Postcards for the weekend 84: Anything you wish

In my home country, the Philippines, summer months are starting in May. The temperature and humidity rise and most daytimes feel like living in a microwave oven. If I recall correctly, the warmest and most humid month here in Singapore happens to be in May as well. We still get rain, but it's warm rain.

Hence, the mind often thinks of cooling down. And of course, the best destination always is the beach. As such, for our theme of anything you wish, here are a few sandy postcards from the Philippines.

The WOW Philippines was a tourism marketing campaign that started back in 2002. On this postcard, it focuses on Boracay, one of the Philippines' major beach destinations.  

Plenty of local and foreign tourists flock to Boracay, regardless of the season. Recently, the Philippine government has announced the closure of the island starting 26 April 2018 for 6 months. This is to give way for environmental rehabilitation. 

I've never been to Boracay myself. So now, I'm planning to head there as soon as it re-opens.

Happy weekend everyone,

~maria

Stamps: 50th Anniversary of Thai Tourism Authority

I'm going to Thailand again one week from now. How I wish my trip isn't about being stuck in heavy traffic jams in Bangkok. How I wish my destination is about kayaking in one of Thailand's beautiful islands, instead.

This stamp is one of four designs issued back in 2010 for the above event. The other designs from this set can be viewed here.

Visit See it on a Postcard for other commemorative stamps at the Sunday Stamps linky.

~maria

Antibes at the French Riviera

Friendship Gift Postcard, Sender: My twin, Wan

The beau sent this postcard from when he was studying in Antibes. I'm not sure if it was in 2010 or 2011 (we were still not a couple back then). But I think, it was 2010 because at the back of the postcard, he was talking about a postcard with the Eiffel Tower. But this postcard never arrived. He said it might had been stolen in transit since it was in a beautiful pink envelope. It really made me sad thinking about a lost Eiffel Tower postcard because it should have been my first from France. Thankfully, last year, he was back to Paris and sent me another one. :)

Antibes boasts one of the beautiful sea side resorts in the French Riviera. It was founded during the 5th century BC by Greeks. It was called Antipolis, or the city across. It saw destructions and renewals through ages. In mid- 19th century, it became popular to wealthy Europeans as vacation spot with its beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage.

I always imagine myself touring Antibes: visiting museums by day, the Musee Picasso is first on my list, finding a treasure at the antique show, boarding a colorful boat in a procession on the sea for the Festival of Saint Peter, climbing up the hill to Garoupe Lighthouse to enjoy the best view of the region, getting lost at the Explora Park, and soothing my senses with wine and jazz music at the end of each day.

It's a nice coincidence that this postcard I got features a similar view to that one posted by Mr. Wiki. The caption Bord de mer à Antibes means sea in Antibes.

I am linking up with Paulita for the first time at the An Accidental Blog for the Dreaming of France meme. Check out her page to discover other wonderful things bloggers who dream about France are sharing this week by clicking the Eiffel Tower below. I am also sharing it for Sally's Blue Monday, accessible through the blue bird meme.

     

~maria

Beach Tents

NL-1373509, Sender: jokebo
Sent: 11 Aug 2012, Sent from Drenthe, Netherlands
Received: 7 Sep 2012, Traveled 10,266 km in 27 days

The heat is really unbearable these days. I feel like all the heat from the sun has been focused to the Philippines! I really can't wait for summer to end. Hopefully by June, rainy season will begin and it can get a bit cooler.

Many friends have been going to the beach to cool down. I must say I'm envious. I'm not really a fan though of being in the beach during the day, even if there are tents like those in the postcard. I think it will still be very hot with the sand radiating the heat it absorbed from the sun. Perhaps I should go to the beach at night instead. I'm just dreaming right now though, I really can't do an out of town to hit the beach since I am already going away next week for something nicer than being in the beach. Well, at least to my opinion...

I'm so impatient for this week to end. So I guess it doesn't really matter to me that it's Monday today because I'm already thinking about Friday. Nevertheless, Happy Monday everyone!!

~maria

Longing for the beach.

Inspired by the beach postcard in Clytie's page, I now dream for some solitary time by the beach. I long to get fine white grains of sands stuck in between the fingers of my feet, for the gentle sea breeze to plant butterfly kisses all over my face, for my heartstrings to reverberate with the music of the waves crashing into the shore...true enough, a time in the beach brings tranquility and peace.

Boracay, the best island in the world for 2012 by the travel 
magazine, Travel+Leisure. Find out more about Boracay, here.

Caramoan became famous for being the location of several 
international franchises of Survivor. For more information
about Caramoan, click here.

El Nido, Palawan -- if you've seen the movie, Bourne Legacy, this island
and beach would look familiar. Click here to read more about El Nido.

I realized that it's kinda queer for me to be thinking about the beach (it's rainy season in the Philippines as early as May until December, with the heaviest rains around August and September)...but oh well, I think the beach can be enjoyed at any season of the year!

~ maria