Kumano Nachi Shrine, Japan

Going a bit on the other side of the world, in the amazing Japan.

The card shows the Kumano Nachi Shrine, within the Yoshino-Kumano National Park, and the Nachi Falls in the background and is part of the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range of Japan.

On the subject of Japan - few days ago I watched this movie called Afterlife (from 1998) which will probably make you think about what's worth in your life, what you take for granted and make you realize (again), that the simplest of things make the most beautiful memories. 

In the movie, after they die, people have just one week to choose only a memory to keep for eternity. 

Do you think you could choose just one, only one single memory from your life and keep it with you forever?

On the left is one from a set of two overseas Greetings Stamps issued in 2018. showing Mount Fuji. The other one is a bit older, from 1989, issued for the Holland Festival '89, which is the oldest (1947) and largest performing arts festival in the Netherlands and takes place every June in Amsterdam (I guess it will be cancelled this year). Kinda strange for Japan to issue something about a festival in Holland... I couldnt find information whether some prominent Japanese performers maybe took part that year.... 

Honokohau Falls, USA

Well, I guess im more or less sticking around nature today, so after two mountains, here comes one waterfall...a missile fired straight from Hawaii...by Bryon of course :)

it is so cool to have a business meeting scheduled in Hawaii, isn't it? :P

the back of the card - Maui's tallest waterfall. The upper section of 1100 foot tall Honokohau Falls within the interior of the West Maui Mountains.

You know, Hawaii is usually all about sandy beaches and beautiful waters...but I actually like it when I see something different about it, like for example this card

and some pretty cool stamps here - all 2015ish!
Penguins on the very left - United States Coast Guard in the middle - and his majesty, Elvis on the very right, issued August 12th, commemorating 38 years of his death (he had died August 16).

Thank you as always Bryon - your missiles are just always so precise :D

Savica Waterfall, Slovenia

A great card coming from Sean and his recent trip to Slovenia.

Bohinj is one of those places in Slovenia you probably can never get tired of...it has its beauty spots just all around it! The Savica waterfall/spring is one of those beauty spots. It runs over a 38 m long level and falls almost 51 m in depth and is considered as one of the most famous and most beautiful waterfall in the country.

On a side note, since I've already written and written about Bohinj before, you can check out this cool post by Sean, called, "10 Random Observations About Slovenia" on Gadling. Seems that number 6 is something really more like a habit on the Balkans, which foreigners find amusing...and I don't know if Italians find it appalling actually :)
And later, just click on Sean's name, and it will take you to all his other posts about his travels...there is something for everyone;s interest and entertainment :)

I guess you know the flower stamp from 2007, showing the Saw-wort :)

thanks sooo much again Sean!!

Jaspe Waterfall, Venezuela

another crazy rainy windy day here...after a Sunday overwhelmed with sunshine...and the local election craze..but we dont get political here on the blog, so we'll just get down to business, i.e postcards!

And first comes a beautiful card from Venezuela, showing the Jaspe creek which is a river and a series of cascades and waterfalls.

well, some time last July, I arranged a swap for a Venezuelan card...but after a few months I kind of actually gave up and have forgotten about it...there are unsuccessful swaps after all...and then, one February day, to my utmost surprise, I find this card in my mailbox..intact! Not even a scratch or any kind of stain!
Unfortunately, I can not read what does the postmark say, though the sender did note the date down of July 9...however, I can't tell if July is the actual sending of the card and if it really took over 7 months to reach me...I know that Central/South American countries are infamous for their postal service...but if this is indeed the average travel time of a postcard, then those postcrossers there must have some nerves made of steel when it comes to official cards for example...boy, that is ages till your card gets registered...I mean, I myself get impatient when I see a card travelling a month...but 7 months?!!! Too much!
And Im happy it had found its way to me...you dont get cards from Venezuela frequently :)

the place is one of those must-visit tourist spots in the Gran Sabana region in the country. It derives the name from its semi-precious rock, named Jaspe, whcih is a composure from quartz and silica, giving the rock a strong red color.

and the stamp is really beautiful...but when you see it as a part of the whole puzzle, it is even more beautiful! It presents just a piece of a larger picture of 10 stamps issued in 201, showing the Vitral de la Justicia by Alirio Rodriguez.

Iguaçu Falls, Brazil

well, just few days ago, during my room-clearance, I found a whole stack of misplaces postcards...I was aware that I had some cards missing, and I had no idea where had they gone...until I found them in a box along with cards I have already posted on the blog, and which for sure was a wrong place for this pack of cards to be...they should have been in their respective bags of received cards not yet posted (yeah, too many subdivision creates some mess around with so many bags and boxes, but that's the way Ive been functioning since the beginning).
Anyways, in this pack I found like 200 cards received in 2011, and around 50 received in 2009...and was just amazed to see what lovely cards have been hiding there of which I had completely forgotten! No wonder I end up with duplicates in the end...I mean the ironic thing is that *I* myself ask for a particular card, that in the end turns out to be a card I had already received time ago....

well, one of those cards is this one from Brazil that I received as an official card from Karina, whom I had known previously from the forums too...always fun to send/receive a card to/from someone you already know :)

BR-176588

the card shows the Iguaçu Falls, which are waterfalls of the Iguaçu River on the border of Brazilian state Paraná and Argentine province Misiones.
The name "Iguaçu" comes from the Guarani or Tupi words "y", meaning "water", and "ûasú", meaning "big". There is a legend which says that a god planned to marry a beautiful woman named Naipí, who fled with her mortal lover Tarobá in a canoe. In rage, the god sliced the river, creating the waterfalls and condemning the lovers to an eternal fall.....and then they say women are cruel and jealous....
Being that the falls belong to the Iguaçu National Park which is on the UNESCO whs list, the waterfalls are also a part of that UNESCO site, along with being on the list of the New 7 Wonders of the Nature.

I love this Brazilian train stamp issued in 2011, commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the city of Mariana/State of Minas. The other stamp was issued in 2002 in a set of 10 stamps representing music instruments, with this one showing a trumpet.

Jiu Zhai Gully, China

A beautiful postcard I got from my friend Dani.....

....and this post is dedicated to her as well, in order to wish her a safe trip to China and lots of luck and happy moments in the following 300 and something days. Ahhh China....such a vast place...worth to be seen....hopefully one day...if we get the chance to visit Dani :)
The card shows the Nuorilang waterfall. It is a marvellous scene in Jiu Zhai Gully, about 100 metres in width, the widest waterfall in China.
Few months ago at one of the cultural events here, I watched this documentary film, called "The last train home", which had won among else, the Best Documentary Feature at 2009 IDFA. While the majority of the people I was with were bored, I was fascinated with the movie...first of all it featured travels by train which lasted several days...and not one of those comfy ones. Second, it brought into perspective some fascinating views in China, presented their culture, their people and their struggle to make ends meet...a really sad and touching movie, which brings you the reality of THIS China and it makes you both angry and full of admiration

Here is the trailer, for whomever might be interested....personally, I highly recommend it




Have a safe trip Dani...you will be missed....and keep in touch! <3