Another postcard from Arizona

On the back of postcard "Arizona offers many attraction to fill your days and evenings with education and fun. SOme of these attractions include : the Grand Canyon, London Bridge, Monument Valley and the red rocks of Sedona."

Tags: Arizona

The Subterranean Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang

(Postcard shown : No.1 Pit of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses)

Since excavation started in 1974, three pits of terracotta warriors and horses have been uncovered, constituting an important part of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum. In the first pit one can see the main formation of chariots and infantry ; in the second pit is a curved formation of chariots, cavalry and archers; and in the third pit one sees the commanders of the formations. The integrally connected pits contain a large assortment of real bronze weapons. The excavation of the pits shows the world the classical oriental art of sculpture of 2,000 years ago. The life sized terracotta warriors and horses are extremely realistic and dramatic, and are on UNESCO's protection list.

On June 13, 2009, on the fourth China national Cultural Heritage Day and 24 years after the second excavation, the third excavation of terracotta Pit 1 was started.

The terracotta Pit 1 has been excavated twice. The first excavation occurred between 1978 and 1984 when 1,787 pieces of terracotta warriors were unearthed. The second excavation was in 1985 but was stopped in the same year because the equipment and technology at that time could not protect the precious cultural relics. Those two previous excavations only cover one third of the total area in Pit 1.

There was 6 surprises for the world in this third excavation.

(Postcard shown : A section of Pit No.3)

The First Surprise – Two four-horse chariots in close proximity

In the passageway No.G9, archaeologists surprisingly discovered two adjacent war chariots at the front and back. These "closely united" chariots are the first time to be discovered in the history of archaeology in terracotta warriors, because the other chariots discovered before all had rows of terracotta warriors stand between every two chariots.

The Second Surprise – Half of the face of a terracotta warrior retains its original paint

On the broken pieces of terracotta warriors buried in passageway No.G9, experts found colored paint. One body of a terracotta warrior is partly covered with brown paintwork and has red paintings on the arm. In the passageway No.G10, a terracotta warrior is preserved in near perfect condition with a clear hair bun and handlebar moustache. It is astonishing that half of his face is left with a large area of paint.

(Postcard shown : Bronze carts and horses)

The Third Surprise – A four inch bronze arrow head is found still sharp, although it has been buried for over 2,000 years. An expert explains that it was used by soldiers during the Qin Dynasty (221BC – 206BC). The discovery of this arrow head is an indication that more weapons may be excavated in the future in this area.

The Fourth Surprise – A big wooden ring is painted in red and green. It has a diameter of 60 cm (24 inches). The colors on it remain bright. After reinforced in the field, the experts brought it back to the laboratory for further preservation and restoration.

(Postcard shown : Pottery warriors being unearthed from Vault 1)

The Fifth Surprise – Over 150 terracotta warriors, two horse chariots and eight terracotta horses will be unearthed in trial trench T23. Moreover, the lacquer work, colored drawing and organic substances will be well preserved during this excavation.

(Postcard shown : Pit No.1 of Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Warriors & Horses)

The Sixth Surprise – For the next few years, visitors will be able to see the excavation process while visiting the Pit 1. They will be able to witness the appearance of various cultural relics when unearthed

(Source : TravelChinaGuide)

The above 2 photos was taken during my May trip to Silk Road.

Stunning !!!

Visit to Marie Reed for more Postcard Friendship Friday's player.

Tags: Silk Road UNESCO China Terracotta Wonders of the World

Skywatch Friday ~ A day to Jesselton

Special thanks to Air Asia's slogan sound "Everyone can fly".
We managed to get cheaper air ticket to Kota Kinabalu / Jesselton on last Saturday.

We took the earliest flight. The flight taken about two and half hours.

We had Sarawak noodles as the starter for the day.
After the breakfast, we were heading to Kota Kinabalu's Jetty.

We were lucky for the sunny beautiful weather.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park, which is located about 15-20 minutes's by boat from jetty.
(The Tunku Abdul Rahman Part consist of five idyllic islands - Sulug, Gaya, Manukan, Mamutik and Sapi)

Our way to Mamuntik Island.

Uncrowded beach, clear waters, hot sun --- is the perfect gateway for us.

We took 10 minutes boat from Mamuntik Island to Manukan Island.
(So convenient here to hop from one island to another island)

Hope you enjoy looking at the 'skies' of Sabah.

Visit to Skywatch Friday for more skies from each corner of the world.

Tags: Manukan Island Mamuntik Island Kota Kinabalu Jesselton Skywatch Friday

MIHCK, Belarus

Mihck is capital of Belarus

The pictures in the postcard shown :-
1. Upper Town
2. Sport competition on the Svisloch river
3. View on Trinity Suburb
4. The Svisloch embankment
5. Fishing in the centre of the city.

According to Anna, the views of her native city is connected with the Svisloch river. Many people like to spend their free time in the evening on the embankment near the Trinity Suburb.

In summer, a stroll along its banks, particulaly near the Old Town or opposite, is almost a legal requirement for starry-eyed couples. In winter, after the dubious ducks flee and the surface freezes, locals poke holes through the ice and pull out God knows what.

Tags: MIHCK Belarus | Svisloch river

Orang Utan

It's scientific name is Pongo Pygmaeus while its colour has earned it the nickname Red Ape. To the people of Borneo , it is Orang Utan, singular or plural. This local name is a Malay and Indonesian phrase which means Forest Dweller.

This was another kind of species called Proboscis Monkey, approximately 3,000 in Malaysian Borneo. The Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is also known as the Monyet Belanda in Malay, the Bekantan in Indonesian or simply the Long-nosed Monkey.

* This 2 postcards are available for swapping. Kindly leave comment here if you are interested.

Tags: Proboscis Monkey Orang Utan Borneo Pongo Pygmaeus

Kota Kinabalu / Jesselton (Old day & Modern Day)

One fact that I dunno know about Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia is

" Once known as Jesselton, this capital city of Sabah was renamed Kota Kinabalu in 1968 after Mount Kinabalu. The city faces the vast expanse of the South China Sea while the rolling hills and mountains of Borneo's Crocker Range provide a panoramic background".

I'm so glad to learn all these facts from postcard :)


See the below postcard for the image of Jesselton in circa 1904.
Jesselton was the chief town on the west coast of North Borneo, long before it became modern-day Sabah and the town, today's Kota Kinabalu City.

Tags: Jesselton Borneo Kota Kinabalu

Wonders of Nature : Sipadan - the diving heaven

The Kapalai Dive Resort. Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort is accessible through Semporna, Sabah Malaysia where the Pulau Sipadan Resort and Tours Jetty Office is.
(3 postcards of the above images will be available for swapping in RR group)

Sipadan Island, a jewel in the Celebes Sea, is renowned for its spectacular diving amongst unspoilt coral reefs, with a 600m (2000ft) vertical drop off just near the beach, and numerous turtles frequenting its clear waters. Sipadan lief odd the south-eastern coast of Sabah, and is Malaysia's only true oceanic island.

Tags: Sipadan Borneo Celebes Sea diving Mabul Kapalai Semporna Sipadan-Kapalai Dive Resort Wonders of Nature

My REAL Wall

Wall paper made of the Map Postcards.


You may read more on interesting REAL wall project of Andy Hoang here.

Tags: My Real Wall

Motive Sabah

(love the blueish of the postcard)

Sabah in East Malaysia lies in the north-east corner of Borneo and was known as the 'Land Below The Wind' by maritime traders during ancient times, because it lies below the typhoon belt.

We (10 of us) flied from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu (Capital of Sabah) yesterday for 1 day tour. The Air Asia flight took two and half hours to reach KK.
Normally, people will take about 3 - 4 days to tour around those tourist spot.

However 'craziest us' done it unusual from what the usual people did.
Thou we did not covered some of the tourist spot.

PFF : Mask Carnival

Postcards about Mask Carnival always on top my wishlist.
Thank you to Eleua from Italy and Hiltrud I. Warntjen from Germany send me the postcards.

What make me so impressed about this Carnival is I can't imagine how 'crazy' and fun carnival was celebrated and wonder whom was behind the beautiful mask, full of myterious.

The mask in the city of Venice has ancient origins and was used for many months of the year. Masks were allowed from the day of Santo Stefano, which marked the start of the Venetian carnival, to midnight of Shrove Tuesday which marked the end. (Naturally, they were forbidden on days of religious festivals).

The oldest document pertaining to the use of masks in Venice dates back to 2nd May 1268. In the document it is written that it was forbidden for masqueraders to practice the game of the "eggs".


Read more about the impressive mask carnival here.

Venice Carnival 2010 will be held on Feb 6 - 16th.

Do visit others postcard fans on Marie Reed's Postcard Friendship Friday.

Skywatch Friday : Sky above Pudu Jail

Hooray, it's another Skywatch Friday !!

It was early morning , around 7.30am - 8am. The sky was dull .

I was stand not far away from a 114 years old building which to be demolished (part been demolished) soon to make way for a road expansion and tunnel project on Jalan Pudu.

* Pudu Prison also called Pudu Jail was build by the British in 1895 as a prison in Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur area. As such, it was used to house criminals including drug offenders and was a location for administering corporal punishment through rotan caning.




The oldest remand centre in Malaysia, built by the British Government in 1895, designed by ACA Norman. It was then called the Pudoh Gaol. The electic style is achieved through the adaptation of Moorish, Tudor, Neo-Classical and Neo Gothic styles to local architectural styles and cultures.

a 'forest' in the city centre

Part of the building was demolished :(

I am sad that KL will lost another one inreplacable landmark, the historical spot.

You may check here for more photos, opinion & views.

Tags: Pudu Jail | Pudu Prison | Skywatch Friday |

Mougins , France

Thank you to Marianne Attanasio send us this awesome postcard from South of France (near Cannes).

Mougins is a pretty little perched Medieval village, between the busy coastal town of Cannes and the back-country gateway town of Grasse.

The village of Mougins is collection of restaurants, art galleries and estate agents — with the emphasis on gourmet restaurants. Mougins has retained the shape of its origins, and some vestiges of its Medieval heritage, but it lacks the maze of narrow streets found in most other little perched villages of the the South of France.

Pelourinho, Salvador / Bahia / Brasil

When I search about the information about this place.
I tell myself , "YES, I LOVE THIS PLACE".

Salvador is a city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the northeastern Brazilian State of Bahia. The city was for a long time also known as Bahia, and appears under that name (or as Salvador da Bahia).

Pelourinho is the historic square in the heart of the old city of Salvador. It is the center of a remarkable colorful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, renewal of art and culture. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is now home to groups who reclaim their African heritage through music, dance, drums and art.

Tags: Pelourinho | Salvador | Bahia | Brasil

Monro Beach, South Island of NZ

The beautiful coastal landscapes of the the West Coast at Monro Beach in the South Island of New Zealand.

Access to the coast is easiest at Monro Beach. The 45-minute walk to the beach takes you through spectacular, fern-filled native forest to a truly remarkable beach: rock clusters jut out of incredibly blue waters, and rivers and streams flow over the sand into the Tasman Sea.

*****************************
One of my dream when I was in teenage year, is to stay / retire at New Zealand when I'm old.

Tags: Monro Beach | Wet Coast of South Island | dream

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Portugal

Founded in 1501, the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) in Lisbon is a great monument to the Age of Discovery and a magnificent example of the Manueline style of architecture. The monastery was founded by King Manuel I in celebration of - and funded by - successful Portuguese voyages around the world.

* Manueline architecture, a style unique to Portugal that combines Flamboyant Gothic, Moorish, and early Renaissance influences. It is characterized by an elaborate use of sculptural detail and often includes maritime motifs. Other notable Manueline structures in Portugal include Batalha Monastery and the Templar Convento de Cristo in Tomar.

Tags: Manueline architecture | Portugal | Jerónimos Monastery | Mosteiro dos Jerónimos | Lisbon