NORWAY - Arctic Norway

"Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a sovereign and unitary monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.

The Antarctic Peter I Island and the sub-Antarctic Bouvet Island are dependent territories and thus not considered part of the Kingdom. Norway also lays claim to a section of Antarctica known as Queen Maud Land. Until 1814, the Kingdom included the Faroe Islands (since 1035), Greenland (1261), and Iceland (1262)."

CHINA - Chinese Traditional Door

CHINA - CaoChangHeng Hutongs, Beijing

"Hutongs  are a type of narrow streets or alleys, commonly associated with northern Chinese cities, most prominently Beijing. In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining one siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. The word hutong is also used to refer to such neighbourhoods. Since the mid-20th century, the number of Beijing hutongs has dropped dramatically as they are demolished to make way for new roads and buildings. More recently, some hutongs have been designated as protected areas in an attempt to preserve this aspect of Chinese cultural history."

FINLAND - Lapi Lapland

Thanks to Stig for the card and enclosed used stamps!

"Lapland is Finland’s northernmost region, a sparsely populated area bordering Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic Sea. It’s known for its vast subarctic wilderness, ski resorts and natural phenomena including the midnight sun and the Northern Lights. Capital Rovaniemi is the gateway to the region. The homeland of the indigenous Sami people, which extends into neighboring countries, centers on the far north."

GERMANY - Snowy Landscape

 Thanks to Daniela for the card.

RUSSIA - The Church of the Resurrection of Christ

The Church of the Resurrection of Christ ("Our Saviour on the Split Blood). 1883 - 1907. A Parland. Railing.

"The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is one of the main sights of St. Petersburg, Russia. It is also variously called the Church on Spilt Blood (Russian: Церковь на Крови, Tserkov’ na Krovi) and the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ , its official name."

AUSTRALIA - Locals children enjoying Australia pristine beaches

 Locals children enjoying Australia pristine beaches.

Thank you for the nice Christmas Island stamp.

THAILAND - Hong Island, Krabi

"Belonging to the National Marine Park, the four superb islands of the Koh Hong group can be reached within twenty minutes from Ao Nang by speedboat, or 45 mins by longtail. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Phang Nga Bay, with its countless rocky outcrops, the islands are rightly considered to be among the most beautiful in Krabi province.

The main island, Koh Hong is uninhabited, except for the birds, white-faced gibbons and giant monitor lizards that can be often spotted on the main white sand beach (at quiet times, at least). Its interior is home to a large lagoon (the “chamber” to which its Thai name “Hong” refers). This is best accessed at low tide by kayak, as the diminishing water level makes its colour change drastically from a deep emerald green to a clear turquoise; motor boats (either longtail or speedboats) will go around mid-tide. The entrance to the lagoon is through a dramatic cliff passage that should be photographed on your way out."

TAIWAN - American Weekly

Thanks to Iris for the card.

NETHERLANDS - Roses

 Thanks to Marnix-Jolanda for the card.

PHILIPPINES - Manila

"Manila is the capital and second largest city of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities which, along with the municipality of Pateros, make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region, whose overall population is around 12 million. The city of Manila is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay and is bordered by the cities of Navotas and Caloocan to the north; Quezon City and San Juan to the northeast; Mandaluyong to the east; Makati to the southeast, and Pasay to the south. It has a total population of 1,652,171 according to the 2010 census."

JAPAN - The city of the Forest Sendai city, Miyugi, Japan

"Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and the largest city in the Tōhoku region. In 2005, the city had a population of one million, and was one of Japan's 20 designated cities. The city was founded in 1600 by the daimyo Date Masamune, and is well known by its nickname, the City of Trees."

FRANCE - He d'Oleron

TAIWAN - Five Color bird or Muller's Barbet

Thanks to Chao Yi for the painting of a bird called five-color bird or Muller's Barbet. Its a cute bird in Taiwan.

RUSSIA -

FINLAND - Kaipaan Sinna

GERMANY - Christmas Greetings

Thanks to Angelikaw for the card.

TAIWAN - Time

Thanks to Claire for the card.

PAKISTAN - Karumber Lake

"Karambar Lake (also known as Qurumbar Lake) is a high altitude lake located in Ishkomen, a Tehsil of District Ghizer in Gilgit–Baltistan, near the boundary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. It is the 31st highest lake in the world and 2nd highest in Pakistan at a height of 14,121 feet (4,304 m) and one of the highest biologically active lakes on earth."

RUSSIA - Lev Tolstoy Monument in Tula

Thanks to postcrosser Yulya for the card.