07Mar
This week, we feature a postcard showing a bird’s eye view of the Beijing Olympic Green. On the left side is the Beijing National Stadium, colloquially known as the Bird’s Nest. With a construction cost of US$423 million, the 80,000-seater stadium is the world’s largest steel structure. This postcard also shows the Beijing National Aquatics Centre illuminated at night. The exterior is surrounded by 4,000 bubbles and is commonly known as the Water Cube.
Sent: 19 February 2010
Received: 26 February 2010
Also, check out the earlier post on the HK$20 Beijing Olympics commemorative note!
28Feb
Today is the fifteenth and last day of Chinese New Year, as well as the last day of February. Families usually celebrate this special day by eating glutinous rice balls, commonly known as Tangyuan.
Every year, China Post would issue postcards for the Chinese New Year. Also known as lottery New Year postcards, each of the cards bears a unique serial number. A list of winning serial numbers will be announced on the China Post website later today. Prizes can be redeemed from 5 March to 5 May 2010.
The postcard has a simple hand-drawn design which reflects the Chinese culture during the New Year. Regardless of age, people are dressed in red, as this colour is regarded as auspicious. On the fifteenth day of the New Year, children would walk around with lanterns, as shown on the postcard.
Sent from a friend in Beijing on 19 February 2010, the fifth day of the New Year, this card arrived in my mailbox yesterday, just in time for the last day of the New Year.
01Dec
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is the home to over 400,000 people. This city is located along the northern coast of the country and is the largest city there. Tourists can explore the place easily on foot, especially in the two old towns, Lower Town and Toompea.
Sent: 9 October 2009
Received: 20 October 2009
24Nov
Rotterdam is a large sea port city located in the Netherlands and is the second largest municipality in the country. Its port is the largest in Europe and can be accessed via the Meuse and Rhine rivers. This port used to be the world’s busiest port from 1962 to 2004.
Sent: 12 October 2009
Received: 20 October 2009
13Nov
This postcard from the Netherlands shows golden leaves of autumn. In the northern hemisphere, this season is from September to November each year. On the postcard is a Dutch phrase:
‘Voor ze echt gaan vallen, worden ze eerst van goud, neem je de tijd hiervoor…’
This can can be translated as:
‘Before they fall from the trees, they first turn gold, take your time to enjoy…’
Sent: 13 October 2009
Received: 21 October 2009
