Meteora

The Metéora (Greek: Μετέωρα, pronounced [mɛˈtɛoɾɐ], literally "middle of the sky", "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" — etymologically related to meteorology) is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos.[1] The six monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains, in central Greece. The nearest town is Kalambaka. The Metéora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List

Source: Wikipedia

Thanks to dear friend Martina who sends this card from Macedonia after her Greek holiday :)

Sent: 12 June 2014   Received: 7 July 2014   Travelled: 25 days

Owl

Thanks to Martina who sends this beautiful 

DIY colouring card for my birthday last year :D

Sent: 16 November 2015  Received: 9 December 2015   Travelled: 23 days

Golden Gate, Gdansk

Source: Wikipedia

The Golden Gate in Gdańsk,  Poland, is one of the most notable tourist attractions of the city.

It was created in 1612–14 in place of a 13th-century gothic gate, the Brama Długouliczna (Long Street Gate). It is located at one end of Long Lane, where, together with Brama Wyżynna  (High Gate) and Wieża Więzienna (Prison Tower), it forms a part of the old city fortifications.

It was designed by architect Abraham van den Blocke and was built by Jan Strakowski. The architectural style of the gate is Dutch mannerism. Next to it is the late-gothic building of the Brotherhood of St.George.

Source: Wikipedia

Thank you Martina for this beautiful view from your travels.

Sent: 24 December 2015   Received: 13 January 2016  Travelled: 20 days

German cat from Macedonia

Big thank you to Martina for always remembering me when it comes to cats haha

She definitely knows of my strange predilection of chasing stray cats for a picture.

This stray cat she got from Germany and sent from MAcedonia. Love the fossil stamp!

Received: 15 February 2016

Ephesus, Turkey

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, three kilometres southwest of present-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. It was built in the 10th century BC on the site of the former Arzawan capital by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists. During the Classical Greek era it was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League. 

The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In 268 AD, the Temple was destroyed or damaged in a raid by the Goths. It may have been rebuilt or repaired but this is uncertain, as its later history is not clear. Emperor Constantine the Great rebuilt much of the city and erected new public baths. Following the Edict of Thessalonica from Emperor Theodosius I, what remained of the temple was destroyed in 401 AD by a mob led by St. John Chrysostom. The town was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Küçükmenderes River.

Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. The Gospel of John may have been written here. The city was the site of several 5th century Christian Councils (see Council of Ephesus). It is also the site of a large gladiators' graveyard. The ruins of Ephesus are a favourite international and local tourist attraction, partly owing to their easy access from Adnan Menderes Airport.

Thanks to Martina for this most wonderful surprise from her travels.

 I love ancient Greek history and the cat is an uber addition :D

Sent: 14 August 2015   Received: 3 September 2015   Travelled: 20 days

Tobacco ironing

Tobacco "ironing" at family Manevci in Prilep

Martina sent a huge surprise envelope filled with goodies and in it was this 

vintage photo reprint. I love getting old black white photo cards. They are like a blast from
the past. It makes me curious about the story in this card, is this the end of a good day's work?
If I remember correctly, this tobacco plant is no longer in operation but the
building still stands. Thank you so much Martina for this piece of history.
Received: 21 May 2015

Bitola

Bitola is located in the southwestern part of Macedonia. The Dragor River flows through the city. Bitola lies at an elevation of 615 meters above sea level, at the foot of Baba Mountain. Its magnificent Pelister mountain (2601 m) is a national park with exquisite flora and fauna, among which the rarest species of pine, known as Macedonian pine or pinus peuce, as well as a well-known ski resort.

Another lovely surprise from dear Martina for this postcard

Sent: 16 June 2014   Received: 8 July 2014   Travelled: 22 days

Prilep map

Prilep is the fourth largest city in the Republic of Macedonia. It has a population of 66,246 and is known as "the city under Marko's Towers" because of its proximity to the towers of Prince Marko.

Thanks to my dear friend Martina who sent this card and showed me around

Prilep while I was waiting for a new tooth in Macedonia :D

Sent: 5 January 2015   Received: 4 February 2015   Travelled: 30 days

Struga,Macedonia

Struga's location on Lake Ohrid makes it a slightly quieter and more peaceful experience than the more bustling Ohrid.
There are several cultural monuments in Struga and in its vicinity such as the Monastery of Kališta, a few kilometers away from the town center, lying on the shore of Lake Ohrid. It is believed that it dates from the 16th century, with frescoes from the 14th and the 15th centuries. Another rock church is present in the neighbouring village of Radožda with frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries. The Church of Sveta Bogorodica (St Mary) in Vraništa, is believed to be where Tsar Samuel was crowned.

A card from the little town of Struga, a place that I visited briefly. 

I remember walking on the bridge pictured in the aerial view.

Thank you Martina for a trip down memory lane :D

Sent:30 October 2014   Received: 11 November 2014   Travelled: 12 days

Bitola angel

A monument of an angel to the defenders of Macedonia

Photo: Zarko Durlanov

Thanks to my lovely friend Martina for this

night shot of the Angel monument. Love the

stamp featuring my favourite vegetable :D

Sent: 20 August 2014   Received: 11 September 2014   Travelled: 21 days

Heraclea Luncestis

Heraclea was a strategically important town during the Hellenistic period, as it was at the edge of Macedon's border with Epirus to the west, and to the non-Greek world to the north, until the middle of the 2nd century BC, when the Romans conquered Macedon and destroyed its political power. The Romans divided Macedonia into 4 regions and Heraclea was in the fourth region. The main Roman road in the area, Via Egnatia went through Heraclea, and Heraclea was an important stop. The prosperity of the city was maintained mainly due to this road. Objects discovered from the time of Roman rule in Heraclea are: Votive monuments, a portico, thermae (baths), a theatre and town walls. In the early Christian period, Heraclea was an important Episcopal seat. Some of its bishops are mentioned in synods in Serdica and other nearby towns. From this period are the ensembles of the Small and Great (Large, Big) basilica. The Grave (Funeral) basilica with a necropolis is located east of the theatre.
After a heavy earthquake struck the city in the early 6th. century AD, its inhabitants gradually abandoned it. Circa 585 the devastated area was finally captured by the Slavs.

I visited this place when I was in Bitola, it was too bad that I couldn't take pictures
like I did in Pompeii but getting a postcard from a place I've been is just awesome!
Thank you Martina for this card! 

Sent: 30 January 2014
Received: 11 February 2014
Travelled: 12 days

Baku, Azerbaijan

WAH!!! Where is this place and how do I spell Azerbaijan?!

Google and Wikipedia is my friend ^_^

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located 28 meters below sea levelm which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world.

Baku Crystal Hall is an indoor arena ,constructed in August 2011 and finished in April 2012, in time to host its first major event, the 2012 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Thank you Martina for giving me a piece of Azerbaijian! Sent from Macedonia.

Sent: 25 December 2013
Received: 9 January 2014
Travelled: 15 days

Bitola,Macedonia

 

Bitola is the second largest city in the country. Bitola is one of the oldest cities on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia. It was founded as Heraclea Lyncestis in the middle of the 4th century BC by Philip II of Macedon. During the Ottoman rule the city was the last capital of Ottoman Rumelia.

Thank you Martina for the lovely card from Macedonia :)

Sent: 7 March 2013
Received: 21 March 2013
Travelled: 14 days