Delightful Snow Bird

This wee chap flew in from Russia today. He's a "Snegin" or "Snow Bird". And he arrived courtesy of Mishutinaalex (Official PC postcard).

From Czech Republic to my door

Two today from the Czech Republic. Both quite moody in their colouration:

A castle in ruins from Alena (Malfoy

Praha - the famous Old Town Square. An Official PC from Neskar.

Postcards from Europe

My mailbox has been empty of Official PC postcards for about a week now. Indeed, I was starting to wonder if the mailman was stealing them. But I did receive these two in Personal Trades;

The Baltic Sea during a grey weather day. Beautiful, isn't it?
From Iwoo in Poland.

"Hope is the Cradle of Dreams"
From Muusa (UniversalMind) in Finland to whom I sent an Official, handmade PC postcard. This is her "Thank you" card. And it is beautiful. It reminds me of the sympathy cards - subtle and kind of haunting in its imagery.

Postcards from Queensland

Before I began this blog I was on my honeymoon in Northern Queensland. An area that encompases 3 UNESCO sites - the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and Paronella Park. So I did what any self-respecting Postcrosser would do - I stocked up on postcards. Here's the selection. Many of these are AVAILABLE FOR TRADE, however if sent "naked" they will be postmarked "New Zealand".

Great Barrier Reef:

Daintree Rainforest:

Aboriginal Art:

Map Cards:

(GBR mapcard is traded)

Wildlife:

Paronella Park (not for trade):

Free Postcard (if you like this, I have several copies of it):

And a pretty sunset:

From Africa, via Luxembourg

Luxi is an absolutely lovely lass, who has sent me several delightful packages and who has surpassed it all this time by sending me these delightful handmade pieces of art from Africa (well, she got them in Africa, she posted them to me frmo Luxembourg). The centrepiece is a postcard - made from elephant dung and no, it doesn't smell. Indeed, I found a recipe recently for how to make paper from sheep dung, but it involved the use of a washing machine, a blender and a pressurecooker. I'm not sure many parents would allow that sort of creative freedom! Anyway, because the diet of these animals is largely fibre and fibre is not digestable, once you manage to get rid of the nasty bits, you're left with what is essential pulped plant matter and therefore perfect for turning into paper.

Anyway, the illustration features two warthogs "making bacon". The smaller images are miniature handmade greeting cards, also from Africa. Aren't they a delight? Isn't Luxi lovely?

Art from Germany

This striking postcard came from Ingrid in Germany. She has written an elaborate description on the back, and unfortunately her handwriting is quite cursive and I cannot quite make out the exact details but I think this is a piece of wall art painted on the Berlin Wall, which divided friends and family and symbolised a life without freedom. Many people painted messages on the wall - images of hope and contemplation, sadness and joy, adorning both sides in what was probably the most unique open air-gallery in the world, showing the hopes and dreams of many mostly unknown people.
I guess that means that it was lost when the wall came down, but at least these picture remain to remind us of what was done.

From the Frozen North (Norway)

Ann-Tove is AWESOME. What more can I say? Firstly, she emailed me this photograph of herself above her township holding the postcard I had made for her. At 10.30 pm. Obviously, it's summer in Norway at the moment - the land of the Midnight Sun.

Secondly, she also sent me a second package of goodies! This included two Nordic postcards for my workmate and friend, Amii, who has a bit of an obsession with Norway and vikings (And boy was she pleased!) but she also sent me some more lovely postcards, including one of her own beautiful art.

Alas, as I opened the package at work, I did not scan the cards for Amii. However, here are the ones for me:

Firstly, here's a lovely piece of original art she made for me:

Ann-Tove likes horses, as you can see!

She also sent this postcard print:


And these nordic Troll Postcards are smashing!


And here's the rest! What an awesomely eclectic collection.



Thanks Ann-Tove!
(Aren't I SO lucky?)

From the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago )

This delightful package arrived coutesy of Jeustar, a lovely lass I found via Interpals.

Postcards! What a beautiful country. Love the buildings. As a New Zealander, beaches are not such a novelty. Still, it does look like a glorious place to visit.

Money $$$. this is the $1 bill. She also sent the coins but I did not think they would scan so well.

Pretty fishie stamps!

She also sent a ceramic hotplate which was really nifty but suffered injuries on the journey and needs a bit of minor surgery.

Some Arty postcards

From Maxikiki, Germany

From Lori45P, Canada

The New Zealand Assortment

The Craig Potton postcard range is most excellent. There again - he is one of our most well renowned photographers! Here you see "rush hour" as a flock of sheep are herded past the Vulcan motel and a maori Wharenui or Meeting House.

This is the wee silvereye, a tiny bird that came here on his own accord from Australia. This one is on kowhai. Kowhai is the Maori word for "yellow". And our most famous bird of all - the kiwi!

Hanmer Springs in Winter and the bridge there in autumn. Beautiful colours!

New Zealand Multiviews

Some people love 'em, some people hate 'em. Personally I'm a bit ambivalent - they're not my favourites, but they do allow you to see a good cross-section of the country.

The good old multiview card!

Here's some I've sent along the way:

Christchurch City:


Canterbury Plains:


NZ Beaches:


Maori Culture:

This is my second most popular (currently) Official Postcrossing Postcard I've sent.
It was beaten by this one

Tranzalpine:

I'm doing this train journey in two weeks! Very exciting! It's supposed to be VERY beautiful.

Backcountry Huts:

Aren't they cute?