PORT VILA

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Vanuatu is made up of more than 80 islands and islets. Pacific islands of extraordinary beauty and fascination. Fragrant blooms of the tropic abound. Fringed by tall palms, white sand beaches remain unspoilt and uncrowded. The tourquoise waters of lagoons sparkle under a warm sun. This is the home of a proud people who still honour and nurture culture rich in age-old traditions and ceremonies. 

Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, projects the image of a very cosmopolitan town with its mixture of European, Vietnamese, Chinese and Melanesian cultures. Alongside the modern two or three-storey buildings, the large colonial houses are reminders of a none too distant past. Not to be missed, the big market on mornings. 

 

Another heritage of those times, the bustling Chinese district, where you can find everything you could imagine "made in Hongkong" at very reasonable prices. Most of the commercial life is in the main street (Kumul Highway), with duty-free shops, coffee shops, restaurants, fashion boutiques, travel agencies, but also the banks and many other establishments.

LOS ANGELES

Since its founding on September 4, 1781, Los Angeles has grown into a dynamic metropolis with its eye on the future, while preserving its extraordinary cultural heritage. LA is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, making it a truly global city. The city of Los Angeles covers a total area of 1,302 km2, comprising 1,214 km2 of land and 88 km2 of water. The city extends for 71 km longitudinally and for 47 km latitudinally.

 

Aerial view at night of the LA skyline and LA Live, Nokia Center and Staples Center in the foreground

The City of Los Angeles holds many distinctions. LA is the entertainment capital of the world, a cultural mecca boasting more than 100 museums, and a paradise of good weather. From tourist attractions like the Walk of Fame’s collection of stars (numbering 2,576, and growing by one or two a month) to career opportunities like those presented in the expanding tech industry, Los Angeles is the place to be. It is the only city in North America to have hosted the Summer Olympics twice. Downtown LA is the largest government center outside of Washington, D.C. 

City of Los Angeles

Received from Jennifer, LA resident

 

GARDEN STATE ARTS CENTER

  New Jersey is known of being the home of the famous PNC Bank Arts Center. This venue is ranked in the top five amphitheaters in the country and ranked in the top two outdoor arenas within the New York Metropolitan area Originally called the Garden State Arts Center, this venue opened its doors to the public in 1968, after 4 years of making this amphitheater. It hosts a numerous summer concerts at the uniquely designed amphitheater and illuminates the grounds every December for the annual Holiday Lights Spectacular.

 

THE GARDEN STATE ARTS CENTER at Telegraph Hill, Holmdel, New Jersey, is a 5,058-seat amphitheater for the performing arts conveniently located at Exit 116 of the Garden State Parkway

In 1996 PNC Bank purchased naming rights to the venue changing the name from the Garden State Arts Center to the currently PNC Bank Arts Center. Amphitheater seating; contemporary, classic rock, dance and opera summer concert series. 

Holmdel Township is a picturesque agricultural community rooted in a contemporary suburban setting. Parks and recreation are an integral part of the enriched way of life in the community. The township’s 565-acre centerpiece, Holmdel Park, is home to 11 trails for walking, hiking, biking and horseback riding.  

BERKELEY

Berkeley is a city with a small population and a big reputation. The town of Berkeley was incorporated in 1878, and Berkeley became an official city in 1909. And so Berkeley was, from the beginning, a college town, with all the amenities and spirit of innovation and exploration that influence a great place of learning. It was named for Bishop George Berkeley and inspired by poetry specifically his allusions to ancient Greece, the original model for the University of California as envisioned by its founders. 

University of California campus in foreground, City of Berkeley

The University of California was formally founded in 1869, in Oakland, and moved to its current Berkeley location in 1873. It has at least ten Nobel laureates among its professors. There are many museums, cultural amenities, and noteworthy buildings to visit. The University Art Museum includes works by Piccasso and Cézanne among its exhibits. The main campus landmark, the 307-ft (94-m) Sather Tower, and the splendid Lawrence Hall of Science are both outstanding.

Postcrossing Postcard US-1404774 received from Jillian

WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS

 In 1933, the first National Historic Park in America was established in Morristown. It anchors the New Jersey section of the Crossroads of the American Revolution. Revolutionary War encampment site of 12,000 plus Continental Army soldiers. The park also maintains a museum & library collection related to the encampments & George Washington, as well as items relating to pre- and post-Revolutionary America.

The Ford Mansion, located in the Morristown National Historic Park, served as home to General and Mrs. George Washington from December  1779 to June 1780 during the Revolutionary War. This large Georgian style home was built in the early 1770's. Today the house is furnished to reflect how it might have appeared during Washington's stay. 

WAWA

The township of Wawa is located in the Algoma District on Wawa Lake, just east of Lake Superior. The name means "wild goose" in Ojibwa, and refers to the thousands of geese which rest on beautiful Lake Wawa during migration. A fur-trading post before 1700, later the site of three gold rushes, Wawa now thrives on iron mining and tourism-related business.

A landmark sculpture in steel, the Wawa Goose has achieved worldwide publicity. It's one of the largest symbols of its kind, measuring 9 m high, 7 m from beak to tail, with a wingspan of 6 m, and weighing two tons.

Greetings from Wawa

Ontario, Canada

Scenic High Falls are 23 m high, 38 m across, and equally impressive in winter, when frozen solid. Just south of Wawa, on the Magpie River. Accessible only by snowmobile or skis in winter.

Today, Wawa attracts visitors for the stellar fishing, amazing kayaking on Lake Superior, endless snowmobile trails and (of course) for snapping a selfie with the Wawa Goose, one of the most photographed landmarks in North America.

Destination Ontario: Wawa

SOUTH GEORGIA

South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is a British Overseas Territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. Stunningly beautiful and rugged, this island wildlife sanctuary, once visited, is not easily forgotten. Its snow covered peaks, blue glacier ice and emerald green bays are breathtaking sights.

Grytviken Church

The whalers church at Grytviken is a Norwegian Lutheran church, pre-fabricated in Strommen, Norway, then shipped down to South Georgia and erected near to the whaling station. It was consecrated on Christmas day 1913. The church is still in use having been repaired and restored in the 1990's though it hasn't had a pastor since 1931.

King Edward Point lies at the entrance to King Edward Cove, a small bay within Cumberland East Bay. Located midway along South Georgia it is approximately 1,400km (860 miles) from the Falkland Islands. Access is by boat or ship-based helicopter. The station focuses on applied fisheries research and supports the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Typically King Edward Point station has 22 people living on station during the summer months and 12 people on station throughout the winter. 

Received from King Edward Point Research Station thanks to Ann

CANBERRA

Canberra, Australia's Federal Capital is a beautiful city, set within extensive parks and gardens and enjoys four distinct seasons. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), surrounded by New South Wales (NSW). The city is 150 kilometres inland and 571 metres above the Pacific Ocean, 281 kilometres from Sydney and 660 kilometres from Melbourne. Located on the ancient lands of the Indigenous Ngunnawal people, Canberra’s name is thought to mean ‘meeting place’, derived from the Aboriginal word Kamberra.

Left to right: A view of Canberra from Mount Ainslie; Parliament House, with its distinctive flagpole, opened in 1988; Commonwealth Park during springtime's Floriade 

Parliament House is one of the world's most architecturally acclaimed buildings features an 81-metre flagpole with an Australian flag bigger than a double-decker bus.
Commonwealth Park is beautifully landscaped park in the city centre with interesting sculptures, hidden walks and tranquil ponds. In spring, Commonwealth Park welcomes Floriade, Australia's largest spring festival. The park also hosts many colourful outdoor concerts and events throught the year.

Received from PC user Chris in Canberra
 

LAKE TAHOE

Lake Tahoe is located along the border of California and Nevada. About one-third of the basin is in Nevada and two-thirds is in California. Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States and the tenth deepest in the world, with a maximum depth measured at 501 m. It is about 35 km long and 19 km wide and has 116 km of shoreline and a surface area of 495 km2. The deep, emerald waters of this beautiful lake are set within an alpine valley at the highest point of the High Sierras.

Emerald bay lit in muted colors of winter

Lake Tahoe is admired for its great depth and clarity and beautiful alpine surroundings. It is a true jewel. Lake Tahoe attractions go beyond just the water. The area’s rich environment influences the majority of Lake Tahoe’s attractions: hiking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, sunbathing, paddleboarding and more. The surrounding peaks are also famous for their ski resorts. The world-class Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley are well-known because the Winter Olympics were held here in 1960.
 

ROAD TRAINS

The Australian Road Trains are the longest trucks in the world.  They have 3 or more trailers and are 53 metres long,  hauling 115 metric tonnes and can have up to 60 wheels. They travel at a top speed of 85 kilometres an hour. The longest road train in Australia is 1474.3 metres. Road trains are an integral part of the Australian Outback, just like kangaroos, red dust and endless horizons. Unlike most other states, the Northern Territory relies heavily on triple road trains in excess of 115 tonnes as a major form of transport. 

Road trains are used extensively between southern capital cities, Darwin and other parts of the Territory. Road trains shrunk the Australian continent to a more manageable size. The long road trains are banned on the majority of populated roads since they would bring a lot of inconvenience and traffic when driven in the large cities.

Private swap with Gloria from Northern Territory