Russia: Anik Mountain in the Sikhote-Alin

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from Russia and two from Malaysia.

The card from Russia shows the Anik Mountain in the Sikhote-Alin. The Sikhote-Alin is a mountain range in the Russian Far East. It is known for its temperate forests and the many endangered animals living there. The Anik Mountain is the third highest peak of the mountain range and also the highest peak of the Primorsky Krai. The Central Sikhote-Alin is since 2001 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It is an official card: RU-4586498

Stamps:
Flora of Russia (from set of four) (issued 04-03-2013)
Alley of Russia (from set of four) (issued 16-04-2015)
In 2014 Russian citizens were able to vote for the plant symbol of their regions. The British Oak became the symbol of Moscow. 

Thank You very much Irina!

Malaysia: Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque in Johor Bahru

Yesterday I got three postcards: two from Malaysia and one from Russia.

One of the cards from Malaysia shows the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque in Johor Bahru. Johor Bahru is the capital of the Malaysian State of Johor and also one of the biggest cities of Malaysia. The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque was built between 1892 and 1900. It is the state mosque of Johor. 

The card was sent in an envelope, which was spoiled during the journey. :(

Thank You very much Anke!

Malaysia: Cameron Highlands

Yesterday I got three postcards: two from Malaysia and one from Russia.

One of the cards from Malaysia shows the Cameron Highlands in the Malaysian State of Pahang. The Cameron Highlands were discovered by Sir William Cameron in 1885. It is a popular tourist destination.

The card was sent in an envelope, which was spoiled during the journey. :(

Thank You very much Anke!

Germany: Fürth

Today I got three postcards: two from Germany and one from China.

One of the cards from Germany shows historic buildings in Fürth's old city centre. Fürth is a big city in the German State of Bavaria, which forms a tri-city area with Erlangen and Nuremberg. It is Bavaria's seventh largest city. In 1835 the first German railway connected Fürth with Nuremberg. In the city there are many historic buildings, as it survived World War II with less damage compared to other cities in Germany.

With a matching stamp:
1000 years Fürth (issued 02-01-2007)

Thank You very much Angelina and Jacqueline!

Germany: Gasometer in Oberhausen

Today I got three postcards: two from Germany and one from China.

One of the cards from Germany shows the Gasometer in Oberhausen. Oberhausen is a big city in the western part of the Ruhr Area in the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia. In 1758 the first ironworks of the Ruhr Area were founded in Oberhausen and thus the city is known as Cradle of the Ruhr Industry. Today the economy of the city is mainly based on shopping and recreational facilities. The Gasometer is a former gas holder, which was built between 1927 and 1929. It was converted into an exhibition space in the 1990s and is today Europe's tallest exhibition hall. It is also an anchor point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage.

Unfortunately the stamp got lost during the journey. :(

Thank You very much Sibylle!

China: Lijiang River

Today I got three postcards: one from China and two from Germany.

The card from China shows the Lijiang River in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The Lijiang River is known for flowing through karst mountains. It is a popular tourist attraction. 

Stamps:
120 years Post of China (whole set) (issued 20-03-2016)

Thank You very much Mo!

Germany: St. Anne's Church in Eisleben

Today I got a postcard from Germany.

It shows the St. Anne's Church in Eisleben. The St. Anne's Church is a Protestant church. It was founded in 1513. The integrated Augustinian monastery, which was founded in 1515 and dissolved in 1522/1523, was visited by Martin Luther in 1515 and 1516. The church is especially known for its Stone Pictures Bible.  

Stamp:
Chiemsee (from set of two) (issued 01-07-2015)

Thank You very much Thomas for arranging this card for me and to Katrin for sending it!

cover from Australia

Today I got not only a postcard from Germany but also a cover from Australia.

It is prepaid and was added with two other stamps.

Inside was a postcard showing the Sydney Opera House.
The card was sent via PostcardUnited: AUS-1715

Thank You very much Laurent!

France: Rouen

On Friday I got a postcard from France.

It shows various views of Rouen. Rouen is the capital of the region of Normandy. It is located on the river Seine and was one of the largest and most prosperous European cities in the Middle Ages.

Stamps:
Métiers d'Art - Sculpteur sur pierre (issued 04-04-2016)
Salon Philatélique de Printemps in Belfort (issued 04-04-2016)

Thank You very much William!

cover from India

On Friday I got not only a postcard from France but also a cover from India.

With great stamps:

HeForShe (whole set) (issued 08-03-2016)

with First Day Special Postmark

Inside was my first mint Indian stamp set.

Thank You very much Raghavendra!

Cook Islands: Beach with Palm Trees

On Thursday I got five postcards: my first card from the Cook Islands, one from France, one from Germany, one from Japan and one from the USA.

The Cook Islands are a group of 15 islands in the South Pacific Ocean. They form an island country in free association with New Zealand. The main island is Rarotonga, where also the Cook Island's capital Avarua is located. Other islands are for example Aitutaki and Penrhyn.

The card shows a beach with palm trees.

With a nice stamp:
WWF Manta Rey (from set of four) (issued 15-02-2016)
The stamp is inscribed "Rarotonga". Different stamps are issued with the different inscriptions "Aitutaki", "Penrhyn", "Rarotonga" and "Cook Islands", but they all can be used on all Cook Islands.

Thank You very much Nicole!

USA: Independence Hall and Monument of George Washington in Philadelphia

On Thursday I got five postcards: one from the USA, my first card from the Cook Islands, one from France, one from Germany and one from Japan.

The card from the USA shows the Independence Hall and the Monument of George Washington in Philadelphia. The Independence Hall was built between 1732 and 1753. First it was known as Pennsylvania State House and housed the colonial legislature for the Province of Pennsylvania. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed there and in 1787 the Constitution of the United States. Since 1979 is the Independence Hall on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:
Geometric Snowflakes (two from set of four) (issued 23-10-2015)
Heart Shaped Earth (issued 09-05-1991)

Thank You very much Sandra!

Japan: Octopus-kun

On Thursday I got five postcards: one from Japan, one from the USA, my first card from the Cook Islands, one from France and one from Germany.

The card from Japan shows Octopus-kun. Octopus-kun is the Yuru-chara, the local mascot, of the town Minamisanriku in the Miyagi Prefecture. As Minamisanriku suffered from damage due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Octopus-kun is used to collect money for the reconstruction of its home town.

Stamps:
Spring Greetings (from set of ten) (issued 03-03-2016)
Sushi (from set of two) (issued 29-10-2015)

Thank You very much Rie!

Germany: Black Forest and Triberg

On Thursday I got five postcards: one from Germany, one from Japan, one from the USA, my first card from the Cook Islands and one from France.

The card from Germany shows various views of Triberg and the Black Forest. The Black Forest is a mountain range in the German State of Baden-Württemberg. The region is especially known for the Black Forest Cherry Cake and the Cuckoo clocks. Triberg is a town within the Black Forest. The Triberg Waterfalls, one of Germany's tallest waterfalls, and the World's largest Cuckoo Clock are located in there.

The card was sent from the Black Forest Postcrossing Meet-up in Triberg.
Stamp:
Lily of the Valley (issued 06-05-2010)

Thank You very much Jaan!

France: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

On Thursday I got five postcards: one from France, one from Germany, one from Japan, one from the USA and my first card from the Cook Islands

The card from France shows the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is a Catholic church and was built between 1875 and 1914. It is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is a basilica minor.

Stamps:
New Marianne 0,10€
150 years Apprentis d'Auteuil (issued 21-03-2016)

Thank You very much William!

Belgium: Stoclet House

Yesterday I got two postcards: one from Belgium and one from Germany.

The card from Belgium shows the Stoclet House in Brussels. The Stoclet House was built between 1905 and 1911 at the behest of the banker Adolphe Stoclet. It was built in the style of the Art Nouveau and was planned as Gesamtkunstwerk. Josef Hoffmann was the main architect of the house, but also other famous were involved like Koloman Moser and Gustav Klimt. It is considered to be one of the most important creations of the Vienna Secession. The Stoclet House is since 2009 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:
Castles-Gaasbeek (from set of four) (issued 07-10-1987)

Thank You very much Catherine!

Germany: Former City Hall and Marketplace in Mannheim

Yesterday I got two postcards: one from Germany and one from Belgium.

The card from Germany shows the Former City Hall and the Marketplace in Mannheim. Mannheim is a big city in the German State of Baden-Württemberg. It is the third largest city of its state and the twenty-second largest of Germany. The city is known as City of Squares, because its streets are laid out in a grid pattern. Mannheim is considered to be one of the most inventive cities in the World, as the bicycle, the car and the rocket plane were invented there. Since 2014 is Mannheim a UNESCO City of Music. 

Stamp:
Dresden (from set of two) (issued 03-04-2014)

Thank You very much Julia!

Germany: Art Museum in Wolfsburg

On Tuesday I was in Wolfsburg and bought some postcards at the Art Museum.

The Art Museum in Wolfsburg was opened in 1994. It shows modern and contemporary art. The main themes of the museum are modernity, urbanity, internationality and quality.

The postcards I bought show artworks of the Austrian artist Erwin Wurm. One of them shows the entrance of the museum with the Curry Bus and the others show the installation Fichte. 

Germany: Green Vault in Dresden

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from Germany, one from Japan and one from the USA.

The card from Germany shows Jacob Zeller's Ivory Frigate. The Ivory Frigate is a Surtout de table made of ivory, gold and iron. It dates back to 1620 and was made at the behest of Elector John George I of Saxony. It is Jacob Zeller's best known and last creation, as he died short after its completion. The Ivory Frigate is today shown at the New Green Vault in Dresden.

I got this card a few weeks ago in a cover.

With a matching stamp:
Treasures of German Museums (from set of two) (issued 07-04-2016)
with First Day Special Postmark

In the cover was another card of the Green Vault. The Green Vault, or Grünes Gewölbe, is a museum in the Dresden Castle. It houses the largest collection of treasures in Europe. It was founded in 1723 by Augustus the Strong and is thus one of the oldest museums in the World. Today the collection is divided between two exhibitions, the Historic and the New Green Vault. The card shows the White Silver Room in the Historic Green Vault.

Thank You very much Amelie for sending me the cards in an envelope!

USA: International Space Station

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from the USA, one from Germany and one from Japan.

The card from the USA shows the International Space Station. The International Space Station is the largest artificial body in orbit. It was built from 1998 onwards and is inhabited since 2000. It is used as space environment research laboratory. The participating countries are Canada, Japan, Russia, the USA and the members of the European Space Agency. The space station is scheduled to be in use until 2024. 

Stamp:
The Moon (issued 22-02-2016)

Thank You very much Jacquelynn!

Japan: Sangatsu-do Hall in Nara

Yesterday I got three postcards: one from Japan, one from the USA and one from Germany.

The card from Japan shows the Sangatsu-do Hall in Nara. The Sangatsu-do Hall is considered to be the oldest building within the Todaiji Temple Complex. It was founded in 733 and is today a National Treasure of Japan. As one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara is the Todaiji Temple Complex since 1998 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:
G7 Summit (from set of ten) (issued 08-04-2016)
with First Day Special Postmark

Thank You very much Keiko!

Germany: Oldenburg

On Saturday I got three postcards from Germany.

Two of them show Oldenburg. Oldenburg is a big city in the German State of Lower Saxony. It is the third largest town of its state and was once the capital of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. In 2009 was Oldenburg the German City of Science.

Stamp:
Felix the Rabbit (from set of two) (issued 02-03-2015)

Stamp:
25 years 112 as emergency telephone number in Europe (issued 11-02-2016)

Thank You very much Deike!

Germany: Amberg

On Saturday I got three postcards from Germany.

One of them shows the Stadtbrille in Amberg. Amberg is a city in the German State of Bavaria. The Stadtbrille, a part of the town fortifications used as bridge, is one of Amberg's most important sights.

Stamp:
Dresden (from set of two) (issued 03-04-2014)

Thank You very much Simone!

cover from France

On Thursday I got a cover from France.

Stamps:

New Marianne 0,05€ and 0,10€

Notre-Dame-des-Missions - Epinay-sur-Seine (issued 21-03-2016)

Inside was a Finnish stamp (issued 22-01-2016) on a piece of paper. The stamp shows an Ice Crystal and glimmers.

Thank You very much William!

France: Louise Weiss Building in Strasbourg

On Wednesday I got two postcards from France.

One of them shows the Louise Weiss Building in the European District of Strasbourg. The Louise Weiss Building was built between 1995 and 1999. It houses the European Parliament. 

You can read more about Strasbourg and its European history on my History Blog.

Stamp:
label

Thank You very much Bernard!