South Africa - Cape Point

Cape Point is a promontory at the southeast corner of the Cape Peninsula, which is a mountainous and scenic landform that runs north-south for about thirty kilometres at the extreme southwestern tip of the African continent in the Republic of South Africa. Table Mountain and the city of Cape Town are close to the northern extremity of the same peninsula. The cape is located about 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) east and a little north of the Cape of Good Hope on the southwest corner. Although these two rocky and beautiful capes are very well-known, neither cape is actually the southernmost point in Africa; that is Cape Agulhas, approximately 150 kilometres (90 mi) to the east-southeast.

The peak above Cape Point is higher than that above the Cape of Good Hope. The rugged sandstone (Table Mountain sandstone) ridge that rises from Cape Point at sea level develops into two peaks. There is a major peak that dominates the skyline locally but there is also a smaller peak about 100 m further south. The higher peak has the old lighthouse on the top. The Flying Dutchman Funicular runs from a car park to the north up to slightly below the level of the old lighthouse and a short flight of steps leads to a viewing platform at the base of the lighthouse. From the end of the railway a second path leads to the lower peak. Maria sent me this card.

Cape Point lighthouse is the most powerful lighthouse in South Africa.
In 1860 the first lighthouse was completed, 238 meters (816 feet) above sea level. In 1913 the construction of a second lighthouse on Dias Point began, about 87 meters (286 feet) above sea level. It was first lit at sunset on 11 March 1919.

Happy Family Vehicle

This is what I call a Happy Family Vehicle. Don't you?

Finland – Inge Look – Grannies

Who doesn’t know Inge Look and her favourite creation the

Grannies. Here, I present before you The Grannies having a ball. Thanks to Juho from Poorvoo and the second card from My dear Friend Merja.

Germany - Helgoland Lighthouse

The territory of Helgoland (sometimes spelled Heligoland in English) includes a pair of small islands (Hauptinsel Helgoland and Düne) in the North Sea about 50 km (30 mi) west of St. Peter, a similar distance north of Wangerooge, and 70 km (45 mi) northwest of Cuxhaven. Controlled at various times by the Duchy of Schleswig or by Hamburg, the islands were seized by Denmark in 1714 and then by Britain in 1807. The British remained in control until 1890, when they ceded Helgoland to Germany in return for a favorable settlement of colonial claims in Africa. Helgoland has a permanent population of about 1700. It is a popular tourist attraction accessible by ferry from Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Wedel, and Cuxhaven daily from late March through late October. For administrative purposes, Helgoland is attached to Pinneberg District, a district on the north side of the Elbe just below Hamburg. Apart from its enormous power, the Heligoland lighthouse is noteworthy for the fact that a return has been made to the old form of parabolic mirror, with a light in the focus [like the ancient Pharos lighthouse used], instead of the usual Fresnel lenses and prisms. Stan on one of his frequent travels came across this lighthouse on its 75^th anniversary and sent me this nice card.

Germany - Maybach

Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH is a German luxury car manufacturer. It was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach and his son. The company was originally a subsidiary of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH and was itself known as Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH until 1912. Today, the brand is owned by Daimler AG and based in Stuttgart. Maybach has historic roots through the involvement of Wilhelm Maybach, who was the technical director of the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) until he left in 1907. On 23 March 1909 he founded the new company, Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH (literally "Aircraft Engine Building Company"), with his son Karl Maybach as director In 1912 they renamed it to Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH ("Maybach Engine Construction Company"). The company originally developed and manufactured diesel and petrol engines for Zeppelins, and then rail cars. The Maybach Mb.IVa was used in aircraft and airships of World War I. The company first built an experimental car in 1919, with the first production model introduced two years later at the Berlin Motor Show. Between 1921 and 1940, the company produced various classic opulent vehicles. The company also continued to build heavy duty diesel engines for marine and rail purposes. After WW II the factory performed some repair work, but automotive production was never restarted, and some 20 years later, the company was renamed MTU Friedrichshafen. Daimler-Benz purchased the company in 1960. My Friend Maria knows I like Vintage cars, so she sent me these nice cards.

Finland – Santakari Beacon

Finland - MS Independence of the Seas

MS Independence of the Seas is a Freedom-class cruise ship operated by the Royal Caribbean cruise line that entered service in April 2008. The 15-deck ship can accommodate 4,370 passengers served by 1,360 crew. She was built in the Aker Finnyards drydock in Turku, Finland, builder of Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, her sister ships of the Freedom class. At 154,407 gross tons, she joined Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas as the largest cruise ships and passenger vessels ever built (at the time of construction). She is 1,112 feet (339 m) long, and typically cruises at 21.6 knots (40.0 km/h; 24.9 mph). The vessel operates from Southampton, England sailing year round European itineraries.

Independence of the Seas is the third of the Freedom-class vessel. In October 2009, Oasis of the Seas, the first ship in the Oasis-class displaced the Freedom-class as the world's largest passenger ships. This lovely card was sent to me by my dear friend Pia.