Geni's cards

I've traded these cards with Geni for some of the cards i wanted to get rid of. 

"Located in the north-west of Washington State, Olympic National Park is renowned for the diversity of its ecosystems. Glacier-clad peaks interspersed with extensive alpine meadows are surrounded by an extensive old growth forest, among which is the best example of intact and protected temperate rainforest in the Pacific Northwest. Eleven major river systems drain the Olympic mountains, offering some of the best habitat for anadromous fish species in the country. The park also includes 100 km of wilderness coastline, the longest undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States, and is rich in native and endemic animal and plant species, including critical populations of the endangered northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet and bull trout." - in: www.whc.org/en/list/151

"In 1810 the U.S. Congress voted the modest sum of $4000 for construction of a lighthouse at Scituate Harbor. The 50-foot tower was lit in 1811, and the original octagonal tower stands today beside the original 1811 keeper's quarters. Modifications to the tower were made over the years, but Scituate was taken out of service in 1860, replaced by the offshore light at Minot's Ledge. In 1990 the light was reactivated as a private aid to navigation, and today the site is owned by the town of Scituate.

The Scituate Historical Society makes note of the bravery of the first lighthouse keeper's daughters. During the War of 1812, Abigail and Rebecca Bates were called the "army of two" for "preventing a British Naval Force from sacking the town by playing a fife and drum," deceiving the commander of the British warship into thinking the Americans were massing an army." - in: http://lighthousegetaway.com/lights/scituate.html

Philippine cards

Thanks to my unwanted cards i've received these 2 from the Philippines sent by Mary Anne "presea".

"El Nido is a first class municipality and managed resource protected area in the province of Palawan in the Philippines.

It is composed of 45 islands and islets, each has its own unique geological formations.

From the towering marble cliffs and enchanting lagoons to its 100 white sandy beaches and lush jungle, El Nido is one of the top tourist destinations in Palawan, which is often referred to as the Philippines' Last Frontier. In the November-December 2007 issue of the National Geographic Traveler's magazine, Palawan was chosen as one of the best travel destinations in the world, and particularly, it recommended El Nido and the Calamianes Inlands." - in: wikipedia

"Basilica de San Martin de Tours in Taal is the largest church in Asia, standing 96 meters long and 45 meters wide. The Augustinian Missionaries started construction in 1756, but it was destroyed when Taal Volcano erupted in 1754. Today only the ruins of the walls of the original church is now left standing. It took a century for the church to achieve its present form." - in: wikipédia

Tianjin - China

This chinese card sent by "josefish", is a result of another trade to get rid of some of my cards. I've sent 2 cards i didn't want and received this Tianjin card with the Dagu Bridge.

Tianjin is a metropolis in Northeastern China and one of the five national central cities.

"The Dagu Bridge is on the border of Heping District and Hebei District. It is 154m in length and 30m~59m in width, with motor lanes of 24m.
Dagu Bridge is made up of a larger and a smaller arches which stands for the sun and the moon. The two arches are fixed at both sides of the bridge by 88 suspenders and opposite to the semicircular viewing platform. It is briefed that the design is named “unparalleled combined tie beam arch” and unique in the world.

Besides its unique appearance, 88 suspenders on the arch bear the weight of the 106-meter bridge. The unique design replaces the supporting force of ordinary tiers with the tension of suspenders, thus building a grand bridge spanning over Haihe River." - in: http://english.enorth.com.cn/system/2008/01/09/002621910.shtml

PT Travelling Envelope - Group 13

More cards from a RR on the portuguese community in the postcrossing forum. 3 of the cards are from the Algarve region and the last from Penedono, a town in the Viseu district, located in the Central Inland of Portugal.

Olhos de Água is a parish in the municipality of Albufeira.

"Situated in the picturesque fishermen village of Olhos d’Água (meaning “Eyes of Water”), this Beach owes its name to the existence of several spring waters by the sea and inside it.
Olhos de Água Beach is very frequented given its tourist and urban character, with a central plaza with esplanades where one might contemplate the sea, and a small pedestrian walk in front of the sea surrounded by exotic palm trees." - in: http://www.getportugal.com/portugal/poi/13892/08/praia-de-olhos-de-agua&lg=en

Albufeira is famed for its beaches, for the countless shades and tones of its rocks and cliffs. This card shows the Fishermen's beach.

The architecture of the town ranges from typically Algarvian narrow streets with pale white and sometimes tiled houses to very modern tourist developments.

Penedono castles dates back from the 14th century.

PT RR - Group 56 * 2010 holidays

Less than 2 weeks for my holidays :) After Switzerland and Italy, i'll spend my next holidays in Portugal and Spain. On october 27 i'll travel to one of our archipelagos, Madeira and on november 6-7 i'll be in the spanish capital city, Madrid.

This RR group was dedicated to holidays and these are cards from Portugal and Spain.

Graça "gracinha" went to the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, Algarve, to spend a few days.

"Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Fish, seafood and fruit production, which includes oranges, carob beans, figs and almosnds, are other important activities in the region. The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, its population more than doubles in the peak holiday season thanks to a high influx of visitors, and receives an average of 8 million foreign tourists each year." - in: wikipedia

Rui "VascoDaGama" sent this Portinho da Arrábida card. Portinho da Arrábida was recently elected as one of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal.
"The Portinho da Arrábida is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Portuguese coastline, with bright thin sand and luminous crystalline waters, contrasting with the luxuriant vegetation of the greenish Arrábida Mountain, situated in the astonishing Arrábida Mountain Natural Park.
The beach is usually quite crowded during summer months, much frequented by families that find here the perfect calm waters for children, and shelter from the strong coastal winds.
It is also quite frequented by divers, sport fishers and other sport practitioners." - in: http://www.getportugal.com/portugal/poi/14032/15/praia-do-portinho-da-arrabida&lg=en

After travelling to Italy with me Joana "joaninha" travelled to Spain with another friend. They visited some spanish unesco places and she sent me the Granada card with the Alhambra.

"The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex constructed during the mid 14th century by the Moorish rulers of the Emirate of Granada, occupying the top of the hill of the Assabica on the southeastern border of the city of Granada in the Autonomous Community of Andaluzia.

The Alhambra's Moorish palaces were built for the last Muslim Emirs in Spain and its court, of the Nasrid dynasty. After the Reconsquista by the Reyes Católicos ("Catholic Monarchs") in 1492, some portions were used by the Christian rulers. The Palace of Charles V, built by Carlhes V, Holy Roman Emperor in 1527, was inserted in the Alhambra within the Nasrid fortifications. After being allowed to fall into disrepair for centuries, the Alhambra was "discovered" in the 19th century by European scholars and travelers, with restorations commencing. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions, exhibiting the country's most significant and well known Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century and later Christian building and garden interventions. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the inspiration for many songs and stories." - in: wikipedia

Pura Ulun Danu Temple - Indonesia

This indonesian card with an hindu temple in Bali was one of my favorites and it was sent by Shinta.

"Pura Ulun Danu Batur, built in 1926, is the second most important temple complex of Bali, after the mother temple Besakih. The temple is dedicated to Dewi Batari Ulun Danu, goddess of lakes and rivers. "Ulun Danu" literally translates as "head of the lake".

Until 1926 Pura Ulun Danu and the village of Batur were located down in the caldera, at the foot of the Batur volcano. After the volcano erupted violently in 1926, both the village and the temple were destroyed except for the most important shrine, an 11-tiered meru dedicated to Dewi Batari Ulun Danu. The villagers moved to the highest and oldest rim of the caldera where they rebuilt their village and the temple.

Actually the Pura Ulun Danu is a complex of nine different temples, containing in total 285 shrines and pavilions dedicated to the gods and goddesses of water, agriculture, holy springs, art, crafts, etc." - in: http://www.wonderfulbali.com/centralbali/ulundanu-batur.htm

Blumenau - Brazil

A few days ago i've received an envelope from Brazil with these 3 Blumenau cards sent by Mauro.

Blumenau is a city in the state of Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil. It was founded on September 2, 1850 by Dr. Hermann Bruno Otto Blumenau along with 17 German immigrants.

In 2000, the city had 261,505 inhabitants; many people in the rural area of Blumenau still speak German and live by German traditions. The architecture also reflects the german influence. These typical timbered houses are a good exemple of that architectural influence.

Moellmann castle was constructed in typical german style, following the model of the construction manner of typical buildings of Michelstadt in the "Odenwald" in Germany. The stimulus for this building was to create a building which one through its special architecture would be a centre of attraction & a landmark for Blumenau.