"The castle was built in the 11th century on the site of a pagan sanctuary dedicated to the god Bandeveluco-Toiraeco, from 1117, one of the most important fairs in Portugal took place here, the castle derives its name from this fair. Santa Maria da Feira's castle is an emblematic military work of the medieval Portuguese architecture." - in: http://www.colonialvoyage.com/viaggi/portugalfeiracastle.html
Ha Long Bay is an UNESCO World Heritage site located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes.
Tam Coc is a site of giant limestone karst formations jutting out of the rice paddies that surround the Ngo Dong River about 9km southwest of Ninh Binh, North Vietnam.
Salvador da Bahia carnival.
Ordem Terceira of Saint Francisco Church, the only spanish barroc style church in Brazil.
Tiles inside the Ordem Terceira of Saint Francisco Church showing Lisbon before the earthquake (1755); the cloister and the wash-basin of the sacristy with tiles from Macao.
This card was sent by Nina "buvveskipi" from Finland.
White and pink dogwoods display their magic along a white plank fence
Kentucky is famous for the most prestigious thoroughbred horse racing in the world.
New Mexico, West Texas and Arizona are the playground of the "Chaparral" (paisano) commonly known as the "Roadrunner". The clown of the desert has such a dominate personality they soon capture the love and amazement of everyone.
A portuguese map card showing some portuguese monuments and landscapes.
The fire fighters momument in Pombal.
Finally a card from Spain showing the La Mola Lighthouse in Formentera in the Baleares Islands.
Praia Brava, a nudist beach in Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sent by Jucielly "Jucy".
Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal. Sent by Zé "Zepombal".
Sent by Francisco "Ribossoma".
Sent by Isabella "Isabelladuarte".
"Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is located near the main Ayutthaya ruins and a short distance from the walls of Ayutthaya. It is famed for an impressively large statue of the Reclining Buddha inside the temple compound. Built by King U Thong (Ayutthaya’s first ruler) in 1357, the temple is also known as "Chao Phaya Thai Temple" and has a large Chedi that dominates the skyline. The Chedi was built in 1592 to celebrate King Naresuan’s single-handed defeat of the then Burmese Crown Prince after an elephant back duel. The size of the Chedi was intended to match that of Phu Khao Thong – a Pagoda purportedly built by the Burmese which is visible in the distance from the temple." - in http://www.discoverythailand.com/Ayutthaya_Wat_Yai_Chai_Mongkol.asp I bought this card in Lisbon during the Expo 98.
This official card from Olomouc, Czech Republic was the only card i received today. This city is full of old churches, fountains, palaces and statues. The Holly Trinity Column is the most famous monument of the city and it's and Unesco wsh. The card was sent by Ivana.
Auberge of Castille, built by the Knights of St. John. The building is the finest work of the 18th century barroque architecture. It became the office of the Prime-Minister in 1972.
A multiview card from Valletta streets. Jackie says that the steps are very typical of Valletta streets, since the city was built on an hill and the steps lead to the sea.
Another multivew card showing the colorful fishing boats, Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, Mdina, Azure Window also in Gozo, Mosta Dome Church and Vittoriosa in the south of Malta.
I really like these cards. Thanks Jackie.
Like last week, this week starts with a card from Finland, it shows Ruokolahti Church and it was sent by Essi "hadassah".
Lake Carezza in the Dolomites, a section of the Alps.
These are the supermodern installations of the Olympic Athletic Center.
"The Church of All Nations, also known as the Church of the Agony or the Basilica of the Agony, is a Roman Catholic church located on Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It enshrines a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before the night of his arrest. The chapel was built from 1919 to 1924 using funds from many different countries (hence the title). The symbols of each country are incorporated into the glass of the ceiling, each in a separate, small dome. The front of the church is a facade supported by a row of pillars. Above is a modern mosaic depicting Jesus Christ symbolically as the link between God and humanity." - in wikipedia.
Montefiore Windmill - "In 1860, the British philanthropist Moses Montefiore built new housing on a hill overlooking the Old City to help relieve the congestion and poverty in the Jewish Quarter. This area is called Yemin Moshe. The windmill was originally built to serve the milling needs of the residents of Montefiore's new developments, but it never became operational because of the lack of wind where it was situated." - in http://www.davidpride.com/Israel/IL_Jer_01.htm
"The Atacama Desert is a virtually rainless plateau in South America, extending 966 km (600 mi) between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It is created by the rain shadow of the Andes east of the desert. Its area is 181,300 square kilometers (70,000 mi²), in northern Chile. The Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth, and is virtually sterile because it is blocked from moisture on both sides by the Andes mountains and by coastal mountains." - in wikipedia.
The card shows the Town Hall Square.
