Sukhothai Historical Park

Today, I received a lovely Facebook swap card from Idaline Jane of Malaysia. She recently visited Thailand and went to the Sukhothai Historical Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was inscribed onto the list in 1991, #574.

Wat Mahathat at Sukhothai Historical Park

The postcard I received featured Wat Mahathat, one of the 26 temples in the park, of which it is the most important and also the largest. The temple was founded by Sri Indraditya, between 1292 and 1347 as the main temple of the city as well as the Sukhothai Kingdom. The design based on Mandala, representing the universe with main principal stupa, built in 1345 to enshrine relics of the Buddha, surrounded by smaller stupas in eight directions. The main stupa has the graceful shape of a lotus bud, which characterizes the Sukhothai architectural arts. Its base is adorned with 168 stuccoed sculptings of Buddhist disciples walking with their hands clasped together in salutation. The eight smaller stupas, of which the four at the corners are in Mon Haripunchai - Lannastyle and the four in between show Khmer influence. At both sides of the main stupa there are two 9 metre tall standing Buddha images called Phra Attharot. The temple also comprises assembly hall (vihara), mandapa, ordination hall and 200 subodinate stupas. 

'Farbtafel' by Paul Klee!

I adore getting art cards in the mail! Today, I received DE-4612706 from melon_tropic in Germany, following 22 days of travel. It is 'Farbtafel' by Paul Klee. I had seen the pattern and colours before but knew nothing of the artist...now I do! 

DE-4612706 - 'Farbtafel' by Paul Klee

Paul Klee (18 December 1879 – 29 June 1940) was born in Munchenbuchsee, Switzerland and is considered both a German and a Swiss painter. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. He was also a student of orientalism. Klee was a natural draftsman who experimented with and eventually mastered colour theory and wrote extensively about it. 10,000 paintings are attributed to him.

Sydney Harbour Bridge!

Today, I received a wonderful official Postcrossing postcard, AU-453336. It is an amazing view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Sent by Tigerblues in Australia on 12 October 2015, it took 7 days to get to me in the United Kingdom.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries trains, vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians between the Sydney Central Business District (CBD) and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of Sydney. The bridge is nicknamed "The Coathanger" because of its arch-based design or is simply called "the Bridge" by Sydney residents.

It is 1149 metres in length (3770 ft) with the summit standing at 134 metres high (440 ft) above mean sea level. The bridge was designed and built by British firm Dorman Long and Co Ltd of Middlesbrough Under the direction of Dr J.J.C. Bradfield of the NSW Department of Public Works,. Taking 9 years to build, it was opened on 19 March 1932 by Jack Lang, the Labor Premier of New South Wales. It was also the world's widest long-span bridge, at 48.8 metres (160 ft) wide, with 8 road lanes, 2 railway tracks along with a people and cycle crossing, until construction of the new Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver was completed in 2012.

Canada Map!

Today, I have received a Flikcr swap postcard from akaroxy2 in Canada. She sent me a beautiful illustrated map card of her country. I love to get map cards and in swap I sent to her a card featuring the British Royal Family, which is one kind of card that she collects. It is always kind to be able to fulfil a wish for a fellow postcrosser!!

Canada map postcard from akaroxy2

 3 facts about Canada:

• Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories covering 9.98 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles), making it the 4th largest country by land area in the world. 
• The country's main languages are English and French. 
• The capital of Canada is Ottawa, with about 900,000 people living there although its largest city is Toronto with 2.6 million residents. 

Gunung Mulu National Park!

Today, I have received a great Facebook swap postcard from Bei Hao in Malaysia on the theme of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In swap, I sent a view of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape (UNESCO WHS #1215). In return, I have received a wonderful view of Mulu Caves in the Gunung Mulu National Park.

Mulu Caves in the Gunung Mulu National Park

Gunung Mulu National Park, on the island of Borneo in the state of Sarawak, is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The 52,864-ha park contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally rich, with 109 species in twenty genera noted. The park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 m-high sandstone pinnacle. At least 295 km of explored caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world. It was inscribed onto the UNESCO WHS list in 2000, #1013.