AU-892796

 Windmills in Australia?!! Australia is big but there are only a few traditional mills in the country. This is the Old Mill in Perth.

AU-892796, sent by Ângela.

The Old Mill in South Perth is one of Perth’s best known landmarks and one of Western Australia’s oldest colonial buildings.
Built in 1835 and operating until 1859, the mill produced 680kg of flour per day at its peak. Since ceasing production, the mill has been used as a hotel, a residence, a wine saloon and a poultry farm. - in: https://visitperth.com

AU-871701

 The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in wars involving the Commonwealth of Australia and some conflicts involving personnel from the Australian colonies prior to Federation. Opened in 1941, the memorial includes an extensive national military museum.

The memorial is located in the suburb of Campbell in Australia's capital, Canberra.

 

Photographs: courtesy of Australian War Memorial

AU-871701, sent by Rene.

The memorial was initially planned as a museum memorial dedicated solely to the remembrance of Australian involvement in World War I. However, in 1939, as it became clear that a second war of similar proportions would break out, the memorial's Board of Management decided to make the building a space for the remembrance of all Australian involvement in war. This involvement would be characterised as a continuation of Australia's experience of World War I.

The building was completed in 1941, after the outbreak of World War II. It was officially opened following a Remembrance Day ceremony on 11 November 1941 by the then Governor-General Lord Gowrie, a former soldier whose honours include the Victoria Cross. Additions since the 1940s have allowed the remembrance of Australia's participation in all recent conflicts. - in: wikipedia

DE-12910345

 German ID, German stamp but this lighthouse is an Australian lighthouse, located in south Australia. 

The Point Lowly lighthouse was constructed in 1883 to guide ships safely through Spencer Gulf en route to Port Augusta and Port Pirie.

 Ingo Öland

DE-12910345, sent by Sonja.

The original structure was 15 metres in height and was made from local sandstone. After a number of incidents the height of the light was raised by 7.6 metres to its current level in 1909.
The light was demanned in 1973.  Twenty years later, in 1993, the light was turn off by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority as it believed it was no longer necessary. 

The lighthouse and its attendance buildings and 2.14 hectares (5.3 acres) of land has been listed as a state heritage place on the South Australian Heritage Register since 1994.
In 1995, the light was reactivated after community appeal and remains under the control of the local government area of the City of Whyalla.

AU-845406

 And the last official of the year came from Australia, the only one I received from this country in 2022.

 

The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 islands that lie off the coast of Queensland, Australia and form part of the Great Barrier Reef. The islands are one of the most popular Australian tourist destinations.

AU-845406, sent by Rae.

The vast majority of islands are designated national parks and major attractions include access to coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, pristine beaches, especially Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island and clear aquamarine warm waters. They are well connected by two major airports on Hamilton Island and the mainland town of Proserpine. Over half a million visitors come to the Whitsundays each year.- in: https://en.wikivoyage.org

Hill Inlet is a stunning inlet located at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island.

DE-11063051

Once again google images helped me to identify the image on a card. This card is an official from Germany but nothing on the card could confirm that this was a german lighthouse. The lighthouse is located way far from Germany.

metaFox

DE-11063051, sent by Iris.

Cape Nelson Lighthouse is an australian lighthouse located in Portland on Victoria's southwest coast.

The lighthouse was completed in 1884 and today offers accommodation in the Light Station Keepers Cottages.

AU-781624

The Govetts Leap, near Blackheath, is one of the most breathtaking lookouts in the Blue Mountains and it offers spectacular views of the Grose Valley, surrounded by the huge sandstone cliffs. The valley is home to several rivers and creeks.

AU-781624, sent by Barb.

Govetts Leap was named after William Govett, a painter and surveyor, and also the first European settler to have visited this area.

According to the sign at the lookout, he first discovered this beautiful spot almost two centuries ago, in June 1831.

AU-761479

I started to write this post yesterday but then something on FB caught my attention and I couldn't stop crying. One of my dearest Postcrossing friends, Déa from Brazil, who I mentioned so many times in this blog, died. It was too awful to be true but it was... she died in her sleep 2 nights ago. We started to exchange cards more than 10 years ago, spent hours chatting on msn and met twice. First she came to Portugal in 2011 and in 2016 I spent almost two weeks with her in Brazil, travelling in Minas Gerais state. 

I've already said many times that Postcrossing gave me much more than just cards, it gave me also the opportunity to meet amazing people all over the world and Déa was definitely one of the most amazing persons I've ever met. I'll keep your cards and the memories. Rest in peace dear friend. 

AU-761479, sent by Janti.

The Swan Bells are a set of 18 bells hanging in a specially built 82.5-metre-high (271 ft) copper and glass campanile in Perth, Western Australia. The tower is commonly known as The Bell Tower or the Swan Bell Tower. 

Named after Swan River which it overlooks, the Swan Bells, are the main focus of Barrack Square.

Given to the people of Western Australia as part of the bicentennial celebrations in 1988, Swan Bells are one of the largest sets of change ringing bells in the world and are comprised of some of the only known Royal Bells to leave England. 12 of the bells date from the 14 century, though were recast by Queen Elizabeth I in the 16 century and again in the 1700's at the order of King George II. Surrounding the bell tower is an inlaid path of ceramic tiles which were created, decorated and signed by almost every school student of Western Australia in 2000. - in: http://www.australianlandmarks.com

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape - Australia

New UNESCO site in the blog!! This doesn't happen that often nowadays. This one from Australia was one of the last added to the UNESCO list. Due to this pandemic the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, initially scheduled for 29 June - 9 July 2020 was postponed. In November the Committee has decided to hold an extended 44th session in June/July 2021 in Fuzhou, China. I'm already anxious to know the candidate sites.

On 6 July 2019 Budj Bim Cultural Landscape became the first site in Australia to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List purely for its Aboriginal cultural significance.

Photograph: Benjamin Church

The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, located in the traditional Country of the Gunditjmara people in south-eastern Australia, consists of three serial components containing one of the world’s most extensive and oldest aquaculture systems. The Budj Bim lava flows provide the basis for the complex system of channels, weirs and dams developed by the Gunditjmara in order to trap, store and harvest kooyang (short-finned eel – Anguilla australis). The highly productive aquaculture system provided an economic and social base for Gunditjmara society for six millennia. The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is the result of a creational process narrated by the Gunditjmara as a deep time story, referring to the idea that they have always lived there. From an archaeological perspective, deep time represents a period of at least 32,000 years. The ongoing dynamic relationship of Gunditjmara and their land is nowadays carried by knowledge systems retained through oral transmission and continuity of cultural practice. - in: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1577/

Card sent by Helen.

AU-732072

Hello and Happy New Postal Year. Hope 2021 brings lots of happy mail to our mailboxes. 

For those who are postcrossers, have you already checked your 2020 postcrossing stats? In 2020 my mailbox was happy 53 days, with a total of 106 official cards. I've sent 110. Most of the sent and received cards are from Germany, USA and Russia. No surprises here. Besides these three countries, I've received cards from 25 other countries and sent to 21 others. 

This card was one of the two officials I've received from Australia. 

Photograph: Michael Boniwell

AU-732072, sent Corinna.

The Mount Buffalo National Park is a national park located in the alpine region of Victoria, 350 kilometres (220 mi) northeast of Melbourne.

Mount Buffalo National Park has sheer cliffs, imposing granite tors, tumbling waterfalls, snow gums and stunning wildflowers. The park features over 90 kilometres of walking tracks, panoramic scenery, waterfalls and scope for adventurous pursuits such as rock climbing and hang-gliding. - in: https://www.big4.com.au

Uluru - Australia

Another Australian symbol can be seen in the  in the Northern Territory of Australia. The huge monolith of Ayers Rock, which the Aborigenes call Uluru in their own language, is one of the most visited places in the country. Uluru is protected in the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. The park classified as  UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1987.

This park, formerly called Uluru (Ayers Rock – Mount Olga) National Park, features spectacular geological formations that dominate the vast red sandy plain of central Australia. Uluru, an immense monolith, and Kata Tjuta, the rock domes located west of Uluru, form part of the traditional belief system of one of the oldest human societies in the world. The traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta are the Anangu Aboriginal people. - in: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/447

AU-100909, sent by Kevin.

Don't test your eyes, i'll copy the text on the card: "Found 350 km south-west of Alice Springs, the world's largest monotlith lies in stark contrast to its flat desert surrounds. Uluru is 343 metres high, 3.6 kms long, 2.4 kms wide, 8 kms in circumference and contrary to popular belief is not a single stone, but one of three surviving peaks of an ancient mountain range.

Steeped in ancient aboriginal mythology, Uluru means Meeting Place, sacred home to the many Dreamtime legends which are decipted in paintings and carvings around the rock.

The colour of the rock appears to change continuously, with sunrise and sunset, the best time to capture the most powerful reads and golds. Thought to be 600 million years old, visitors see just a small fraction of what must be under the surface. Some geologists believe that the roots actually go down more than 600 metres."

Koalas - Australia

The fires, which started in early September in Australia, killed 25 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and left thousands and thousands of animals dead. One of the most affected was the koala, one of the country's symbols. It is estimated that more than 25,000 koalas have died, and Australians fear that the fate of their favorite animal may end in functional extinction.

If someone wants to help a Koala, it is possible to adopt rescued animals from the fires, through Koala Hospital and Australia Koala Foundation.

Photo: C. Andrew Henley / LARUS

AU-348150, sent by Lisa.

Along with the kangaroo, the koala is the most famous animal ambassador of Australia.

Though often called the koala "bear," this cuddly animal is not a bear at all; it is a marsupial, or pouched mammal. After giving birth, a female koala carries her baby in her pouch for about six months. When the infant emerges, it rides on its mother's back or clings to her belly, accompanying her everywhere until it is about a year old.

Koalas live in eastern Australia, where the eucalyptus trees they love are most plentiful. In fact, they rarely leave these trees, and their sharp claws and opposable digits easily keep them aloft. During the day they doze, tucked into forks or nooks in the trees, sleeping for up to 18 hours.

When not asleep a koala feeds on eucalyptus leaves, especially at night. Koalas do not drink much water and they get most of their moisture from these leaves. Each animal eats a tremendous amount for its size—about two and a half pounds (one kilogram) of leaves a day. Koalas even store snacks of leaves in pouches in their cheeks.

Photograph: Constantin Stanciu

AU-705297, sent by Julia.

A special digestive system—a long gut—allows koalas to break down the tough eucalyptus leaves and remain unharmed by their poison. Koalas eat so many of these leaves that they take on a distinctive odor from their oil, reminiscent of cough drops.

These plump, fuzzy mammals were widely hunted during the 1920s and 1930s, and their populations plunged. Helped by reintroduction, they have reappeared over much of their former range, but their populations are smaller and scattered. Koalas need a lot of space—about a hundred trees per animal—a pressing problem as Australia's woodlands continue to shrink. - in: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/koala/

AU-621459

Tasman Island is the site of one of the most isolated lighthouses in Australia and is a part of the Tasman National Park. 

Photographs: John Ibbotson; © Totajla/Shutterstock (background)

AU-621459, sent by Karen. 

The 29 metre high lighthouse is situated on the highest point of the island, near Storm Bay, 276 metres above sea level – making it Australia’s highest lighthouse.  Built in 1906,  the lighthouse is constructed of curved cast-iron plates, bolted together and positioned on a concrete base.

Three brick keepers’ quarters, also built in 1906, housed sheds for wood and coal under the same roof for protection from the wild weather which batters the island.

The light was was automated in 1976, demanned in May 1977 and there has been no permanent human presence on the island since that date. - in: https://wildcaretas.org.au/branches/friends-of-tasman-island/

Ningaloo Reef - Australia

I'm back from my holidays in the Netherlands and I wish I could go on holidays again tomorrow. Still more 8 weeks to travel again, I hope.

If you like to dive, then western Australia and Ningaloo Reef might be a good option for your next holidays. 

The Ningaloo Reef was declared a marine park in 1987 in order to protect this unique environment and its inhabitants. In 2011, the Ningaloo Reef and Ningaloo Coast received UNESCO World Heritage listing, with the inception of the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area. This was largely in recognition of the fact that the Ningaloo Reef is one of the most biologically diverse marine environments on the planet; home to more than 250 species of coral and over 500 species of fish.

Foto: Benjamin James Knapinski

The Ningaloo Reef is not only a spectacular wonder of nature itself, but also forms an important habitat for many amazing marine creatures. The Ningaloo Reef is one of only a handful of locations worldwide where huge but completely harmless whale sharks regularly congregate in numbers, allowing visitors the extraordinary experience of swimming with these largest fish in the ocean.

Manta rays are another huge but harmless inhabitant of the Ningaloo Reef, particularly at Coral Bay which is home to a resident population of mantas. This allows visitors the year-round opportunity to swim with these playful and very inquisitive creatures.

AU-599871, sent by Su.

The Ningaloo Coast is also home to a large population of marine turtles. Six of the world's seven species of marine turtle have been recorded along the Ningaloo Reef, with green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles the most commonly encountered. The reef forms a feeding ground and habitat for these turtles, while the beaches of Ningaloo are critically important turtle nesting sites.

Humpback whales are annual visitors to the Ningaloo Reef, migrating from their Antarctic feeding grounds to winter in the warm waters of the Ningaloo. During this time the Ningaloo plays host to the highest density of humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere, with as many as 30,000 individuals visiting during the June-November period. - in: http://www.visitningaloo.com.au/our-region/ningaloo-reef

March Alternative RR (IV)

In this last group I've cards from Australia, Malaysia, Russia and Taiwan. 

Photographs:Lynette Traynor and State Library of Victoria

The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was a First World War army corps of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. It was formed in Egypt in December 1914, and operated during the Battle of Gallipoli. General William Birdwood commanded the corps, which comprised troops from the First Australian Imperial Force and 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The corps disbanded in 1916, following the Allied evacuation of the Gallipoli peninsula and the formation of I ANZAC Corps and II ANZAC Corps. The Corps was reestablished, briefly, in the Second World War during the Battle of Greece in 1941. - in: wikipedia

Card sent by Azzi.

I thought this was a WWII propaganda card but this is actually the cover of a british war comic magazine, published  from 8 March 1975 to 23 January 1988. 

Card sent by Miza.

Orenburg is the administrative center of Orenburg Oblast (region), Russia. It lies on the River Ural, 1,478 kilometers (918 mi) southeast of Moscow, on the boundary of Europe and Asia. Orenburg is also very close to the border with Kazakhstan. - in: wikipedia

Card sent by Vera.

Mazu Temple in Penghu is the oldest Mazu Temple in both Taiwan and Penghu. It has a history of 400 years and is now listed as the country’s first-class historic site. Mazu is the most commonly worshipped sea Goddess in areas south of the Yangtze River. She also represents one of the most dominant folk religion in Taiwan. 

Card sent by Chien.

Satay is a dish of seasoned, skewered and grilled meat, served with a sauce. Satay may consist of diced or sliced chicken, goat, mutton, beef, pork, fish, other meats, or tofu. These are grilled or barbecued over a wood or charcoal fire, then served with various spicy seasonings. Satay can be served in various sauces, however most often they are served in a combination of soy and peanut sauce. Hence, peanut sauce is often called satay sauce. in: wikipedia

C. K. says it is a must try food in Malaysia.

March Alternative RR (III)

A bit of nature from Australia, Taiwan, China and Austria. 

Peter Matthews, QLD

Never-ending blue sent by Krystiina. 

Photography © 2012 Lin Chien Chuan Art Co. Ltd

Menghuan Pond is located in Yangmingshan National Park, in northern Taipei City During winter, the pond covers 10000SQ. M and sometimes has a higher water level, while during summer, the pond sometimes may dry up. 

card sent by Rachel.

Miancimu Peak is one of the many peaks of the Meili Snow Mountain, located 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) northeast of Deqin County of Yunnan Province. It sits on the border of Yunnan Province and Tibet. Meili Snow Mountain is one of the most sacred mountains of Tibetan Buddhism.

Card sent by Rain.

© Photo Lohmann

The small hotel village of Hochsölden is in the middle of the Ötztal Alps. On the sunny and snowy plateau high above Sölden you will enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and slopes.

The small district is located at 2,090 metres above sea level and virtually in the middle of the Sölden skiing area. 

The card was sent by Grace. 

Monthly Fav. Surprise RR * September'16

In September's RR I've received cards from Lithuania, Russia, China and Australia. 

Foto © Antanas Varanka

In September I've got another card from Ieva, this one from Vilnius with the Gates of Dawn. 

The Gates of Dawn is one of the most visited shrines in Vilnius that is famous not only in Lithuania but also abroad, worshipped by the representatives of other creeds too. This is the only surviving gate of the first original five gates in the city wall that was built between 1503 and 1522.

The gates were first mentioned in 1514. At first the Gates of Dawn were called the Medininkai Gate, as it is on the road to Medininkai, in Polish Ostra Brama, the “Sharp Gate” because they were in the southern end of the city, which was called the Sharp. - in: http://www.vilnius-tourism.lt/en/what-to-see/places-to-visit/churches/gates-of-dawn

This beautiful building in Nizhny Novgorod may look a palace but actually is a bank. Its definitely the most beautiful bank I've ever seen. The card wa sent by Irina.

The State Bank was built in 1913 so as to commemorate the three hundred years of the Romanov dynasty following the project of architect V. A. Pokrovsky. It is an original construction that reminds both of a medieval castle and an Old Russian wooden house. The interior of the bank was painted according the drawings of painter I. Bilibin. - in: http://www.baikalnature.com/info/landmarks/230

The building is occupied by the Nizhny Novgorod branch of Central bank of Russia.

This beautiful snowy view of Malaya Sadovaya Street in St. Petersburg is not only a RR card but also a meet-up card. Alyona sent it and 5 other postcrossers also signed it.

The shortest street in St. Petersburg runs between Nevsky Prospekt and Italianskaya Ulitsa - all 179 meters of Malaya Sadovaya Ulitsa. However, despite its diminutive size, Malaya Sadovaya generates an indescribable atmosphere that attracted even Emperor Alexander II, who used to enjoy walking here. At the end of the 20th century, this street was made entirely pedestrian and adorned with numerous monuments and sculptures, and Malaya Sadovaya became an even more popular destination for walks and meetings for both St. Petersburg's residents and visitors. - in: http://www.saint-petersburg.com/streets/malaya-sadovaya-street/

I don't remember exactly when but Twinkle already sent me a card of a chinese water town and I really loved it. This card is from another water too and I also love it. 

Wuzhen Water Town, lying in the northern part of Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, is a typical ancient town in southern China. It is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from both Hangzhou and Suzhou, and 87 miles (140 kilometers) from Shanghai.

As one of the top six ancient towns in the southern region of the Yangtze River, Wuzhen boasts more than six thousand years of history and has always been a fertile land with abundant rice, fish and silk. It preserves the ancient appearance well and oozes charm of the water town itself. The small town, with houses made of black bricks and gray tiles contrasting sharply with the white walls, making it appear like a Chinese ink wash drawing. Stone bridges are seen here and there. Small boats with black awnings are floating on the murmuring rivers. Whether wandering along the riverside or strolling in the lanes paved with blue flagstones, you will be deeply impressed by the picturesque scenery and slow lifestyle. - in: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/zhejiang/hangzhou/wuzhen.htm

© SCANCOLOR Australia

September's last card is from Australia and it was sent by Alison.

The Grampians National Park is a national park located in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The 167,219-hectare (413,210-acre) national park is situated (...) 260 kilometres (160 mi) west of Melbourne and 460 kilometres (290 mi) east of Adelaide. Proclaimed as a national park on 1 July 1984, the park was listed on the Australian National Heritage List on 15 December 2006 for its outstanding natural beauty and being one of the richest indigenous rock art sites in south-eastern Australia.The Grampians feature a striking series of sandstone mountain ranges. - in: wikipedia