GREECE - Spinalog

Thanks to Urania for the card shows Spinaloga islands in Greece.

"The island of Spinalonga (Greek: Σπιναλόγκα), officially known as Kalydon (Καλυδών), is located in the Gulf of Elounda in north-eastern Crete, in Lasithi, next to the town of Plaka. The island is further assigned to the area of Kalydon. It is near the Spinalonga peninsula ("large Spinalonga") – which often causes confusion as the same name is used for both. The official Greek name of the island today is Kalydon.

Originally, Spinalonga was not an island, it was part of the island of Crete. During Venetian occupation the island was carved out of the coast for defense purposes and a fort was built there."

GREECE - Crete

Great card show one of the beach in Crete, thanks to Urania for the card.

"Crete (Greek: Κρήτη, Kríti ['kriti]; Ancient Greek: Κρήτη, Krḗtē) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. Crete and a number of surrounding islands and islets constitute the region of Crete (Greek: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης), one of the 13 top-level administrative units of Greece. The capital and the largest city is Heraklion. As of 2011, the region had a population of 623,065.

Crete forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece, while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry and music). It was once the center of the Minoan civilization (c. 2700–1420 BC), which is currently regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe."

RUSSIA - Solovetsky Islands

Thanks to postcrosser Olga for the card and stamps.

"The Solovetsky Islands (Russian: Солове́цкие острова́), or Solovki (Соловки́), are an archipelago located in the Onega Bay of the White Sea, Russia. The islands are served by the Solovki Airport."

ISRAEL - Jerusalem, the Western Wall

The Western Wall is believed to be the outer wall of the Jewish Second Temple that was ruined.  The whole place is separated to male and female section, the same as in synagogue.  It is a tradition that one who come to pray at the wall, puts a note with his or hers wishes and God listens and apply.

Thanks to Ira for very informative card.

ISRAEL - Jerusalem the Western Wall on a festival day

The postcard shows praying men during the Sukkot holiday, which is in the end of September to beginning of October.  According to the Bible (the Old Testament), Jews must come to Jerusalem to the Western Wall to pray 3 times a year; during Passover (Pesah), during Shavuot (in May) and during Sukkot.

Also it's a custom that when a boy reaches 13th birthday (Bar Mitzra) and a girl 12th (Bat Mitzra) the whole family comes here to celebrate and thank God.

Thanks again Ira!

GERMANY - Pfalz

From Nadine who was recently moved to Germany, thanks so much for the card.

INDIA - Birds of the Himalayas

Thanks to Rama for the card.

CHINA - The White Pagoda in Liao Yang

Thanks to postcrosser Jialin for the card.

CHINA

Thanks to Sun Xiafei for the card and wonderful stamps.

MALAWI - Sunset over Lake of Malawi

My first card from Malawi, country #156, thanks to Theresa.

MYANMAR - Cover

CHINA - A Small Southern Town

Thanks to postcrosser Francoise for the card.

GERMANY - Lighthouse

Thanks to postcrosser Iris for the nice lighthouse card and matching stamp.

BELIZE - Adventure Belize

My second card from Belize,  thanks to Ilu.

UKRAINE - Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle

Thanks to postcrosser Lesia for the wonderful card and stamps.

"Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle is a former Ruthenian-Lithuanian castle and a later three-part Polish fortress located in the historic city of Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine, in the historic region of Podolia in the western part of the country. Its name is attributed to the root word kamin', from the Slavic word for stone.

Historical accounts date Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle to the early 14th century, although recent archaeological evidence has proved human existence in the area back to the 12th or 13th century. Initially built to protect the bridge connecting the city with the mainland, the castle sits on top of a peninsula carved out by the winding Smotrych River, forming a natural defense system for Kamianets-Podilskyi's historic Old Town neighborhood."

USA - Ten of Spades

One unique card from postcrosser Cheryl shows Ten of Spades from the Deck of Cards collection. Thank you.

MARYLAND - Cove Point Lighthouse, Calvery Country

Thanks to postcrosser Katie for the lighthouse card.

"The Cove Point Light is a lighthouse located on the west side of the Chesapeake Bay. This light was built in 1828 by John Donahoo, who erected a brick conical tower along the plan he had used at several other sites in the Bay."

LIECHTENSTEIN - Vaduz Castle

My first card from Liechtenstein, thank you so much to Andrea for wonderful card shows the castle where the royal family lives.  Liechtenstein comes as country #155 on my list.

"Vaduz Castle (German Schloß Vaduz) is the palace and official residence of Reigning Prince Hans-Adam II and his family, Vaduz Castle, sits atop a hill at the foot of the Swiss/Austrian Alps overlooking the tiny Liechtenstein capital - home to just over 5,000 inhabitants - that is its namesake. The original building, erected on the site in the 14th century, was destroyed during the last Swiss independence conflict, the Swabian War, in 1499. It was completely rebuilt in the 16th century.

The palace has belonged to the royal family since 1712, when Prince Johann Adam Andreas of Liechtenstein purchased the County of Vaduz and became the castle's fifth owner. But it did not become the monarch's official home until 1938, when Reigning Prince Franz-Josef II succeeded to the throne and moved his family from Vienna to Liechtenstein after Austria was annexed by Germany."

CZECH REPBUBLIC - Olomouc

Thanks to Veronika for the swap.

"Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. Located on the Morava River, the city is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Today it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic."

NEW ZEALAND

Thanks to postcrosser Gordon for the card.

WASHINGTON - Fort Canby Lighthouse, Ilwaco

Thanks to postcrosser Beckys for the lighthouse card.

"Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby State Park) is a 1,882-acre camping park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean. The park offers 27 miles of ocean beach, two lighthouses, an interpretive center and hiking trails. Visitors enjoy beachcombing and exploring the area's rich natural and cultural history. The nearby coastal towns of Ilwaco and Long Beach feature special events and festivals spring through fall. The park offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River, North Head Lighthouse and Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. The park has old-growth forest, lakes, freshwater and saltwater marshes, as well as streams and tidelands along the ocean."

JAPAN - Iki Island

Thanks to postcrosser Kenki for the card.

"Iki Island (壱岐島 Iki-no-shima?), or the Iki Archipelago (壱岐諸島 Iki-shotō?) is an archipelago in the Tsushima Strait, which is administered as the city of Iki in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The islands have a total area of 138.46 square kilometres with a total population of 28,008. Only four of the 23 named islands are permanently inhabited."

USA - Row of gargoyles, Cathedral of Botre-Dame, Paris

Row of gargoyles, Cathedral of Botre-Dame, Paris

RUSSIA - The backgammon Door

Thanks to Juliano the the beautiful door card.

RUSSIA - Nizhny Novgored State Academic Centre

Thanks to postcrossser Julia for the card and nice stamps.