Straits of Mackinac Lighthouses - USA

 The Straits of Mackinac are the short waterways between the U.S. state of Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, traversed by the Mackinac Bridge.
The Straits has over a dozen lights strategically located on and around the islands, reefs and shores of northern Lakes Michigan and Huron. Many of these lights are in operation today while others stand as memorials to the courage of generations past.

 

 

US-8604700, sent by Andy (?).

These are just 4 of them:

* Round Island Lighthouse: built in 1895 on the Coastline of Lake Huron/Mackinac Islan. It is no longer active and not open to public;
* St. Helena Island Lighthouse: built: 1873, still active but not open to public;
* Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse: built in 1892. Not active but open to public;
* Mackinac Channel Light: built in the northern passage between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in 1947. Active but not open to public.

 

Photo by Chuck Crandell

US-10114946, sent by Jim.

Old Mackinac Point Light is a deactivated lighthouse located at the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan. The lighthouse is part of Fort Michilimackinac State Park in the village of Mackinaw City just east of the Mackinac Bridge.
The lighthouse was constructed in 1892 along the Straits of Mackinac at the junction of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. It was deactivated in 1957 and currently serves as a museum. - in: wikipedia

US-10114952 & US-10120758

 Getting officials cards from USA is much more common but from these states, not so much. Well, Texas is a state, Puerto Rico is a territory.

 

 US-10114952, sent by Alyssa.

Rincón is known as Pueblo del Surfing (the surfing town) and El Pueblo de los Bellos Atardeceres (the town of beautiful sunsets). Rincón was founded in 1771 by Luis de Añasco.
The town of Rincón is located in the Western Coastal Valley, west of Añasco and Aguada. To the north, nestles between La Cadena Mountains and a series of beaches facing the Atlantic to the north and the Caribbean to the south. The half-dozen reef-lined Atlantic beaches have become a winter mecca for skilled surfers since the World Surfing Championship was held here nearly twenty years ago. Endangered humpback whales visit in the winter. - in: https://www.topuertorico.org

US-10120758, sent by Kaixin.

Texas is so big and diverse that it’s practically its own country. It was, in fact, a nation of its own from 1836 to 1845. The Texas landscape ranges from desert badlands and swimmable coastlines to lush mountains and sprawling prairies.
There is surely no shortage of Country culture here: rodeos, line-dancing and ample opportunities for an adventure by horse or mule. And then there’s the barbecue.
History buffs can travel far and wide across the Lone Star State to learn about its rich cultural legacy. San Antonio is home to the Alamo, a centuries-old Spanish mission and the site of a long, bloody battle in the early 1800s. Frontier Texas!, a bold museum in Abilene, introduces visitors to the “Wild, Wild West” using life-sized holograms. Of course, Texas is also host to its share of arts and cultural sophistication, from the glossy urban landscapes in Dallas and Houston to the freewheeling funk of Austin. The latter city is something of an island in the Texas Hill Country – a wild, liberal city where you can expect the unexpected. - in: https://www.visittheusa.come

SG-422641

Don't you love it when you get something new in your mailbox? A few weeks ago I've received this official card from Singapore depicting a pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. This isn't just a pagoda, it is a symbol of Myanmar, known to enshrine the hair of the Lord Buddha along with other precious holy relics. I've just found out that Shwedagon Pagoda is on the UNESCO tentatives list. 

I almost forgot to mention that this is my 2nd card from this asian country.

SG-422641, sent by Kylie.

Located in the north of Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda is located at the highest point of Yangon and it can be seen from most places of the city day and night as the golden roof illuminates the city. It is one of the most worthwhile tourist attractions in Yangon.

According to some, the pagoda is 2,600 years old, making Shwedagon the oldest pagoda in the world.
The main gold-plated dome is topped by a stupa containing over 7,000 diamonds, rubies, topaz and sapphires, the whole giddy concoction offset by a massive emerald positioned to reflect the last rays of the setting sun. 

There is little wonder that the Shwedagon is referred to in Myanmar as "The crown of Burma."As Myanmar's most revered shrine it has always been customary for families, mendicants and followers of the Buddha to make the pilgrimage to the Shwedagon in much the same way that Muslims feel compelled to visit the Kaaba at Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Such is the potency of the Shwedagon that Myanmars generally hold it to be indestructible. Despite a major earthquake in 1769, several smaller quakes in the 20th century and a major fire in 1931, it still stands imposingly on the top of a hill. - in: http://www.theshwedagonpagoda.com

Wat Phra Kaew Temple - Thailand

Postcards from Thailand, all showing the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok. The 1st card was sent by Heidi a few days ago and the last by Damien back in 2018. All the others are officials. Over the years I've only received 7 officials from Thailand and 4 of them show this temple.

Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (officially known as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand.

Photo by: Apinan Buahapakdee

TH-357273, sent by Thip.

Located in the historic centre of Bangkok, within the grounds of the Grand Palace, it enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of jade.

 

TH-26288, sent by Nhok.

The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn) is a Buddha image in the meditating position in the style of the Lanna school of the north, dating from the 15th century AD.

Jatuporn Rutnin - Photography

TH-223732, sent by Tavich.

Raised high on a series of platforms, no one is allowed near the Emerald Buddha except HM the King. A seasonal cloak, changed three times a year to correspond to the summer, winter, and rainy season covers the statue. A very important ritual, the changing of the robes is performed only by the King to bring good fortune to the country during each season. The temple of  Emerald Buddha is beautifully decorated and has a great sense of peace about it.

 

 Photo by Pinit Srimuangkao

 

The construction of the Temple of Emerald Buddha started when King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok in 1785. Unlike other temples, it does not contain living quarters for monks; rather, it has only elaborately decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas. The main building is the central 'ubosot' (ordination hall), which houses the Emerald Buddha. Even though it is small in size, it is the most important icon for Thai people. - in: http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-temple/wat-prakaeo.htm

MT-24751

I've received other cards from Malta in the past but this is the 1st one with a cancelled stamp. I've heard that it is quite common to get cards from Malta without cancellation marks.

 

 Production by Maurizio Urso

 MT-24751, sent by Pavel.

A boat paddles through the waters of the Grand Harbour at sunset right between the cities of Vittoriosa and Senglea, where the mighty fleet of the Knights of St. John once harboured. The creek is nowadays a modern, world-class yacht marina. 

NL-5670176

 After so many German official cards, now I've one from the Netherlands. It is always great to get new castles and palaces in my mailbox.

 

NL-5670176, sent by Anna.

Duivenvoorde Castle lies in peaceful, rustic surroundings in the midst of the busy Randstad. A beautiful country park in English style surrounds the castle. The castle dates back to the early 13th century, making it one of the older castles in Zuid-Holland. Extensive renovations in 1631 and 1717 gave the castle it's present look. Since then it acts as a retreat for wealthy noble families fleeing from busy city life during the summer months.
The castle and the surrounding estate (260 hectares) became a foundation in 1960 and has a unique collection of family portraits, objects from real silver, Delft Blue pottery and porcelain. 

DE-13872769

One more German lighthouse. 

The “Dicke Berta” is a 13 meters high, listed museum lighthouse in Cuxhaven-Altenbruch. It is located in the area of the mouth of the Elbe and offers you a magnificent view over the Elbe and the North Sea. 

 

 DE-13872769, sent by Betty.

The “Dicke Berta” was put into operation at the end of the 19th century because shipping traffic on the North Sea was increasing and the existing lighthouses (in Cuxhaven and Neuwerk) were no longer sufficient to provide a safe travel guarantee for the ships.  

The “Big Berta” and her lighthouse keepers served for many years and guided thousands of ships safely through the mouth of the Elbe, before lighthouses with the latest technology took over the functions of the lighthouse in 1968. On March 1, 1983, the lamp of the old lighthouse went out forever.  

The tower was actually supposed to be demolished, but the people of Altenbruch in particular wanted to keep their beloved “Big Berta” and founded the support association of the same name in order to preserve the maritime contact point at the Altenbruch harbor.  

Besides visiting the museum and the tower, like in other lighthouses in the North Sea, it is also possible to officially say “I do”. What better way to navigate the storms and shoals of a marriage than with the help of a lighthouse?