Happy birthday...to me!

Link between Asia and Europe

 Postcard recived thanks to attending RR group :) It looks way better in real!

The history of the Bosphorus Bridge is long and rich, an idea that first surfaced around 500 BC, when the Persian Emperor Darius had a pontoon bridge built so he could chase fleeing Scythians. Another pontoon bridge was built across the Dardenelles, or Hellespont, (the strait to the south of the city and the Sea of Marmara) in 480 BC. This was the bridge built by the Persian Xerxes to invade the forces of Greece and Sparta—a battle immortalized in the award-winning 2006 film, 300 These historical bridges were temporary, and no other bridge was built until the First Bridge in Istanbul Turkey was built in 1973. Until that time, all transportation across the strait was done by ferries, which today still are a major transportation link and are popular for sightseeing tours and Bosphorus river cruises.

The modern history of the Bosphorus Bridge began in 1900, when the Bosphorus Railway Company drew up plans that included a rail link between the two continents. A decision to actually build the structure was not made until 1957, by which time Turkey had become an independent republic. Construction began in 1970, and the bridge was completed a day after (October 30) the 50th anniversary of independence. The British engineering firm that designed it also designed several other famous bridges, including the Auckland Harbour Bridge in New Zealand, the Humber Bridge in England, and the Volta River Bridge in West Africa.The First Bridge in Istanbul Turkey is located closest to the Sea of Marmara, and enters Europe not far from the Galeta Kulesi Tower, the gateway to attractions of the Old City, including Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Since this is the route used by most tourists and the majority of business, it can be quite congested. Virtually all visitors to the city will cross over or sail under this picturesque bridge in Istanbul Turkey during their vacations. It is a beautiful sight during the day with the sublime minarets and domes of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia in the background. At night the bridge is lit by computerized LED lights with changing patterns and colors. One of the special events in the city is the Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon held in October, one of the few times that pedestrians are allowed to cross the bridge. Many bring picnics and enjoy a day on the bridge.

Taiwan

My official card from Taiwan sent by 17-years old girl :) Firstly I was dissapointed cos I saw many wonderful postcards from this country and I was expecting something different. But I've changed my mind- this card is interesting and I love the paper it was printed on- thick with nice facture.

Tallin

Once upon a time, from 1549 to 1625 to be exact, this 13th-century church was the tallest building in the world. But its gigantic, 159-metre spire, which was probably meant to act as a signpost for approaching ships, also turned out to be a very effective lightning rod. Throughout the church's history its steeple has been hit repeatedly by lightning, completely burning down the structure three times.
Nowadays its smaller, 124-metre steeple still dwarfs most of Tallinn’s buildings and remains an important symbol of the town. From April to October, visitors can make the vigorous climb to the top of the stone portion of the tower for magnificent and dizzying views of Old Town, Toompea hill and the port.
The church itself dates back to at least 1267 when it is thought to have served a group of Scandinavian merchants who settled in the area. Various legends insist the church got its name from either the giant or the mysterious stranger who built it, however it was in fact dedicated to King Olaf II of Norway.
Its current shape and size were set in the 16th century. Inside are high, vaulted naves and a historicist interior design that dates to after the 1830 fire.

All of the above was taken from here as it's really nicely written ;) Card arrived from a friend who was there for holidays. He was really impressed and he said that Tallin is a city that I really should see :) Hopefully one day it will be possible.

The Sunshine State

I really don't like multiviews, not even a bit...unless they are as charming as this one :D Beautiful postcard recieved through facebook group. This is my first postcard from Australia! 

Queensland is often reffered as the Sunshine State due to the climate. Capricorn Coast's name comes from it's location on the Tropic of Capricorn. Not all of the coast is accessable- part of it is taken by Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area. The largest town on the Capricorn Coast is Rockhampton, the area’s cattle farming centre.  Rockhampton has got some  historical buildings from the times of gold rushes.

 It looks wonderful, doesn't it?

Harbour Bridge, New Zealand

It was a bit strange to recieve postcard from New Zealand that wasn't from my boyfriend ;) I've discovered Round Robins on postcrossing  forum and I think my wallet will be pernamently empty. Luckily I need to gain trust first so I can take part only in one RR group from Bridges RR. I'm doing my best to not even check other groups ;)

Bridge that can be seen on the postcard shows Auckland Harbour Bridge which is a part of state Highway 1- the longest road in the North Island. There are 8 lines for the cars and- what is suprising to me - there is no walking or cycling access. Only tourists can walk on the span  when they are on guided tours. I found some facts about the bridge here

• The Auckland Harbour Bridge was opened on 30th of May 1959 and it took over 200 workers around 4 years to build.

• It was made with 6500 tonnes of concrete and nearly 6000 tonnes of steel.

• When the bridge was first built it only had four lanes but after a few years they needed to make the bridge bigger to cope with all the traffic so they added two lanes to each side. The new lanes were called “clippons” because they were made in Japan, shipped to New Zealand on huge ships and then clipped into place with huge steel pins and rods.

• The Auckland Harbour Bridge cost 16 million dollars to build over 40 years ago! The clippons were another 13.5 million dollars1

• They decided to build a harbour bridge because the traffic wanting to go from Auckland City to the North Shore or vice versa was growing all the time and the trip round the harbour through West Auckland used to take hours. 

• Before the bridge was built vehicles and passengers also used ferries to get from one side to the other. Ferries are boats that take either cars or passengers or both.

• The span between the water and the bridge is about 15 stories high – high enough for most yachts to sail under but not high enough for many of the cruise ships, tankers and cargo ships that come into the Auckland Wharfs

• The bridge is 1,021 meters long (nearly 10 rugby fields long)

Japanese crescent

That card defienietly made my day- I'm smiling all the time!!! This is official postcard that took 5 days to arrive from Japan to Poland- quite impressive! It shows beautiful moon. It's hard to believe that something as magical, beautiful and interesting as the Moon is just a piece of rock...

Harumi  wrote this postcard on Tanabata Day which is the Star Festival. She wrote me very beautiful but also sad legend. Two stars- Vega, a weaving girl and Altair, cowhead boy loved each other. They were spending all the time together therefore they stopped working hard which caused the King's anger. As a punishment he has separated them by the Milky Way. They were only allowed to meet once a year across the Milky Way and that day is 7th of July...

Golden Gate again

The Mighty Task is Done

Written upon completion of the building of the Bridge in May 1937

At last the mighty task is done;
Resplendent in the western sun
The Bridge looms mountain high;Its titan piers grip ocean floor,
Its great steel arms link shore with shore,
Its towers pierce the sky.

On its broad decks in rightful pride,
The world in swift parade shall ride,
Throughout all time to be;
Beneath, fleet ships from every port,
Vast landlocked bay, historic fort,
And dwarfing all--the sea.

To north, the Redwood Empire's gates;
'To south, a happy playground waits,
in Rapturous appeal;
Here nature, free since time began,
Yields to the restless moods of man,
Accepts his bonds of steel.

Launched midst a thousand hopes and fears,
Damned by a thousand hostile sneers,
Yet ne'er its course was stayed,
But ask of those who met the foe
Who stood alone when faith was low,
Ask them the price they paid.

Ask of the steel, each strut and wire,
Ask of the searching, purging fire,
That marked their natal hour;
Ask of the mind, the hand, the heart,
Ask of each single, stalwart part,
What gave it force and power.

An Honored cause and nobly fought
And that which they so bravely wrought,
Now glorifies their deed,
No selfish urge shall stain its life,
Nor envy, greed, intrigue, nor strife,
Nor false, ignoble creed.

High overhead its lights shall gleam,
Far, far below life's restless stream,
Unceasingly shall flow;
For this was spun its lithe fine form,
To fear not war, nor time, nor storm,
For Fate had meant it so.

New Zealand stamps

Stamps are the part of each letter or postcard that we recieve. I love countries whose postal offices design nice, funny or beautiful stamps. I'm quite dissapointed by Polish stamps- regular ones  are just ugly. There were few stamp designs that won the contest for the most beautiful european stamp but those were limited editions and really hard to find in the post offices.

Today some stamps from my soon to be place of living- New Zealand

Postage stamps have been issued in New Zealand since around the 18th to 20th of July 1855 with the "Chalon head" stamps figuring Queen Victoria. The design was based on a full face portrait of the Queen in her state robes at the time of her coronation in 1837, by Alfred Edward Chalon. The stamps were initially hand cut from sheets, but from 1862 on, these sheets started being fed through automatic perforation machines. New Zealand was the first country in the world to prototype and install stamp vending machines; one was installed in the General Post Office, Wellington in 1905. 

Gateway Arch

Postcard from Kristi 

The purpose of building the Gateway Arch were numerous. First, it was built with a vision of being an avant-garde construction, that would symbolize architectural expression of simplicity and modernity. Second, in 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial National Historic Site, to memorialize the role of Thomas Jefferson and others responsible for the America's territorial expansion to the west. Third, was the decision related to building it in St.Louis. It was done to acknowledge the importance of St. Louis's citizens in the settling of the west, and finally, to revitalize the deteriorating riverfront. All these reasons contributed to the Gateway Arch construction.

The Gateway Arch is a perfect blend of beauty and modern architectural styling. Millions of tourists visit it annually, not only to view this marvel, but take its tram ride, that is of only a four minutes way up to the top. 
On the postcard we can see the panorama of St. Luis and Gateway Arch dominating the view.

Whriling dervish

This postcard arrived to me from Turkey. Arzu sent it to thank me for my little help. I'm really glad because of the postcard- I've always wanted to see Whirling Dervishes! I like postcards showing traditions and cultures from different countries.

The members of the Mevlevi Order are known in the world as Whirling Dervishes. The Mevlevi sect belongs to the Sunni or orthodox mainstream of Islam. Its doctrine never developed a revolutionary strategy - and although it was occasionally criticized for its heretical ideas, it always enjoyed the respect of the officialdom.

The rituals of the Whirling Dervishes are among the enduring as well as the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality. The ritual whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and a drama of faith. It possesses a highly structured form within which the gentle turns become increasingly dynamic as the individual dervishes strive to achieve a state of trans. The music that accompanies the whirling from beginning to end ranges from somber to rhapsodical; its effect is intended to be mesmerizing. Chanting of poetry, rhythmic rotation, and incessant music create a synthesis which, according to the faithful, induces a feeling of soaring, of ecstasy, of mystical flight. Information provided by www.allaboutturkey.com

Birds of New Zealand

New Zealand as a country located on an archipelago is very isolated and thanks to that 75% of the species are endemic. The most famous bird from New Zealand is Kiwi but it's obviously not the only one. 

My favourite is Little Blue Penguin which is the smallest species of penguins in the world and it lives only in New Zealand and Australia (they were also spoted in Chile and South Africa but there were only few cases). It has few different names-Fairy Penguin, Little Penguin, Blue Penguin, Kororā. I have a thing for those birds- I remember spending over an hour just looking at penguins in Zoo in Prague ;) The Little Blue one is only 30-33 cm tall and weights1,5 kg. I'm not the only one who likes those birds- Linus Torvalds had a "fixation for flightless, fat waterfowl" and claims to have contracted "penguinitis" after being gently nibbled by a penguin: "Penguinitis makes you stay awake at nights just thinking about penguins and feeling great love towards them." Torvalds' supposed illness is a joke, but he really was bitten by a Little Penguin on a visit to the National Zoo & Aquarium, Australia.Torvalds was looking for something fun and sympathetic to associate with Linux, and a slightly fat penguin sitting down after having had a great meal perfectly fit the bill.