CN-341804 - Official #018

An amazing official coming from China.
A greenpeace postcard showing a Polar bear. I think the way he is represented (apparently drowning) is an obvious reference to the global warming and the Polar regions Ice melting problem.

What will happen to this creatures that live over the ice? Will they be forced to swim and live in the water forever? Will they adapt to the changes on their habitats?
Or will the stupidity of the men take a big turn around this new century, and we will wake up to the problems we are causing to this universe, that will affect not only other living creatures, but ourselves as well? Besides, we are probably one of the species that are less adaptable to adverse conditions; we've learn to adapt the environments surrounding us, instead of the opposite.

Global warming and environmental issues is somewhat a recent matter in our hands. It started with the Industrial revolution and development when the steam powering was invented. Maybe we still need some time to figure it out, or maybe we're just too dumb and careless to see what's just underneath our noses, always looking ahead, too high, too far away...

Santiago Mosaic

Received from Portugal. Depicting a detail of a mosaic on Pontevedra's Monastery. 'Mosaico del Camiño de Santiago'.

Okinawa, Tropical destination

A beautiful view from Japan, as an antagonism to the sad news we've been watching lately.
Presented to me by Sumie, showing a beautiful tropical island in Okinawa, a true dream destination for all tropical lovers.

Curious Windmill

I've recently had a private swap that made me really happy. This is one of the cards Liisa sent me from Finland. Depicting a very peculiar windmill. I'm no windmill expert and probably that's why i found this windmill so uncommon and very interesting. :)
An awesome card with matching stamp, shown in my stamp blog.

Victoria Lighthouse

On another tag, an Australian sent me this very nice card with Aireys Inlet Lighthouse. Such a nice view, thank you Josh! Also he got a special cancellation depicting this same lighthouse. It seems in Australia there are a lot of touristic places where postal stations have this special cancellations for everyday use.
A really nice piece. See the rabbit stamp and the Lighthouse cancellation here.

Lamego - Portugal

A card coming from a friend from winning the portuguese Hangman.
Showing Lamego Sanctuary.

La Alhambra

I got this card shwing a Unesco from a tag. It wasn't post from Spain though. It shows an interior view of La Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

"From Russia With Love"

Lately Russia has come top 5 on my wish list of countries to visit, mostly because of the lovely postcards i've received, and cause i've been learning a lot about that nation.
This is another lovely card showing another really great monument. Seems to be the most important russian monastery - Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiyev Posad, 70 km from Moscow.
It's a compound holding great churches, cathedrals, towers and tombs. The detail on the right corner shows the Holy Spirit Church, and the Holy Fountain(?).
This huge place has been classified as UNESCO World Heritage cultural site, as of 1993.
I really want to go there some day when i visit Russia, right after Kizhi Island :))

RU-355855 - #017 Official

Got this cutest thing today!!
Coming from Russia, of course, the best things have been coming from there :)
Want to thank Diana for choosing this lovely thing to send me as an official, it made my day.
As far as i know, this is a mushroom on the Boletus genus, but not sure on the specific species.
If i had to guess, it seems to me it might be a Boletus edulis, the commonly known 'Porcini', very appreciated in gastronomy.

NL-555340 - #016 Official

Received this folding card as an official from the Netherlands.

FI-1043334 - #015 Official

Now look at this photo, it's simply breathtaking. Second official from Finland. The sender was kind enough to include some used stamps, and choosing this card that really falls under my favourites ;)

Southern Taiwan

A great nightview showing a concert that is held in Kenting, southern most part of Taiwan. This region is known for its beaches and coral reefs. The sender says she doesn't like much the concert but goes there for the atmosphere. Who cares about the music, when you can watch such a great fireworks show.

Ukraine Vintage

From a private swap, got 2 really great cards. This one shows an old picture of Rivne city, in western Ukraine. A very old town that has been modernized over the years while still keeping some of the old buildings. Much of them have been destroyed in WWII, according to the sender.

Cute bird - UA

A really cute card showing a Eurasian Bullfinch. Yes, you're watching it for the second time, my 9th official card, and first from Finland, was a great photo of a common bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula). Both Eurasian or Common bullfinch is a correct designation, as this was the first bird in the family to be called bullfinch. It's a common bird all over Europe and most regions of temperate Asia.
Both this card and the one from Finland appears to show a female species, and you're more likely to come across a card showing a female than a male, simply because the male has darker, more discrete colors.

I gotta thank Masha for another beautiful card showing bullfinch, one of the most beautiful Passarines i know.

Maine Map Card - Seacoast

A great card of Maine Seacoast coming from a tag.
It highlights the most common things associated with this state: Lighthouses, Lobsters, Blueberries, marine Fauna. Really nice card

Portland Light

Another great view of the Lighthouse on Cape Elizabeth. This time no snow :)

A nice Ad card

I've received this really nice card i've choosen, by winning a recent Lottery.
It's coming from Germany. The card was issued by Pegeaut Motors for promotion of 307 model, and the text on the front says: ''Maybe one day our cities will look like gardens''.

Such a nicely done Ad card.

TW-268322 - #014 Official

Official from Taiwan showing Mountain Yushan, the highest in Taiwan ( 3952 m )

VN-1069 - #013 Official

Received today an official from Vietnam (!)
Great palace of Unification card in Ho Chi Minh.
Also a nice selection of stamps, thank you Jo !

Winter in Maine

A fabulous unusual sized piece that came with matching stamps, directly from Maine in this winter time. You can clearly see all the strength the Atlantic shows during this season.
It reminds me of Peniche shores in Portugal, without the snow part :)
Thanks Adam

RU-337250 - #012 Official

Another Moscow view from the same collection, this time an official ;)
A closer look at the Kremlin Palace.

Malaysia Tradition

Showing traditional dances from Malaysia on stage.

Moscow View

Coming from a private swap, my dear friend Nastya chose this inspiring view of Moscow to send me. To the right you can see the Kremlin, and Christ Saviour Cathedral in the far back-left.

CA-151043 - #011 Official

Spectacular night view of Edmonton skyline under fireworks.

TR-55289 - #010 Official

From Istambul: Ortaköy Mosque.

FI-1020160 - #009 Official

This first card from Finland shows a Pyrrhula pyrrhula.
Great photo ;)

JP-152936 #008 Official

Neat card from Japan, showing Mount Fuji in the morning.

DE-841267 - #007 Official

Showing nice views of Netherlands, where apparently the sender spent his last vacation.

AU-121157 #006 Official

A really nice surprise. Received on 25 Feb.