periods best manifested along Zhongjeng Road, Zhenli Street, Chongjian Street, Sanmin Street, and Qingshui Street. Visitors to Danshuei have the option of taking a ferry from Bali or Dadaocheng and enjoying scenes of the Danshuei River along the way.
In addition to enjoying old buildings and ancient temples, and savoring the taste of the local delicacies, in Danshuei you can also enrich your mind with an ecological tour. The best places for observing the natural ecology are the Kuantu Nature Park and the Mangrove Nature Preserve. If you get off the MRT train at the Hung Shulin station, you will find yourself at the site of the world's largest kandelia candel mangrove swamp. Here you will see fiddler crabs, mudhoppers, and other animals flitting among the mangrove roots; from mid-September to March they are joined by egrets, snipes, and other birds." - in: http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/lan/Cht/travel_tour/journey_content.asp?journey_id=66

Fathepur Sikri - India

This is the beautiful card i've received today, a new unesco whs from India. It was sent by Abhishek "abhishek_b4u".

"Fatehpur Sikri is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It was the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. The building on the card is Buland Darwaza – the 'Gate of Magnificence': one of the gateways to the Jami masjid, a stupendous piece of architecture from the outside, gradually making a transition to a human scale in the inside." - in: wikipedia

The Trinity - St. Sergius Monastery

This is the 1st card of the week and a new unesco whs from Russia. The Trinity - St. Sergius Monastery is on the unesco list since 1993 under the name of Architectural Ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad.

The building on this card is the Piatnitskaya from 1640.

"The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is the most important Russian monastery and the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church. The monastery is situated in the town of Sergiyev Posad, about 90 km to the north-east from Moscow." - in: wikipedia

This is a fine example of a working Orthodox monastery, with military features that are typical of the 15th to the 18th century, the period during which it developed. The main church of the Lavra, the Cathedral of the Assumption (echoing the Kremlin Cathedral of the same name), contains the tomb of Boris Godunov. Among the treasures of the Lavra is the famous icon, The Trinity, by Andrei Rublev." - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/657
The card was sent by Anasty.

Brijuni National Park - Croatia

"Along the western Istrian coast there are several island groups among which the most interesting, the largest and most indented is the Brijuni island group with its 14 islands and islets covering and area of 7.42km2.

The present day boundaries of the National Park were set in 1999 and comprise the land, the surrounding sea with the seabed and cover an area of 33.9km2. The length of the coastline of all the islands is 46.8 km.

The main characteristic of the Brijuni archipelago is the extraordinary biological diversity given thanks to its geographical location, its geological base and geomorphology, its diversity of the habitat and its island isolation.
The natural biological diversity was enriched by men’s traditional husbandry. Veliki Brijun, as the largest island of the archipelago, which was cultivated into a harmonious landscape of meadows and parks, has along with the rich remnants of architectural heritage also the preserved vegetation types typical for the western Istrian climate. It is important to underline that the sea forms 80% of the protected area of the National Park and has almost all the elements of the marine eco-system of the Adriatic." - in: http://www.brijuni.hr/en/Home.aspx?PageID=7

Card sent by Mia "migrica".

1st cards of 2009

Hurray :D my 1st cards of 2009!! I wasn't expecting any mail before monday but i've got 3 nice cards. The 1st one is from France and it was sent by Valerie and the Mozambique and Finland cards were sent by Flávio.

Valerie "octabis" went skiing for a couple of days in the Alps and she sent me this beautiful card. I love snowy landscapes and i wish it snowed this much here. I'm sure Valerie is having a great time in the Alps.

This is my 2nd card from Mozambique. Mozambique is on my list of countries that i must visit.
This is a card from the capital, Maputo, and this is the Iron House. "This house, made entirely of iron, walls, ceiling and all, was designed by Gustav Eifel. It was built as the governor’s house in the late 19th Century, but it proved far too hot, being made of iron, for residence. The grandeur of the house is difficult to fathom, and yet curiously impossible to ignore." - in: http://www.mozambique-direct.com/activity/visit-the-iron-house-in-maputo

A multiview card from Helsinki. I can only identify the cathedral and the Fortress of Suomenlinna, an unesco whs.