Postcards for the weekend 66: New year 2018

FI-3139697, Sent from Jamsa, Finland
Traveled 9,288 km in 10 days

So the Christmas festivities are almost over as we are ushering in 2018. I've been wrapping up 2017 with some cleaning. This makes me wonder ... what happens with all the Christmas decorations? It must be a lot of money, that could just end up in the bin. Modesty aside, my Christmas decorations are recycled. So my mini Christmas tree and other Christmas ornaments are to be kept in the storeroom. I'm proud to have used these items for the 3rd year this time! How about yours?

RU-5286150, Sent from Barnaul, Russia
Traveled 6,078 km in 32 days

In addition to physical cleaning of my living space, I've also been reflecting on the past years. As cliche as it is, I'm also one who makes New Year resolutions. I've been deeper and deeper into my thoughts; finding meaning in my 30 years of existence. Perhaps this time around, I'll pen down 12 items that I'd like to work on or improve in 2018! One item to represent and work on for each month of the new year ...

I'm sure that most of us are engaged in several happenings during this time of the year. Hence, I'm keeping our linky open until mid-week! I hope that compensates for my tardiness this weekend :)

Happy new year everyone,

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 65: December holidays

FI-3122027, Sent from Lahti, Finland
Traveled 9,247 km in 12 days

This is the very first Christmas-themed postcard I received this year. I'm very pleased with the bright and glossy finish of this postcard. I reckon there's no heater inside Santa's workshop ... Santa and his helpers' cheeks are all extremely red!

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sent from Singapore
Traveled 2,391 km

A card that I've received 4 years ago from Singapore when I was still living in Manila. The sender of this postcard loves to draw. This postcard featured a festive illustration of the Singapore's icon, Merlion at the back:

If you noticed, the message was written for Krissa. I'm Krissa to family and friends. It wasn't until I entered university that I was called using my real name, Maria Kristina. In the Philippines, children are usually given official long names and shorter nicknames.

Speaking of family & friends, I won't be spending this upcoming holidays with loved ones. For those of you who are, I truly wish that you make memorable moments with your family & friends.

We will not have any linky for next weekend ... So please allow me to greet all of you a Merry Christmas in advance!

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 64: Museum of Flight

Postcard sent to self, Sent 28 October 2017
Traveled 12,970 km

The Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA was probably one of the most awe-inspiring museums I've seen so far. On this postcard is shown the T.A. Wilson Great Gallery. The aircrafts that are shown here trace the history of the first century of flight. There are 20 full-size aircrafts in this gallery alone. The museum consists of three galleries and has more than 150 aircrafts on display. 

Postcard sent to self, Sent 28 October 2017
Traveled 12,970 km

This aircraft is suspended from the ceiling in the reception area of the museum. This is a Boeing B & W Model 1 seaplane. This is a replica of the first aircraft built by William E. Boeing and Conrad Westervelt in 1916.

Happy weekend everyone,

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 63: Singapore Merlion & Supertrees

I have a colleague from our HQ in the US who will visit Singapore next week. He's coming for one big project I've been working on and hoping to finish before the year ends. Since he will be traveling literally from the other side of the world to help me and that it will be his first time in Singapore, I'm planning to make sure I can tour him even for a little bit while he's here.

The Merlion Park is always a good place to start a quick tour. Merlion is a half fish, half lion mythical creature used as the iconic symbol of Singapore.

From the Merlion Park, as it gets darker, we can walk towards the left and aim for the Helix Bridge. This bridge was intentionally build to take a left-handed DNA-like design.

There's a series of different colors illuminating the bridge. In this postcard, which was taken from a wider angle, the yellow has turned into blue lights. The lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum is also visible to the right of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

If the night is still young, I will bring him to see the Supertrees. It is at the back of Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where there's a free outdoor Music and Light Show called Garden Rhapsody. I've previously featured more postcards for the Supertrees at the Gardens by the Bay, here.

Walking in a counter-clockwise direction, if we're lucky, we might also catch the Spectra, another free outdoor Light and Water Show in front of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

I hope this sounds like a good sightseeing plan!

Happy weekend everyone,

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 62: Books/reading/authors

DE-5984055, Sent from Saarbruecken, Germany
Sent 14 Feb 2017, Traveled 10.396 km in 7 days

This painting is called Der Philosoph (Der Leser im Park) by Carl Spitzweg. In English, The Philosopher (The Reader in the Park). I really like this postcard with the excellent lighting focused on the subject of the painting.

DE-5935734, Sent from Germany
Sent 29 Jan 2017, Traveled 10,423 km 5 days

Another painting for this weekend's theme. This painting is called Portrait of Maria Adelaide of France in Turkish Costume by Jean-Etienne. The lighting on this postcard is also very nice, coming from behind her.

I'm keeping this post short for now and I'm off to bury myself in the pages of my novel, Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.

Happy weekend,

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 61: Food & beverage

I have just returned from an overnight team building trip to Melaka, Malaysia. We were joking among ourselves that it was not a team building trip but a food marathon instead. Melaka is a foodie haven! I wish I found a postcard for a souvenir but I didn't! Too bad as I realized that it would have been nice to share a postcard with Melaka delicacies for this weekend's theme of food & beverage. 

Now, onto the main topic, postcards:

Postcard sent to self, sent from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Sent 26 June 2016, Traveled 2,678 km

One of the best things about Vietnam is food. My partner and I went to a cooking class where I learned how to properly wrap a fresh spring roll without creating tears through the rice paper. 

Postcard sent to self, Sent from Beaufortain, France
Traveled ~ 10,600 km

This slice of cheese is from my first trip to France this summer. I was taught to eat more varieties of cheese. For this Beaufort cheese, the affinage variety was said to be the best. That variety also costs twice as much compared to the rest. Thankfully, its strong taste didn't agree with my palate. I don't have to break my wallet whenever I have the craving!

Postcard kept as a souvenir

For a Christmas treat last year, my boss invited us for a high tea at the Fullerton Hotel here in Singapore. It was a very expensive experience that I most probably won't pay for by myself. As a souvenir, I took this postcard from the hotel shop. It features local Singapore dishes, that are served in the hotel. These dishes are a combination of Malay and Chinese dishes.

I hope I have your tummy full by the end of this post.

Happy weekend, 

~maria 

Postcards for the weekend 60: Reflections

CZ-1246132, Sent from Prague
Sent 10 Sep 2017, Traveled 9,856 km in 30 days

On this postcard, we have the Czech Republic's Konopiste Castle, reflected on the lake. I'm pretty sure this photo was taken during the autumn season, judging by the warm colors of the trees by the lake. 

CZ-1135433, Sent from Dobrnice Village
Sent 27 Feb 2017, Traveled 9,795 km in 17 days

Our second postcard is also from the same country as the first postcard. I love how the clouds are reflected on the water in the lower image. In 1995, this area of Cesky Raj was declared as the first ever nature reserve in the Czech Republic. 

AU-304867, Sent from Melbourne
Sent 2 Sep 2013, Traveled 6,325 km in 13 days

From the opposite side of Europe, we have this last postcard for this weekend's theme of reflections from Australia. Here we have the different buildings and bright lights reflected by the water. Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria, Australia.

Happy weekend everyone,

~ maria

Postcards for the weekend 59: Anything you wish

I'm delighted to share these two Niagara Falls postcards with you for our theme anything you wish. 

Postcard sent to self, Traveled 15,323 km

The Niagara Falls State Park consists of three falls - Horseshoe/Canadian, Bridal Veil, and American. From this aerial view, we have the Horseshoe or also known as the Canadian Falls. It is the largest among the three. A small portion of this falls belongs to the United States of America.

Postcard sent to self, Traveled 15,323 km

On this second postcard, we have the American Falls. It's the second largest among the three falls. On the foreground, we have a boat belonging to the company, Maid of the Mist. I had the chance for a ride, wearing pink raincoat instead of blue (shown here). The boat took us up close to the basin of the Horseshoe Falls. The experience was totally indescribable! Looking back, I felt like my world stopped while standing below the 18-stories tall thundering waterfall with 600,000 gallons/s of falling water. The billowing mist made me feel like I was only dreaming.

Here's a panoramic photo I took from the Observation Deck (American side), showing the three falls:

If you happen to visit the State of New York, do yourself a favor and visit the falls!

Happy weekend,

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 58: Markets

Souvenir Postcard from a trip to Bangkok, Thailand

So I've been to Thailand for many times, both for work and personal visit, but, for some reason, I've never been to the famous floating markets. I mistook this market on the postcard for Damnoen Daduak, a floating market which I know is just in the capital. However, upon reading the information at the back, this market is actually farther away in a province called Rajburi. I can't imagine how busy and how organized this chaos is in real life!

Postcard sent for postcrossing

Here's one of the busiest markets in Singapore. I've been to the Little India several times and I have always enjoyed the vibrancy of the place. There's a section for fruits and vegetables. There's also a section for dry goods that we can see on this postcard. Insets are a snap of a Hindu temple and the Taipusam Festival, where people puncture their body.

I hope you like these insights of markets from my side of the world, South East Asia.

Happy weekend,

~ maria

Postcards for the weekend 57: Lighthouses

For exactly the same theme last year, I posted three different postcards for the same lighthouse. This time, I'm sharing lighthouses guiding ships sailing the same ocean, the North Atlantic.

US-2483307, Sent from Bangor, Maine
Sent 29 Oct 2013, Traveled 13,347 km in 14 days

According to the lighthouse's website, the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse is located on the most eastern point of the continental United States. It's quite a fun fact for me to find out about this! I'm very close at the moment, relatively speaking to the most western point of the continental United States. I'm currently in Everett, WA and the most western point is Cape Alava, which is 271 km from here. 

Private Swap, sent from New York, New York
Sent 9 April 2013, Traveled 13,665 km

At the back of this postcard was written: The lighthouse overlooks Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean ... The Fire Island Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

US-2285754, Sent from Fort Story, Virginia
Sent 23 June 2013, Traveled 14,048 km in 10 days

Going a bit more south is the Second Cape Henry Lighthouse built in 1881 made of cast iron. 

US-2405965, Sent from Seabrook Is., Charleston, SC
Sent 9 Sep 2013, Traveled 14,308 km in 24 days

The Morris Island Lighthouse is the sixth oldest station in the United States. More South Carolina lighthouses on the single postcard below:

Private Swap Postcard, Sent from Ladson, SC

The back of the card has no information about when it was sent except the sticker with the name of the sender and her address. I reckon this was sent in a bunch together with other postcards hence there are no postmarks. From left to right: Hunting Island, Morris Island, Georgetown, Hilton Head, Cape Romain, and Sullivan's Island.

I hope you enjoyed these lighthouse postcards for this weekend.

Thanks & best regards,

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 57: Anything you wish

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sent from North Houston, Texas
Sent 2 Dec 2013, Traveled 13,241 km in 10 days

For our theme this weekend, anything you wish, I'm sharing an anecdote, facts, and trivia about the United States of America and the states that I'm visiting during this 3-week business trip.

CA-669234, Sent from Montreal, Quebec
Sent 11 Oct 2016, Traveled 14, 644 km in 15 days

According to a report published by Instituto Cervantes, the United States of America has more Spanish speakers as compared to Spain. My first conversation after getting out of my 13 hours flight from Tokyo to Washington, DC was with a gentleman, whom I asked for directions. My un poquito Español was put to the test. Good thing some Spanish words are incorporated in my native tongue, Filipino. Evidently, one needs more than English to efficiently get by in the USA.

RU-1711183, Sent from Yekaterinburg, Russia
Sent 29 Apr 2013, Traveled 6,872 km in 37 days

My flight from Tokyo (I flew in first from Singapore to Japan) landed at Washington Dulles International Airport. I wish I budgeted a couple of days for sightseeing. I could have seen the Lincoln Memorial in the capital. 

Direct Swap, Sent from Vienna, VA
Sent 22 Nov 2016, Traveled 15,685 km

From Washington DC, I flew here to Cleveland, Ohio. This is my first main destination for my 3-week business trip here in the USA. When I came to the office yesterday, I was given a goodie bag, containing several items and a paper with a Did You Know? header. As you can imagine, it's the inspiration for my choice of postcards for this post. I learned that Ohio is the Birthplace of Aviation, as the Wright brothers were born in Dayton, Ohio.

TW-1056264, Sent from Taiwan
Sent 25 Oct 2013, Traveled 1,171 km in 13 days

On Sunday, I will fly from Cleveland to Seattle, with a connection via Chicago. The Ferris wheel was invented in Chicago in 1893.

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sent from Seattle, WA
Sent 19 June 2015, Traveled 12,970 km

The state of Washington is my second and last main destination for this trip. Washington state produces more apples than any other states. I'm pretty curious if I'll have the chance to see apple orchards while I'm there. Moreover, I also hope to see one of our blogging friends, John.

Happy weekend everyone,

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 56: Children

October 6 is recognized as Children's Day in many places around the world. Hence, our theme for this weekend: children.

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sent from Sherwood, Arkansas
Sent 10 September 2016, Traveled 15,650 km

This book cover postcard is entitled "A Necklace of Raindrops and Other Stories". It was illustrated in 1975. I like the silhouettes in the foreground, with the little girl who seems to be marveling at the sight of something in the sky.

TW-505373, Sent from Kaohsiung
Sent 22 Mar 2012, Traveled 890 km in 8 days 

This photograph is from an exhibition, according to the sender. It seems that the little girl's name is Miyako.

FI-1999405, Sent from Nokia
Sent 29 Jan 2014, Traveled 8,982 km in 17 days

This one was sent for my birthday 3 years ago. I love the jolly faces and the merry-making on this postcard!

Have a great weekend everyone,

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 55: Touristic multi-view

Postcard sent to self, Traveled 1,395 km

Two months ago, I went for my very first ever mountain hike. We started from the village of Beaufort. At the back of this postcard I wrote:

From the Beaufort market, we took the car to Col du Pre. From there we headed to La Roche Parstire on 5 August. It was a very nice sunny day. The next day, 6 August was cloudy and cold. Wan & I went back to the market. We went back to see La Coop. It was a "bank of cheese". Very impressive (especially the strong smell)!

Have a relaxing weekend,
~maria

Postcards for the weekend 54: Fall Scenes

Our theme this weekend is fall scenes. It’s such a pity that Singapore doesn’t have four seasons. I would very much love to watch the color change from green into yellow/gold and orange/red. Although on a second thought, perhaps that’s morbid to enjoy watching leaves die… 

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sent from Gothenburg
Sent 14 September 2017, Traveled 14734 km in 9 days

The first card is from Monica who blogs at Beyond the Lone Islands. It’s always an indescribable joy whenever I get postcards from blogging friends. Monica said this is one of her favorite autumn cards. It easily became one of mine, too!

UA-936361, Sent from Kiev
Sent 28 Jan 2014, Traveled 8,188 km in 33 days

The second card I believe says, “This is my Ukraine”. It features the largest lake in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine, Lake Synevyr. 

I was just back from a higher elevation myself (Kathmandu, Nepal). But I was only in the city and I didn't' have the chance to go into nature. Hopefully, when I travel again next month, I'll be lucky to be in nature and surrounded by the colors of the fall season for real, once again!

I hope all of you, fall lovers are starting to enjoy this season. Please let me know your favorite place to watch the leaves turn into red and gold, in the comment section below.

Happy weekend,

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 53: Mail / Postal

For the theme this weekend, mail/postal:

NL-3596478, Sent from Netherlands
Sent 10 Oct 2016, Traveled 10,429 km in 15 days

Such an impressive collection of orange stamps! I wonder which one is the oldest and which one is the most recent. Which graphics did you spot right away? For me, it's the elephant with headphones, the silhouette of the crab, and the rabbit with the plush bear toy.

DE-5774142, Sent from Hamburg,
Sent 1 Dec 2016, Traveled 10,135 km in 15 days

How about on this postcard with plenty of mailboxes? Which one got your attention first? To be honest, I was overwhelmed but in a pretty way. And then, I started to notice the one with the cat, with the seashells, and with the green leaves painted from one side to the next.

Happy weekend everyone! And finally, my linkytools.com subscription has been updated. Yey!

~maria

Postcards for the weekend 52: Monochrome

I have good and bad news to share this weekend. Let's start with the bad news. My linkytools subscription is still yet to be sorted out despite the fact that PayPal already has my money transferred to linkytools. This is starting to push me to the edge of frustration! But, I'm reminded of another fact. I reckon most of my blogger friends and participants to the Postcards for the Weekend won't really be troubled by this and we'll still find a way to visit each other's contribution to the weekend's theme. Hurray! Well, that's part of the good news ...

The other part is -- I just got promoted!! It was totally unexpected. Especially that it was announced right after I came back from my 2 weeks holidays. I'm very grateful to the leadership team of my company for recognizing all the efforts I've put into my work for the past 2.7 years. 

And so, for the monochrome theme this weekend, here are postcards from the USA state where the head office of my company is located: Washington.

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sender: John
Sent 13 Jan 2016, Traveled 12,970 km

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sender: John
Sent 23 Jan 2016, Traveled 12,970 km

John and I have kept in touch and we've planned to meet for a coffee at the original Starbucks in Pike St if and when I can visit Seattle. We've been talking about this for almost 3 years now! I might go to Seattle next month which is excellent timing as I've been worried about the lack of updates at John's Island. I sincerely hope my friend John is well and just taking a hiatus from blogging.

Happy weekend everyone, 

~maria