France – Besançon

Besançon is the capital and principal city of the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France. It had a population of about 220,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 1999. Located close to the border with Switzerland, it is the capital of the department of Doubs. Once proclaimed first green city of France, it still enjoys a proven life quality. Thanks to its rich historical and cultural heritage and its unique architecture, Besançon has been labeled a 'City of Art and History' since 1986, and has been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 2008. This card was sent to me by Tanja. The card had this lovely stamp of the Eifel Tower on it.

Hitchhikers at Sea

During all my years in the Navy I never came across a sight like this one. Hitchhikers at sea…wow… this is indeed a good one. Thanks Merja for this card.

Egypt - King Tut's throne

The Egyptian Museum was first built in Boulak. In 1891, it was moved to Giza Palace of "Ismail Pasha" which housed the antiquities that were later moved to the present building. The Egyptian Museum is situated at Tahrir square in Cairo. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened on November 15, 1902 (More History). It has 107 halls. At the ground floor there are the huge statues. The upper floor houses small statues, jewels, Tutankhamon treasures and the mummies. A hall for the royal mummies was opened at the museum, housing eleven kings and queens. More than a million and half tourists visit the museum annually, in addition to half a million Egyptians. When Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, he remarked that it was, "the day of days, the most wonderful that I have ever lived through, and certainly one whose like I can never hope to see again". However, the collection is yet to be completely documented, and it took some ten years for Howard Carter to finish excavating the tomb. There is probably no more famous group of artifacts in the world then those associated with the discovery of young King Tutankhamun's tomb. The collection has traveled the world, setting attendance records most anywhere that it may be found. While its current permanent housing is in the basement of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, it will soon be moved to a new down town location.

This scene, depicted on the card is actually on the backrest of King Tut's throne, shows how he would lean back in a relaxed manner while his wife, Anchesenamun, rubbed ointment into his shoulder. The text also suggests that the young Tutankhamun married his own half sister. Asha gave me this nice card.

Lithuania - On the Revir Neris

Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 (850,324 together with Vilnius County) as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. Very pleasant and very beautiful, that’s what comes to ones mind when talking about Vilnius. The city displays a variety of both architectural expression and willpower. This is perhaps due to the interesting history that rests in this attractive town, which not always has been the capital of Lithuania. However, for over five centuries, until he 18th century, Vilnius had been political and cultural centre of Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Old Town is Vilnius was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 just because the town "has preserved an impressive complex of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical buildings as well as its medieval layout and natural setting". 2009 Vilnius was the European Capital of Culture. In the picture you can see the Gediminas' Tower, which is the only remaining part of the Upper Castle in Vilnius, Lithuania. Gediminas' Tower is an important state and historic symbol of the city of Vilnius and of Lithuania itself. It is depicted on the national currency, the litas, and is mentioned in numerous Lithuanian patriotic poems and folk songs. The Flag of Lithuania was re-hoisted atop the tower on October 7, 1988, during the independence movement that was finalized by the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania on March 11, 1990. A reconstruction of the Royal Palace of Lithuania was completed in 2009, and is located near the base of the hill upon which Gediminas' Tower stands. You can also see the beautiful River Neris which connects two old Lithuanian capitals - Kernavė and Vilnius. Along its banks are burial places of the pagan Lithuanians. 25 km from Vilnius are the old burial mounds of Karmazinai. There also are many mythological stones, and a sacred oak. Laimute sent this card to me.

Poland - Ostrów Tumski, Poznan

Ostrów Tumski, the island surrounded by the River Warta and its tributary, the Cybina. Initially, this was a small settlement outside the city walls, controlling the river crossing. It appears to have become the capital when moment Poland adopted the Christian faith in 966. It is also said that Poznań was the site of Mieszko I's conversion to Christianity. The settlement was protected by huge wooden and earth embankments, reinforced with stones. Here on the card you can see the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul. Inside these are buried the first kings and princes of Poland. In the distance is a red multi-storey building which houses the University of Poznan where my friend Pawel studies.

Finland - Nyland Yacht Club

Isn't this alovely picture? Nyland Yacht Club is a yacht club in Helsinki, Finland. The club was founded on March 4, 1861 with the approval of its constitution by Tsar Alexander II. His brother, Admiral-General Grand Duke Konstantin, officiated at the inauguration ceremony. In the same year, NJK received its first yachting ensign, based on the flag of the Neva Yacht Club of St. Petersburg: white with a blue cross (similar to the flag of Finland), with the crest of the district of Nyland (Uusimaa) in the upper inner corner. Today's flag, introduced in 1919, is the fourth version of the original. The official language of the club is Swedish. In 1885 NJK came to Blekholmen (Valkosaari). That same year the club's first pavilion was built. The present pavilion, designed by architects Estlander and Settergren, was inaugurated on August 31, 1900. This super card was sent to me by my Dear Friend Merja.

Netherlands – Amersfoort

This picture is of The Koppelpoort, a medieval gate in the Dutch town of Amersfoort. Completed around 1425, the Koppelpoort is a sublime example of medieval defensive architecture. It is a combination of a land and water-gate and is part of the second city wall of Amersfoort, which was constructed between 1380 and 1450 AD. The gate was attacked in 1427 during the siege of the city. This attack was repelled. The gate was opened and closed every day by the appointed raddraaiers, "wheel-turners". A minimum of twelve wheel-turners were collected morning and evening by several guards. It was an extremely dangerous task; if they did not begin walking simultaneously, then one could fall, dragging the rest along with often fatal results. Before the gate could come down, it had to be raised, to pull out the iron pins that held it in place. Only then could it come down. While the gate was going down, walking in the wheel grew ever easier and faster, and many people stumbled and broke their limbs. The Koppelpoort was given its current appearance during the restoration by Pierre Cuypers in 1885 and 1886. Among other things, Cuypers removed a step between the two gates and replaced it with a slope. From 1969 to 1993 a puppet theatre was situated in the gate. The latest restoration was completed in 1996. It was carried out very cautiously, and with respect for the old building materials. For this the town of Amersfoort received the Europa Nostra Award. Gerrit sent me this nice card.