Aniva Lighthouse

The Aniva Lighthouse is an  abandoned lighthouse located on Cape Aniva in the very south of Sakhalin Island in the East of Russia. The height of the building is 31 meters, the height of the light is 40 meters above sea level. It was built by Japan in 1938-1940, and abandoned in 2006 after an eventful life. Since then, it is gradually destroyed by water and wind, and has become a tourist attraction.

The first postcard was sent by Veniamin (Russia) after a visit to the lighthouse. The postcard below was sent by Eduard two years ago.

See more pictures and information here.

Angry Machine

I got this postcard from China through the Postcrossing site. It shows, according to online translators, the Orange Island bridge in the city of Meili Xingcheng. 

There are always many special details in mail that travels from so far away. On the back of this postcard, the commitment of the postal machine surprised me!

Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus)
New Year Greetings stamps
2011

The Great Wall (Ming dynasty), Yumenguan
2016

(Printed on the postcard)

Summer Mail - II

Postcard sent by Bryon (the USA), with a watermelon label.

Some stamps do not seem stamps at all:

From Phillip (the USA), I have got the complete series! And the First Day cancellation.

Sunday Stamps | Backyard Games

On August 12, 2021 the USPS issued Backyard Games stamps in eight designs. They celebrate  the many games Americans play for outdoor recreation. Some of the games are not common here!

Go to Sunday Stamps to see more stamps about Summer Fun.

Old Mail Adventure

My husband sent me this postcard from Canada in 2006. I joined Postcrossing in 2008, and I found out that it had also been the first postcard ever sent through Postcrossing (July 2005). 

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Postcrossing, a special edition of this postcard was added to the Postcrossing shop. Which, of course, sold out in no time!

Happy Fourth of July

"We ask but for Peace, Liberty and Safety."

First Continental Congress, 1774

Mail sent by Bryon & Phillip (the USA).

Thursday Postcard Hunt | Eivissa

I rarely receive postcards from my own country. However, this month I received some from the island of Eivissa. It has been years since I last visited it, and these postcards make me dream!

Eivissa, port

Vila d'Eivissa

Es Vedrà

Portinatx

Punta Moscarter Lighthouse

Punta Moscarter Lighthouse

Cala Benirràs

Cala de Sant Vicent

Santa Eulària des Riu

Santa Eulària des Riu

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Thursday Postcard Hunt
July theme: TRAVEL

• Week 1 - Your Own Country
• Week 2 - A place you'd like to visit (but haven't)
• Week 3 - A place you would not like to visit (for whatever reason)
• Week 4 - Getting around (train, bus, plane, stations, airports)
• Week 5 - Your happy place (beach, mountains, parks, cities, islands...)

Everyone is welcome to share their postcards!

Ansel Adams

Ansel Easton Adams (1902– 1984) was an American landscape photographer and environmentalist known for his black-and-white images of the American West. 

These stamps commemorating his impact in art were issued in 2024.

I think I have got all of them by now. They look wonderful on letters!

June Looks Almost Normal!

Summer Mail - I

 

Postcard sent by Eduard (Russia). This is a charity card. The author of the drawing is Елизавета Левина (10 years old).

Sunday Stamps | Agricultural Projects

Issued in 2024, these stamps commemorate the Soldiers of the Soil and farmerettes, who provided much needed farm labour in Canada during times of war. You can read here more information about this issue.

Eden Project is a visitor attraction in Cornwall (The UK). The complex is dominated by two huge enclosures consisting of adjoining domes that house thousands of plant species, and each enclosure emulates a natural biome. The attraction also has an outside botanical garden which is home to many plants and wildlife native to Cornwall and the UK in general.

Following on from the workers' gardens that appeared in the 19th century, throughout the country, les jardins partagés (='shared gardens' or 'community gardens'), brought to life and cultivated together by residents, promote biodiversity and strengthen ties between generations. The stamp was issued in 2023.

Go to Sunday Stamps to see more stamps on Agriculture.

Ball de Marcos Vicente

 

The Dance of Marcos Vicente is a popular dance that used to be performed only by men, with a simple and plain plot of a pirate story that tells us about the eternal fight between good and evil.

We find this spoken dance documented in Reus (Catalonia) at the end of the 19th century, remaining alive well into the 20th century. It was very popular and told us the adventures of a Valencian knight, kidnapped by pirates and taken to Moorish lands, but who ends up running away and returning home.

Since June 2017, a version of this dance is represented again, by kids, during St Peter's festival (in June).

Reus is not far from home. However, this postcard was sent by Bryon (the USA).

Follow Your Heart

Back of an envelope sent by Imma (PC).

Thursday Postcard Hunt | Maroilles

I did not know how to interpret this week Thursday Postcard Hunt theme, or I did not find any appropriate postcard. When I travel, the souvenir I bring home is usually... local food!

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Thursday Postcard Hunt
June theme: DETAILS

• Week 1 - Architectural
• Week 2 - Geological
• Week 3 - Faces
• Week 4 - Tchotchkes, or touristy items

Everyone is welcome to share their postcards!