Postcards Around the World

2013-05-10

JP-368163 - Orca whale

JP-368163 sent by "gururu-guruguru"

"The killer whale (Orcinus orca), also referred to as the orca whale or orca, and less commonly as the blackfish, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family. Killer whales are found in all oceans, from the frigid Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas. Killer whales as a species have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as sea lions, seals, walruses, and even large whales. Killer whales are regarded as apex predators, lacking natural predators.

Killer whales are highly social; some populations are composed of matrilineal family groups which are the most stable of any animal species. Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviors, which are often specific to a particular group and passed across generations, have been described as manifestations of culture." In: Wikipedia

2013-05-09

Intersection of Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht, Amsterdam - Netherlands (UNESCO WHS) (Postcrossing Meeting in Amsterdam)

Sent by Caroline from the Postcrossing Meeting in Amsterdam (30/03/2013)

"Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, has been called the "Venice of the North" for its more than one hundred kilometres of canals, about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges. The three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel. Alongside the main canals are 1550 monumental buildings. The 17th-century canal ring area, including the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Jordaan, were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010." In: Wikipedia

2013-05-08

CN-850206 - Roca Shaibu, Mount Wuyi (UNESCO WHS)

CN-850206 sent by "dsw"

"Mount Wuyi is the most outstanding area for biodiversity conservation in south-east China and a refuge for a large number of ancient, relict species, many of them endemic to China. The serene beauty of the dramatic gorges of the Nine Bend River, with its numerous temples and monasteries, many now in ruins, provided the setting for the development and spread of neo-Confucianism, which has been influential in the cultures of East Asia since the 11th century. In the 1st century B.C. a large administrative capital was built at nearby Chengcun by the Han dynasty rulers. Its massive walls enclose an archaeological site of great significance." In: UNESCO

2013-05-07

MU-1853 - Le Morne (UNESCO WHS)

MU-1853 sent by "julesverne"

"Le Morne Cultural Landscape, a rugged mountain that juts into the Indian Ocean in the southwest of Mauritius was used as a shelter by runaway slaves, maroons, through the 18th and early years of the 19th centuries. Protected by the mountain’s isolated, wooded and almost inaccessible cliffs, the escaped slaves formed small settlements in the caves and on the summit of Le Morne. The oral traditions associated with the maroons, have made Le Morne a symbol of the slaves’ fight for freedom, their suffering, and their sacrifice, all of which have relevance to the countries from which the slaves came - the African mainland, Madagascar, India, and South-east Asia. Indeed, Mauritius, an important stopover in the eastern slave trade, also came to be known as the “Maroon republic” because of the large number of escaped slaves who lived on Le Morne Mountain." In: UNESCO

2013-05-06

Jewish Quarter - Front Synagogue, Třebíč - Czech Republic (UNESCO WHS)

Unused, sent by Sapic12

"The ensemble of the Jewish Quarter, the old Jewish cemetery and the Basilica of St Procopius in Trebíc are reminders of the co-existence of Jewish and Christian cultures from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The Jewish Quarter bears outstanding testimony to the different aspects of the life of this community. St Procopius Basilica, built as part of the Benedictine monastery in the early 13th century, is a remarkable example of the influence of Western European architectural heritage in this region." In: UNESCO

2013-05-05

Sea lions in the Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska - USA

Unused, sent by Sapic12

Information on the back side: "Steller Sea Lions sunning themselves in the Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska."

"Kenai Fjords National Park is a United States National Park established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The park covers an area of 669,984 acres (1,046.85 sq mi; 2,711.33 km2) on the Kenai Peninsula in southcentral Alaska, near the town of Seward. The park contains the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States. The park is named for the numerous fjords carved by glaciers moving down the mountains from the ice field. The field is the source of at least 38 glaciers, the largest of which is Bear Glacier. The park lies just to the west of Seward, a popular port for cruise ships. Exit Glacier is reachable by road and is a popular tour destination. The remainder of the park is primarily accessible by boat. The fjords are glacial valleys that have been submerged below sea level by a combination of rising sea levels and land subsidence." In: Wikipedia

2013-05-04

Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Unused, brought by Liliana Ferreira

"Rio de Janeiro (January River), commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th largest in the Americas, and 26th in the world." In: Wikipedia

2013-05-03

Castelo de Vide - Portugal

Sent by Blicas Blocas

"The medieval town-walls were built and destroyed several times during the 13th century, a result of conflict of interests between local lords and the king, who, living at a distance, was generally supported by the local population. The castle, erected by order of Dinis, king of Portugal, was completed during the reign of his son Afonso IV in 1327. From then on the town Vide was called Castelo de Vide.

The basic materials used in the construction of the stronghold are stone (quartzite and granite), brick, lime mortar and earth.

The main tower remained a long time unoccupied following the explosion that destroyed it in 1705, during the Spanish occupation. Further damage ensued during the earthquake of 1755.

Various attempts at repair of the main tower were made, culminating with a complete rebuild in 1978.$nbsp;

The Castle is protected as a National Monument since 1910." In: Tourism of Castelo de Vide

2013-05-02

St Peter's Square - Vatican (UNESCO WHS)

Sent by Rita during the Sede Vacante period

"The Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its centre is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is the largest religious building in the world, the fruit of the combined genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderno." In: UNESCO

2013-05-01

Snakes and Ladders Exhibition at Singapore Philatelic Museum - Singapore

Every year the Singapore Philatelic Museum organize an exhibition with the animals of the chinese zodiac year. To do that, they invite all the people around the world to send a postcard related to the theme. This is the thank they sent me to thank my contribution.

Sent by Singapore Philatelic Museum

" "Snakes and Ladders" exhibition

Date: 1 February - September 2013
Did you know that snakes cannot move backwards and they have very poor hearing? With limited eyesight and hearing, snakes have developed a very good sensing tongue.

Snakes are reptiles. Evidence indicates that snakes evolved from lizards. To adapt to living underground, the legs became unnecessary. The movable eyelids became transparent covers and snakes lost their external eardrum. Like all reptiles, snakes have scaly skins to prevent them from drying up. There are about 3,000 species of snakes. They are cold-blooded and depend on external heat to keep alive. So, many snakes are found in warmer tropical areas.

Find out interesting facts and myths of this scaly but not slimy creature in the Children's Gallery. The exhibition is held in conjunction with the zodiac year of the snake." In: SPM