PoStCrOsSiNg MoM

Postcard Perfect 005: CN Tower in Toronto

2011-07-13T21:22:00.032+07:00

A lovely card by none other than, the owner of the meme's Postcard Perfect...Mommy Willa send me a card showing one of the declared modern Seven Wonders of the World by American Society of Civil Engineers, it also belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers, where it holds second-place ranking.

The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing 553.33 metres (1,815.4 ft) tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj Khalifa and Canton Tower. It remains the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere, a signature icon of Toronto's skyline, and a symbol of Canada, attracting more than two million international visitors annually. Its name "CN" originally referred to Canadian National, the railway company that built the tower. Following the railway's decision to divest non-core freight railway assets, prior to the company's privatization in 1995, it transferred the tower to the Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown corporation responsible for real estate development. Since the name CN Tower became common in daily usage, the abbreviation was eventually expanded to Canadian National Tower or Canada's National Tower. However, neither of these names are commonly used. (Source: Wikipedia)

And the card comes with a stamp of a polar bear cub...very lovely and cuddly! *smile*

Linking this card with Postcard Perfect...

Also, joining her mini-give away titled "The Royal Give Away" although I am bit late already but still trying my luck because those prices at stake are really nice...so, visit her page by just clicking the badge below!

Happy Postcrossing, everyone...

Vilshofen an der Donau...

2011-07-11T20:20:00.004+07:00

...is a town in the German district of Passau. She said its in Lower Bavaria and situated in the south-east of Germany.

It comes with a beautiful stamp...

The population of Vilshofen is overwhelmingly Christian which now I understand better why one of the stamp is a Feast of Nativity that refers to the accounts of birth of Jesus that we all known as a Christmas Day and it is called Weihnachten in German. In Vilshofen there is a Catholic Church, a Protestant Church and a new Apostolic Church. 78.36% self-identify as Catholic, 10.78% as Protestant and 10.86% as belonging to another Christian denomination.

Thanks so much Jannette for sending me a multi-view card of your place...I bet its lovely to live there!

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Bieszczady Mountains...

2011-07-09T08:06:00.017+07:00

...is the Polish name for a mountain range in the extreme south-east of Poland, extending into Ukraine and Slovakia. A card that send by Ctnia, a high school student and a member of Postcrossing, she said that this is the typical view around her place, kind of full of not so high mountains.

It forms the western part of what is known in Polish as the Eastern Beskids (Beskidy Wschodnie), and is more generally part of the Outer East Carpathians. The mountain range is situated between the Łupków Pass (640 m) and the Vyshkovskyi Pass (933 m). In a narrower but very frequent sense, Bieszczady refers only to the Western Bieszczady or even only to the part of the range lying within Poland.

The highest peak of Bieszczady is Mt. Pikuy (1405 m) in Ukraine. The highest peak of the Polish part is Tarnica (1346 m).

And this card comes with three lovely stamps...that a card of it would be lovely. Thanks so much Ctnia.

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Snowy View of Austria...

2011-07-07T23:33:00.003+07:00

...send by a Postcrossing member named Berta and she's the number one postcrosser in Austria, a member for 4 years.

And she just wrote "Greetings from Austria"...and hello in their language as "Hallo!" I cannot see any note written or printed in the card saying something about it, so I can search online. How I wish she wrote more but anyway, that's her style but I love the card, received it on summer time and just cool to see her card.

Anyway, I went online to search more about the place. Found out that Austria, officially the Republic of Austria is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The territory of Austria covers 83,855 square kilometres (32,377 sq mi) and has a temperate and alpine climate. Austria's terrain is highly mountainous due to the presence of the Alps; only 32% of the country is below 500 metres (1,640 ft), and its highest point is 3,798 metres (12,461 ft). The majority of the population speaks German, which is also the country's official language. Other local official languages are Croatian, Hungarian and Slovene.(Source: Wikipedia)

It comes with a lovely stamp, enough to make me chirp...*smile*

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Return to The First Scene of Taiwan

2011-07-05T00:09:00.023+07:00

...ANPING, Tainan City, Taiwan and this card was published by the City Government.

Anping was originally a small island separated from the mainland of Tainan until the 19th century. Due to the ocean current, the small lagoon between Anping island and Tainan was silted up and gradually disappeared, and Anping became a part of Tainan. Tainan City is a city in southern Taiwan. It is the fifth largest after New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei. It was formerly a provincial city, and in 2010, the provincial city merged with the adjacent Tainan County to form a single special municipality. Tainan faces the Taiwan Strait in the west and south. Tainan's complex history of comebacks, redefinitions and renewals inspired its popular nickname "City of the Phoenix." (Source: Wikipedia...here and here)

A fellow postcrosser from Taiwan send this card to me, she mentioned that this is a pretty casual view in her hometown and this card comes together with a lovely stamp

And for more information about the city, you can visit their official website here.

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Reading Exercise...

2011-07-03T23:58:00.000+07:00

...is the second card that Hennie send for my kids.

Leesplankje / Reading Exercise / Leseübung / Planchette pour exercer la lecture / 20e eeuw / 20th century / Collectie Stedelijk Museum Het Catharina Gasthuis, Gouda / Wolters Noordholf BV/ Art Unlimited 1988

Thanks so much for this lovely card, my son enjoyed reading it...just funny because we cannot pronounced it right. And this lovely reading card comes with a beautiful stamp and sticker...

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

For My Kids From Holland...

2011-07-01T23:37:00.002+07:00

...send by Hennie of Postcrossing! Thanks heaps for thinking of sending extra cards for my two beautiful kids! And this is the first card...

Fliep Westerndorp 1992 / Uit: 'Pluk van de Petteflet', geschreven door Annie M. G. Schimdt / Amsterdam, Em. Querido's Uitgeverij BV., 1991...since she doesn't mentioned anything about the card except for your child...these are the notes printed at the back of the card!

So, I looked for Fiep Westendorp in Google and found out that he was was a Dutch illustrator who became especially popular due to her long-term collaboration with writer Annie M.G. Schmidt. Three generations of Dutch people have grown up with her illustrations.

And Hennie's card come with beautiful stamp and sticker on it...love it and thanks much!

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

An Old Children's Book, Ot en Sien

2011-06-30T23:54:00.000+07:00

A postcard from Netherland...

Cornelis Jetses (1873-1955)

Uit: 'Ot en Sien'

My sender Hennie doesn't mentioned anything abut this card. But Ot en Sien is an old children's book, written by a teacher in Drenthe, the Netherlands. It was the start of a new method of writing children's books and had profound influence on Dutch elementary education in the first half of the twentieth century

Ot and Sien are the main characters in a series of Dutch children's tales that were very popular in the first half of the twentieth century. The first series titled Dicht bij Huis ("Close to home"), appeared in 1902. The second series Nog bij Moeder ("Still with mam"), followed in 1904. De author of the stories was Hendricus Scheepstra. However, he acted on the inspiration of Jan Ligthart, who had the intention to expose young people to what he considered a healthy daily family life. The illustrations were made by Cornelis Jetses.

Cornelis Jetses ( Groningen , 23 June 1873 - Wassenaar , 9 June 1955 ) was a Dutch illustrator . Jetses is best known for his detailed illustrations in textbooks, school records and historical prints. He also worked as a book cover designer. He was born in a poor neighborhood in Groningen and at an early age he showed artistic talent to have. From the age of thirteen he attended drawing classes in the evenings, during the day while he worked in a printing stone. Cornelis Jetses married in 1899 to Albertina Holkamp. Everdina their daughter was born in 1900. They lived in Bremen , Zeist , Hague and Wassenaar . Albertine died in 1939. Jetses died in 1955 and was buried at the village church in Wassenaar.

Source: Wikipedia

And thanks so much Hennie for sending me this card and together with this card, she send two more for my kids, really for kids but they both love it! I will be sharing it next time! :) And she send more, better send her some more! *smile*

By the way, this card comes with a yummy stamp of Adobo All Purpose Seasoning, Chili and an Edam Cheese.

I was surprised with the GOYA Adobo All Purpose Seasoning...and you can check more about it here!

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Postcard Perfect 008: Sao Paulo, Brasil

2011-06-29T21:33:00.000+07:00

Its only Wednesday and I feel like I am sooo late with Postcard Perfect meme already...and sorry for being one but promise I will be visiting all entries! But just like old saying goes, better late then never! Anyway, I will be sharing a card from Sao Paulo, Brazil send to me by a fellow postcrosser.

São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial park and economic production of the country. It is the richest state in Brazil. The capital, São Paulo, is also the largest city in South America, the largest city in the southern hemisphere, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The city is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among the five-largest metropolitan areas on the planet. São Paulo is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous Brazilian state and exerts strong regional influence in commerce and finance as well as arts and entertainment. São Paulo maintains strong international influence and is considered an Alpha – World City. The name of the city honors Saint Paul.

Night view of the Sé Square with Cathedral

People from the city of São Paulo are known as paulistanos, while paulistas designates anyone from the whole of São Paulo state, including the paulistanos. The city's Latin motto, which it has shared with the battleship and the aircraft carrier named after it, is Non dvcor, dvco, which translates as "I am not led, I lead." The city, which is also colloquially know as "Sampa" or "Cidade da Garoa" (city of drizzle), is also known for its unreliable weather, the size of its helicopter fleet, architecture, gastronomy, and multitude of skyscrapers.

The Praça da Sé (Sé Square) is a public space in São Paulo, considered the center of town, because is the point from where the distancy of all roads that pass on São Paulo are counted. The square was the location of many historic events in São Paulo's history, most notably during the Diretas Já movement. The name originates from the episcopal see of the city, the São Paulo Cathedral.

The São Paulo See Metropolitan Cathedral --"See" and "cathedra" mean "seat" and therefore the ecclesiastical authority of a bishop or archbishop is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of São Paulo, Brazil. The current Metropolitan Archbishop of the archdiocese is His Eminence, Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer. Its construction, in Neo-Gothic style, began in 1913 and ended four decades later. It was ready for its dedication on the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the then humble villa of São Paulo by Chief or Cacique Tibirica' and the Jesuit priests Manuel da Nobrega and Jose' de Anchieta. Despite having a Renaissance-styled dome, the São Paulo Metropolitan Cathedral is considered by some to be the 4th largest neo-gothic cathedral in the world.

Source: Wikipedia

I got this card from from a guy who lives in Sao Paulo City and a member of Postcrossing, according to him it is really cool city and the night life is amazing. I hope to visit this place someday, I am getting great postcards from Brazil. And this comes with lovely stamps...

Sharing this with Postcard Perfect hosted by Mommy Willa...thanks so much for hosting!

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

The Three Rhine Maidens,1876

2011-06-28T23:13:00.000+07:00

A beautiful painting of rhine maidens by Henri Fantin-Latour (14 January 1836 – 25 August 1904) was a French painter and lithographer best known for his flower paintings and group portraits of Parisian artists and writers.

The Three Rhine Maidens, 1876

Henri Fantin-Latour (French, 1836-1904)

Charcoal and Pastel, 20-3/4 x 14 in.

Musée d'Orsay, Paris, RF 12.249

The Rhinemaidens are the three water-nymphs (Rheintöchter or "Rhine daughters") who appear in Richard Wagner's opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen. Their individual names are Woglinde, Wellgunde, and Flosshilde, although they are generally treated as a single entity and they act together accordingly. Of the 34 characters in the Ring cycle, they are the only ones who did not originate in the Old Norse Eddas. Wagner created his Rhinemaidens from other legends and myths, most notably the Nibelungenlied which contains stories involving water-sprites (nixies) or mermaids. The key concepts associated with the Rhinemaidens in the Ring operas—their flawed guardianship of the Rhine gold, and the condition (the renunciation of love) through which the gold could be stolen from them and then transformed into a means of obtaining world power—are wholly Wagner's own invention, and are the elements that initiate and propel the entire drama. (Source: Wikipedia)

This lovely postcard comes with 3 beautiful stamps of American Clock, Garfield and Calvin Hobbes...

And this comes from a fellow postcrosser in the U.S.A., thanks Sarah for sending me this one and for saying good words about my site...very much appreciated! I hope you can see Halong Bay someday, I didn't see it yet but yes, hopefully in the future.

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Postcard Perfect 007: Tallin, Capital City of Estonia

2011-06-22T06:18:00.000+07:00

Tomorrow, TALLINN will be celebrating its Victory Day so, thought of sharing something about the capital city of Estonia...

Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of 159.2 km² (61.5 sq mi) with a population of 413,290. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, 80 km (50 mi) south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tallinn is ranked as a global city and has been listed among the top 10 digital cities in the world. Tallinn is a European Capital of Culture for 2011, along with Turku, Finland.

Victory Day is a public holiday in Estonia, which has been celebrated on 23 June every year since 1934. The date recalls the victory in the 1919 Battle of Võnnu (near Cēsis, Latvia) of the Estonian military forces and their allies over German forces (Baltische Landeswehr) who sought to re-assert Baltic-German control over the region. The battle was part of the 1918-1920 Estonian War of Independence, where the main adversary of the newly independent Estonia was the Communist Russia. Today, Võidupüha also marks the contributions of all Estonian nations in their fight to regain and retain their independence.

The main attractions are in the two old towns (Lower Town and Toompea) which are both easily explored on foot. Eastern districts around Pirita and Kadriorg are also worth visiting and the Estonian Open Air Museum (Eesti Vabaõhumuuseum) in Rocca al Mare, west of the city, preserves aspects of Estonian rural culture and architecture.

And this lovely postcard of Tallinn comes with an interesting stamp...that was issued last year! Lastly, thanks to Nadya of Postcrossing for sending me this lovely card...

Also, thanks to all who've visited my entry last week and my apology for visiting late! Linking this again with Postcard Perfect hosted by Mommy Willa...and wishing everyone a great week! Happy Postcrossing...

******

Source: Wikipedia and you can check Tallinn's official website at Tallin Tourism.

Postcard Perfect 006: Gran Canaria - Valle de Agaete

2011-06-15T23:56:00.002+07:00

A sender from Germany named Anke send me a card of one of the most beautiful valleys of Gran Canaria, one of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic and belongs to Spain. According to her, it is one of the Germans favorite holiday destination.

Gran Canaria originally mean Great Islands of Dogs is where the lovely view of Valley of Agaete was hiding...yes, it is hidden if you don't know, that it is there as the only entrance by car is via the village of Agaete.

Valley of Agaete, or "el Valle de Agaete".

The valley is full of palm oases, coffee plantations, oranges, avocado and mango trees, and vine yards. Isn't it impressive? I would be happy to see places like this, oh, I am dreaming again! Well, the valley ends at the ocean, where you'll find the fisherman's village Puerto de Las Nieves, famous for its fish restaurants and (what's left of) the Dedo de Dios. Puerto de Las Nieves is even better known with the Canarians themselves, as is clearly visible during the weekends and summer holidays. I'm sure its great to spend holiday here!

Thanks so much Anke for sending me this lovely card together with its beautiful stamp...I love it. and for more about the Valley of Agaete, you can go to their website...Gran-Canaria Info.

Linking this with Postcard Perfect hosted by Willa...and Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Postcard Perfect 005: Aurora Borealis in Jokulsarlon, Iceland...

2011-06-08T13:09:00.003+07:00

Jokulsarlon - the Aurora Borealis over the glacier lagoon

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is one of Iceland's most spectacular sights, located about 60 km east of Skaftafell National Park and almost 400 km from Reykjavik. Jokulsarlon borders south and east part Iceland, at the roots of Europe's largest glacier Vatnajokull. Breidamerkurjokull, an outlet glacier of the great glacier Vatnajokull, crumbles down the steep mountainside of the glacier and big icebergs break off into the lagoon where they float around before melting. This is a very popular sightseeing attraction, widely regarded as the most picturesque scenery in all of south Iceland.Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is a famous tourist attraction but has probably be seen by most through films like James Bond´s; Die Another Day or Lara Croft´s; Tomb Raider. It has also been a popular shooting location for commercials. (source: Iceland on the Web)

Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights exist in the outmost layer of the atmosphere. They are created by electrically charged particles that make the thin air shine, not unlike a fluorescent light. They can be seen in auroral belts that forms 20-25 degrees around the geomagnetic poles, both the north and the south. The Northern Lights, also called Aurora Borealis are one of the most spectacular shows on this earth and can frequently be seen in Iceland from September through April on clear and crisp nights. The Northern Lights occur high above the surface of the earth where the atmosphere has become extremely thin, in an altitude of 100-250km.

What causes this spectacular phenomenon, so characteristic of our northern lights here in Iceland? Well, it's electricity that does it - and of course it all goes back to the sun. Tiny particles, protons and electrons caused by electronic storms on the sun (solar wind) are trapped in the earth's magnetic field and the begin to spiral back and forth along the magnetic lines of force - circle around the magnetic pole, so to speak. While rushing around endlessly in their magnetic trap, some particles escape into the earth's atmosphere. They begin to hit molecules in the atmosphere and these impacts cause the molecules to glow, thus creating the auroras.

White and green are usually the dominant colors but sometimes there are considerable color variations, as the pressure and composition of the atmosphere varies at different altitudes. At extremely high altitudes where the pressure is low, there tends to be a reddish glow produced by oxygen molecules when they are struck by the tiny particles of the solar wind. At lower altitudes, where there is higher pressure, their impact-irritated oxygen molecules may glow with a greenish tinge and sometimes there is a reddish lower border created by particles colliding with nitrogen molecules in the immediate vicinity. The phenomenon is easily explained by modern science. What our ancestors may have thought when they gazed into the brightly-lit winter sky is quite another matter. But by all means don't let any scientific explanation spoil your appreciation of the beauty of the Northern Lights. They are a truly impressive spectacle, whatever their cause. (source: Iceland on the Web)

This postcard was send to me by Denise, she send me this while they are visiting the place. In the card is the floating icebergs and Aurora Borealis, and she said that the landscapes in the island are amazingly beautiful. There are geysers, waterfalls, volcanoes and whales...for her Iceland is like an untouched world, a dream. And during their visit, the days are long having 3 dark hours each day! These card comes with equally nice stamp...

Well, thanks Denise for sending me this lovely card, I very much appreciate it and my first from Iceland. By the way, the postcard photo is by Daniel Bergmann of Reykjavk, Iceland and linking with Postcard Perfect hosted by Willa.

Happy Postcrossing, everyone. *smile*

Poland: Konin

2011-06-07T18:10:00.005+07:00

I'm here, yes, I'm here...and since I missed posting cards for few days again...I will be sharing three different postcards from one fellow postcrosser Kinga from Poland, she send me first these 3 cards in an envelope then she send me another envelope that contains different coins and another cards from Poland and her lovely picture! She's such a sweet girl...

Konin is a town in central Poland on the Warta river. It is the capital of Konin County. Since 1999, it has been in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. Previously, it was the capital of Konin Voivodeship (1975–1998). In 2006, the population was 81,233.

views around the city of Konin

Konin County (Powiat Koninski) contains examples of Romanesque architecture; Gothic architecture; Renaissance architecture; Mannerism and Manneristic architecture; Baroque architecture; Rococo art; architecture of XVIII-th century: Classicism; architecture of XIX-th century: Neogothic, Neoromanesque, Neoclassicism, Eclecticism; architecture of XX-th century: Modernism, Nazi architecture, Socialist Realism, Post-modernism. Because of its strategic geographical situation, remains of the Defence Line of 'Poznań' Army, including reinforced concrete bunkers, can be seen near Konin.

The town of Konin is split up into two historical parts - Stary Konin (The Old Town), situated on the south bank of Warta River and Nowy Konin (The New Konin), outspread northwards from the river and built up mainly after 1945.

Town Hall in Old Konin

There are several examples of Postmodernism and postmodernist architecture in Konin. We can find in the town a few newly built buildings with predominance of postmodernist features, but there are much more examples of building, houses and so on being rebuilt and refurbished partly and thus having conspicuous postmodernist character of its elements built in or inset as a part of larger entity belonging to older styles in architecture, mainly Socialist Realism (on average in New Konin) or Eclecticism (usually in The Old Town). Ten kilometres from Konin in Licheń Stary there is huge monastery with numerous churches and great basilica, an example of Catholic ecclesiastical Postmodernism in Poland.

Gosławice district - Mediaeval castle from 15th century (at present Regional Museum)

By the way, I got those information about Konin, here, just click the link and it will bring you to Wikipedia or you can also go to their website here!

So, here are my share of postcards for those days that I havn't posted. Life was just busy sometimes but I am just here, just around the corner...and wishing everyone a great week!

Valleys of Andorra

2011-06-04T01:22:00.000+07:00

Its been a month since I havn't posted here but that doesn't mean that I stopped with this hobby, of course not, I've been sending, receiving and swapping postcard in those times that I'm not around...and I will be sharing it with you one by one as days goes by!

Anyway, will be sharing with you something special, I got this last year from a fellow Postcrossing member Denise who's originally from Germany...she and her boyfriend were traveling thru France and was in Andorra as they send this one, which at that time, there's no Postcrossing member yet but as I checked now, there's one member already...*yipee*

Principality of (the Valleys of) Andorra

Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra (Catalan: Principat d'Andorra), also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, (Catalan: Principat de les Valls d'Andorra), is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of 468 km2 (181 sq mi) and an estimated population of 83,888 in 2009. Its capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe, being at an elevation of 1023 metres. The official language is Catalan, although Spanish, French, and Portuguese are also commonly spoken.

The Principality was formed in 1278. The role of monarch is exercised jointly by the two co-princes, the President of the French Republic and the Bishop of Urgell, Catalonia, Spain.

Andorra is a prosperous country mainly because of its tourism industry, which services an estimated 10.2 million visitors annually, and also because of its status as a tax haven. It is not a member of the European Union, but the euro is the de facto currency. The people of Andorra have the 3rd highest human life expectancy in the world — 82 years at birth. (Source: Wikipedia)

She said that the place are surrounded with beautiful mountains and this postcard also comes with a beautiful stamp...

Thank you so much Denise for sending me this card from Andorra and I appreciate it so much, goodluck with your studies and I know you're now back in Germany...hugs!

Wishing everyone a great weekend! :)

Postcard Perfect 004: Lisbon an Alpha City in Portugal

2011-05-04T23:34:00.012+07:00

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is the westernmost large city located in Europe, as well as its westernmost capital city and the only one along the Atlantic coast. It lies in the western Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River.

I got this card from fellow postcrosser Margarida, she send this in the morning of July 29, 2010 and while writing she is watching the Barcelona's Athletics European Competition.She lives in Almada, an Arab originally city (most of their words starting with "AL" are Arab origin) right in front of Lisbon. Urban alike Rome lays on top of seven hills. In the card, the top right is the Saint George's Castle, below is the "se" (the main cathedral; gothic architecture and looks like Notre Dame). Every town has a "se"---the main church. While on the left is the typical Lisbon yellow trams and the majestic arch that is the entrance to August Street.

Lisbon is recognized as an alpha city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism. It is one of the major economic centres on the continent, with a growing financial centre and the largest/second largest container port in the "Europe's Atlantic coast", Lisbon Portela Airport serves about 13 million passengers per year, motorway network and hub of high-speed rail (Alfa Pendular) linking main cities in Portugal, and in 2013 will have a rail's high-speed connection to Spain. Lisbon is the 25th most livable city in the World according to lifestyle magazine Monocle. The city is the seventh-most-visited city in Southern Europe, after Istanbul, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Athens, and Milan, with 1,740,000 tourists in 2009. The Lisbon region is the wealthiest region in Portugal, GDP PPP per capita is 26,100 euros (it is higher results of 4.7% from the average European Union's GDP PPP per capita). It is the tenth richest metropolitan area by GDP on the continent amounting to 98 billion euros and thus €34,850 per capita. This is 40% higher than the average European Union's GDP per capita. The city occupies 32nd place of highest gross earnings in the world. Most of the headquarters of multinationals in the country are located in the Lisbon area and it is the ninth city in the world in terms of quantity of international conferences. It is also the political centre of the country, as seat of Government and residence of the Head of State. The seat of the district of Lisbon and the centre of the Lisbon region.

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. Julius Caesar made it a municipium called Felicitas Julia, adding to the name Olissipo. Ruled by a series of Germanic tribes from the fifth century, it was captured by the Moors in the eighth century. In 1147, the Crusaders under Afonso Henriques reconquered the city for the Christians and since then it has been a major political, economic, and cultural centre of Portugal. Unlike most capital cities, Lisbon's status as the capital of Portugal has never been granted or confirmed officially – by statute or in written form. Its position as the capital has formed through constitutional convention, making its position as de facto capital a part of the Constitution of Portugal.

Lisbon hosts two agencies of the European Union: the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) is also headquartered in Lisbon.

Lisbon has two sites listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site: Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. Furthermore, in 1994, Lisbon was the European Capital of Culture and in 1998 organized an Expo '98 (1998 Lisbon World Exposition).

Lisbon enjoys a mediterranean climate. Among all the metropolises in Europe, it has the warmest winters (together with Barcelona), with average temperatures 15 °C (59 °F) during the day and 8 °C (46 °F) at night in the period from December to February. The typical summer's season lasts about six months, from May to October, although also in November, March and April temperatures sometimes reach around 20 °C (68.0 °F).

Source: Wikipedia and for more...just go HERE.

And this postcard perfect comes with a beautiful stamp...and thanks much Margarida for sending me this lovely card, very much appreciated!

To everyone who have visited me, will return the favor later, just got busy these past days with my little princess...she's been sick until now but getting better. Please keep her in your prayer for her fast recovery, she will be two on the 15th...thanks and see you soon!

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Its been 5 days...

2011-05-03T23:47:00.021+07:00

I missed posting postcards on those days but I am doing more important thing as a mom, I am taking care of my little girl, well, I always take care of my kids. But this time, its different, Yes, she's sick since Thursday, fever only stopped last night...she got some rashes all over her body. I pity to see her like that, she's not eating for few days until last Sunday for some fruits but today she is getting better, she ate the baked macaroni that I made for her and ate dinner plus still eating fruits and veggies! She's getting better each minute, thanks God!

Anyway, last Saturday we went to local clinic here, its name is Phnom Penh Healthcare Center (also known as Somary Raffles) and had Isabelle checked, the Japanese doctor was so nice and the staff are friendly, I think some of them are nurse but they are not wearing a medical scrub uniforms which I hope they do, so they will look more professional.

While for Isabelle's another visit to the doctor last Monday at a Hope Worldwide Embassy Medical Center, I was impressed with their staff and nurses, they are wearing their nurse uniform that's really look nice and neat, these Cambodian nurses look so competent! The must have bought those uniforms at http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/, I guess! The place was bigger enough and I can say its new and clean facility, they have a playroom and they really have great toys, and most of all they support good cause wherein all profits are donated to Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope which provides free treatment to the poor! The pediatrician is great, he is American doctor with 20years experience in both primary and intensive care...he did checked everything, ears, eyes, throat, joints, skin...tummy, chest then he explained to me what Isabelle's case is and speak very soft, he is Dr. Sutton Whitaker. Isabelle was so behave, didn't even cried while he is doing all this things but she is covering her eyes, I guess she is shy to the new doctor! hehehe! Well, I think I can recommend him right away, I have a good feeling that he knew what he is doing and he is great. Will come back soon for my little girl's immunization! I'm happy to found this new clinic. Oh, they also have laboratory services, ultrasound, X-ray, ECG, and pharmacy within the building, so its easy too!

Isabelle might have dengue fever but was lacking symptoms except for the rashes and fever, ruling-out measles because she doesn't look like one, watery eyes, look very sick and having cough, could be German measles but still not. If he got fever yesterday, she will go for a dengue test but luckily yesterday aftrnoon, fever stopped so doesn't need to do so after consulting Dr. Sutton again or it could be a first strike of dengue which if the body is strong can handle it but he said I don't need to worry because no dengue cases since last month and not season! The rashes is a virus she got from someone and its German measles also known as a 3-day measles — is an infection that primarily affects the skin and lymph nodes, and is mild disease in children.

For now, Isabelle still have rashes but getting less, she's not taking any medicine about it...and it doesn't look like itchy for she is not scratching it. All these days I cannot sleep well, I was sleeping at 4am because I am really giving her medicines and watching her temperature, because if its dengue it needs closed observation. Then woke up at 6am or until she wakes up...I am so worried those days (I'm still because she still have rashes) but thanks God for making my little girl better! She will be turning 2 on 15th...

And I will be posting postcard next, thanks for all of you who have visited me here, I will visit you back tonight or tomorrow.

******

Hope Worldwide Embassy Medical Center

#18 Street 228, Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Daunphen,

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Open from Monday - Friday (8am -5pm)

Call for Appointment

******

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Postcard Perfect 004: Turin, Italy

2011-04-28T23:22:00.000+07:00

Castle and gardens of Valentino and river Po

Turin, Italy

Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River surrounded by the Alpine arch.

Turin is an industrial, European city, which enjoys state-of-the-art technology and architectural developments. The city has a rich culture and history, and is known for its numerous art galleries, restaurants, churches, palaces, operahouses, piazzas, parks, gardens, theatres, libraries, museums and other venues. Turin is well-known for its baroque, rococo, neo-classical, and Art Nouveau architecture. Much of the city's public squares, castles, gardens and elegant palazzi, were built by Sicilian architect Filippo Juvarra, who modelled these buildings on the Baroque and classical style of Versailles.

Turin is sometimes called the "cradle of Italian liberty". The city currently hosts some of Italy's best universities, colleges, academies, lycea and gymnasia. Prestigious and important museums are also found in the city. Turin's several monuments and sights make it one of the world's top 250 tourist destinations, and the tenth most visited city in Italy in 2008. It is often referred to as "the Capital of the Alps". Turin is also known as "the Automobile Capital of Italy" or the Detroit of Italy; in Italy it is also called "[La] capitale Sabauda".

And more of Turin, just go HERE... the stamp in the card was issued in 2010, printed in Roma named as "XXI Giochi Olimpici Invernali - VANCOUVER 2010"

The stamp dedicated to the 21st Winter Olympic Games “Vancouver 2010” shows a skier in action during a performance; top right are the five Olympic rings. The words «XXI GIOCHI OLIMPICI INVERNALI “VANCOUVER 2010”» (21st Winter Olympic Games “Vancouver 2010”) “ITALIA”and the denomination “€ 0,85” complete the stamp. Design by Angelo Merenda and was issued last February 12, 2010.

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Morning Alms at Luang Prabang, LAO P.D.R.

2011-04-27T23:52:00.006+07:00

Sharing a postcard from a friend send to me while he's having his "grand trip" in LAO after visiting me here in Phnom Penh and going to Siem Reap...thanks Mark for this beautiful card, my first LAO card, very much appreciated.

Anyway, the card shows that every morning, hundreds of monks from the various monasteries walk through the streets collecting alms. It starts as early as 6am and the colourful procession only lasts for an hour, when all the alms bowls as filled, the monks disappear as quickly as they appeared!

Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang is a city located in north central Laos, where the Nam Khan river meets the Mekong River about 425 kilometers (264 mi) north of Vientiane. It is the capital of Luang Prabang Province. The current population of the city is about 103,000. The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The city is also notable as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main part of the city consists of four main roads located on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. The city is well known for its numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. One of the major landmarks in the city is a large steep hill on which sits Wat Chom Si.

And this beautiful tradition that Mark showed to me was one of the things I want to see, maybe we can visit Lao someday!

Beautiful card comes with two beautiful stamp...the first one is the Styrax Tonkinensis, a flower that I used at Sunday Stamp two weeks ago, while the second one was a 25th SEA Games Vientiane, Laos 2009 was issued last December 9, 2009 that comes into two face value 7000k and 5000k, it is printed at Thai British Security Printing in Thailand and the designer is Mr. Vongsavanh Damlongsouk

Romania: Peles Castle

2011-04-26T20:01:00.002+07:00

Kings Residences, Peles Castle, Sinaia, Romania

Peleș Castle is a Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains, near Sinaia, in Prahova County, Romania, on an existing medieval route linking Transylvania and Wallachia, built between 1873 and 1914. Its inauguration was held in 1883.

A postcard send by Ana of Romania...she said this is a Peles Castle which is an important Romanian historical monumnet, it's Neo-Renaissance castle built between 1873 and 1916. The castle was made after King Carol I plans, but built by German architects. The inside is really gorgeous according to her and everytime she will visit the castle, she always feel like a princess.

And this postcard comes with a beautiful stamp from Romfilatelia, the specialized company in editing and trading Romanian postage stamps, introduces in the postal circuit the stamps issue ROMANIAN POTTERY - Peasant dishes (III) that was issued last August 3, 2007; she send me with a face value of 0.80 L (romanian lei) is illustrated a peasant dish made in Luncavita - Tulcea.

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!

Sunday Stamp 003: Terracotta vessel - 2 000 B.C. from Cyprus 2007

2011-04-25T23:58:00.000+07:00

Joining you all again at Sunday Stamp and will be sharing the stamp that I got from the postcard of Ancient Castle and Harbour, Paphos, Cyprus...the postcard is beautiful as well as this stamp of Terracotta vessel - 2 000 B.C. from Cyprus 2007!

The terracotta vessel depicted on this stamp imitates a leather or cloth model. The deformation on the shape of a leather or cloth vessel brought about by the weight of its content is imprinted in the clay in an impressive manner. The vessel was found in the tomb of a big cemetery of the Early Bronze Age (2400-1900 B.C.) on the site of Vounous of Bellapais. It is kept at the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.

And it comes from this set that the Department of Postal Services will issue a series of four commemorative stamp issues, one every year, entitled "Cyprus through the Ages" to be completed in 2010, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Cyprus. This year's issue consists of eight 25 cents stamps. The stamps of this series, as well as the Definitive stamps of 2007 are the first to be denominated in dual currency, i.e. in Cyprus pounds and euro.

And for more information about this set of stamp and FDC, you can visit Philatelism... anyway, thanks to Viridian's Postcard Blog for hosting this meme and for letting us choose what we want to share!

Greetings...

2011-04-24T08:30:00.005+07:00

Happy Easter, everyone!

From our nest to yours!

******

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the

opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.

~Robert Flatt

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.

~S.D. Gordon

******

I originally posted this on my other site: PinayMum - Mommy's Life Around...

Vietnam: The Ben Thanh Market

2011-04-23T22:50:00.013+07:00

Sharing a postcard of Ben Thank Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam...I've been to the city once but unfortunately I wasn't able to see this market inside but I saw the outside building because we went around the area and the tour guide doesn't bring us there.

Ben Thanh Market is a big marketplace in the downtown area of HCMC, it is located in District 1 and we just stayed in Majestic Hotel in District 1. In Vietnamese langauge Ben means "wharf", and Quy Thanh means "turtle citadel" and it is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon. Today is considered one of symbols of HCMC, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, áo dài, and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine.

It is started as an informal markets during the early 17th century street vendors that are gathering around the Saigon river, so the market was developed and formally established by the French colonial powers after taking the Citadel of Saigon in 1859. Unfortunately, the market was destroyed by firs in 1870 and rebuilt to become Saigon's largest market. Unril it was moved into its new building in 1912 and they called it New Ben Thanh Market to distinguish over its predecessor and in 1985, they renovated the building.

I wish I was able to see the market inside and I am sure there will be a lot of good buy. Well, hope to visit the place again someday and if that happen, I will make sure to go inside the market and go shopping, hehehe, after all it is just 6hours away by bus from Phnom Penh.

Anyway, are you busy making eggs for Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow? I am and also doing some preparation for tomorrow's Easter Sunday, we will just have it in our house in the morning then off to some Australian-way Eastern Celebration at Cambodiana Hotel in the afternoon, which is organized by the Australian business community...must be fun. We are all excited!

Also, this is the last card that a friend Zarah of Postcards Crossing scanned, thanks to her kindness...postcards and stamps that I've shared from April 2, 2011 until this one was done by her and it is very much appreciated!

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Postcard Friendship Friday 003: Ticino's Traditional Village

2011-04-22T22:24:00.004+07:00

Sharing with you a card from Dominik of Switzerland, he send me this traditional village from Ticino---the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. He said that if a classical wooden chalets are quite common on the north side of the Alps, the south side rather has such stone houses.

Canton Ticino or Ticino is the southernmost canton of Switzerland. Named after the Ticino river, it is the only canton in which Italian is the sole official language. Ticino borders the Canton of Uri to the north, Valais to the west (through the Novena Pass), Graubünden to the northeast, Italy's regions of Piedmont and Lombardy to the south and it surrounds the small Italian exclave of Campione d'Italia. Together with areas of the canton of Graubünden it makes up the so-called Italian Switzerland.

For more information about Ticino, you can go HERE, and it comes with a beautiful stamp.

Happy Postcard Friedship Friday, everyone!

Tuktuk in Thailand

2011-04-21T23:38:00.008+07:00

An auto rickshaw or three-wheeler (tuk-tuk, trishaw, auto, rickshaw, autorick, bajaj, rick, tricycle, mototaxi, or baby taxi in popular parlance) is a motor vehicle and a mode of transport for private use and as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional rickshaw or velotaxi, a small three-wheeled cart operated by a single individual, and is a 3-wheeled cabin cycle. Auto rickshaws can be found in many developing countries.

Well, I never tried the one in Thailand, Kent don't like us to try it when we were there because he is saying its faster and not so good for kids because its passing major roads!

Here in Cambodia, we also have tuk-tuk...also known here as mototaxi. We don't have car here and we are just using tuktuk for our daily transport or routine. I am happy to introduced to you our regular tuktuk driver and his tuktuk, his name is Narin. He is kind and someone you can trust, very reliable, knows his way around! He pick-up my son to our house to school in the morning and bring back home in the afternoon, we are paying him by month with home-school-home routine, he is happy with it! But outside trips after that like supermarket, post office, wet market, and alike I am paying separate each way, what good is also he waits...every time I need to go to new place, he is my top choice, if I need to get or buy something I will just tell him what I need to do or buy---he knows and bring me to the place where I can buy stuff! Most of all, he speak English so very easy for us to communicate.

Narin with CJ and my two visiting officamates last year!

Happy Postcrossing, everyone!