Sarah's cards

Sarah "swillson" opened a thread on the forum offering some of her cards from used stamps and i contacted her to propose a trade. She sent me 10 great cards for 40 of my stamps.

The cards are from the USA, Russia, Macedonia, Hungary, Netherlands, UK, Finland and Germany.

I don't know if she checked my card wishes but she sent great cards including a missing US capital city and a missing unesco site. This is a card from Augusta, Maine's capital city.

"The Maine State House, located in Augusta, Maine, united States, was completed in 1832, one year after Augusta became the capital of Maine. Built using Maine granite, the State House was based on the design of the Capitol building for Massachusetts." - in: wikipedia

A few days ago i've arranged a trade with a girl from Russia for a card from Yaroslavl, a Unesco whs missing in my collection. On the same day i send my card to that girl, i've received Sarah's envelope with this card showing the belfry of the Church of the Savior Monastery in Yaroslavl.

"This monastery constructed in 1506—1516 on the foundations of the original edifice dating back to 1216—1224. In the 16th century, the first stone wall is built around the monastery. It is from this monastery that an army of volunteers led by Minin and Prince Pozharsky set out to liberate Moscow from Polish invaders. In 1787, the monastery was closed and converted into a residence of the Yaroslavl and Rostov bishops." - in: wikipedia

This is also a card from a russian unesco site, Kolomenskoye. On the card there's the Water Tower from the 2nd half of the 17th century and the Bell Tower of St. George from the 1st half of the 16th century.

And now a card from Skopje, Macedonia's capital city, showing a street in the old town.
Skopje's "Old Town is situated in an area between the Stone Bridge and the Bit Bazaar, and between the Kale fortress and the Vardar River. In the past all economic activities in the city were taking place in this part of it. In the period between the 16th and 17th centuries, the Old Town reached its urban and economic zenith, developing into one of the largest and most significant oriental old bazaars in the Balkans. It is full of bustling shops that beckon visitors. This bazaar is an interesting mixture of Eastern and Western culture. Although Islamic architecture is predominant in the bazaar, there are several churches as well." - in: wikipedia

The last card of this 1st Sarah's cards set is from Budapest, Hungary and it shows the St. Matthias Church.

"Matthias Church is a church located in Budapest, Hungary, at the heart of Buda's Castle District. According to church tradition, it was originally built in Romanesqye style in 1015. The current building was constructed in the florid late Gothic style in the second half of the 14th century and was extensively restored in the late 19th century. It was the second largest church of medieval Buda and the seventh largest church of medieval Hungarian Kingdom." - in: wikipedia

July Alternative RR (1) - IX

3 months later the last card of this RR has arrived. Angie "angee" had some health problems and couldn't see her card earlier. For the 1st time i've received all the cards related to a big RR, that's really great.... no cheaters this time.

"The National Cathedral in Washington, DC is the sixth largest cathedral in the world. Although it is the home of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the National Cathedral has no local congregation and is considered to be a house of worship honoring all faiths from around the world. The Cathedral is known as the Washington National Cathedral, though its actual name is the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.

The National Cathedral is an impressive structure, English Gothic in style, with exquisite architectural sculpture, wood carving, gargoyles, mosaics, and more than 200 stained glass windows.
The top of the Gloria in Excelsis Tower, the highest point in Washington, DC offers dramatic views of the city.
Over the years, the National Cathedral has been the host to many national memorial services and celebrations. Services were held here to rejoice the end of World Wars I and II. The Cathedral was the setting for State funerals for two presidents, Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, George W. Bush honored the victims of that day with a special prayer service here." - in: http://dc.about.com/od/touristattractions/a/NationalCathedr.htm

Geni's cards

I've traded these cards with Geni for some of the cards i wanted to get rid of. I really wanted to trade 3 cards for the Olympic National Park card she insisted to trade 3 cards for 3 cards :) She sent me not only 1 but 3 of my card wishes, unesco, lighthouses and volcanoes.

"Located in the north-west of Washington State, Olympic National Park is renowned for the diversity of its ecosystems. Glacier-clad peaks interspersed with extensive alpine meadows are surrounded by an extensive old growth forest, among which is the best example of intact and protected temperate rainforest in the Pacific Northwest. Eleven major river systems drain the Olympic mountains, offering some of the best habitat for anadromous fish species in the country. The park also includes 100 km of wilderness coastline, the longest undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States, and is rich in native and endemic animal and plant species, including critical populations of the endangered northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet and bull trout." - in: www.whc.org/en/list/151

"In 1810 the U.S. Congress voted the modest sum of $4000 for construction of a lighthouse at Scituate Harbor. The 50-foot tower was lit in 1811, and the original octagonal tower stands today beside the original 1811 keeper's quarters. Modifications to the tower were made over the years, but Scituate was taken out of service in 1860, replaced by the offshore light at Minot's Ledge. In 1990 the light was reactivated as a private aid to navigation, and today the site is owned by the town of Scituate.

The Scituate Historical Society makes note of the bravery of the first lighthouse keeper's daughters. During the War of 1812, Abigail and Rebecca Bates were called the "army of two" for "preventing a British Naval Force from sacking the town by playing a fife and drum," deceiving the commander of the British warship into thinking the Americans were massing an army." - in: http://lighthousegetaway.com/lights/scituate.html

Mt. Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan and is among the largest in the world. It stands in Aso Kaju National Park on the island of Kyushu. Aso has one of the largest caldera in the world (25 km north-south and 18 km east-west). The caldera has a circunference of around 120 kms (75 miles).

Philippine cards

Thanks to my unwanted cards i've received these 2 from the Philippines sent by Mary Anne "presea".

"El Nido is a first class municipality and managed resource protected area in the province of Palawan in the Philippines.

It is composed of 45 islands and islets, each has its own unique geological formations.

From the towering marble cliffs and enchanting lagoons to its 100 white sandy beaches and lush jungle, El Nido is one of the top tourist destinations in Palawan, which is often referred to as the Philippines' Last Frontier. In the November-December 2007 issue of the National Geographic Traveler's magazine, Palawan was chosen as one of the best travel destinations in the world, and particularly, it recommended El Nido and the Calamianes Inlands." - in: wikipedia

"Basilica de San Martin de Tours in Taal is the largest church in Asia, standing 96 meters long and 45 meters wide. The Augustinian Missionaries started construction in 1756, but it was destroyed when Taal Volcano erupted in 1754. Today only the ruins of the walls of the original church is now left standing. It took a century for the church to achieve its present form." - in: wikipédia

Tianjin - China

This chinese card sent by "josefish", is a result of another trade to get rid of some of my cards. I've sent 2 cards i didn't want and received this Tianjin card with the Dagu Bridge.

Tianjin is a metropolis in Northeastern China and one of the five national central cities.

"The Dagu Bridge is on the border of Heping District and Hebei District. It is 154m in length and 30m~59m in width, with motor lanes of 24m.
Dagu Bridge is made up of a larger and a smaller arches which stands for the sun and the moon. The two arches are fixed at both sides of the bridge by 88 suspenders and opposite to the semicircular viewing platform. It is briefed that the design is named “unparalleled combined tie beam arch” and unique in the world.

Besides its unique appearance, 88 suspenders on the arch bear the weight of the 106-meter bridge. The unique design replaces the supporting force of ordinary tiers with the tension of suspenders, thus building a grand bridge spanning over Haihe River." - in: http://english.enorth.com.cn/system/2008/01/09/002621910.shtml

PT Travelling Envelope - Group 13

More cards from a RR on the portuguese community in the postcrossing forum. 3 of the cards are from the Algarve region and the last from Penedono, a town in the Viseu district, located in the Central Inland of Portugal.

Olhos de Água is a parish in the municipality of Albufeira.

"Situated in the picturesque fishermen village of Olhos d’Água (meaning “Eyes of Water”), this Beach owes its name to the existence of several spring waters by the sea and inside it.
Olhos de Água Beach is very frequented given its tourist and urban character, with a central plaza with esplanades where one might contemplate the sea, and a small pedestrian walk in front of the sea surrounded by exotic palm trees." - in: http://www.getportugal.com/portugal/poi/13892/08/praia-de-olhos-de-agua&lg=en

Albufeira is famed for its beaches, for the countless shades and tones of its rocks and cliffs. This card shows the Fishermen's beach.

The architecture of the town ranges from typically Algarvian narrow streets with pale white and sometimes tiled houses to very modern tourist developments.

Penedono castles dates back from the 14th century.

PT RR - Group 56 * 2010 holidays

Less than 2 weeks for my holidays :) After Switzerland and Italy, i'll spend my next holidays in Portugal and Spain. On october 27 i'll travel to one of our archipelagos, Madeira and on november 6-7 i'll be in the spanish capital city, Madrid.

This RR group was dedicated to holidays and these are cards from Portugal and Spain.

Graça "gracinha" went to the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, Algarve, to spend a few days.

"Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Fish, seafood and fruit production, which includes oranges, carob beans, figs and almosnds, are other important activities in the region. The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, its population more than doubles in the peak holiday season thanks to a high influx of visitors, and receives an average of 8 million foreign tourists each year." - in: wikipedia

Rui "VascoDaGama" sent this Portinho da Arrábida card. Portinho da Arrábida was recently elected as one of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal.
"The Portinho da Arrábida is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Portuguese coastline, with bright thin sand and luminous crystalline waters, contrasting with the luxuriant vegetation of the greenish Arrábida Mountain, situated in the astonishing Arrábida Mountain Natural Park.
The beach is usually quite crowded during summer months, much frequented by families that find here the perfect calm waters for children, and shelter from the strong coastal winds.
It is also quite frequented by divers, sport fishers and other sport practitioners." - in: http://www.getportugal.com/portugal/poi/14032/15/praia-do-portinho-da-arrabida&lg=en

After travelling to Italy with me Joana "joaninha" travelled to Spain with another friend. They visited some spanish unesco places and she sent me the Granada card with the Alhambra.

"The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex constructed during the mid 14th century by the Moorish rulers of the Emirate of Granada, occupying the top of the hill of the Assabica on the southeastern border of the city of Granada in the Autonomous Community of Andaluzia.

The Alhambra's Moorish palaces were built for the last Muslim Emirs in Spain and its court, of the Nasrid dynasty. After the Reconsquista by the Reyes Católicos ("Catholic Monarchs") in 1492, some portions were used by the Christian rulers. The Palace of Charles V, built by Carlhes V, Holy Roman Emperor in 1527, was inserted in the Alhambra within the Nasrid fortifications. After being allowed to fall into disrepair for centuries, the Alhambra was "discovered" in the 19th century by European scholars and travelers, with restorations commencing. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions, exhibiting the country's most significant and well known Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century and later Christian building and garden interventions. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the inspiration for many songs and stories." - in: wikipedia