Thursday, December 29, 2016

South Korea: Jusanji Pond (주산지)

Jusanji Pond is a small reservoir located in Juwangsan National Park in Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea.

It is a man-made pond that was dug out in August 1720 and completed in October of the next year. Despite its small size, the pond has never dried up from any drought.
















Source:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264533
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Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Australia: Great Barrier Reef



















The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over an area of approximately 344,000 square kilometers. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage State in 1981. CNN labelled it as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Sadly, a March 2016 report stated that coral bleaching was more widespread than previously thought, seriously affecting the northern parts of the reef as a result of warming ocean temperatures.


More recently, in a news report published in November 2016, the article mentioned that some 67% of the corals died in the reef's worst-hit northern section. The situation was better in the central section, where 6% is perished,while the southern reef is in good health. One of the worst-hit areas is around Lizard Island in Far North Queensland, where around 90% of the coral has died. Dr. Anne Hogget, one of the directors from a research station in Lizard Island, said this was by far the worst event to hit the Great Barrier Reef since she started working there in 1990. She is hopeful that the reef is capable of recovery, but fears it may not be given an opportunity, as sea temperatures continue to rise.

The Australian Government has published a long-term sustainability plan for the reef, and pledged financial support for research into coral bleaching. The 2050 plan identifies the need to help make the reef more resilient to climate change in the future, while trying to lower carbon emissions.

Source:
Griffith, H. (2016, November 28). Great Barrier Reef suffered worst bleaching on record in 2016, report finds. Retrieve December 26, 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38127320

Great Barrier Reef. (n.d.). Retrieved December 26, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Barrier_Reef
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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

USA: State of Texas

Texas is the second largest state in the US by area just after Alaska. This state is nicknamed the Lone Star State to signify its former status as an independent republic, and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico.

One Texan industry that thrived after the Civil War was cattle. Due to its long history as a center of the industry, Texas is associated with the image of the cowboy.




















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Friday, December 16, 2016

USA: Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center

Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center is a museum decidated to the works of Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip. The museum is located in Santa Rosa, California.

Among the museum's permanent exhibits, one of them is Schulz's recreated studio. It contains the drawing board he used almost from the beginning of his career and his desk. The shelves and walls include his personal books, gifts and memorabilia. In other exhibits, one of the works was by Christo which depicts Snoopy's doghouse wrapped, Schulz's personal studio and tributes to Schulz from other artists.



Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_M._Schulz_Museum_and_Research_Center
https://schulzmuseum.org/explore/permanent-exhibition/
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Thursday, December 15, 2016

Germany: Dolphins

Fun Facts about Dolphins :)

1) Dolphin is the only mammal that gives birth with the tail first instead of the head.

2) There are two stomachs for dolphins, which one they store food with, and one where digestion takes place

3) Dolphins can swim of up to 25 miles per hour

4) A dolphin needs to get air at different intervals.




Source: http://www.dolphins-world.com/dolphin-facts/
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Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Hong Kong: Hong Kong Space Museum

The Hong Kong Space Museum is a museum of astronomy and space science in Hong Kong. The museum has two thematic exhibition halls, they enable visitors to learn through a series of entertaining and educational experiences as the exhibits are predominantly interactive.







Also, a special cancellation on the newest stamp :)














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Monday, December 12, 2016

USA: Wycinanki Candycane Rooser

Wycinanki is a Polish paper-cutting technique that gained popularity in the mid 180's. Roosters symbolize good luck and prosperity in folklore. Their crowing can ward away evil. This wycinanki inspired rooster features a candy-cane and mint motif to bring good luck to you.


















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Sunday, December 11, 2016

USA: Cedar Falls, Ohio

Cedar Falls is one of the six major areas of Hocking Hills State Park. It is the greatest waterfall in terms of volume in the Hocking region. It was misnamed by early white settlers who mistook the stately hemlocks for Cedars.


















Source: http://www.hockinghills.com/cedar_falls.html
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Saturday, December 10, 2016

France: Greetings from...France

Some fun facts about France for you :)

1) France is the world's most popular tourist destination with 83.7 million visitors in 2014, according to World Tourism Organisation.

2) You can marry a dead person under French law, as long as you can prove that the deceased had the intention of marrying you and you receive permission from the French president.

3) France was the first country to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food.

4) The Louvre Museum is Paris was the most visited museum in the world in 2014

5) The Tour de France has been around for more than 100 years.



Also, France and South Korea joint issued stamp :)













Source: http://www.expatica.com/fr/about/30-interesting-facts-about-France_109142.html
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Friday, December 09, 2016

South Korea: Flag of South Korea (태극기)

The flag of South Korea, also known as the Taegeukgi (태극기), has a white rectangular background, a red and blue Taeguk in the center, and four black trigrams.

The flag's background is white, which is a traditional Korean color that represents peace and purity. The circle in the middle is derived from Yin-yang and represents the balance of the universe. Lastly, the trigrams together represent the principle of movement and harmony.


Each trigrams has a different name and meaning:
Top Left: Justice, named "Geon" / Lower Left: Fruition, named "Ri"
Top Right: Wisdom, named "Gam" / Lower Right: Vitality, named "Gon"













Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_South_Korea
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Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Lithuania: Greetings from... Lithuania

Lithuania is a country located in Northern Europe, and it is one of the three Baltic states. The geographic centre of Europe is in Lithuania. In 2015, Lithuania adopted the euro as the official currency and became the 19th member of the Eurozone.

Fun Facts about Lithuania:

1) Lithuanian is one of the oldest language in the world today.

2) The country has its own unique aroma called the "Scent of Lithuania", with notes of flowers, musk, raspberry, sandalwood and ginger.

3) Lithuania celebrates two independence days.




















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Saturday, December 03, 2016

Canada: Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

Located on Lake Placid in New York State, USA, the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is a scenic and relaxing location to enjoy the nearby natural features.

























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Friday, December 02, 2016

Indonesia: Green Canyon, Pangandaran

Located not too far from Pangandaran, Green Canyon is described as "a piece of heaven on Earth" by those who have been there before. It is a true natural wonder hiding behind the thick bushes and trees of the Pangandaran's forests.

















Source: http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/point-of-interest/green-canyon
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Thursday, December 01, 2016

USA: Mount Rainer National Park

Mount Rainer National Park is a US National Park located in Washington State. It is the fifth national park in the United States. The entire park was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1997, in recognition of the consistently high standard of design and preservation of the park's National Park Service Rustic-style architecture.























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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Netherlands: St. Lebuinus Church -bPostcrossing Meetup

St. Lebuibus Church, of the Great Church, is the main church building of the Dutch city of Deventer. It is a Gothic hall church built between 1450 and 1525.
















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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Portugal: Tram 28

Number 28 tram is tram route that passes through many of Lisbon's districts, and it is a scenic way to visit Lisbon. Originally commissioned in the 1930s, the trams are able to navigate the steep inclines or sharp twists of the tracks, and they are an integral part of Lisbon public transport network. The number 28 tram is the longest route in Lisbon, traveling from Baixa and Alfama, to Estrela and Campo de Ourique. The total journey is about 40 minutes.


















Source: http://lisbon-portugal-guide.com/lisbon-transport/lisbon-tram-28.html
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Monday, November 28, 2016

Australia: Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory in central Australia. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Anangu, the aboriginal people of the area.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.







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Sunday, November 27, 2016

Australia: Bondi Beach














Bondi Beach is a popular beach and the name of the surrounding suburb in Sydney, Australia. It is one of the most visited tourist sites in the country. It was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2008. The beach also hosted multiple sporting events, including the beach volleyball competition at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

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Saturday, November 26, 2016

Untied Arab Emirates: Burj al-Arab

The Burj al-Arab is a hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The hotel rests on an artificial island constructed offshore. To secure the foundation, the builders drove 230 40-meter long piles into the sand. The building contain over 70000 meter-cubed of concrete and 9000 tons of steel.























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Saturday, November 19, 2016

Germany: Greetings from... Germany

Some Fun Facts about Germany :)

1) Germany was the first country in the world to adopt daylight saving time.

2) Prison escape is not punishable by law in Germany, as that is a basic human instinct to be free.

3) Germany's capital has shifted seven times (including Aachen, Nuremberg, Weimar)

4) Munich is the second most punctual large airports in the world.

5) Berlin's Zoologischer Garten is the largest zoo in the world

















http://www.expatica.com/de/about/30-facts-about-Germany_108768.html
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Friday, November 18, 2016

Finland: Aurora Borealis

Some fun facts about the Aurora Borealis :)

1) The colors of the Northern Lights depend on what gas is involved and how high in the ionosphere the reaction takes place.

2) Aurora can occur at any time of the day, but we can't see them unless it's dark

3) Italian astronomer and philosopher Galileo Galilei was the first to describe the phenomenon as Aurora Borealis in 1619.

4) No two Northern Lights can ever be the same. They are always of different patterns and colors.
















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Thursday, November 17, 2016

Netherlands: Dog and Cat Friendship

Although I only have two cats and have ever had a dog before, I think they can be friends just like this postcard. :) I would love to have a dog one day along with my two cats because dogs are more playful and they provide a different kind of companionship since they enjoy the outdoors more than cats :)

Do you have both cats and dogs at your place?
Or just one of them...?
























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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Malaysia: Mount Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu is a prominent mount on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. It is also the highest mountain in Malaysia. The  mountain and its surroundings are among the most important biological sites in the world, with rich collection of plants, birds, and mammalian species.



















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Russia: Peterhof Grand Palace

The Peterhof Grand Palace is actually a part of palaces and gardens, laid out on the orders of Peter the Great. The palace-ensemble along with the city center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
















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Indonesia: Raja Ampat Island

The Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding the four main islands. It is considered as the global epicenter of tropical marine bio-diversity and is referred to as The Crown Jewel of the Bird's Head Seascape, which also includes Cenderawasih Bay and Triton Bay.















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Belgium: Friendly Greetings from Aalst

Aalst is a city and municipality on the Dender River, Belgium. Aalst is famous for its carnival festivities, celevrated every year before Lent. During the celebration, the former town hall belfry is the site of the traditional 'throwing of the onions". A big parade crosses the city on Sunday, with about 70 groups of costumed volunteers and parade cars.





















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