Monthly Fav. Surprise RR - March'17

After the March RR I still didn't join this RR again. I don't know if I'll join it again any time soon. 

Anyway, in March I got cards from Czech Republic, Germany, Belarus and France. 

Foto: Ivan Rilich

I had a card of Liberec's Town Hall in my favorites. Radana couldn't find the same card but sent me this one that is even prettier than the other. 

Liberec Town Hall is a large building in the town of Liberec, Czech Republic.

Liberec town hall is a Neo-Renaissance building, which was built from 1888 till 1893 by design of the Viennese architect, Franz Neumann, replacing earlier structures dating to 1602.

The building has a richly decorated façade, integrated artwork, and very rare stained glass windows. Above the entrance portal is a sculptural relief by Viennese sculptor Theodor Friedl, showing the establishment of the old and new town hall. At its center is a female figure symbolizing the city; on the left side, figures associated with the original town hall, and figures associated with the emergence of a new town hall on the right, including the architect Neumann.

The front of the building is a bronze monument in the shape of a tank strip, commemorating nine victims of the invasion of the Warsaw Pact armies in August 1968.

The tower is 65 metres tall. Liberec town hall is similar to Vienna town hall. Today Liberec Town Hall is the seat of The Municipal Authority. - in: wikipedia

Foto: Klaus Ender

This cute little wooden chapel is located in Ralswiek, Rügen Island, Germany but it was actually built in Sweden. From there all the pieces were taken to this island and rebuilt there in 1907. 

The card was in my favorites and it was sent by Ina. 

 Photo by Rahmel-Archiv D

I really like when I get cards from places that I've already visited. In this case I've already received this card twice. I got it as an official in 2012 and Stefanie sent me another one.
 I didn't really visited the Stolzenfels Castle but i've seen it in 2011 when I went on a boat trip along the Rhine from Koblenz to Braubach.

Stolzenfels Castle is a castle near Koblenz on the Rhine, Germany.

Finished in 1259, Stolzenfels was used to protect the toll station at the Rhine, where the ships, back then were the main transport for goods, had to stop and pay toll. Over the years it was extended several times, occupied by French and Swedish troops in the Thirty Year’s War and finally, in 1689, destroyed by the French during the Nine Years' War. For 150 years the ruins decayed, until in 1815 they were given as a present to Frederick William IV of Prussia by the city of Koblenz. Following the romantic traditions, the prince started to completely rebuild the castle after 1826 as a summer residence. Supported by famous neoclassic architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the castle was completely remodeled in the then fashionable neo-Gothic style, aiming to create a romantic place representing the idea of medieval knighthood - the architects even created a tournament site. - in: wikipedia

Iconic Minsk Victory Square is both a famous tourist attraction in Belarus and a place of pilgrimage for Belarusians remembering those who died in the Great Patriotic War (World War II)

One of the most important places in Belarus, Minsk Victory Square (ploshchad Pobedy) is dominated by the huge 40m obelisk, a memorial to the country’s war dead.  

Previously known as The Circus, Victory Square was renamed and made into a memorial in 1954 when the obelisk was erected. - in: http://www.belarus.by/en/travel/belarus-life/victory-square

Card sent by Nika.

Éditions VALOIRE - ESTEL - BLOIS

Ulla surprised me with a card from a missing UNESCO site, which, obviously made my day!!

The Champagne wine region is a wine region within the historical province of Champagne in the northeast of France. The area is best known for the production of the sparkling white wine that bears the region's name. - in: wikipedia

Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars are on the UNESCO list since 2015.

The property encompasses sites where the method of producing sparkling wines was developed on the principle of secondary fermentation in the bottle since the early 17th century to its early industrialization in the 19th century. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1465

Bijagós Archipelago - Guinea Bissau

I'm back from my holidays and with lots of new cards. Most of them were both in southern Portugal and yesterday I also got a few cards for free in a tourism fair in my city. 

Leninha also went to a tourism fair a few weeks ago, a big one in Lisbon. Next year I want to go there. 

João Vieira and Orango Grande are only 2 of the 88 islands belonging to the Bijagós archipelago in Guinea-Bissau. These islands are part of a protected area, classified by UNESCO in 1996 as a biosphere reserve. This reserve has a diverse fauna that includes, among other species, monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, wading birds, sea turtles and otters.

© Photos: Maurice Ascani

 João Vieira Island together with Poilão Island, form one of the two national parks of this archipelago. These islands are one of the most important breeding sanctuaries of sea turtles.

© Photos: Maurice Ascani

On the island of Orango lies the largest colony of marine hippopotamuses in the world. According to the religious beliefs of the local population, the hippopotamus is a sacred animal, so it can not be killed or injured.

Kahuzi-Biega N. P. - Democratic Rep. of Congo

The stamped doesn't match with the card but I don't really care. I was really happy when Jennifer accepted to trade with me this card from an UNESCO site in Democratic Republic of Congo. This is my very 1st card from there!

The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a protected area near Bukavu town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is situated near the western bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Established in 1970 by the Belgian photographer and conservationist Adrien Deschryver, the park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, which are within its limits. With an area of 6,000 square kilometres (2,300 sq mi), Kahuzi-Biega is one of the biggest national parks in the country. Set in both mountainous and lowland terrain, it is one of the last refuges of the rare species of Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), an endangered category under the IUCN Red List. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1980 for its unique biodiversity of rainforest habitat and its eastern lowland gorillas. - in: wikipedia

Luang Prabang - Laos

In January Ana has been to Cambodia and in February she has been to the amazing Laos. She sent me the 1st card and the other was sent by Verena a couple of years ago.  

Town Of Luang Prabang is a World Heritage Site since 1995.

Luang Prabang is located in northern Laos at the heart of a mountainous region. The town is built on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. 

Luang Prabang is exceptional for both its rich architectural and artistic heritage that reflects the fusion of Lao traditional urban architecture with that of the colonial era. Its remarkably well-preserved townscape reflects the alliance of these two distinct cultural traditions. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/479

Photography: Song Phonepaseuth

On the grounds of the Royal Palace Museum is the Haw Pha Bang, one of Luang Prabang’s most attractive monuments. A very ornate temple, the Haw Pha Bang which translates to “Royal temple” is also known as the Wat Ho Pha Bang. It was built to house Laos’ most sacred Buddha image.

Although the temple appears old at first glance, it is a fairly new structure completed in 2006, built in traditional Laos style. Construction of the temple started in 1963. The works were halted when the communist Pathet Lao party came to power and resumed in the 1990’s.

The very ornate structure with extensive glass and gold decoration is set on a multi level raised platform. Its multi tiered roof is adorned with stylized Naga finials at the roof’s ends. At the center top of the roof is a “Dok so faa”, an ornamental element consisting of 17 spires found on many Laos temples. The very ornate wooden front façade is carved with Buddhist depictions in green and gold colors. Stairways with multi headed mythological Naga serpents lead to the entrance, the body of the snake extending all across the balustrades. Inside the Haw Pha Bang is a large, very elaborate gilded alter where the Phra Bang Buddha image is to be enshrined. - in: https://www.renown-travel.com/laos/temples/haw-pha-bang.html

Phnom Penh - Cambodia

If I ever travel to Asia, Combodia will be one of the countries I'll visit. Ana has been there last January. 

Photo © 2008 by Kraig Lieb * © 2015 Purple Moon Publications

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is a complex of buildings which serves as the royal residence of the king of Cambodia. The Kings of Cambodia have occupied it since it was built in 1860s, with a period of absence when the country came into turmoil during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge.

The palace was constructed after King Norodom relocated the royal capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh in the mid-19th century. It was built atop an old citadel called Banteay Kev. - in: wikipedia

Singapore Skyline

The Singapore skyline viewed from Bay East Garden.

The 1st card was sent by Zé Pombal who visited the country last month and the 2nd is an official. 

Distributed by: Assiciated Marketing Agency PTE LTD © All Rights Rserved

The majestic Singapore skyline in Marina Bay featuring Marina Bay Sands Resort Hotel & Casino, the Flyer, ArtScience Museum and Financial District. 

Distributed by: Assiciated Marketing Agency PTE LTD © All Rights Rserved

SG-137686, sent by Jonathan.

The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel in Singapore. Described by its operators as an observation wheel, it opened in 2008, construction having taken about 2½ years. It carried its first paying passengers on 11 February, opened to the public on 1 March, and was officially opened on 15 April. It has 28 air-conditioned capsules, each able to accommodate 28 passengers, and incorporates a three-storey terminal building. - in: wikipedia

TW-2163455

An official from Taiwan with some of the attractions and Taipei's symbols.

TW-2163455, sent by Bao-Yi.

Maokong gondola; sky lanterns; Taipei 101; Beitou hot springs; Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall; Taipei Main Station; mango shaved ice cream and YouBike.