Postcards Around the World

2013-08-25

Penguins - Germany

Advertise card promoting the travel options of Askja.

2013-08-24

Map and several views of Cyprus

Sent by "carolisha"

"Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Cyprus is the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean, and a member state of the European Union. It is located east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest of Israel and the Gaza Strip, and north of Egypt." In: Wikipedia

2013-08-23

Palacio de Cristal, Madrid - Spain

"The Palacio de Cristal ("Crystal Palace") is a glass and metal structure located in Madrid's Buen Retiro Park. It was built in 1887 to exhibit flora and fauna from the Philippines. The architect was Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.

The Palacio de Cristal, in the shape of a Greek cross, is made almost entirely of glass set in an iron framework on a brick base, which is decorated with ceramics. Its cupola makes the structure over 22 metres high. The architecture was influenced by the glass and iron structural techniques of Joseph Paxton (who was responsible for London's Crystal Palace and also for greenhouses such as the Palm House at Kew Gardens)." In: Wikipedia

Touchnote card sent by Mónica Castro

Unused, sent by Cláudia Ferreira

2013-08-22

Castle of Penela - Portugal

Sent by "Martinha"

"Castle of Penela (Portuguese: Castelo de Penela) is located in a Penela town in Penela Municipality in Coimbra District, Portugal. The castle was built on a hill dominating the area and used to be a stronghold protecting Coimbra in times of Reconquista. Castle of Penela and the neighboring castle Montemor-o-Velho are both fine examples of defensive structures of that period.

The origins of the name are controversial and are attributed by some authors to ancient Celtic tribes. According to a local legend, King Afonso I (Afonso Henriques) exclaimed to incite his troops storming the stronghold: Coragem! Já estamos com o pé nela! (Courage! We have already set a foot in it!). A more plausible hypothesis is, however, that penela is a diminutive of penha, a place selected to build a fortress on." In: Wikipedia

2013-08-21

Waterfall in Wulai - Taiwan

Unsed, sent by "Sapic12"

"Wulai District is a rural district in southern New Taipei City in northern Republic of China (Taiwan). It sits near the border with Taipei and is famous for its hot springs. It is the largest district in New Taipei as well as the most mountainous. The name of the town derives from the Atayal phrase qilux ulay meaning "hot and poisonous"." In: Wikipedia

2013-08-20

Multiview from Seychelles

Unused, sent by "PilotOne"

"Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles (French: République des Seychelles; Creole: Repiblik Sesel), is a 115-island country spanning an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, some 1,500 kilometres (932 mi) east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar.

Other nearby island countries and territories include Zanzibar to the west, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agaléga and Réunion to the south, and Comoros and Mayotte to the southwest. Seychelles, with an estimated population of 86,525, has the smallest population of any African state. It has the highest Human Development Index in Africa and the highest income inequality in the world, as measured by the Gini index. Seychelles is a member of the African Union." In: Wikipedia

2013-08-19

Chinese Lunar New Year - Macau

Unused, sent by "Blicas Blocas"

Information on the back side of the card: "Chinese celebrate devotedly this colorful festivity that stands for the beginning of Spring or rebirth after the end of Winter. Religious rites, courtesy visits, fireworks displays and gambling make this event very popular."

2013-08-18

"Alminha" of Donfins, Guarda - Portugal

Unused

"Alminha" are small altars constructed in the nature to take a moment to leave a prayer and make offers, mostly candles and flowers. These shrines are erected at crossroads of paths, often on rural roads, in forests or near watercourses, but also can find shrines along the roads. The shrines can also be embedded in old walls or in front of houses and can be constructed in various materials. (Adapted from the portuguese Wikipedia)

2013-08-17

Booksellers in Notre-Dame, Paris - France

Unused

Sellers of books and watercolors in Notre-Dame.

2013-08-16

Waterfall and water channel ("levada") of Caldeirão Verde, Madeira - Portugal (UNESCO WHS)

Unused, sent by "ninocas"

"The property also contains an important testimony of human use. The settlers of Madeira constructed water channels, known as levadas, which run through the forest following the contours of the landscape, and clinging to the cliffs and steep-sided valleys. Typically 80-150 cm wide and constructed of stone or more recently concrete, they carry water from the forest to hydropower stations and to the towns of the south, where they provide essential drinking water and irrigation supplies. Along the levadas there are paths typically 1-2m wide, which allow access to the otherwise almost impenetrable forest. The impact of these features on the property is limited, and also has some benefit for conservation, since they allow access to the forest on relatively flat paths and cover only an infinitesimal area of land. None has been built for 70 years, but the present ones are carefully maintained. Apart from the levadas, and the occasional tiny hut used by those that maintain them, human development within the property is very limited and there is no habitation, no buildings, except the occasional tiny hut for those who maintain the levadas, and no cultivated land. There are limited impacts from two roads, with plans to replace one by a tunnel." In: UNESCO