Tanzania - Selous Game Reserve

"Large numbers of elephants, black rhinoceroses, cheetahs, giraffes, hippopotamuses and crocodiles live in this immense sanctuary, which measures 50,000 km2 and is relatively undisturbed by human impact. The park has a variety of vegetation zones, ranging from dense thickets to open wooded grasslands." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

African Wild Dog in Selous, Tanzania. Thanks to Uli of Austria who was visiting Tanzania.

Turkey - Selimiye Mosque Complex at Edirne

"The square Mosque with its single great dome and four slender minarets, dominates the skyline of the former Ottoman capital of Edirne. Sinan, the most famous of Ottoman architects in the 16th century, considered the complex, which includes madrasas (Islamic schools), a covered market, clock house, outer courtyard and library, to be his best work. The interior decoration using Iznik tiles from the peak period of their production testifies to an art form that remains unsurpassed in this material. The complex is considered to be the most harmonious expression ever achieved of the Ottoman külliye, a group of buildings constructed around a mosque and managed as a single institution." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Interior view of Selimiye Mosque, Edirne, Turkey. Thanks to Eda of Turkey.

Postcard 2

Panaromic view of Selimiye Mosque - Bir Gorunum, Edirne, Turkiye. Postmarked Edirne September 23, 2011 and arrived in Penang on October 4, 2011.

Mexico - Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca

"This property lies on the northern slopes of the Tlacolula valley in subtropical central Oaxaca and consists of two pre-Hispanic archaeological complexes and a series of pre-historic caves and rock shelters. Some of these shelters provide archaeological and rock-art evidence for the progress of nomadic hunter-gathers to incipient farmers. Ten thousand-year-old Cucurbitaceae seeds in one cave, Guilá Naquitz, are considered to be the earliest known evidence of domesticated plants in the continent, while corn cob fragments from the same cave are said to be the earliest documented evidence for the domestication of maize. The cultural landscape of the Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla demonstrates the link between man and nature that gave origin to the domestication of plants in North America, thus allowing the rise of Mesoamerican civilizations." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Archaelogy zone of Mitla, Oaxaca, Mexico. Thanks to Brigitte of Germany.

Madagascar - Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve

"Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve comprises karstic landscapes and limestone uplands cut into impressive 'tsingy' peaks and a 'forest' of limestone needles, the spectacular canyon of the Manambolo river, rolling hills and high peaks. The undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are the habitat for rare and endangered lemurs and birds." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Received this nice postcard of Tsingy du Bemaraha of Madagascar from Daniel of Hungary.

Japan - Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land

"Hiraizumi - Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (Japan) comprises five sites, including the sacred Mount Kinkeisan. It features vestiges of government offices dating from the 11th and 12th centuries when Hiraizumi was the administrative centre of the northern realm of Japan and rivalled Kyoto. The realm was based on the cosmology of Pure Land Buddhism, which spread to Japan in the 8th century. It represented the pure land of Buddha that people aspire to after death, as well as peace of mind in this life. In combination with indigenous Japanese nature worship and Shintoism, Pure Land Buddhism developed a concept of planning and garden design that was unique to Japan." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - Mt Kinkeisan

Mount Kinkeisan. Thanks to Kayu of Japan for mailing this postcard from Hiraizumi, Iwate, Japan.

Postcard 2 - Chusonji Temple
Chusonji Temple - one of five sites of Hiraizumi. Nice Nippon Christmas stamp used. Thanks to Kenji-san of Japan.





Postcard 3 - Moutsuji Temple
Moutsuji Temple of Hiraizumi. Thanks to Kenji-san of Japan.

Tanzania - Ngorongoro Conservation Area

"A large permanent concentration of wild animals can be found in the huge and perfect crater of Ngorongoro. Nearby, the crater of Empakaai, filled by a deep lake, and the active volcano of Oldonyo Lenga can be seen. Excavations carried out in the Olduvai Gorge, not far from there, have resulted in the discovery of one of our more distant ancestors, Homo habilis. Laitoli Site, which also lies within the area, is one of the main localities of early hominid footprints, dating back 3.6 million years." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Black Rhinos in Ngorongoro Crater. Thanks to Tonya of Russia who was visiting Tanzania.

Postcard 2

Birds in Ngorongoro National Parks, Tanzania. Thanks to Sergey of Russia who visited Tanzania.

Postcard 3

Buffaloes chasing lions at Ngorongoro Crater. Nice lion stamp. Postmarked February 15, 2010 and arrived in Penang on February 27, 2010. Thanks to Penelope who was visiting.

Cote d'Ivoire - Guinea - Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve

"Located on the borders of Guinea, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, Mount Nimba rises above the surrounding savannah. Its slopes are covered by dense forest at the foot of grassy mountain pastures. They harbour an especially rich flora and fauna, with endemic species such as the viviparous toad and chimpanzees that use stones as tools." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - Guinea Mont Nimba

Mont Nimba is a UNESCO World Heritage in Guinea. Postmarked Feb 4, 2014. Thanks to Madeleine for mailing from Republique de Guinee with two nice stamps.

Postcard 2 - Guinea Nimba
A limited print postcard made in Europe of Guinea Nount Nimba. Thanks to Inigo of Spain.

Italy - The Dolomites

"The site of the Dolomites comprises a mountain range in the northern Italian Alps, numbering 18 peaks which rise to above 3,000 metres and cover 141,903 ha. It features some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes anywhere, with vertical walls, sheer cliffs and a high density of narrow, deep and long valleys. A serial property of nine areas that present a diversity of spectacular landscapes of international significance for geomorphology marked by steeples, pinnacles and rock walls, the site also contains glacial landforms and karst systems. It is characterized by dynamic processes with frequent landslides, floods and avalanches. The property also features one of the best examples of the preservation of Mesozoic carbonate platform systems, with fossil records." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Dolomiti - view from Rio Antermont, Italy with a nice reflection. Postmarked in Verona, Italy. Thanks to Olga of Russia who was visiting the Dolomites, Italy.

Postcard 2

I saw the Dolomites when travelling from Italy to Austria. Incredible mountain views. Beautiful Italian stamps used. Thanks to Lamberto of Belluno, Italy.

Canada - Nahanni National Park

"Located along the South Nahanni River, one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America, this park contains deep canyons and huge waterfalls, as well as a unique limestone cave system. The park is also home to animals of the boreal forest, such as wolves, grizzly bears and caribou. Dall's sheep and mountain goats are found in the park's alpine environment." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
The Gate, Third Canyon of Nahanni National Park. Thanks to Jean-Claude of USA.

Postcard 2

Virginia Falls of Nahanni National Park, Canada. Thanks to Jean-Claude of USA

Germany - Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar and Dessau

"Between 1919 and 1933, the Bauhaus School, based first in Weimar and then in Dessau, revolutionized architectural and aesthetic concepts and practices. The buildings put up and decorated by the school's professors (Walter Gropius, Hannes Meyer, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and Wassily Kandinsky) launched the Modern Movement, which shaped much of the architecture of the 20th century." Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - Weimar
Bauhas Weimar. Thanks to Anja of Germany.

Postcard 2 - Dessau

Multi-view of Bauhausbauten in Dessau-Rosslau. Nice stamps used. Thanks to Brigitte of Germany.

Ethiopia - Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela

"The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of this 13th-century 'New Jerusalem' are situated in a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia near a traditional village with circular-shaped dwellings. Lalibela is a high place of Ethiopian Christianity, still today a place of pilmigrage and devotion.

There are two main groups of churches – to the north of the river Jordan: Biete Medhani Alem (House of the Saviour of the World), Biete Mariam (House of Mary), Biete Maskal (House of the Cross), Biete Denagel (House of Virgins), Biete Golgotha Mikael (House of Golgotha Mikael); and to the south of the river, Biete Amanuel (House of Emmanuel), Biete Qeddus Mercoreus (House of St. Mercoreos), Biete Abba Libanos (House of Abbot Libanos), Biete Gabriel Raphael (House of Gabriel Raphael), and Biete Lehem (House of Holy Bread). The eleventh church, Biete Ghiorgis (House of St. George), is isolated from the others, but connected by a system of trenches" 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - House of Emmanuel
Lalibela Rock-hewn Church Bet Emmnuel, Ethiopia. Thanks to Abbas of India-Nigeria for mailing this postcard with three stamps from Ethiopia.

Postcard 2 - House of St Georges 

Bet Giorgis, Lalibela is a UNESCO World Heritage in Ethiopia. Postcard written in Lalibelia on August 10, 2011 and arrived in Penang on September 15, 2011. Thanks to Jordi of Spain.

Postcard 3 

Priest at Lalibela, Ethiopia. Thanks to DAO of England for this colorful Ethiopian postcard.

Poland - Ukraine - Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine

"Situated in the eastern fringe of eastern Europe, the transnational property numbers a selection of 16 tserkvas, churches, built of horizontal wooden logs between the 16th and 19th centuries by communities of the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Catholic faiths. They represent the cultural expression of four ethnographic groups and the formal, decorative and technical characteristics they developed over time. The tserkvas bear testimony to a distinct building tradition rooted in Orthodox ecclesiastic design interwoven with elements of local tradition, and symbolic references to their communities’ cosmogony. The tserkvas are built on a tri-partite plan surmounted by open quadrilateral or octagonal domes and cupolas. They feature wooden bell towers, iconostasis screens, and interior polychrome decorations as well as churchyards, gatehouses and graveyards.



POLAND:
- Brunary Wyżne-Tserkva of Saint Michael the Archangel
- Chotyniec-Tserkva of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Kwiatoń-Tserkva of Saint Paraskeva
- Owczary-Tserkva of Our Lady’s Protection
- Powroźnik-Tserkva of Saint James the Less, the Apostle
- Radruż-Tserkva of Saint Paraskeva
- Smolnik-Tserkva of Saint Michael the Archangel
- Turzańsk-Tserkva of Saint Michael the Archangel

UKRAINE:
- Drohobych-Tserkva of Saint George
- Matkiv-Tserkva of the Synaxis of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Nyzhniy Verbizh-Tserkva of the Nativity of  Blessed Virgin Mary
- Potelych-Tserkva of the Descent of the Holy Spirit
- Rohatyn-Tserkva of the Descent of the Holy Spirit
- Uzhok-Tserkva of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael
- Yasynia-Tserkva of Our Lord’s Ascension
- Zhovkva-Tserkva of the Holy Trinity"

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - Ukraine - Saint George

Saint George of Drohobych of Ukraine. Thanks to Olesya of Ukraine.

Postcard 2 - Poland - Turzansk - Saint Michael

Saint Michael of Turzansk Tserkva of Poland. Thanks to Joanna of Poland.

Postcard 3 - Poland - Smolnik - Saint Michael

Saint Michael of Smolnik n. Sanem. Thanks to Boguslaw of Poland.