ST HELENA

the most extraordinary place on earth 

Situated 1000 miles from mainland of Africa and 1700 miles from Cape Town. This green gem set in a ring of bronze as a poet once called ST HELENA. Much of its charm lies in its remoteness. The Islander are British and proud of it.
The countryside of St Helena consists of astonishing contrasts. The terrain ranges from wind eroded desert with multi-coloured ridges and valleys, to flax and tree covered hillsides, soft pasture, lush vegetation-filled valleys and large areas of prickly pear scrub. The surrounding coastline is magnificent with 1000 feet high cliffs dropping, sometimes sheer, to rocks against which Atlantic rollers pound.

Jamestown by night. The island's capital Jamestown at night, with the Royal Mail Ship St Helena at anchor in James Bay.

Jamestown is not only the capital of the island it is also the only town. Exploring Jamestown is a delight rather akin to a treasure hunt. By far the greatest number of buildings in the town are of eighteenth or nineteenth century origin. The most spectacular feature of Jamestown is Jacob's Ladder: 699 steps leading from the floor of the valley, on which the town is built, to the top of Ladder Hill.

The island of St Helena is best known as Napoleon's place of exile. Longwood House where Napoleon spent the final six years of his life is filled with Napoleonic memorabilia.

Memories of St Helena will remain long after the rest has faded!

   

Received from St Helena Tourism

WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY

 The West Coast Wilderness Railway is an award-winning railway and wilderness experience located on the west coast of Tasmania. The lovingly restored steam journey connects the historic towns of Queenstown and Strahan and is a wonderful way to experience a combination of Tasmanian wilderness, history, cuisine and hospitality. Three of the original trains now command the railway, built in 1896 (ABT 1), 1898 (ABT 3) and 1938 (ABT 5), and are beautifully restored to their former 28 tonne glory. 

The West Coast Wilderness Railway was originally built during the 1890s to transport copper from the mines in Queenstown to the port on the coast at Strahan. The railway operated until the 60’s when it became too expensive to run, and road transport became a more efficient way of travelling. The trains were decommissioned and the track fell into disrepair. However, reconstruction work started in the 1990s and in 2003 the railway was officially reopened. 

The West Coast Wilderness Railway embodies a wealth of stories, stories that tell of the ingenuity, resilience and determination that turned the west coast of Tasmania into one of the wealthiest mining regions in the world.   

West Coast Wilderness Railway

OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN

The Old Man of the Mountain, nicknamed the Great Stone Face or Profile, was located in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire. Discovered in 1805, the rocks that made up the profile collapsed during the night hours on May 3, 2003. 

The Profile was a natural rock formation that was formed by a series of geologic happenings that began an estimated 200 million years ago. It hovered majestically 1,200 feet above Profile Lake. The Old Man was made of five separate granite ledges arranged horizontally to form a man’s profile. From chin to forehead, the Profile measured about 40 feet and was 25 feet wide.

Franconia Notch, New Hampshire

Robert Frost (1874–1963), one of America’s best-loved poets, settled in the Franconia Notch region in 1915. The Frost Place Museum includes a half-mile nature trail that has plaques displaying the poems written by Frost during the years he lived in Franconia.

Postcrossing Postcard US-877496  

This is a natural Rock Formation, which is amazing to see inperson - the sender writes.

CALGARY

Calgary is the largest city in the province of Alberta which is located in Western Canada. It is nestled in the Foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains and has many beautiful parks and rivers. The city is known for its friendly western hospitality and is a culturally diverse and thriving metropolis. The City of Calgary is committed to ensuring Arts and Culture remains an essential element in creating a vibrant, creative and culturally stimulating city, and encourages residents to actively participate in and access the arts around the city.

North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres operate year-round to bring you and your family the best in arts programs, facilities and services. Visit us soon and discover the incredible variety of creative opportunities that await you

North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre has been offering fine arts classes and studio space to Calgarians of all ages and abilities for more than 25 years. Housed in a heritage property built as a school in 1913, North Mount Pleasant ceramics and visual arts programs are varied and will appeal to all levels of personal competency.

Wildflower Arts Centre is situated in the community of Spruce Cliff/Wildwood, in a former school, built in 1957. The City of Calgary transformed the facility and opened the Wildflower Arts Centre in January 1978. Wildflower Arts Centre has offered fine arts, drama and dance classes to Calgarians of all ages and abilities for more than 30 years.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is one of only four atoll nations in the world and is also one of the world’s youngest nations, independent only since 1986. The Marshall Islands consists of 29 atolls each made up of many islets and 5 islands in the central Pacific between 4 degrees and 14 degrees north, and 160 degrees and 173 degrees east. The atolls and islands are situated in two almost parallel chain-like formations known as the Ratak (Sunrise or Eastern) group and Ralik (Sunset or Western) group. 

The Republic of the Marshall Islands covers nearly a million square miles of picturesque islands, thriving coral atolls, and crystal clear blue waters … undoubtedly one of the most interesting places in the world to visit. Marshall Islanders are known throughout the Pacific and the world for their friendly and peaceful nature. Both Marshallese and English are the official languages of the Marshall Islands.

Capital: Majuro Island, Majuro Atoll
Political Status: Self-governing democracy in free association with the U.S.
Currency: U.S. dollar

Received from Marshall Islands Visitors Authority