English-speaking world

30 October 2014

ADELAIDE

 The South Australian capital of Adelaide is a most attractive city, and unusual in that it was carefully planned from its beginning in 1836. Surrounded by parkland, bisected by the River Torrens, and with an orderly grid of central city streets, Adelaide was the vision of surveyor Colonel William Light. The city's one million residents enjoy a Mediterranean-style climate and a relatively peaceful lifestyle. The inner city of Adelaide is best explored on foot; it is compact, well laid out and flat. The balmy climate and excellent local food and wine have given rise to an abundance of streetside restaurants and cafés.

 

Adelaide

 Adelaide O'bahn. This card shows 'O'Bahn' track that buses go on and off of to travel faster

 

The South Australian capital was founded by free settlers and Adelaide prides  itself on its convict-less history. Surrounded by the gentle Adelaide Hills and the gulf, this is perhaps the nation's most attractive capital. Adelaide has a multicultural population of of just over a million and the city has gained a reputation as an important centre for the arts.



Read more: City of Adelaide
 
 
Received from Rosemaree

 

25 October 2014

SLEA HEAD

 The Dingle Peninsula, stretching westwards for 30 miles from the low-lying country near Tralee, is the most northerly of the hilly promontories of County Kerry. It offers some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery. Some parts of the peninsula – especially the more remote areas – are still Gaelic speaking, so many road signs are written only in Irish.


SLEA HEAD, DINGLE, CO. KERRY
 
At Slea Head the visitor reaches one of the cornerstones of the Dingle Peninsula. Off the shore are the group of seven islands and numerous rocks known as the Blaskets. The Great Blasket is the largest and the old village settlement was at the northeast end of the island. The inhabitants were moved to the mainland in 1953. Many of the islanders were adept at recounting folk-tales, and Blasket islanders have produced such well-known books as 'Twenty Years A-growing' (M. O'Sullivan) and 'The Islander' (T. Ó Crohan).

21 October 2014

NEWFOUNDLAND

A World of Difference

Off in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, Newfoundland is both geographically and culturally a place between the Old and New Worlds. Here you'll find a fantastic natural environment. More than a dozen species of whales, millions of nesting seabirds and the wild ocean itself beckon. On land are scores of parks, the world's largest caribou herd and friendly, open people who speak a dialect that not's quite Devon, not quite Cork, but definitely familiar. 



Original art by Jim Lemieux


The province is fast becoming known for its winter activities, especially skiing. For campers there are scores of provincial parks and two national parks. This is also the land of fjords. There are trails galore and even sand beaches!
There's one constant in Newfoundland: friendly people who love to see a new face and have a good time. Come on over and discover North America's natural adventures destination - A World of Difference. 


For further information:  Welcome to Newfoundland and Labrador 

Postcrossing Postcard: CA-434611 

18 October 2014

DRAKENSBERG

Natal's western border is a rugged chain of basalt peaks - the Drakensberg. It is the country's grandest mountain range. The slopes are alive with clear ountain streams, waterfalls, wild flowers, ferns and ancient yellowwood trees. In winter, the summits are capped with snow.



Giant's Castle, Drakensberge (Natal)


Giant's Castle Game Reserve. One of the major reserves in the southern Drakensberg dominated by a 3,000 m wall of basalt incorporating the peaks Giant's Castle (3,314 m) and Injasuti (3,459 m). 
The Bushman's and Little Tugela Rivers flow through the reserve. Vegetation encompasses grasslands, woodlands, scrub and forest. The reserve serves as a sanctuary for the eland, other antelope and a variety of birds. 
Giant's Castle has one of of southern Africa's richest stores of Bushman rock art and Main Caves boasts more than 500 paintings in a single, large shelter.

11 October 2014

WASHINGTON D.C.

With its impressive monuments and museums, its stately government buildings and mansions, Washington D.C. is easily recognizable as the United State's capital city. The city is mainly based on government and everything from museums to mansions bring millions of tourists each year. Washington D.C. is the second most visited city in the United States (after New York) and is among the top travel destinations in the world. Most Walkable City in the U.S.


Points of interest in Washington D.C.


Washington, D.C. has dozens of world-class museums and galleries to visit, and many of them are free. The permanent collections of the Smithsonian Museums are second to none, and the temporary exhibits there and elsewhere around Washington bring in spectacular art and artifacts.Many of the architectural landmarks in Washington, D.C. commemorate important chapters in American history. Monuments and memorials like the breathtaking Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the unprecedented Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the inspiring Marine Corps War Memorial.  

Official Visitors Guide: Washington DC

Postcrossing Postcard: US-1326343

10 October 2014

NOVA SCOTIA

Nova Scotia is Canada's Ocean Playground, known for its splendid coastal scenery, fascinating marine history, colourful marine culture and warm, hospitable people.
Along its 4,625-mile-long coastline is  almost every conceivable geographical marine feature - beaches, lagoons, salt marshes, harbours, inlets, coves, estuaries, bays, basins, channels, straits, passages, capes, points, heads, sandbars, mud flats, and sand-dunes.



Lobster traps and fishing boats - a familiar sight at Peggy's Cove.


There's deep-sea fishing, coastal canoeing, clam digging, rockhounding, bird watching, boat tours, dory races, wind surfing, swimming, camping, hiking, and sightseeing on highways that travel along some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
Known as the Festival Province of Canada, Nova Scotia annually hosts some 350 summertime community festivals, fairs, gatherings and special events.



06 October 2014

HOUT BAY

An unspoilt, picturesque village, with a large fishing harbour. The centre of the snoek industry, and headquarters of the crayfishing fleet. The beach is noted for 'trek' (drag-net) fishing. Wood was one obtained here for many of the buildings in Cape Town. Beach is attractive, but cold for swimming.



SPRING FLOWERS ALONG CHAPMANS PEAK
DRIVE - HOUT BAY IN THE BACKGROUND
FISHING BOATS IN HOUT BAY HARBOUR
HOUT BAY FROM FLORA BAY

  • Hout Bay Museum Depicts the story of the bay and its environs, as well as the development of the fishing industry.
  • Hout Bay Harbour A unique seafood 'emporium', encompassing a fresh fish and Cape rock lobster market.
  • Chapman's Peak One of the world's most spectacular scenic drives, the road is an engineering feat. Cut into the cliffs around the peak, the 10 km drive begins at Hout Bay, and traverses Chapman's Peak Mountain, its cliffs falling sheer to the sea.

03 October 2014

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Despite its worldwide fame, Stratford is, at heart, an unassuming market town. Spreading back from the River Avon, Stratford's town centre is flat and compact, its mostly modern buildings filling out a simple gridiron. Running along the northern edge of the centre is Bridge Street, the main thoroughfare lined with shops and chock-a-block with local buses.



Clopton Bridge and pleasure boat. Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Holy Trinity Church. Holy Trinity Church. Canal boats by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Punting on the River Avon


Famous as the birth place and final home of playwright William Shakespeare, Stratford has suffered from an overdose of visitors for decades. There are five sites associated with Shakespeare and his family. Three sites are within walking distance of each other in the town centre:
  • Shakespeare's Birthplace, where the dramatist was born, in 1564, and grew up;
  • Hall's Croft was the home Shakespeare's elder daughter, Susana, and her husband, Dr. John Hall;
  • Nash's House, home of Thomas Nash, husband of Shakespeare's granddaughter. Next door was New Place, where Shakespeare died. Only the foundations remain, with an Elizabethan-style knot garden.


The Birthplace, Holy Trinity Church, Nash's House, Mary Arden's House, Anne Hathaway's Cottage.


Out of town are two sites:
  • Anne Hathaway's Cottage, where Shakespeare's wife lived as a child;
  • Arden's House, the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother.