falling water

 where I live, there are many waterfalls - these are perhaps the most picturesque

but, there has been so little rain lately, that at least two of these have no flow (Tews and Tiffany) and the other two are more like a trickle.

cents

 20 centimes coin from Switzerland showing the head of Liberty (designed in 1879)

 

2 cent stamp from Netherlands  (1946)

bright and moody

 

above by a local artist, Sylvia Simpson

below by a famous artist, Vincent Van Gogh 

belize

Not to be confused with 'Honduras', British Honduras was a Crown Colony on the southern edge of the Yucatan Peninsula.  Although in Central America, it identifies with the Caribbean.

In 1973, the name was changed to BELIZE, and the country gained its independence in 1981.

pretty in pink

 

CATURDAY

shape of the land

these animals fit nicely into the compact island of Taiwan,  

but, it is a special joy to receive a shaped map card

although, Bulgaria has many sticky out bits, but this card arrived in fine form

arctic

 

The Arctic islands are an archipelago of over 36,000 islands.  I will admit, I had no idea there were so many!  Only 11 are inhabited.

snow

it is still hot, though not as humid as last week.  getting this card yesterday of a kitty striding through the snow was very welcome

CATURDAY

water

For all of my life, I have always lived near water - in many cases within walking distance of a lake, a creek, canal, river, or a pond.  I cannot imagine living somewhere without a body of water,  but I also cannot imagine going through some of the cataclysmic flooding such water can bring.  Any floods near me have been, well, not devastating.

I am fortunate to live near Niagara Falls.  And it's fortunate that I really like it there.  Sure, there is a bit of tacky touristy hell there, but the falls themselves are magnificent and I will happily drive past them at any time of the year.  Especially in winter.

Oceans are okay, though with the latest tsunami threats in the Pacific, I'd be happier on a calm cruise in Estonia.

maybe add a few islands

or a waterfall

Rivers in a city are especially attractive as they provide an opportunity for bridges.  I have been known to go miles out of my way for a waterfall or bridge.  (I've been to Milford Sound, but not Prague)

sometimes, you can't really escape water, and that's fine with me

my happy place: anywhere near water

Christmas in July

 

frosty and rudolph made an appearance on tv last week, when the temperature reached 34C (93F)

I've been dreaming of a bit of cold snow, and I'll bet the mail carrier might also not mind after these last few days (and coming days) of an unrelenting heatwave.

 

Next week: any stamp(s) with any connection to the letter 'A'

not a pet

 

CATURDAY

wonders of travel

Is there a more dramatic arrival to anywhere? In this case Princess Juliana Airport in Sint Maarten with its one runway and planes flying low over Maho Beach

or a more space agey piece of LAX than this Theme Building

 or more elegant than this wonder of Victorian engineering

blue sea

 

stamp from the Singapore World Stamp Exhibition

... featuring the deep blue sea

Starting in August, I thought we'd go back to the alphabet theme.  Any stamp, any theme or country, that is related to the letter of the week.  It may be the words on the stamp, or a description in any language. It's been a few years since we last did this, but I'm feeling like I'm repeating themes too frequently lately so this opens up the options.

furbaby

 

CATURDAY

pass

 I am glad I was in Venice several decades ago before all the current craziness.  Fighting through massive crowds of tourists and selfie sticks to see the beauty of this city does not feel like it would be enjoyable.  Plus, the charm of local culture is gone.

       this is as crowded as I feel comfortable with (1910s)

And, even without the current political climate, I have never wanted to go to Florida.  I even turned down an offer of free accommodation from some friends who had a condo they used during the winter.  I would rather have spent time exploring the states I'd have to drive through to get there than spend time in Daytona. 

 

 

 They do have a dizzying array of linen postcards, though.

 

 I could also include Disney World - or any of the Disney theme parks - in my list of places I'd not like to visit.

I'd rather visit a theme park that is unique to country you find it in.

summer

 

I think I recognize the names of 7 cities from various Postcrossers and my previous knowledge of Helsinki as the capital.

serpent

 

The Ogopogo lives in Okanagan Lake.  A 25 metre (or more) humped snake like creature with the head of a horse.  Since no one has actually seen the Ogopogo, its description varies.  Some Native peoples regard it as a sacred spirit, with its demonic view coming about from a miscommunication between the Syilix and the early European settlers.  It might be that the serpentine shape of the deep Okanagan Lake fjord has a spirit  form as well as a physical form (as do the mountains).  Or it might the remnants of a dinosaur.   Now, it is a big tourist attraction, with a large plastic statue on the shoreline (perfect for selfies).

comfort

 this poor kitty (card) looks like it's been through the wringer

CATURDAY

far away lands

I fell in love with Norway while watching the 1994 Olympics 

I'm pretty sure I could miss out on this experience at Preiskestolen.  I would be happy to be on a boat cruising Lysefjord and looking UP at the 604 metre cliff.

However, I would not want to miss out seeing a Stave.  How would a 900 year old wood church smell, I wonder? 

I don't know what triggered my fascination with Japan, but it would be my top dream destination if I could choose anywhere in the world.  I would prefer to be with someone who was Japanese and could translate and explain...

It helps that I love the food - sushi, sashimi, ramen... not to mention  over 300 flavours of Kit Kat!

I wish I had a more modern card of this exclusive and expensive shopping street. Not sure I could afford much anyway, which would make me less interested. 

  I would maybe last an afternoon before wanting to escape.  I would be much more interested in the train journeys and the shrines and temples.

The Kumano Nachi Shrine and a waterfall! (Nachi-no-Otaki, the tallest in Japan)

Izumo Taisha Shrine

Hong Kong was never really on my radar as a place I'd want to visit, it was just a place I'd heard of.  Then, with all the attention during the time of the handover, it became more interesting.

 the stunning vistas from the harbour and the mountains.  The city is densely packed with people and skyscrapers, but also with parks and gardens (over 1,600 covering more than 40% of the land area!)

'the second coolest street in the world'

This is more interesting shopping