Good Bye Year 2008

The year 2008 has final come to an end. I have to say that year 2008 has been a fruitful year for my postcard collecting. I obtained 40 additional countries to my postcard collection for the whole year 2008. Now the number of countries in my postcard collection is 100 - a very nice figure :) I would like to thank those who have contributed to my collection. I wish all of you a wonderful and successful year ahead. Good Bye Year 2008, Happy New Year 2009.

The additional countries for my postcard collection:
Aland
Algeria
Austria
Bosnia and Hercegovina
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Burkina Faso
Cuba
French Polynesia
Gibraltar
Greenland
Iceland
India
Iran
Korea (South)
Laos
Latvia
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Mauritius
Namibia
New Zealand
Pakistan
Portugal - Azores
Qatar
Republic of Crimea
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Slovenia
St. Lucia
Syria
Trinidad and Tobago
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam

Italy 03

I was delighted to find out this postcard with a Christmas and New Year wishing in my letter box. Yes, this is a postcard sent by my dear Italian friend Leonardo from Florence (in Italian Firenze; the capital city of the region Toscana) on 20 December, 2008. Leonardo lives in Sansepolcro (a beautiful town in Tuscany). My memory of visiting to Sansapolcro in 1999 to attend his wedding is still fresh. Leonardo is now a lucky guy with a beautiful wife and two lovely kids :).

By the way, the postcard shows the common view of residence of country side Tuscany (in Italian Toscana). Tuscany is well known for its beautiful landscapes, and six historical localities in Tuscany have been UNESCO protected sites.

Malta 02

I was a little surprised to receive a postcard and a letter from John. I think John visited to my blog, and he just wants to send postcards to me for my collection. It is indeed very kind of him. John told me that he was a seaman and he travelled a lot on ships!

By the way, the postcard showing here is a scene of Marsaxlokk Fishing Village with 'Luzzu' fishing boats. This postcard was sent on 15 December, 2008.

Saudi Arabia 02

This is another postcard sent by Hamad from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia in January 2008 (I couldn't read the Arabic writing on the postmark, but I guess it should be some time in January 2008.). The postcard depicts Faisaliah Commercial Tower & Hotel Riyadh, and Kingdom Tower-Riyadh.

Vatican 02

This postcard was sent by myself from Vatican on 24 June, 1999. Yes, I went to Vatican for holiday. The postcard shows the Musuem of Vatican and the Swiss guards.

Uzbekistan 01

Anvar sent me this nice postcard from Toshkent, Uzbekistan showing Islom Khoja Tower. Date: 1 December, 2008.

Republic of Crimea 03

Anatoliy sent me this nice postcard from Crimea on 16 December, 2008 showing Resurrection Church. I was shocked to notice one of the stamps on the postcard was peeled off by someone before the postcard reached me. Absolutely terrible!

Malaysia 08

I received a postcard sent by kkkhor. I was surprised by the arrival of this postcard at my doorstep :). The postcard was sent from Ipoh on 22 December, 2008. The postcard shows Kellie's Castle which was located near Batu Gajah, 20 minute drive from Ipoh. The mansion was built by a Scottish planter called William Kellie Smith in the 19th century.

Belarus 02

I received a postcard from Belarus sent by Jorik on 7 December, 2008. The postcard shows the right branch of the Mukhavets River.

Switzerland 03

Simona sent me this postcard on 28 November, 2008, but the postcard reached me on 22 December, 2008. The postcard shows the baroque Cathedral in St. Gall. The town of St. Gall has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

Canada 04

Sue sent me this postcard on 3 December, 2008. The postcard shows the Denman Island in the Lambert Channel of the coast of Vancouver.

French Polynesia 02

David & Elodie sent me this nice postcard from Moorea on 2 December, 2008 showing the Cook's Bay of Moorea Island, French Polynesia.

French Polynesia 01

This nice postcard showing the islands of Moorea and Tahiti of French Polynesia was sent by Fred from Tahiti on 4 December, 2008.

Slovenia 01

Polona sent me this nice postcard of Slovenia showing the city view of Moribor. Polona lives in Moribor which is the second largest city in Slovenia. Date: 8 December, 2008.

Japan 02

Chie sent me this postcard from Japan on 10 December, 2008. The postcard shwos the view of Mt. Fuji.

Greece 01

Eleni sent me this nice postcard from Greece showing some corner of the city/town N. Lambrou. Date: 2 December, 2008.

Latvia 01

I received this postcard from Riga, Latvia sent by Peteris who lives in Riga. The postcard shows the city view of Riga. Date: 5 December, 2008.

Czech Republic 02

Martina sent me this nice postcard from Czech Republic on 6 December, 2008. The postcard shows the city view of Prague and Prague Castle.

Aland 02

This another Aland postcard sent by Erika from Mariehamn, Aland on 5 December, 2008.

Aland 01

Erika sent me this Aland postcard on 5 December, 2008. The postcard shows various views of Halgningar, Aland.

Mauritius 04

My good Singaporean friend Albert travelled again....... He went to Mauritius for a short holiday and study trip (to study geography!). Albert knows that I fancy postcards and he never forgets to send me one whenever he travels! He sent me this beautiful postcard of Mauritius on 1 December, 2008.

Pakistan 01

Rabia sent me this nice postcard of Pakistan on 23 November, 2008. The postcard shows the ruins of old Murree Brewery Factory. I'm impressed by the number of beautiful stamps stuck on the postcard.

Republic of Crimea 02

I received another beautiful postcard of Republic of Crimea from Anatoliy. The postcard was sent on 27 November, 2008 from Simferopol. The postcard depicts the St. Vladimir's Orthodox Cathedral.

Brunei 02

BGFONG sent me this postcard from Tutong, Brunei on 2 December, 2008. The postcard shows Kampung Ayer.

Romania 01

Violeta sent me this nice postcard from Romania. The postcard depicts Palatul Parlamentului. Violeta told me that Palatul Parlamentului is the largest building in the world :). Date: 27 November, 2008.

South Korea 01

Jui sent me this postcard from South Korea on 27 November, 2008. She told me that Malaysia has no snow, therefore she picked up a postcard showing snow to send to me. It is very good thought of her :). By the way, the postcard shows Seokjojeon Hall of Deoksugung Palace.