Monday, March 7, 2011

Czech cathedrals

I've recently traded again with Emerich and this time we swaped 19 cards. Cards from different countries and 2 new unesco sites.
These three are from Czech Republic, with cathedrals in České Budějovice, Brno and Prague.
The Cathedral of St Nicholas was built as a church in the 13th century, rebuilt in 1649 and made a cathedral in 1784. It stands beside the Black Tower.

"The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Brno is located on the Petrov hill in Brno-Center. It is a national cultural monument and one of the most important architectural monuments of South Moravia. The interior is mostly Baroque, while the impressive 84m high towers were built between 1904 and 1905 by architect August Kirstein in the Gothic Revival style." - in: wikipedia

"For more than 600 years, the roofs of Prague Castle have been overlooked by the towers of St Vitus Cathedral. The cathedral, whose original name is St Vitus, St Wenceslas and St Adalbert Cathedral, is the biggest and the most important church in the Czech Republic. It’s the seat of the Archbishop of Prague and the place where saints, kings, princes and emperors of Bohemia are buried. The coronations of the kings of Bohemia were held there until 1836. It’s one of the best examples of Gothic architecture." -in: http://www.prague.net/st-vitus-cathedral

Chiang Mai - Thailand

"Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country.

Chiang Mai has over 300 Buddhist temples (called "wat" in Thai). These include the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, the city's most famous temple, stands on Doi Suthep, a hill to the north-west of the city. This temple dates from 1383. By tradition, its site was chosen by placing a relic of the Lord Buddha on an elephant's back and letting it roam until it trumpeted, then circled, and finally laid down and died. The temple's location provides superb views on a clear day." - in: wikipedia

Macau

Four Macau cards also sent by Paulo.
"Opened on 19th December, 2001, Macau Tower is 338 metres in height. It is an elegant construction offering magnificent panoramic views all over Macau and much of the Pearl River Delta from its observation deck and revolving restaurant, at the 223-metre level. There is the opportunity to walk around the outside of the tower, for instance "Skywalk X"." - in: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/discovering/sightseeing_detail.php?catid=43

"If the history of Macau is really connected to the sea, there is no better place for the Maritime Museum, than the Square of the Barra Pagoda, dedicated to the Taoist goddess "A-MA", the protector of fishermen, and also believed to be the place where the Portuguese first landed. The precise spot is where the Maritime Museum is located, the building is in the shape of a sailing ship anchored in the waters of the Inner Harbour.
On the ground floor the visitor can see the traditions and the way of life of the fishermen in Macau and South China.
The first floor is dedicated exclusively to the Great Discovery, emphasising the Maritime History of China and Portugal, since it was the sea, which brought these two civilisations together.
The second floor is dedicated to Maritime Technology and Transport and it illustrates the way Macau has been connected to the sea.
On the way out the visitor will cross a gallery of aquariums showing a riverbed, the harbour waters, a coral reef and last of all the seabed with the remains if an ancient shipwreck. Outside of the museum the visitor will find several real size exhibits, among which a dragon-boat similar to those raced during the Dragon Boat Festival." - in:
http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/discovering/sightseeing_detail.php?catid=37

"Barrier Gate of Macau is the historic parting between the Chinese mainland and the Macau peninsula. Originally conceived as the barrier by the colonial Portuguese rulers to obstruct cultural and political exchanges between the people of China and Macau, Macau Barrier Gate or Portas do Cerco Macau is now a must in the Macau sightseeing tour.

Barrier Gate of Macau is located at the northern most point of Macau where the peninsula unites with the mainland. This Macau Gate build of granite stones traditionally marked the border between this former colonial possession of Portugal and China. Erected in 1870 to thwart the impeding Chinese nationalistic upsurge from inflowing to Macau, this Barrier Gate of Macau is now maintained as a small park. A quote of Sun Yat Sen, the father of Chinese nationalism, "Honor your country for your country is watching you" is well engraved in the stone walls of the gate.

Barrier Gate of Macau is now the chief attraction on Macau sightseeing tour. The restructured Macau Barrier Gate Square is decorated with fountains at the centre amidst green plants. The azure tiles at the side walls jointly with the sonnet of the Portuguese Poet, Camoes portray the history of Macau. This specimen of history is surrounded by modern buildings on both side housing immigration and customs." -in: http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/macau/sightseeing-in-macau/barrier-gate.html

Macau's name is derived from A-Ma-Gau or Place of A-Ma and this temple dedicated to the seafarers' goddess dates from the early 16th century.

According to legend, A-Ma, a poor girl looking for passage to Canton, was refused by the wealthy junk owners but a lowly fisherman took her on board. A storm blew up and wrecked all but the boat carrying the girl.
On arrival in Macau she vanished, to reappear as a goddess, on the spot where the fishermen built her temple.
It consists of prayer halls, pavilions and courtyards built into the boulder-strewn hill and connected by winding paths through moon gates and tiny gardens. At the entrance is a large rock on which is engraved a traditional sailing junk. On other boulders are carved red characters invoking the gods or repeating a prayer.
Three of the four pavilions are dedicated to A-Ma and contain some fine statues of the goddess together with a model of a junk with cannons, brass vessels and chapels to Buddhist and Taoist gods. The top shrine honours Kun Iam. This temple is distinguished by beautiful tiled roofs and spectacular views from the upper gardens. The festival of A-Ma takes place on the 23rd day of the 3rd moon (April or May).
Firecrackers, to scare away evil spirits, are exploded in the entrance courtyard to greet tour groups and lions dances are performed here on weekends. - in: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/discovering/sightseeing_detail.php?catid=39

Angola

I guess i'm lucky because i've a few cards from Angola. Most of my angolan cards, these two too, have been sent by Paulo.

Angolan diversity.

Famous for its beaches, Benguela is situated on the coast in the centre of Angola. Baía Azul (blue bay) is a splendid bay formed in the South of Benguela with a beach of 3km of extension.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Beberibe - Brazil

Beberibe is a city in the state of Ceará in Brazil.

Near the town of Beberibe, and extending south-east along the coastline, are many magnificent beaches, popular with tourists. One of those beaches is this one on the card, Praia das Fontes (Fountains Beach).

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Bohinj Lake - Slovenia

I really love this card, is just sooooo beautiful. I don't even know what to say about it. Thanks Tina for the trade.

"Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia. Lake Bohinj is located in the Bohinj municipality in the north-west of the country, and is inside Triglav National Park.

Lake Bohinj is 4.2 km long and 1 km at its maximum width. It is a glacial lake dammed by a moraine. The largest of the streams that flow into the lake, the Savica River ("little Sava"), is fed from Črno jezero (Black Lake), the largest lake in the Triglav Lakes Valley." - in: wikipedia

Cagire Peak - France

This is only the 2nd day of this week but i've already received 25 cards :) I think this will be a very productive postcard week. I've a few cards to received and i'll travel next thursday and saturday, that means i'll buy lots of cards.
This french card arrived a few weeks ago, with the other 40 something cards that Paulo sent me.

The Cagire peak is a summit in the French Pyrenees, in the Comminges region in Haute-Garonne.