Poitiers - France

Poitiers is the capital of the Vienne department and also of the Poitou-Charentes region, in west-central France.  The centre of town is picturesque and its streets include predominant historical architecture, especially religious architecture and especially from the Romanesque period. 

In the heart of the cobbled streets of the city, is a true gem of Romanesque art: Notre-Dame-la-Grande Church.

 

Photo: Sénalf

Poitiers was a quick stop during a road trip all the way from the Netherlands to Portugal. Óscar only had time to have a coffee in front of this beautiful.

 Mentioned as early as the 10th centuryNotre-Dame-la-Grande was completely rebuilt in the 11th century and then consecrated in 1086 by the future Pope Urban II.
At the beginning of the 12th century, the building was enlarged and the famous facade carved takes shape. Since then, the church has survived the centuries, resisted conflicts and urban transformations, and has been beautified thanks to successive restorations. - in: https://www.visitpoitiers.fr

 

Cliché: Pierre Morisan

On this card sent by Damien is possible to see a detail of the west facade of the church.

When you approach the Church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande, the striking facade instantly catches your eye.
Carved in the XIIrd century, the facade reads like a picture book: The frieze above the arches of the portals illustrates the story of the Bible from the original sin with Adam and Eve, until the birth of Jesus. - in: https://www.tourisme-vienne.com

Monthly Fav. Surprise RR * April '26

I was still missing one card to have the 4 cards of  the MFS April, and it finally arrived in June.

 

 Tanya always sends me churches. I've quite a few church cards from Belarus in my favs but I've never seen this one before.

The catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist is located in the village of Mscibava. It stands as a prominent architectural landmark in the village, which boasts a rich, centuries-old local history dating back to the Middle Ages.

www.papersisters.de

Ni Hao! Happy Postcrossing from China, even thought Karissa sent the card from USA. That's really not important, this is a new HP in my collection. 

About 1,4 billion people call the Peoples Republic of China home. The combination of a long history and traditions and a very modern presence makes it an exciting place to discover. The Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army and iconic Giant Panda are just some ambassadors. Chinese New Year celebrations continue for days and are held all over the world. 2026 marks the Year of the Horse.

I believe that my very 1st card of China was a card of this lake, Erhai. Xinyi said it is a UNESCO site but it actually is part of the Dali-Cangshan UNESCO Global Geopark, which in turn is on the UNESCO Tentative list.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Plateau,’Erhai Lake is the second largest lake in Yunnan Province and the seventh biggest freshwater lake in China, by area and water storage. Formed in a rift depression, Erhai Lake has been known since ancient times as the "flawless jade among mountains" due to the color and clarity of its waters.
Stretching 42 kilometres from north to south and 3.9 kilometres from east to west, it covers an area of more than 250 square kilometres, with the deepest point reaching 21.5 metres.
In Dali, locals regard Erhai Lake as their ‘mother lake.’ Hence why it is so important in the region and an unmissable tourism spot. - in: https://www.visityunnanchina.com

 

I'm more likely to find myself on a beach taking sunset photos than lying on the sand sunbathing. 

If beaches are your weakness then Malaysia should sit right at the top of your vacation wish list. Malaysia’s east coast is a great destination for getting a dose of reliable, relaxing sun, sand and sea. This corner of the country, separated from the frenetic trading ports of the south and west by dense jungle, has its own distinct culture, rooted in traditional fishing and farming. Just under an hour by plane from Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Terengganu is a bustling modern town with several laid back beach resorts dotted along the nearby coast, including one of our absolute favourites: Tanjung Jara. Even though this coast has its fair share of mass tourism, it's a great place to come if you want some simple, slower-paced beach bliss. - in: https://www.selectiveasia.com

This card was sent by Beatrice.

US-12403362

 Tybee Island Light is Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse, and was one of the first public structures in the state.

 

Photo by: Ben Padgett

US-12403362, sent by Geoff.

Ordered by General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony, in 1736, the Tybee Lighthouse has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River for over 270 years. The Tybee Island Light Station is one of America’s most intact having all of its historic support buildings on its five-acre site. Rebuilt several times the current light station displays its 1916 day mark with 178 stairs and a First Order Fresnel lens. - in: https://www.tybeeisland.com

MX-85284

 In almost 20 years of postcrossing, this is my 1st official card from Mexico and I just love it. You can't go wrong with a postcard of a beautiful church.

Aguascalientes is the capital city of one of the smallest in Mexico, located in North-Central Mexico. 

The Aguascalientes Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, is a historic landmark located in Aguascalientes.

 

MX-85284, sent by Rose.

Construction of this stunning Baroque-style cathedral began in the late 16th century and was completed in the 18th century. The cathedral is renowned for its twin towers, intricate facade, and the beautiful interior that houses several significant religious artworks. It stands as a testament to the city’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, attracting both worshippers and tourists alike. The cathedral is not only a place of spiritual significance but also a symbol of the historical and cultural evolution of Aguascalientes. - in: https://ontheroadin.ca

Beaches in Malaysia

Malaysia offers a diverse array of islands, from world-class diving spots to laid-back tropical retreats. But to avoid ruining a trip to any Malaysian beach, is probably better not visit the east coast of the country between November and March, which is the period of the monsoon season.

Yacine Collection

MY-94072, send by Dybb.

Malaysia's beaches are noticeably different from those in other parts of the world. They are often less differentiated from the shoreline than those of the Caribbean, for example, tending instead to be almost nestled up against the lush forests that this nation is famous for. The color palette is different as well golden sands and emerald waters imbue Malaysian beaches with an air of succulent sweetness that isn't found in the cool whites and blues of many western strands. 

The result is that these beaches impart a very different sensation, a sense of languid peace and a distinct feeling that the division between land and sea is less a sharp line than a smooth continuum. - in: http://malaysia.tourism-asia.net

MY-22554, sent by Muhamad.
Another day in a Malaysian island paradise where de blue sky float above the emerald green waters of unspoiled beaches.

Batu Caves - Malaysia

I got my 1st card of the Batu Caves in 2015, depicting the Thaipusam festival, which is celebrated every year between January and February. 

Last week, I've received a 2nd card from there. Kristiina, a girl from Finland, was on a 6 weeks solo trip in Asia, and sent the card on travel mode. 

Just ten kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves stand as one of Malaysia’s most iconic cultural and spiritual symbols. This fascinating natural site, nestled along the Gombak River, offers much more than a geological spectacle. It is a true living sanctuary of Hindu tradition, rich in history, spirituality and color

MY-726020, sent by Kristiina.

The Batu Caves have a captivating history that begins in the 19th century. Originally, these natural caves were exploited for their limestone and guano (bat droppings, used as fertilizer). In 1891, Indian merchant K. Thamboosamy Pillai had a vision of transforming these caves into a shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory. Today, this site has become the largest Hindu shrine outside India. 

The entrance to the site is marked by the imposing statue of Hanuman, the monkey god, who watches over this sacred place from a height of 15 meters. Visitors then undertake an ascent of 272 steps, at the top of which sits a 43m golden representation of Lord Murugan, inaugurated in 2006. This icon, one of the tallest in the world, symbolizes the harmony between masculine and feminine energies and embodies divine wisdom.
The caves themselves are a true masterpiece of nature. In 2018, their walls were decorated in bright colors, sparking both admiration and controversy. Although some purists have criticized these additions for their impact on the historic authenticity of the site, many visitors appreciate this new visual splendor. 

The Batu Caves become a focal point of activity each year during the Thaipusam festival (...). This Hindu religious festival commemorates the gift of a spear by the goddess Parvati to her son Murugan to defeat the forces of evil. Thousands of worshipers take part in a procession from Kuala Lumpur, carrying “kavadi”, decorated wooden or metal structures, often attached to the body by hooks or needles. These acts of extreme devotion demonstrate the faith and spirituality of the participants. Visitors are always welcome, provided they respect local customs. - in: https://terra-cultura.com

Mulu National Park - Malaysia

It has been more than 2 years since I posted cards from Malaysia. I got 2 cards from there in the last weeks but these two are actually quite old, got them more than 10 years ago. One is an official and the other was sent by Ilyani in 2009 and it was my 1st card of the national park, a UNESCO site since 2000.

 

Photo credits: Sarah Waugh, Jan Castley, J Satem, B Wan Ullok © Perkata

MY-169142, sent by Nurul. 

From top left: forest lined rivers, the Pinnacles, Pagoda flowers, Deer Cave and layered tropical forest.

Gunung Mulu National Park is one of Nature’s most spectacular achievements and the ‘Jewels in the Crown’ of Sarawak’s expanding network of national park. It is also the largest national park, covering 544 sq km of primary rainforest; which is crass-crossed by fast flowing rivers and clear jungle streams. Mulu is dominated by three mountains – Gunung Mulu (2,376 m), Gunung Api (1,750 m) and Gunung Benarat (1,858 m). Yet many of Mulu’s greatest attractions lie deep below the surface. Hidden underneath the forested slopes of these mountains is one of the largest limestone cave system in the world. 

This system, a breath-taking natural wonder, contains a number of record breaking caves. With the world’s largest cave passage (Deer Cave), the world’s largest natural chamber (Sarawak Chamber), and the longest cave in Southeast Asia (Clearwater Cave), it is not surprising that Mulu is now world-famous. Over 200 Km of cave passages have been surveyed but this is thought to represent just 30-40% of the actual total.
The oldest of Mulu’s caves started to form about 5 million years ago when sideways earth movements resulted in the formation of both limestone and sandstone mountains, lying side by side. Millions of years of heavy rain and the action of rivers and running water carved out the vast subterranean system that exists today. The weathering process still continues; dripping water creates new rock features, limestone is slowly worn away, and underground rivers carve and sculpt the caves, transporting limestone debris to the cave mouth or redistributing it within the system.
Although Mulu is the synonymous with caves, the ‘Mulu experience’ is not limited to underground attractions; above ground there is plenty to and do. The is covered in rich primary rainforest and offers a whole range of nature-based activities. There are some excellent jungle treks and mountain hikes, including the challenging trek to view the Pinnacles – 45 meter high, razor sharp limestone spikes that sit majestically on the slopes of Gunung Api. - in: https://www.mulunationalpark.com