24. Ukraine, Euromaidan

Postcard was sent by Michael, a former student from The Netherlands - a person who travels around the world and owns page called Starring you, you should totally check it out! An interesting perspective and view on things that take place in countries He visits. To be specific, the card shows a child, reading something, on the top of the barricades that actually were built during the protests. The inscription says "Library Maidan".

Probably many of you heard or followed the happenings that took place In Ukraine during last 2 years. Euromaidan (literally "Euro Square") was a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest in Ukraine, which began on the night of 21 November 2013 with public protests in Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kiev, demanding closer European integration. The scope of the protests expanded, with many calls for the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych and his government. The protests ultimately led to the 2014 Ukrainian revolution. Many protesters joined because of the violent dispersal of protesters on 30 November and "a will to change life in Ukraine". By 25 January 2014, the protests had been fuelled by the perception of "widespread government corruption", "abuse of power", and "violation of human rights in Ukraine". 

The protests reached a climax during mid-February. On 18 February, the worst clashes of Euromaidan broke out after the parliament did not accede to demands that the Constitution of Ukraine be rolled back to its pre-2004 form, which would lessen presidential power. Police and protesters fired guns, with both live and rubber ammunition, in multiple locations in Kiev. The riot police advanced towards Maidan later in the day and clashed with the protesters but did not fully occupy it. The fights continued through the following days, in which the vast majority of casualties took place. On the night of 21 February, Maidan vowed to go into armed conflict if Yanukovych did not resign by 10:00 AM. Subsequently, the riot police retreated and Yanukovych and many other high government officials fled the country. Protesters gained control of the presidential administration and Yanukovych's private estate. The next day, the parliament removed Yanukovych from office, replaced the government with a pro-European one, and ordered that Yulia Tymoshenko be released from prison. In the aftermath, the Crimean crisis began amid pro-Russian unrest.

23. USA, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

It seems to be incredible when we think about 2 active volcanoes which are part of National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to be more specific. Card was sent by Alyssa, really nice Postcrosser I had chance to trade with. Park was established in 1916. As said before it encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive subaerial volcano. The park gives scientists insight into the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and ongoing studies into the processes of vulcanism. For visitors, the park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes as well as glimpses of rare flora and fauna. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 1987.

22. Indonesia, Pulau Rhun history

This cheerful card was sent by Wahyu from Indonesia, as a prize for winning her lottery. Thank you again Wahyu! Lately I found very interesting trivia about Indonesia and it's perfect time to share it with you! It was found by Wirawan Winarto, at Quora.

An Indonesian island was once exchanged for New York

Among 18,000 islands of Indonesia, there is a small island named Pulau Rhun (or Roon/Run). Little known about the history of this insignificant island in Maluku. It looks like just another tranquil and underdeveloped island with a few fishermen boats docked on its bay. But what does Rhun have to do with Manhattan (New York)?

In 17th century, Rhun was a producer of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), an essential and expensive spice of that era. Rhun was of great economic importance because of the value of the spices nutmeg, which was found exclusively in Maluku. While the rest of Maluku was occupied by the Dutch, this island was occupied by the British since 1603. The British and The Dutch fought for this islands on several occasions. Because the Dutch felt the existence of the British will threaten its monopoly for that particular spices which were only found in Maluku. The Dutch was successfully drove the The British away on 1620.

But the conflict just did not stop. The British were trying to win the island back. According to the Treaty of Westminster (1654) ending the First Anglo-Dutch War, Rhun should have been returned to England. The first attempt in 1660 failed because of formal constraints by the Dutch. 

After the second attempt in 1665, the English traders were expelled in the same year, the Dutch destroyed the nutmeg trees. The conflict was ended by Treaty of Breda (1667), which was stating that the British would hand Rhun islands to the Dutch, in exchange for Manhattan. Manhattan, at that time was a Dutch settlement called New Amsterdam, finally was handed to The British who changed the name of New Amsterdam into New York.... and the rest is history.

21. China, Shaolin

Postcard was sent by Kathy (Meena7) from USA. Postcard is part of magnificent Aquarupella cards collection called "Comme un Voyage". On this card we can see adepts and the Master of kung fu. Shaolin Monastery is a Buddhist temple located in China. The temple is situated in the forests of Shaoshi Mountain one of the seven mountains of Song mountains. Shaolin is one of the four holy Buddhist temples of China. In addition to being the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, Shaolin is said to be the first temple that institutionalized kung fu. Because of its long association with Shaolin Kung Fu and development of many other Chinese martial arts, it is considered the cradle of kung fu. So that the Chinese saying goes: "All martial arts under heaven arose out of Shaolin." Shaolin Monastery and its Pagoda Forest were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 as part of the "Historic Monuments of Dengfeng."

20. Ukraine, Marysya Rudska

Postcard arrived to me from Irene, a Postcrosser. Marysya Rudska is an Ukrainian illustrator who basicaly works using paper, watercolours, pencils and ink. She illustrated many books and covers like "Buddha tree" by Oksana Borovec or the cover of "Turning to the sea" by Igar Kulikow. On THIS site you will see who she works, during well made timelapse.

19. Lithuania, Sutverimai

Postcard was sent by Ewa, from Lithuania, as a part of Monthly Favorite Surprise RR at the official Postcrossing forum. This elvish monstrosity was created by artists from shop called Sutverimai. In lithuanian language this word has two in one way different and on the other hand so close meanings, which means creations and creatures. Lina and her husband Adomas opened an artistic shop with this name, offering great ceramic and valuable works. If you want to check out their page click HERE.

18. China, Lushan Mountain

Postcard was sent by Winkey Yeung, chinese postcards collector that I met on Postcrossing facebook side. This marvelous card shows territories of Lushan Mountain during the cooler seasons. As sometimes called Mount Lu or just Lushan, is situated in the northern part of Jiangxi province in southeastern China, and is one of the most renowned mountains in the country. Moreover it's also a part of Lushan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, and a prominent tourist attraction.

17. Sri Lanka, Bullock Cart

Postcard was sent by Jay Dew through Postcrossing Group on Facebook. According to the Jay, bullock cart for a long time was the main source of transportation, obviously before the car. Today people still use the bullock cart to transport all kind of things. Although incredibly slow, it is a very simple and easy method for farmers, traders and... touristic methods.

16. Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad

Received this card from Oalini through facebook Postcrossing Group. Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. The island lies just 11 km off the northeastern coast of Venezuela and sits on the continental shelf of South America. Though part of the South American continent, from a socio-economic standpoint it is often referred to as the southernmost island in the Caribbean. With an area of 4,768 km2 it's also the fifth largest in the West Indies. Many believe the original name for the island in the Arawaks' language was "Iëre" which meant "Land of the Humming Bird". Some believe that "Iere" was actually a mispronunciation or corruption by early colonists of the Arawak word "Kairi" which simply means "Island". Christopher Columbus renamed it "La Isla de la Trinidad" ("The Island of the Trinity"), fulfilling a vow he had made before setting out on his third voyage of exploration.

15. Turkey, Istanbul

 

Postcard was sent as Thank You Card by cucuk74 from Turkey. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. Istanbul is a transcontinental city in Eurasia, with its commercial and historical centre lying on the European side and about a third of its population living on the Asian side of Eurasia. With a population of 14.4 million, the city forms the largest urban agglomeration in Europe as well as the largest in the Middle East, and the sixth-largest city proper in the world. Istanbul's vast area of 5,343 square kilometers (2,063 sq mi) is coterminous with Istanbul Province, of which the city is the administrative capital. Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus strait in northwestern Turkey, between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.

14. Uzbekistan, Tashkent

Postcard was sent by my friend who traveled to Uzbekistan. Officially it's called the Republic of Uzbekistan, which is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia. It's a unitary, constitutional, presidential republic, comprising 12 provinces, 1 autonomous republic, and 1 independent city. Uzbekistan is bordered by five countries: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent. As tittle-tattle it is noticeable that mulberries are atypically seen in numbers in this city.

13. Taiwan, the blessings of soil

Postcard was sent by jill0726 who lives in Taiwan. Postcard shows some harvest from Taiwanese fields. Taiwan has a dynamic, capitalist, export-driven economy with gradually decreasing state involvement in investment and foreign trade. In keeping with this trend, some large government-owned banks and industrial firms are being privatized. Real growth in GDP has averaged about 8% during the past three decades. Exports have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The trade surplus is substantial, and foreign reserves are the world's fifth largest. The Republic of China has its own currency, the New Taiwan dollar.

12. Serbia, Beograd

This view arrived from BraveJ who lives there. Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. Its name translates to White city. The city has a population of 1.23 million, while over 1.65 million people live in its metro area (which encompass administrative limits of City of Belgrade). The postcard shows Stari Dvor meaning Old Palace. It was the royal residence of the Obrenović dynasty. Today it houses the City Assembly of Belgrade.

11. Vietnam, Uncle Ho

Postcard came from JoinHanoi who lives in Vietnam. Hồ Chí Minh (called Uncle Ho) was born in 19 May 1890 and died in 2 September 1969. He figured as Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader who was prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). He was a key figure in the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945, as well as the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Việt Cộng (NLF or VC) during the Vietnam War. He led the Việt Minh independence movement from 1941 onward, establishing the Communist-ruled Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945 and defeating the French Union in 1954 at the battle of Điện Biên Phủ. He officially stepped down from power in 1965 due to health problems, but remained a highly visible figurehead and inspiration for those Vietnamese fighting for his cause—a united, communist Vietnam—until his death. After the war, Saigon, the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam, was renamed Hồ Chí Minh City; however, the name Saigon is still very widely used.

10. United Kingdon, Bath

I got this card through one of the tags on Postcrossing Forum from lesera. Bath is a city in Somerset, South West England. The city became a spa with the Latin name Aquae Sulis ("the waters of Sulis") c. AD 60 when the Romans built baths and a temple in the valley of the River Avon, although oral tradition suggests that the hot springs were known before then. It became popular as a spa town during the Georgian era, leaving a heritage of Georgian architecture crafted from Bath Stone. Bath became a World Heritage Site in 1987. The city's theatres, museums and other cultural and sporting venues have helped to make it a major centre for tourism with more than one million staying visitors and 3.8 million day visitors to the city each year. The city has two universities and there are large service sector, information and communication technology and creative industries.