Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Shanghai, China

From Judith (Postcrossing - Swap).

France Pavilion

Jacques Ferrier Architects were selected to design the French Pavillion at Shanghai Expo 2010. Their project ‘The Sensual City’ is a simple building with a big style French garden inside. Surrounded by water it appears to be floating. The 6000 square meter pavillion will use advanced building materials and environmental protection technology including solar panels on top of the roof.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

St. Petersburg, FL, USA

A beautiful night view from Florida sent by Claudia (Postcrossing - Swap).

The colorful night of St. Petersburg taken from the Vinoy Hotel

St. Petersburg (often shortened to St. Pete or The Burg) is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States long known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. 

With a purported average of some 360 days of sunshine each year, it is nicknamed "The Sunshine City". For that reason, the city has long been a popular retirement destination, especially for those in the United States from colder Northern climates. This reputation earned the city the derisive nickname of "God's waiting room". However, in recent years the population has shifted in a more youthful direction.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Surgut, Siberia, Russia

Card sent by Irina (Postcrossing - Swap).

Saima river Foot-Bridge

Friday, November 05, 2010

Perth, Australia

Another swap with Heather from Perth (Postcrossing - Swap).

Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney
Perth, Melbourne and Hobart

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Saint-Petersburg, Russia

A nice postcard with a sunset view sent by Nadya (Postcrossing forum - Single view tag).
She said it's "our famous leaf bridges, it's the favorites of tourists but for our citizens it's a real headache 'cause after 2 a.m. all roads to the another part of city are closed (no way except bridges)."

The Palace Bridge with a view of the Peter and Paul Fortress
Le pont du Palais ouvert et le panorama de la forteresse Saints-Pierre-et-Paul

Palace Bridge is a road traffic and foot bascule bridge spanning the Neva River in Saint Petersburg between Palace Square and Vasilievsky Island. Like every other Neva bridge (except for Big Obukhovsky Bridge), it is drawn by night, making foot travel between various parts of the city virtually impossible.

Palace Bridge is probably the most famous in St. Petersburg, thanks to its situation between the Winter Palace and the Strelka on Vasilevsky Ostrov. The bridge's five steel spans weigh 7,770 tons, and are supported by packed-rubble piers with granite facing. Opened in 1916, Palace Bridge was only fully completed in 1939, when the last decorative elements, which include beautiful cast-iron railings and ornate street lamps, were installed. Palace Bridge is most famous for the spectacular views it provides when raised at night during the summer.

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Lelystad, Netherlands

Card sent by *Tiffie* (Postcrossing forum - Will you send me... Tag).

Nouvelles Images
Nounours et coeur - Gummy bears and Heart

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Pirae, Tahiti, French Polynesia

I received these 3 wonderful postcards from Magali who lives in Tahiti (Postcrossing - Swap).

Une vue sous-marine du lagon de Tahiti et ses îles. - Underwater view of a Tahitian lagoon.

Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs. The population is 178,133 (2007 census), making it the most populous island of French Polynesia and accounting for 68.6% of the group's total population.

Le Mont Rotui à Moorea - Rotui mountain in Moorea

Rotui is a spectacular peak on the island of Moorea. Despite the low altitude of the peaks, the mountains of Moorea are among the most rugged in the world and every bit as rugged as the Himalayas. Unlike the Himalayas however, most peaks on this and the surrounding islands are considered impossible to climb and many still await first ascents. Although Rotui is only 899 meters (2949 feet high), it is a realitively challenging peak.

Vue aérienne de Bora Bora avec en toile de fond les îles de Raiatee, Tahaa et Huahine.
Bird's eye view of Bora Bora island with Raiatee, Tahaa and Huahine in the background.

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The island, located about 230 kilometres (140 mi) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point at 727 metres (2,385 ft).


The stamp smells like mango