US-12167852

 The ID of this card is American, it was sent from New Jersey but the card, as it can easily seen, is from Costa Rica.

Laura visited the country for the third time in January and says that Manuel Antonio National Park is her favorite place there.

 

Fotos: Jean Mercier / Françoise Bourrigaul

US-12167852, sent by Laura.

Manuel Antonio National Park is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of the city of Quepos, Puntarenas, and 157 km (98 mi) from the national capital of San José.

Established in 1972, Manuel Antonio National Park, is the smallest national park in the country,but its 683 hectares boast an unparalleled blend of stunning landscapes and vibrant wildlife.

Nestled within this compact yet extraordinary park is a mesmerizing mix of rainforest, pristine beaches, and coral reefs, creating a sanctuary of natural beauty. The beaches, considered among the most picturesque in Costa Rica, are fringed by dense, green forests, offering outstanding snorkeling opportunities in their clear, inviting waters.
The forest itself is a haven for an array of wildlife, including sloths, iguanas, the enchanting squirrel monkeys—a species rarely seen elsewhere—along with white-faced monkeys and countless vibrant crabs that add a splash of color to the landscape. 

The trail weaving around Punta Catedral affords hikers breathtaking panoramic views, further enhancing the park’s allure. - in: https://manuelantoniopark.net

 

Sydney's Harbour - Austrália

 Port Jackson, most commonly known as Sydney's Harbour, is regarded as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world, around which Sydney was built. I had no idea it's official name was Port Jackson.

It is the location of significant landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The location of the first European settlement and colony on the Australian mainland, Port Jackson has continued to play a key role in the history and development of Sydney. - in: wikipedia

AU-1060899, sent by Cindy.

Sydney Harbour is famed for its sparkling waters, iconic sights, spectacular events and hundreds of kilometres of shoreline. Sydney Harbour is also a working harbour with a thriving maritime industry that supports the city’s economic development.
Australia’s busiest waterway, Sydney Harbour sees thousands of recreational, passenger and working vessels share the water with around 1,200 large commercial vessels each year, including the cruise ships that call into Sydney’s two cruise terminals: the Overseas Passenger Terminal and White Bay Cruise Terminal.
At the heart of Sydney Harbour is Glebe Island, a working port for over 100 years that today provides Sydney with a vital maritime supply route for construction materials that will build the city’s future. - in: https://www.portauthoritynsw.com.au 

Foto:  © State Library of New South Wales

DE-4135230, sent by Cristina.

Construction of Sydney's Harbour Bridge in the 1930's. 

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia's most well known and photographed landmarks. It is the world's largest (but not the longest) steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 134 metres above the harbour. It is fondly known by the locals as the 'Coathanger' because of its arch-based design.

It was as early as 1815 that Francis Greenway proposed building a bridge from the northern to the southern shore of the harbour.

It took some time for this to become a reality with design submissions invited in 1900. All the submissions were considered unsuitable and so the momentum for the bridge crossing stopped.

However, after the First World War more serious plans were made, with a general design for the Sydney Harbour Bridge prepared by Dr J J C Bradfield and officers of the NSW Department of Public Works. The New South Wales Government then invited worldwide tenders for the construction of the Bridge in 1922 and the contract was let to English firm Dorman Long and Co of Middlesbrough.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge construction started in 1924 and took 1,400 men eight years to build at a cost of 4.2 million. Six million hand driven rivets and 53,000 tonnes of steel were used in its construction. It now carries eight traffic lanes and two rail lines, one in each direction, but at the time of its construction the two eastern lanes were tram tracks. They were converted to road traffic when Sydney closed down its tram system in the 1950s. - in: http://www.australia.gov.au

Campbell Island - New Zealand

 New Zealand only has 3 UNESCO sites but it wasn't easy to get cards from them all. I finally got a card of the Sub Antarctic Islands, which was added to the WHS list, in 1998. 

The card was sent by Jodine.

The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands consist of five island groups (the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island) in the Southern Ocean south-east of New Zealand. The islands, lying between the Antarctic and Subtropical Convergences and the seas, have a high level of productivity, biodiversity, wildlife population densities and endemism among birds, plants and invertebrates. They are particularly notable for the large number and diversity of pelagic seabirds and penguins that nest there. There are 126 bird species in total, including 40 seabirds of which eight breed nowhere else in the world. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

 

© Henry Elsom

Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku is an uninhabited subantarctic island of New Zealand. The terrain is mountainous and its solitary Sitka spruce is considered the world's most remote tree.
A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Campbell is an untouched natural environment known for its successful conservation efforts, including the complete eradication of various invasive species.
Home to the southern royal albatross among other seabirds, the island is a significant breeding ground for many types of wildlife. - in: https://explorearth.com

JP-2386593

Toji's five-story pagoda is one of the structures that make up this temple. 

 The temple, also known as Kyōōgokoku-ji, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

 

JP-2386593, sent by Noriko.

Toji Temple (東寺, Tōji), literally "East Temple", was founded at the beginning of the Heian Period just after the capital was moved to Kyoto in the late 700s. The large temple, together with its now defunct sister temple Saiji ("West Temple"), flanked the south entrance to the city and served as the capital's guardian temples.
 Toji's five storied pagoda, which was originally erected by Kobo Daishi in 826. It stands 57 meters tall, making it the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, and has become a symbol of both the temple and Kyoto as it can be seen from many places across the city. The ground floor of the pagoda is occasionally opened to the public and houses four smaller Buddha statues. - in: https://www.japan-guide.com

IN-714002

 Our Lady of Ransom Church is a Catholic church in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.

 

IN-714002, sent by Naveen.

Dating back to the 15th century, this Catholic church is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, with its 12 towers and gleaming gold cross atop the central spire. 

Surrounded by fisherman houses and just a stone's throw away from the sea and the iconic Vivekananda Memorial, the church offers a peaceful retreat for both locals and travelers seeking solace and spiritual reflection. 

Our Lady of Ransom Church has a rich history dating back to the 15th century, when it was built as a tribute to Mother Mary. The church's connection to St. Francis Xavier and its evolution from 'Our Lady of Delights Grotto' to its current form add to its historical value. - in: https://www.avathi.com

FOTW Bahrain

 Last month Heidi was in Bahrain to play in the Parabadmington World Championship. No wins, she said, but she loved the country and I loved this FOTW. It has been awhile since I received a new postcard from this collection.

 

www.postcardsmarket.com

Barhain has an area of 778.3 km², a population of 1.425.171 and its capital is Manama.
Unique:
* Garden of Eden - it's thought by some to be the Garden of Eden due to Eden's suppoded resemblance to the ancient land of Dilmun, whic many scholars accept to be the area emcompassin Bahrain;
 Famous:  
* Bahrain World Trade Center - is the 1st skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines into its design. Each turbina is 29 meters in diameter and their capacity its 675 kw of wind power production;
History: 

* Haya Bint Rashid Al. Khalifa - was the first Middle Eastern woman to take over the role of United Nations General Assembly President;

* Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo - is the first Jewish person, and third woman, to be appointed ambassador of Bahrain. She's also the first Jewish ambassador of any Middle Eastern Arab countty.

Budva - Montenegro

The 1st of these cards of Budva, was my 1st card from Montenegro. Ana sent it in 2009! So long ago. Since then I've received other cards from the country but I still don't have many. 

Celeste, who visited the country in 2008, sent me the Citadel card last month.

"Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro. The coastal area around Budva, called the Budvanska rivijera, is the centre of Montenegro's tourism, and is well known for its sandy beaches, diverse nightlife, and beautiful examples of Mediterranean architecture.
Budva is 2,500 years old, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic sea coast
Budva is the capital of Montenegrin tourism.
Because of its 11,310 m of sandy beaches in and around Budva, and its vast cultural heritage, beautiful architecture, and vibrant nightlife, Budva is increasingly attracting foreign tourists. This makes it the most attractive tourist destination in Montenegro." - in: wikipedia

The Budva Citadel has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It is believed to have been established by the Illyrians, an ancient Indo-European people, and later developed by the Romans.

The citadel's medieval fortifications were constructed during the Venetian rule in the 15th century. It prominently reflects Venetian architectural influences, characterized by its well-preserved defensive walls, bastions, and towers. The Budva Citadel served as a strategic military outpost, protecting the town of Budva from various threats, including pirate attacks. 

The Budva Citadel is part of the larger Old Town of Budva, which exudes a unique and charming atmosphere. Cobblestone streets, quaint squares, and historic buildings create a picturesque setting that transports visitors back in time. - in: https://www.gpsmycity.com