Postcards Around the World

2013-07-23

Emperor Penguins - Portugal

Sent by Catarina

The Emperor Penguins are my favourite penguins! So this card was a great surprise!

"The Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species and is endemic to Antarctica. The male and female are similar in plumage and size, reaching 122 cm (48 in) in height and weighing anywhere from 22 to 45 kg (49 to 99 lb). The dorsal side and head are black and sharply delineated from the white belly, pale-yellow breast and bright-yellow ear patches. Like all penguins it is flightless, with a streamlined body, and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat." In: Wikipedia

2013-07-22

Young seal - Germany

Used, sent by Sapic12

So pretty this young seal!

2013-07-21

Colonial houses of Pelourinho, Salvador, Bahia - Brazil (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO#309; © Pau Brasilis, Cristian Fehr (photo)

RR Portugal x World, G32, sent by "Trisk"

Colorfull view of the historic center of Salvador.

"As the first capital of Brazil, from 1549 to 1763, Salvador de Bahia witnessed the blending of European, African and Amerindian cultures. It was also, from 1558, the first slave market in the New World, with slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations. The city has managed to preserve many outstanding Renaissance buildings. A special feature of the old town are the brightly coloured houses, often decorated with fine stucco-work." In: UNESCO

2013-07-20

Tavira - Portugal

Both sent by Mónica Castro

"Tavira is a Portuguese city, situated at 37°07' north, 7°39' west in the east of the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. It is 30 km east of Faro and 160 km west of Seville in Spain. The Gilão River meets the Atlantic Ocean in Tavira." In: Wikipedia

2013-07-19

Santiago de Compostela - Spain (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO#347; © Ediciones Arribas

View over the Cathedral, sent by Claúdia Ferreira

UNESCO#347; © Ediciones Arribas

Plaza de las Platerías, sent by Cláudia Ferreira

"This famous pilgrimage site in north-west Spain became a symbol in the Spanish Christians' struggle against Islam. Destroyed by the Muslims at the end of the 10th century, it was completely rebuilt in the following century. With its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, the Old Town of Santiago is one of the world's most beautiful urban areas. The oldest monuments are grouped around the tomb of St James and the cathedral, which contains the remarkable Pórtico de la Gloria." In: UNESCO

2013-07-18

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland - United Kingdom (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO #728; © Photo: Ian Mills

Sent by "joana122"

UNESCO #728; © Photo: Colin Baxter

"Edinburgh has been the Scottish capital since the 15th century. It has two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress; and the neoclassical New Town, whose development from the 18th century onwards had a far-reaching influence on European urban planning. The harmonious juxtaposition of these two contrasting historic areas, each with many important buildings, is what gives the city its unique character." In: UNESCO

2013-07-17

Berlin Wall - Germany

Sent from Portugal by "gracinha" an amazing piece of history!

"The Berlin Wall (German: Berliner Mauer) was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin. The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, which circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc claimed that the wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" in building a socialist state in East Germany. In practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that marked Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period." In: Wikipedia

2013-07-16

Köln Cathedral - Germany (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO #292; © Citysights, Photo: Webb Aviation

UNESCO #292; © Citysights, Photo: W. Scheuer

Unused.

"Begun in 1248, the construction of this Gothic masterpiece took place in several stages and was not completed until 1880. Over seven centuries, successive builders were inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute fidelity to the original plans. Apart from its exceptional intrinsic value and the artistic masterpieces it contains, Cologne Cathedral testifies to the enduring strength of European Christianity." In: UNESCO

2013-07-15

FI-587471 - Reindeer

FI-587471 sent by "Huppu68"

"The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as the caribou in North America, is a species of deer native to Arctic and Subarctic regions. This includes both resident and migratory populations. While overall widespread and numerous, some of its subspecies are rare and at least one has already gone extinct.

Reindeer vary considerably in color and size. Both sexes grow antlers, though they are typically larger in males. However, there are a few populations in which females lack antlers completely." In: Wikipedia

2013-07-14

The Mosque of Córdoba - Spain (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO WHS #313; © FISA

Unused, sent by "caracolinho"

"The Historic Centre of Cordoba now comprises the streets surrounding the monument and all the parcels of land opening on to these, together with all the blocks of houses around the mosque-cathedral. To the south this area extends to the further bank of the River GuadaIquivir (to include the Roman bridge and the Calahorra), to the east to the Calle San Fernando, to the north to the boundary of the commercial centre, and to the west to incorporate the AIcázar des los Reyes Cristianos and the San Basilio quarter. The city, by virtue of its extent and plan, its historical significance as a living expression of the different cultures that have existed there, and its relationship with the river, is a historical ensemble of extraordinary value." In: UNESCO

2013-07-13

DE-426293 - Art work by Joan M. Giroux

Dinag format

DE-426293 sent by "misoklau"

Information on the card: ""a meeting of two instruments... or... just the other day when terrorists hit the marionette factory" an installation work-in-progress by Joan M. Giroux"

2013-07-12

Harrods Hampers and Gifts 2010 - United Kingdom

This card has a few years... It was sent directly from the Harrolds Company before the Christmas time of 2010.

2013-07-11

Cagliari, Sardegna - Italy

Sent by "zepombal"

"An ancient city with a long history, Cagliari has seen the rule of several civilizations. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia (which in 1861 became the Kingdom of Italy) from 1324 to 1848, when Turin became the formal capital of the kingdom. Seat of the University of Cagliari from 1607 and the Primate Roman Catholic archdiocese of Sardinia, from the 5th century AD, the city is a regional cultural, educational, political and artistic centre, known for its diverse Art Nouveau architecture and several monuments. It is also Sardinia's economic and industrial hub, having one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean sea, an international airport, and the 28th highest income rate in Italy, comparable to several Northern cities, such as Turin, Vicenza and Genoa. Under the buildings of the modern city there is a continuous stratification of human settlements of about five thousands years, from the Neolithic to today. There are some domus de janas, very damaged by cave activity, a large Carthaginian era necropolis, a Roman era amphitheater, a Byzantine basilica, two Pisan-era towers, a strong system of fortification that made the town the core of the Spanish Habsburg imperial power in the western Mediterranean sea. Its natural resources have always been its sheltered harbor, the oft-powerfully fortified hill of Monti Castru, the modern Casteddu, the salt from its lagoons, and, from inland, the Campidanian plain wheat and the Iglesiente mines." In: Wikipedia

2013-07-10

Sunset - Netherlands

RR Portugal x Europe, sent by Tjiske

Very relaxing photo!

2013-07-09

Grande Hotel do Luso, Luso - Portugal

Unused, sent by Cláudia Ferreira

"Situated on the slopes of Buçaco, the Grande Hotel de Luso is an emblematic hotel, which has for almost 70 years. Remains the privileged meeting point for all occasions. The building designed by architect Cassiano Branco, dominates the landscape of the town of Luso, rightly famous for its excellent water quality that is born here." In: Hotel Luso

2013-07-08

Map of railway "Suchdol nad Odrou - Nový Jičín" - Czech Republic

Unused, sent by "Sapic12"

This map shows the area between Fulnek and Nového Jičína and the railway line of Suchdol nad Odrou to Nový Jičín.

2013-07-07

Vila Real - Portugal

Sent by "PilotOne"

"Vila Real is a municipality and the capital and largest city of the Vila Real District, northern Portugal. According to the 2001 census, the city had a total of 49,897 inhabitants.

The municipality is composed of 30 parishes (freguesias) and has a total area of 378.8 km² and a total population of 50,499 inhabitants in the municipality. The city proper (includes 3 parishes) has a population of 24,481." In: Wikipedia

2013-07-06

Plat a Barbe waterfall, Bourboule - France

Unused, sent by "geminiscp"

I only found that this fall is 17m high.

2013-07-05

Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, Azores - Portugal (UNESCO WHS)

Unused, sent by "gracinha"

"Situated on one of the islands in the Azores archipelago, this was an obligatory port of call from the 15th century until the advent of the steamship in the 19th century. The 400-year-old San Sebastião and San João Baptista fortifications are unique examples of military architecture. Damaged by an earthquake in 1980, Angra is now being restored." In: UNESCO

2013-07-04

Nest with Partridges, mosaic detail of the Basilica-Cripta, Aquileia - Italy (UNESCO WHS)

Unused, sent by "gracinha"

"Aquileia (in Friuli-Venezia Giulia), one of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Early Roman Empire, was destroyed by Attila in the mid-5th century. Most of it still lies unexcavated beneath the fields, and as such it constitutes the greatest archaeological reserve of its kind. The patriarchal basilica, an outstanding building with an exceptional mosaic pavement, played a key role in the evangelization of a large region of central Europe." In: UNESCO