Eiffel Tower - Paris

I've a few cards from Paris here but none of them of the Eiffel Tower. I guess is about time to show them off and these are the only ones i've. The 1st one, from 1975, was probably, my first french card and i bought it in a street fair. The 2nd and 3rd are from friends.

The Eiffel Tower is an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the Seine River in Paris. The tower has become a global icon of France and is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.

"The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 proposals submitted in a design competition, Gustave Eiffel's was unanimously chosen.
At 300 metres (320.75m including antenna), and 7000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930.

It was almost torn down in 1909, but was saved because of its antenna - used for telegraphy at that time. Beginning in 1910 it became part of the International Time Service. French radio (since 1918), and French television (since 1957) have also made use of its stature.
During its lifetime, the Eiffel Tower has also witnessed a few strange scenes, including being scaled by a mountaineer in 1954, and parachuted off of in 1984 by two Englishmen. In 1923 a journalist rode a bicycle down from the first level. Some accounts say he rode down the stairs, other accounts suggest the exterior of one of the tower's four legs which slope outward.
However, if its birth was difficult, it is now completely accepted and must be listed as one of the symbols of Paris itself.

The tower has three platforms. A restaurant (extremely expensive; reservations absolutely necessary), the Jules Verne is on the second platform. The top platform has a bar, souvenir shop, and the (recently restored) office of Gustave Eiffel.
From its platforms - especially the topmost - the view upon Paris is superb. It is generally agreed that one hour before sunset, the panorama is at its best." - in: http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Eiffel/

Turkey, Germany, Argentina

I've received these great cards today. After an holiday, is always good to find nice cards in the mailbox.

This one was a complete surprise sent by Gokçe from Turkey.

This is the Suleiman The Magnificent Mosque, an Ottoman imperial mosque located on the Third Hill of Istanbul. "It is the second largest mosque in the city, and one of the best-known sights of Istanbul.
The Süleymaniye Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleiman I (Suleiman the Magnificent) and was constructed by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557.
Sinan considered the design to be an architectural counterpoint to the Byzantine Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia, converted into a mosque under Mehmed II, served as a model to many Ottoman mosques in Istanbul. However, Sinan's Süleymaniye is a more symmetrical, rationalized and light-filled interpretation of earlier Ottoman precedents, as well as the Hagia Sophia." - in: wikipedia

A card from Essen sent by Brigitte "apperveilchen", showing images of the city and the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a large former industrial site. It has been inscribed into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 2001 and is one of the anchor points of the European Route of Industrial Heritage.
The first coal mine on the premises was founded in 1847, mining activities took place from 1851 until December 23, 1986. For decades starting in the late 1950s, the two parts of the site, Zollverein Coal Mine and Zollverein Coking Plant (erected 1957−1961, closed on June 30, 1993), ranked among the largest of their kinds in Europe. Shaft 12, built in Bauhaus style, was opened in 1932 and is considered an architectural and technical masterpiece and earned reputation as the “most beautiful coal mine in the world”. - in: wikipedia

And this is my 3rd card from Argentina, the 1st written and stamped from there. I won it on a lottery in the portuguese community forum and it was sent by Tereza "sati".

Onte the card we see the Recoleta, a neighbourhood; the Obelisk; Caminito Street; Casa Rosada (Pink House), Tango; Palermo neighbourhood, Mayo Square; Puerto Madero and Palermo neighbourhood again.

Guarda - 809 years

Today is my city's birthday, i mean, the anniversary of it foundation in 1199. I really love to live here so i needed to do something to celebrate this day.

The main attraction of Guarda is the cathedral, known by Sé da Guarda. Its construction started in 1390, combining Gothic and Manueline styles, and it was only finished in 1540.

Guarda is the highest city of the country, and this tower is located at the highest point of the city, 1056 metres. It's construction is from 1290.

During the 18th century, as the city was growing, part of the walls and gates of the castle were destroyed. These are two of the gates that survived.

This is the Municipal Park. I used to go there often when i was studying because my school was just across the street. During the coldest winters, the water of the lake frozes.

The city has a lot more to be seen but i've realized today that i've just a few cards from here :o I really need to do something about that.

Happy anniversary Guarda :p

Berlin - Germany

Today i've also received a card from Berlin. I didn't want to post the card alone so, i'm also posting another card from Berlin that i've received a long time ago.

This is the card i've received today and it was sent by Klaus "barbarossa". It's a multiview card it pictures of the Brandenburger Gate; the Reichstag building, the German parliament; the Gendarmenmarkt, a square; the Potsdamer Platz; the Charlottenburg Palace and a general view of the city with the TV Tower.

This one was sent by Michaela "michaela0705". Here we can also see the Brandenburger Gate; Debis-Zentrale; a panoramic view of the city; Plastik Berlin with the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and New Guard House.

Portugal x Portugal RR - Group 63

Last week i decided to join another Portugal x Portugal RR, because i really like to receive cards from my country. Today i've received the last card.

This is the tower of a castle in Moura and the card was sent by Helena "leninha".
"In the highest point of the Moura village is located what still remains of the 13th century Castle, which origin was probably a hill fort built during Iron Age, and subsequently occupied by Romans, Visigoths and Muslims. After the Christian re-conquest in 1232, the king D. Dinis ordered the reconstruction of the Castle over the previous ruins, with a new watchtower that is still visible nowadays. The Castle suffers many damages during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) and the great Earthquake of 1755. In the 20th century, the Castle has some restoration and preservation works, and these days houses an army museum and an archaeology museum." - in: http://www.guiadacidade.pt/portugal/index.php?lg=en&G=monumentos.ver&artid=16576&distritoid=02

On the last RR i've received a 25 of April Bridge card, and on this RR i've received another 25 of April Bridge card. I really don't mind because i like this bridge. On this card sent by Ana "ninocas", also with a 25 of April Bridge stamp, besides the bridge, it's possible to see an aqueduct, the Águas Livres Aqueduct (Aqueduct of the Free Waters).
This is an historic aqueduct in Lisbon. "It is one of the most remarkable examples of 18th-century Portuguese engineering. The main course of the aqueduct covers 18 km, but the whole network of canals extends through nearly 58 km.
The city of Lisbon has always suffered from the lack of drinking water, and King John V decided to build an aqueduct to bring water from sources in the parish of Caneças, in the modern municipality of Odivelas. The project was paid for by a special sales tax on beef, olive oil, wine, and other products." - in: wikipédia
Construction started in 1731 and it was completed in 1744.

And this last card from Quinta das Lágrimas, mainly a gardenlike area surrounding a Palace from the 19th century and a wood situated in Coimbra, sent by Raquel "kel". This place is strongly connected to the King D. Pedro and Dª Inês de Castro. Dª Inês was a Galician noblewoman, lover and posthumously declared lawful wife of the Portuguese King Pedro I of Portugal, and therefore Queen of Portugal. After several attempts to keep the lovers apart, Afonso IV, D. Pedro father, ordered Inês's death.

On the card we see a fountain, which according to the legend originated from the tears shed by Inês de Castro when she was killed.

Assisi - Italy

Today in my mailbox, a new unesco card from Italy. This nice night view of the San Francesco Basilica, was sent by Federico "fedow".

"Assisi is a town in Italy in province of Perugia, in the Umbria region, on the western flank of Mt. Subasio. It is the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order in the town in 1208, and St. Clare (Chiara d'Offreducci), the founder of the Poor Clares. Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows of the 19th century was also born in Assisi.

The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi in Assisi, Italy, is the burial place of St Francis and the mother church of the Franciscan Order. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in Italy. The basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built into the side of a hill and comprises two churches known as the Upper Church and the Lower Church, and a crypt where the remains of the saint are interred. With its accompanying friary, the basilica is a distinctive landmark to those approaching Assisi. The interior of the Upper Church is important as an early example of the Gothic style in Italy." - in: wikipedia

From USA

Second post of the day to show the cards sent by Yvonne "floridagirl" that i've also received today.

These are wood storks in Everglades National Park, Florida.
On the back of the card: The wood stork is the only stork found in North America. It will often leave the rookery and fly 75 miles (120 km's) to the feeding ground. Once there, it catches its prey by feeling for fish with its sensitive bill and snatching it up instantily.
The Everglades is an Unesco World Heritage site since 1979.

Giant sequoias in Grant Grove, located in Kings Canyon National Park in the Sierra Nevada in eastern California. It includes the General Grant tree, the second largest tree in the world.
On the back of the card: Based on total volume of wood in their trunks, giant sequoias stand alone as the world's largest living things. The largest of them contain more than 50.000 cubic feet of wood, weigh 2.7 million pounds, and stand 250 to 300 feet tall. Amazingly, sequoias regularly survive for two or three thousand years.

Birthday cards

My birthday is next sunday and today i've received a great envelope from Brazil sent by my dear "sister" Déa. It was supposed to be a surprise but she couldn't keep her mouth shut and told me about the envelope :P Anyway, i'm surprised because the cards are really nice. Thank you!!

This is the Canoa Quebrada Beach, 155 km's (99 miles) from Fortaleza, the capital city of Ceará state. "This old fishing village in Aracati was discovered for tourism in the mid 70´s by a group of hippies that enjoyed the hospitality and were received by the natives. Today, besides the eternal overwhelming landscape, the greatest attractions to enjoy the strong sun are the dune buggy tours through the sand dunes along the beach and the red cliffs, and the refreshing dives in the calm blue-green ocean. Just below the equatorial line, this stretch of the Brazilian coast has no winter, nor cold or bad weather." - in: http://portalcanoaquebrada.com.br/portal_canoa_quebrada_in_english/

Now a card from Florianópolis, the capital city of Santa Catarina state, with Hercílio Luz Bridge. This bridge, completed in 1926, was "the first bridge constructed to link the Island of Santa Catarina to the mainland.
It is the longest suspension bridge in Brazil. The central span was considered quite long (but not the longest, at 340 meters) at the time of its opening and is still one of the 100 largest suspension bridges." - in: wikipedia

Old Customs building in gothic style completed in 1889, famous for holding the last ball of the empire in 1889. This building is located in Ilha Fiscal (Fiscal island) in Guanabara Bay - Rio de Janeiro.

Night view of Geneve Boulevard in Campos do Jordão, a city in São Paulo state, known as "Switzerland of Brazil".

Déa also sent me 2 cards from Czech Republic. This one is from Brno and it shows different images of the city.

"Štramberk is a small town in the Moravian-Silesian Region. It lies on the slope of a forrested lime hill, dominated by the Trúba castle tower. Because of the town's location, its many historical buildings and a unique collection of timbered houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, the town has been declared a municipal reserve and nicknamed Moravian Betlehem." - in: wikipedia

Kaliningrad - Russia

1 of my 1st russian cards, sent by Nataly "elsol". This is the Concert Hall in Kaliningrad.

"Kaliningrad is a seaport and the administrative center of Kaliningrad Oblast, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea. The territory borders on NATO and EU members Poland and Lithuania, and is geographically separated from the rest of Russia.
Originally named Königsberg, the Prussian and German town had been founded in 1255, and was then largely destroyed during World War II. Its ruins were occupied by the Soviet Army in 1945 and it was renamed Kaliningrad in 1946." - in: wikipedia

Drottningholm Palace - Sweden

I've received this card yesterday but a friend kept me busy all day. With this swedish card i've now 200 cards.

This is my 1st unesco card from Sweden and it was sent by Merja "merjade".
"The Drottningholm Palace is on UNESCO´s World Heritage list. It is the most well-preserved royal castle built in the 1600s in Sweden and at the same time is representative of all European architecture for the period.

The combination of the exotic Chinese Pavilion pleasure palace, the palace theatre and the magnificent palace gardens make a visit to Drottningholm a unique experience.
Influenced by French prototype, the palace was built by architect Nicodemus Tessin the Elder by commission of Queen Hedvig Eleonora. A number of royal personages have since then left their mark on the palace. The Palace has been the present Royal Family's permanent residence. The rooms in the southern wing of the palace are reserved for this purpose. The rest of the palace and grounds are open to the public year round." - in: http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/theroyalpalaces/drottningholmpalace.4.396160511584257f218000368.html

Canadian landscapes

"Lake Superior is the largest of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by Ontario, Canada and Minnesota, United States, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and is the world's third-largest freshwater lake by volume." - in: wikipedia
I won this card a long time ago and it was sent by "shutterbug".

Saguenay Fjord, a killer whale and a moose, Old City of Quebec, Forillon National Park and a lighthouse. The card was sent by Kristen "kristenmarriner".

This card with nice autumn colors was also sent by Kristen.

Official cards

From time to time i like to send official cards and this week i've sent 4, 1 of them has already been registered.
This are 2 official cards i've received a long time ago.

MY - 2317. This is my only official card from Malaysia and it was sent by "jaja". This are some fishing boats at sea and in the background is Kuah Mosque in Pulau Langkawi, 1 of the 99 islands of the Langkawi archipelago.

GB- 17390. And this one is my only official card from UK. The card shows Senny Valley in Brecon Beacons National Park in south-east of Wales.
The card was sent by Barbara "tiger_lilly".

Val d' Orcia - Italy

Cards, finally some cards this week. Today i've received this wonderful italian card, a new unesco site and a portuguese card. This card is italian but it was sent by Rita "rita_simões" from Portugal. This landscape is gorgeous.

"The Val d’Orcia, or Valdorcia, is a region of Tuscany, central Italy, which extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata. It is characterised by gentle, carefully-cultivated hills occasionally broken by gullies and by picturesque towns and villages. It is a landscape which has become familiar through its depiction in works of art from the Renaissance painting to the modern photograph.
In 2004 the Val d’Orcia was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites." - in: wikipedia

Portugal x Portugal RR - Group 57

These are the portuguese cards i've received through another Portugal x Portugal RR.

I've received this one today, it shows the 25th April Bridge in Lisbon and it was sent by Tanea.

"The 25th April Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting the city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, to the municipality of Almada on the left bank of the Tagus river. It was inaugurated in 1966 and a train platform was added in 1999. It is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA, due to their similarities and same construction company. With a total length of 2,277 m, it is the 19th largest suspension bridge in the world." - in: wikipedia

Another card from my portuguese wishlist sent by Ana "ninocas". "This is the Arraiolos Castle and it's construction started in the XII century. The castle was getting abandoned in the XIV century because the place was cold, windy and unpleasant to live. The castle was used as a base for several military expeditions against the Kingdom of Castela (Spain). At the end of the XVI century the castle was still inhabitated but there were some new homes in the nearby hills.In 1613 the castle was in an advanced state of ruin. From 1640 to 1656 it was remodelled for strategic reasons but it soon fell into ruin.At the beginning of the XX century it was classified as National Monument and all the walls were renewed and fixed." - in: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMX11

Finally a card sent by Ana Cristina "daphne486", my 1st card from Caminha, a town in the north of Portugal. The card shows part of the walls and details of the Main Church from the XV century.