MADAGASCAR ~ Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park - UNESCO ~

... GREAT!👍 I can add a new African island to my received country list🤩... a truly unique and impressive landscape... Tsingy de Bemaraha is often referred to as the "Stone Forest" due to its impenetrable labyrinth of jagged limestone formations resembling a forest of stone towers with razor-sharp points and ledges at the top, gorges and caves deep below... tsingy means "where man cannot walk barefoot"... the park is not only known for its beautiful views, but also for its adventure activities with high rope bridges, deep ravines and dark caves... Thanks a lot Alena!【ツ】  

Madagascar is a country in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa opposite Mozambique and is the world's fourth-largest island with  Antananarivo as capital, the largest city of the country.

The Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is a national park located in northwest Madagascar. The southern end of the protected area was changed into the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in 1997. The national park centers on two geological formations: the Great Tsingy and the Little Tsingy.  

Together with the adjacent Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, the National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site named the Andrefana Dry Forests.

Stamps:

Flora and Fauna 

(15-06-2015)

Tourism - Nosy Antafana 

(Issued 22-05-2015)

Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013

(18-07-2017)

ICELAND ~ Ice Cave - Vatnajokull National Park ~ UNESCO ~

... Amazing Iceland National Park nr 2💙... an other-wordly view of an ever-changing natural phenomena... the Vatnajökull Ice Cave is renowned for its stunning blue ice formations... a result of centuries of compression, which removes the air bubbles and gives the ice its blue hue... these astonishing blue glacial ice caves are only found deep inside of glaciers... they are among some of the most amazing sights in Iceland for its size, charming colors, enchanting texture, and the absolute tranquil feeling inside... Vatnajokull NP is a huge park and most of it is pure wilderness covered by the second largest glacier in Europe... Big Thanks Alena!¯\_(ツ)_/¯

© Skarphedinn Thrainsson/www.arcticart.is
The Vatnajökull ice cap is located on the southeast side of the island. It is the second-largest in Europe and a major glacial research location on climate change. It is situated on large and active tectonic rift systems, and in an area rich in volcanic features.

Vatnajökull National Park encompasses an enormous area. It covers 12.000 square kilometres, almost 14% of Iceland. The park officially formed in 2008 by joining together Jökulsargljúfur and Skaftafell National Parks and adding in additional wilderness areas. It is the largest national park in Western Europe. 

Vatnajökull National Park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2019.

Stamp: 

Icelandic Contemporary Design 

(Issued 27-03-2014)

GERMANY ~ The ShUM city of Mainz - UNESCO ~

...Nice views of the ShUM city of Mainz... the Old Jewish Cemetery "Judensand" in Mainz along with the "Holy Sand" in Worms are considered to be the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe... the new synagogue serves a local Jewish community of nearly 1,000 people strong... it's is an imposing structure from the outside an abstract, modernist creation... the shape of the building is based on the Hebrew word for blessing and is curved around a public courtyard... the site is the location of a previous synagogue... this one was damaged during Kristallnacht in 1938 and then destroyed in 1942 by bombings during World War II... there is a plaque commemorating its location... with matching "SchUM-Stätten" stamp and great special first day postmark👍... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】

© Jan Bruns
The term ShUM שו"ם is an acronym made up of the first letters of the medieval Hebrew city names Speyer, Worms and Mainz in Hebrew. It was the cradle of Ashkenazi Jewry and testifies the long tradition of Jewish life in Europe. The monuments are teaching us about history and present. 

The Jewish community of Mainz, or Magenza, is one of the oldest in the German-speaking world, dating back to the 10th century. During the Middle Ages, scholars and teachers based in Magenza turned the city into a vibrant centre of religious and cultural life.

Since 2021, the Jewish monuments in the cities of Mainz, Worms and Speyer have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Stamps:

Definitive - Flowers 

(Issued 08-06-2017)

SchUM-Statten

(Issued 05-12-2024)

ICELAND ~ Öxarárfoss Waterfall - Thingvellir National Park - UNESCO ~

... First of three spectacular and breathtaking landscape views... Öxarárfoss is not the biggest, but one of the most beautiful falls in southern Iceland... the "wall", the river and the lighting makes it look really magical... Öxarárfoss waterfall, though it looks entirely natural, is actually a human-made feature... this redirection was done to provide a reliable water supply for the members and visitors of Iceland's Alþingi parliament, which gathered in Þingvellir each year... it is not merely a geological wonder but also a site steeped in history and cultural significance... Thanks a lot Alena! (✿◠‿◠)

© Skarphedinn Thrainsson/www.arcticart.is
Standing at 13m and 6m wide, Öxarárfoss flows from the Öxará into the Almannagjá gorge with its pristine and deep blue water. The name Öxaráfoss translates to the “The waterfall in the Ax River.” The water continues to flow from the gorge into Iceland’s largest lake, Thingvallavatn.

Þingvellir National Park is located in the south in an active volcanic area and was established as a national park in 1930 making it the oldest park in Iceland. Laying on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Þingvellir has historical, cultural, and geological value. The park is the original site of the first Alþingi (“National Assembly”), formed in 930 AD. 

In 2004 Þingvellir National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:

Icelandic Contemporary Design

(Issued 27-03-2014)

GERMANY ~ Schöningen Research Museum - UNESCO tentative list ~

...  Nice view of the Paleolithic site of Schöningen... an enormous open-cast brown coal mine... a site of one of the ten most important palaeolithic finds in the world – the Schöningen spears... the spears are regarded not only as the earliest hunting weapons ever found but also as the oldest known wooden tools... thanks to unusually favourable geological and sedimentological conditions, the finds have been very well-preserved... here, you can uniquely understand how and where our predecessor, Homo heidelbergensis, lived and hunted... a real world sensation... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】 

Photo: V. Minkus
The paläon Forschungsmuseum uniquely combines the exciting experience of the Palaeolithic with cutting-edge archaeological research in an innovative exhibition concept. Visitors travel back about 300,000 years to the Palaeolithic and meet the first inhabitants of Lower Saxony. 

You can see the Schöningen spears in the immediate vicinity of where they were found, where they were left around 300,000 years ago and where they were discovered in 1994 - and where excavations are still ongoing today. The spears prove that Homo heidelbergensis planned his actions, had technological skills, used sophisticated hunting strategies, and communicated with each other in a complex social structure. 

The site of the Schöningen Spears – Humans and hunting 300,000 years ago is part of the Tentative list of Germany.

 

Stamp:

World of Letters - Rocket Pencil Postage

(Issued 05-12-2024)

SWITZERLAND ~ Sainte-Croix - Vaud ~

...Wonderful winter scene🌨️ of small village that lies on a protected sunny terrace (1100m) amidst the width of the Jura landscape in the Lake Geneva region... also known as the "Balcony of the Vaudois Jura"...  it is so nice to read that the sender lives in one of these lovely houses that is101 years old and the place now looks exactly like this picture☺️... world-renowned for its music boxes and nickelodeons... it has a long history of mechanical art and is a treasure trove of age-old craftsmanship, preserving the secrets of its mechanical wonders... the village offers numerous opportunities for summer and winter sports in the surrounding mountains and forests... Thanks a lot Madeleine! (✿◠‿◠) Im so looking forward to get more postcards from your this year travels!👍

In the south-west of Switzerland, the canton of Vaud stretches between the Lake Geneva and Lake Neuchâtel, the Alps and the Jura. Being in the Lake Geneva Region, it has borders with France and five other Swiss cantons. The canton of Vaud - Lake Geneva Region is part of French-speaking Switzerland, usually called “Romandie”. 

Stamp:

Swiss Attractions

(Issued 05-09-2024)

NETHERLANDS ~ Rietveld Schröderhouse - Utrecht - UNESCO ~

... View of an icon of the Modern Movement in architecture... one of the first things that strikes you about the house is how small it actually is... and also how radically different it is from the other houses on the road... a small white cube which makes it very unique... the relationship between interior and exterior was pivotal for the designer... it was built according to the architectural principles of the "Stijl"-movement... only the typical colours red, blue and yellow are used, in combination with white, grey and black... the furniture inside was also made by Rietveld, in the same style and colours... the house was carefully restored and is now a museum... Thanks Marloes!【ツ】

Photo: Jannes Linders Rotterdam
The Rietveld Schröder House is designed and decorated by Gerrit Rietveld. It was built in 1924 for widow Truus Schröder and her three children. She lived in it until her death in 1985 and in 1976 the house became a listed monument. 

The Rietveld Schröder House is a Unesco World Heritage Sites since 2000.

 

Stamps:

Christmas Stamps 

(Issued 22-11-2011)

GERMANY ~ Derneb­urg Castle Art Mu­seum ~

... Nice view of a medieval castle located in a wonderful landscape... today, the castle and its grounds are a public museum space for the Hall Art Foundation, a private foundation with vari­ous ex­hib­i­tions of con­tem­por­ary art for a wide audi­ence in a unique his­tor­ic­al set­ting... it hosts also exhibitions by international artists... and part of the domain is a sculpture park...  with  "Black Widow" Superheroes stamp and great special postmark! Thanks Dustin!¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The his­tory of the castle, dates back al­most one thou­sand years. It served as a con­vent and then as a mon­as­tery for hun­dreds of years. In the 19th cen­tury it was taken over by the dukes of Mün­ster, who com­mis­sioned the renowned Han­over Ar­chi­tects to con­vert it in­to a coun­try res­id­ence. 

The artist Georg Basel­itz bought the es­tate in 1970 and used it as a home and stu­dio for about 30 years un­til its sale in 2006. 

Stamp:

Definitive - Flowers

(Issued 08-06-2017)

Superheroes - Black Widow 

(Issued 10-10-2024)

SENEGAL ~ Gorée Island - Dakar - UNESCO ~

... Nice view of an island with a dark past... it was one of the main hubs of the transatlantic slave trade... thousands of West Africans were gathered here, hoarded onto cramped ships and taken to the new world... many of them wouldn’t even make it to the destination... so, it is difficult today when you walk the narrow streets, colored by the walls of the old colonial houses and baobab trees to imagine that it was from this Senegalese island that thousands of Africans left, sold as slaves to rich American planters... Gorée is now a living museum that welcomes nearly 700,000 tourists a year... while the island has its horrid past to live with, today it’s remarkably peaceful... Thanks so much dear Andrene! (✿◠‿◠)

Gorée Island is a tiny isle a couple of miles from Dakar.

With its strategic location and safe haven, it was one of the first African places to be settled by Europeans. The first to come ashore were the Portuguese in the 15th century. They were later driven out by the Dutch who named the island Goede Reede (the current name is still a corruption of this). In the centuries that followed, the whole place changed occupiers several other times, but its purpose remained largely the same. From 1536 to 1848, Gorée island was one of the main hubs of the transatlantic slave trade. (1848 is the year the French made slavery illegal.)

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.

©Photos: AM BREGER

Stamps:

2X Senegalese Elegance - The Peulh Woman

(Issued 12-03-2002)

Horse Breeds

(10-12-2002)

CANADA ~ SGang Gwaay - Anthony Island - UNESCO ~

... Nice view of  the largest collection of Haida totem poles in their original locations, many celebrated as highly regarded works of art... this is a very remote place at the far southern end of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve...  you can only access it by air or sea... it is one of three abandoned Haida villages which are protected by Parks Canada and the Haida Watchmen program... weathering and decay are taking their natural toll on the village, as the fine details on the poles continue to fade... as far as the Haida people who populate the islands of Haida Gwaii are concerned, however, this is an expected part of life and should not be prevented... the Haida people believe they came from the earth and that they should return to the earth... Thanks Inger!【ツ】 

Haida are an Indigenous people who have traditionally occupied the coastal bays and inlets of Haida Gwaii in British Columbia. Archaeological evidence confirms continual habitation on the islands for at least 6,000 to 8,000 years.

Gwaii Haanas (Islands of Beauty) Park reserve and Haida Heritage site is an archipelago of 138 islands that lies 130km off the coast of mainland British Columbia; known simply as Gwaii Haanas, this area is protected as both a National Park reserve and an important Heritage site for the Haida First Nation.  

The village of SGang Gwaay on Anthony Island, also known under its colonial name Ninstints, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

 

Stamp: 

Prepaid postcard from Post Canada

(Issued 15-05-2014)

FINLAND ~ Helsinki ~

...  Beautiful view of a city located on a peninsula on the shore of the Gulf of Finland surrounded by islands (the Helsinki Archipelago consists of over 300 islands)... with the Helsinki Cathedral very likely Finland’s most famous and photographed building... the cathedral's central dome, rising 80 meters above the ground and  is a prominent feature of the Helsinki skyline... it is a global design capital and  known worldwide for its natural beauty... considered as one of the world’s most livable cities... Finland has once again been named the world’s happiest country in the 2024 World Happiness Report... Thanks once more dear Gian Luca and Rafaella for thinking of me while on vacation!(✿ ♥‿♥)

Founded in 1550 by the King of Sweden, Helsinki was established to rival the bustling trading port of Tallin (which was part of the Hanseatic League, an alliance of merchant guilds and trading ports). The city didn’t take off as expected, a problem compounded by the devastating plague of 1710, which killed much of the city’s residents. It wasn’t until the Russians annexed the region in the 19th century that it started to develop and grow into the city it is today.

Stamp:

Rati Riti Ralla 

(Issued 07-11-2018

GERMANY ~ Malle Babbe - Frans Hals - The Gemäldegalerie ~

...  Famous painting by Dutch master Frans Hals, created around 1630... the portrait is known for its vivid depiction of a woman apparently talking or laughing at someone or something to the right of the canvas, holding a beer jug... often called Malle Babbe, she was presumably a resident of a home for the mentally handicapped in Haarlem, where Frans Hals lived and worked... he depicts her with a certain dignity and a touch of humour, without caricaturing or stigmatising her... this makes the work not only artistically valuable, but also socially and historically significant... and as always with nice stamps and wonderful special postmarks...👍 Thanks Dustin!ヽ(ヅ)ノ  

The Gemäldegalerie is an art museum in Berlin. It is part of the Berlin State Museums and houses holdings of old European paintings from the 13th to the 18th century.

With nine works, this galerie has one of the most extensive and high-calibre collections of paintings by Frans Hals in the world, including highlights such as the Malle Babbe, the Portrait of Catharina Hooft with Her Nurse, and the Singing Boy with Flute.

Frans Hals (1582/83–1666) ranks among the most outstanding Dutch painters of the 17th century. In addition to unconventional, expressive portraits of the Haarlem elite, he was the first artist in Holland to paint social outsiders as individuals in portrait format.

Photo: Christoph Schmidt 

 

Stamps:

World of Letters 

(02-11-2022)

Christmas for Children - Christmas Bakery  

(02-11-2024)

ESTONIA ~ Tallinn - UNESCO ~

...Beautiful panoramic view... in winter, Tallinn becomes a true ❄️Winter Wonderland❄️... there is nothing more magical than taking a stroll in the snow-covered streets of Tallinn's well preserved medieval old town... the city's iconic skyline is dotted with church spires and red-roofed towers... there are numerous monuments to see and visit within a walking distance... the city walls, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the orthodox church, the palace and numerous cobbled streets and old merchant houses, they all make up the atmosphere of the place... although it is an European country my last received postcard from Estonia was almost 10 years ago😮... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella!【ツ】

Estonia lies in Northern Europe and is one of the Baltic States. It is the northernmost, the smallest and the least populous of the three Baltic States and borders the Baltic Sea of the North Atlantic Ocean and two countries: Latvia and Russia. Tallinn is the capital city. As part of the influential Hanseatic League, Tallinn was home to wealthy merchants who left their mark on the city's architecture.

The Old Town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

Stamp:

Estonian Flag

(Issued 02-10-2024)

Saint Kitts ~ Sugar Mas - Basseterre ~

... Last Friday arrived one more fantastic postcard from Glenn's Caribbean cruise🌞... thought I had already received them all😊... a great view of the islands traditional folklore... carnival in Saint Kitts, known as Sugar Mas, (Sugar because of the importance of sugar cane as a resource, and Mas, which is short for masquerade) is a spectacular event blending vibrant Caribbean culture with festive holiday spirit.... it is the only Caribbean carnival that incorporates the spirit of Christmas into the celebrations, taking place yearly between mid December to early January... paraders wear tall peacock-feathered headdresses, masks and the entire costume is decorated with bangles, mirrors and fringed aprons... a time for locals and visitors to come together in a spirit of fun and camaraderie... Thanks a lot dear Glenn! (✿◠‿◠) 

Saint Kitts, officially Saint Christopher, is an island in the West Indies and one of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It borders the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Saint Kitts and the neighbouring island of Nevis constitute one country: the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis are separated by a shallow 3km channel known as "The Narrows".

Basseterre is the capital and largest city of Saint Kitts and Nevis and one of the oldest towns in the Eastern Caribbean.
 

Stamp:

The 30th Anniversary of the Death of Elvis Presley, 1935-1977  (Issued 15-02-2007)

AUSTRALIA ~ Lake McKenzie - K’gari - Queensland - UNESCO ~

... Lovely view of the legendary Lake McKenzie on the world’s largest sand island... an area of remarkable natural beauty... this freshwater lake has crystal-clear blue water and is surrounded by white sand that is 98% silica... there are  more than 100 freshwater lakes... K’gari is also the only place on Earth where the subtropical rainforest grows entirely on sand...  K’gari formerly known as Fraser Island is part of Great Sandy National Park... it attracts about 400,000 visitors annually... Thanks Helen!【ツ】

Mark Lang, Wildlight
K’gari is 123 kms in length with an average width of 14 kms, ranging up to 22 kms at its widest. It covers an area of 184,000 hectares, with dunes reaching as high as 240 metres.

The island has been inhabited for over 5,000 years by the Butchulla people, who named it “K’gari” which means “paradise.” In fact, the island’s name was officially changed back to K’gari in 2023 to honor the indigenous population and their history. 

Great Sandy National Park is a coastal national park in the Fraser Coast Region, Queensland. National parks were declared in the northern part of K'gari in 1971 with more additions in later years.

Fraser Island was declared a World Heritage site in 1992.
 

Prestamped postcard

KENYA ~ Maasai people ~

... Beautiful second postcard from Andrene's African cruise🛳️... view of the most well-known African tribe with unique culture, history, diet, clothing, brutal rituals, dances, lion hunting, and much more.... like the iconic wildlife that roam the plains, they are synonymous with the savannahs of East Africa... despite the initial pressures to give up their way of life, they have managed to tightly hold on to their culture... the bright colours of the Maasai cloth, beads and other adornments are all very symbolic... the vibrant red coloured cloth represents blood and is the symbol of bravery, it is the primary colour of all the shukas worn... blue represents the sacred sky and rain that provides sustenance and graving for the cattle... green subsequently represents the grass and nourishment... orange is symbolic of their warmth, friendliness and openness... yellow is the colour of fertility, and white is the symbol of peace... visiting a local Maasai village is a popular activity during a trip to East Africa... Thanks so much Andrene! (✿◠‿◠) (An African cruise must surely have been quite a different experience!🙂) 

The Maasai make up a large part of the East African landscape between Kenya and Tanzania, particularly in and around the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park.

Unlike many other tribes in Kenya, the Maasai are semi-nomadic and pastoral.They have a fearsome reputation as and live by herding cattle and goats. Relied on these animals as their primary diet only eating/drinking milk, meat and blood. Today, they have introduced more African foods such as rice, potatoes, ugali and even japati. 

They mostly live in mud and dung huts and right outside, their animals are kept in an enclosure built of sticks, which looks quite sophisticated. This is to keep them safe from the wild animals out there: Hyenas and big cats.

"Maasai" literally means "one who speaks the Maa language". 

Stamps:

Birds

(2014)

GAMBIA ~ Kotu Beach ~

...Stunning reddish-orange sunset view... this coastal town is a very popular place in Gambia for a wonderful sun holiday... the beautiful beaches with waving palm trees and the surrounding nature reserves attract many holidaymakers... this is also the reason why there are many beautiful hotels and resorts... the warm and shallow water make Kotu ideal for families... but surfers and other water sports enthusiasts can also enjoy themselves here... it is one of the most lively places to be in The Gambia... Thanks a lot dear Andrene!(✿ ♥‿♥) 

The Gambia is a small country located on the western coast of Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for its coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Banjul is the capital and largest city of the country. 

Gambia is named after the Gambia River, which runs through the country.

The country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1965, and celebrates Independence Day annually.

Photo: Lotta Källarbo

 

Stamp: 

Butterflies 

 Issued 04-04-2005)

FAROE ISLANDS ~ Fugloy Island - Kirkja ~

... Great view of one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places on Earth.... unique nature, history and culture... Kirkja is located on the south-tip of the island... one of two villages on the island of Fugloy... Kirkja means  "Church" and is named after a church on this location in the middle ages... but despite their rich history, the future does not look bright for either Hattarvík or Kirkja... during the last half of the 20th century, these two settlements have not been able to keep up with modernization and the population has fallen steadily (Kirkja has a population of only 31 habitants)... without steady communications, the two settlements will become vacation settlements in a few decades... Thanks a lot josep&Assumpta! (✿◠‿◠)

Fugloy is the Faroe Islands’ easternmost island, but unlike other small islands in the Faroes, it is divided in two settlements, each with their own identity. Both settlements are without a doubt quite old, but while Hattarvík is probably the original name of the settlement, the name of Kirkja dates back to more recent times. 

The Faroe Islands are an archipelago of 18 islands of which 16 are inhabited in the North Atlantic Ocean, situated roughly midway between Iceland, Norway and the northern tip of Scotland. They are an autonomous country, self-governing but within the Kingdom of Denmark. Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands and fishing is the most important Faroese industry.

 

Stamp:

Villages: Kirkja & Hattarvík

(Issued 19-02-2021)

GERMANY ~ Rosgarten Museum - Constance ~

... Nice scene of the newly elected Pope Martin V riding through the city to the cathedral... part of one of the most prominent testimonials to the history of Constance "the Richental Chronicle"... in his richly illustrated chronicle, Constance citizen Ulrich Richental recorded events of the Council of Constance, which took place between 1414 and 1418... on large-size paper pages, the chronicler, in his Upper German Alemannic dialect, wrote about important occasions and small everyday occurrences... five illustrators later enriched his descriptions with coloured pen and ink drawings... the Constance manuscript was compiled around 1465... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】

The Rosgartenmuseum was built in 1454 as a guild house for butchers and is located right in the middle of Constance’ historic centre. The museum has been here since 1870, when it was founded by a Constance pharmacist. 

It is one of the oldest of its kind in the region and offers a rich collection of historical artifacts and artworks that tell the story of the city and region.

The Council of Constance marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Catholic Church and the history of Europe in general.

 

Stamps: 

Definitive - World of Letter

(Issued 0108-2024)

Superheroes - Hulk

(Issued 01-08-2024)

SEYCHELLEN ~ Aldabra Tortoise - Aldabra Atoll - UNESCO

... One more fantastic little gem coming from Rod... Aldabra is the most remote and most interesting of all the Outer Island groups... it contains one of the most important natural habitats for studying evolutionary and ecological processes... home to nearly 95 percent of the world’s giant tortoise population... there are about 100,000 of them😮... the atoll has been well protected and preserved, so these herbivorous gentle giants are able to roam safely and freely (and, it must be said, slowly😉), nibbling grasses and leaves.... there are no hotels on the Aldabra group which, apart from visiting scientists and the occasional small cruise ship or charter boat from Mahé, sees few visitors... stone-grey carapace gives them the appearance of a living fossil... its ancestors, looking very similar to the present day animal, date from the time of the dinosaurs or earlier... with wonderful special "Tortoise" postmark👍 ...Thanks a lot Rod!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Aldabra is the world's second-largest coral atoll and is located east of the continent of Africa. It is part of the Aldabra Group of islands in the Indian Ocean that are part of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles.The Outer Islands are are divided into four main groups. They are the Amirantes Group, the Alphonse Group, the Farquhar Group and the Aldabra Group. 

The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is one of the largest tortoises in the world, native to the islands of Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. Aside from having longer and thicker tails and weighing 240 kg, males are slightly larger than females, with an average length of 122 cm. Females measure around 91 cm and weigh about 159 kg.

Aldabra was designated at UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.

© Michel Gunther/Bios  

Stamps:

Marine Life Definitives

(Issued 01-12-2012)

Seychelles India Day 

(Issued 14-01-2016)

NEW ADDRESS!!! 📮 NEW ADDRESS!!! 📮

___________________________________________________________________________________

Dear postcard friends!🙋‍♀️

From now on I have a new address... not moving, we merge (fuse)😏with a neighbouring village and hence the reason for this change of address!

GERDA THEUNIS

GROOTVELD 2

3945 TESSENDERLO-HAM

BELGIUM

                                                                                                                    Groetjes, Gerda♥

_____________________________________________________________________________________

JAPAN ~ Nezu Museum Garden - Tokyo ~

....  Lovely view of a green peaceful oasis in the heart of Tokyo... this vast and verdant Japanese garden of approximately 17,000m2 combined with the architecture designed by Kuma Kengo creates a delicate and uniquely Japanese atmosphere of serenity... 4 carefully preserved teahouses dot the garden grounds that comprise the remnant of Kaichirō's private residence, and Japanese water irises in early summer and maple leaves in autumn make for plenty of sights to see in all seasons... here is shown the Ikaruga-an/Seikeitei teahouse... Thanks Jobbo!【ツ】 (Just saying I'm still blogging)😉

Based on the collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art built by the renowned entrepreneur Nezu Kaichirō I, the Nezu Museum was opened in 1941 in Minami-Aoyama.

The four teahouses laid out in different parts of the garden are: Konintei/Bujian, Kanchu-an/Ushibeya, Hikinsai/Ichiju-an, and Ikaruga-an/Seikeitei, each with its own distinctive features.

Stamps:

Edo-Tokyo

(Issued 03-03-2023)

Edo-Tokyo

(Issued 11-01-2023)

Doraemon 50th Anniversary

(20-05-2020)

ETHIOPIA ~ Aksum - UNESCO ~

... Great view of the "Chapel of the Tablet" supposedly containing the Biblical Ark of the Covenant upon which the Ten Commandments are inscribed... nobody really knows where the actual Ark of the Covenant is hiding, or whether it really exists... Aksum is considered to be a sacred site of Christianity... there is a long-standing religious legend in Ethiopia that describes how the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia 3,000 years... Menelik I was the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and it is believed by Ethiopians to have brought the Ark of the Covenant containing the Ten Commandments from Jerusalem to Axum... here is no historical proof, but Ethiopians believe it is still there... one of the most holiest places in the word but you can watch this only outside and from the distance and the area around it is off limits to women... Thanks a lot Rod for this wonderful surprise!(✿◠‿◠)

The ruins of the ancient city of Aksum are found close to Ethiopia's northern border. They mark the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Aksum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The massive ruins, dating from between the 1st and the 13th century A.D., include monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs and the ruins of ancient castles.

Aksum is a UNESCO World Heritage and was inscribed into the UNESCO list in 1980.
 

Stamps

Frogs of Ethiopia

(2022)

Stamp Fishes 

(20222)

GERMANY ~ The Climate House 8° Ost. - Bremerhaven ~

... Nice views of the Climate Experience Center... the tour along the 8° of longitude East leads through sceneries that are built true to original locations... trom the Swiss mountains through the desert of the Sahel and the pack ice of Antarctica, along the South Sea beach of Samoa and back to the North Sea coast... mixture between a science center, climate museum and theme park... an ideal place to learn about our world climate and how climate changes impacts the daily lives of individuals living in those climates... and that we have an ethical responsibility to protect environmental quality... with lovely matching stamp and special postmark👍... Big Thanks Dustin! (✿ ♥‿♥)

The Klimahaus Bremerhaven is located at the Old Harbor and is part of the Havenwelten and its shaped resembles a boat.

The Klimahaus was opened on 25 June 2009 by the Irish musician and human rights activist Bob Geldof . It is, alongside the already existing North Sea Science Center , the second science center in Bremerhaven and, together with the Universum Bremen , the third in the state of Bremen.

Stamp:

Natural Climate Protection 

(Issued 05-09-2024)

GElUKKIG NIEUWJAAR - HAPPY 2025!

I wish love and peace for everyone in the new year... I wish a safe and happy world in the new year... I wish a year full of happiness, health and joy for all my postcard friends and blog followers...                                                                             - Gerda ❤️

USA ~ Historic Moravian District - Bethlehem - Pennsylvania - UNESCO ~

... Nice aerial view of a settlement that serves as a prime example of Moravian architecture and town planning... it is the first permanent, best-preserved, and most important Moravian Church settlement in North America.... played a key role in both the international and American Moravian communities... also known as the Christmas City, this Lehigh Valley city was originally settled by the Moravians and got its name on Christmas Eve in 1741... the history, the charm and the unique Moravian heritage makes it a great place to visit... it is  known for its holiday magic, happenings, events, and light displays... Thanks Elena! (✿◠‿◠)

Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District constitutes approximately 14 acres in the heart of the City of Bethlehem and was created under the auspices of the original Moravian congregation in Hernhut, Germany. It was to be the principal center for Moravians in the New World serving as both the religious and administrative center. From here, they sent missionaries throughout the American colonies and to the West Indies.

In 2024, it became a World Heritage Site, together with other Moravian church settlements in Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

 

Stamps:

Flags 

(Issued 24-04-1981)

Peace Rose

(Issued 21-04-2018)

Tiffany Lamp

(Issued 07-03-2008)

Pinback Buttons

(Issued 15-08-2024)

GERMANY ~ The Universum - Bremen ~

... Nice museum view where you go on an extraordinary journey of discovery into the world of science... set across two buildings and several floors, Universum is full of interactive activities and experiments... you can explore in the open air as well... it has a theme on each floor: Nature, Humans and Technology...  more than 250 exhibits let you experience and understand scientific phenomena up close and with all your senses... there is such a range of things to try, such as a simulated earthquake, insights into your own body such as watching the pupils of your eyes change size in different lights, and seeing how a tornado forms... it receives on average 450,000 visitors annually... with great stamp and special postmark about Rock legend Freddie Mercury from the  "Legends of Pop/Rock Music" series👍... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】   

The Universum opened in September 2000 near to the University of Bremen and covers  over 4,000 m2.

The main building, which houses the permanent exhibition, is covered with 40,000 stainless steel shingles and was designed by the Bremen architect Thomas Klumpp . The shape of the building is reminiscent of a mixture of a whale and a mussel.

Stamp:

Personalities - Freddie Mercury

(Issued 05-09-2024)