Liechtenstein National Day

This item is a Maxicard issued by Liechtenstein on 9^th May 1981.  A lovely 80 Rappen Europa CEPT stamp is affixed to the card.  The beautiful Flower Pageant was par of the National Day procession at the Vaduz Castle. This lovely card was given to me by my friend Merja.

Arctic Olympics

You are right Merja, Finns do have some very interesting habits. But, don't you realise, that, Finland has found a member for their Arctic Olympics.

Sister Mountain

Sister Mountain one of the many picturesque peaks in the Far East of Russia, namely in the Primorye. It is very popular amongst tourists. The stark volcanic top emerges from the autumnal colours of the sides of the mountain. Thank you Sveta for this lovely card.

Asian black bear

The Asian black bear, also known as the moon bear or white-chested bear, is a medium-sized species of bear, largely adapted for arboreal life, seen across much of the Himalayas and the northern parts of the Indian Subcontinent, Korea, northeastern China, the Russian far east and the Honshu and Shikoku islands of Japan. It is classed by the IUCN as a vulnerable species, mostly due to deforestation and active hunting for its body parts. The species is morphologically very similar to some prehistoric bears, and is thought by some scientists to be the ancestor of other extant bear species. Though largely herbivorous, Asian black bears can be very aggressive toward humans, and have frequently attacked people without provocation. The species was described by Rudyard Kipling as "the most bizarre of the ursine species." But, the little fellow on the card seems to be more interested in tree climbing. Thank you once again Sveta.

Old Ironsides - USS Constitution

USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. Launched in 1797, Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed. Built in Boston, Massachusetts, at Edmund Hartt's shipyard, her first duties with the newly formed United States Navy were to provide protection for American merchant shipping during theQuasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War.

Constitution is most famous for her actions during the War of 1812 against Great Britain, when she captured numerous merchant ships and defeated five British warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane and Levant. The battle with Guerriere earned her the nickname of "Old Ironsides" and public adoration that has repeatedly saved her from scrapping. She continued to actively serve the nation as flagship in the Mediterranean and African squadrons, and circled the world in the 1840s. Retired from active service in 1881, she served as a receiving ship until designated a museum ship in 1907 and in 1934 she completed a three-year, 90-port tour of the nation. Constitution sailed under her own power for her 200th birthday in 1997, and again in August 2012, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of her victory over Guerriere.

Constitution's stated mission today is to promote understanding of the Navy’s role in war and peace through educational outreach, historic demonstration, and active participation in public events. As a fully commissioned US Navy ship, her crew of 60 officers and sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events while keeping the ship open to visitors year round and providing free tours. The officers and crew are all active-duty US Navy personnel and the assignment is considered special duty in the Navy. Traditionally, command of the vessel is assigned to a Navy Commander. She is berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, at one end of Boston's Freedom Trail. Thank you Charli for this lovely card.

Minsk - Upper Town

Minsk is the capital and largest city of Belarus, situated on the Svislač and Niamiha rivers. It is the administrative centre of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). As the national capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administrative centre of Minsk Region (voblast) and Minsk raion (district). In 2009, it had a population of 1,836,808.

The card shows a nice view of Upper Town of Minsk, with Svislach River in the foreground and the main churches.

Minsk’s Upper Town is “Where Angels Fear to Tread” is popularly believed.  Minsk’s few remaining historic buildings cluster around the handful of surviving churches that cling grimly to the small hill in the center of the old town that seems to have protected them just as well from the architectural purges of Stalin as it once did from the seasonal floods of the Svisloch River. The architecturally anomalous Holy Spirit Cathedral and its attached monastery complex dominate all with a unique Vilna-Baroque façade and a prime position on the very summit of the upper town. Equally worth looking out for are the Virgin Mary Catholic Church with its attached former Jesuit College and the heavily fortified Saints Peter and Paul Church that was once built into the city wall.Finally remember to drop by the reconstructed Town Hall for a quick look into the city’s somewhat glorious past and it’s hopefully glorious future.  My friend Larissa from Minsk sent me this nice card.

Turku Föri

A truly unique city ferry serves the Aura River, taking passengers from Turku to Åbo and back again in just a few minutes.

Föri (comes from the Swedish word färja) is a light traffic ferry that has served the Aura River for over a hundred years, first taking passengers in 1904. Beloved by Turku citizens, the little orange ferry runs nonstop back and forth across the Aura River approximately 500 metres after the last bridge heading toward the mouth of the river.This card was made specially for the Turku Stamp Club. It depicts the "Föri " of Turku. The stamp on the card (shown) is a customised stamp, also designed for the Turku Stamp Club.

 
Föri takes around a minute and a half to cross the river and starts back when the passengers have been replaced with new ones. Hop aboard – it's free! Thank you Pia, I will, very soon!