WALT DISNEY WORLD

 

The Most Magical Place on Earth

The Walt Disney World Resort is an entertainment complex in Lake Buena Vista, near Orlando, Florida. Opened on October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world. Magic Kingdom Park is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. The park is represented by Cinderella Castle, inspired by the fairy tale castle seen in the 1950 film. The castle was completed in July 1971, after about 18 months of construction. It is 56 m tall, as measured from water-level. Cinderella's Castle, the main entrance to Fantasyland, is the most photographed building at Walt Disney World. 

 

MAGIC MOMENTS IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM
Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto welcome visitors to the Magic Kingdom, where the charm of the past meet the thrills of the future

"Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together."
/Roy Oliver Disney/

Received from Michele, Bayonne, NJ

CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL

The Crystal Cathedral is located in Garden Grove, just a few miles south of Disneyland. A striking modern glass and steel structure rises almost 13 stories. The Crystal Cathedral was the brainchild of famed Garden Grove Community Church founder Robert H. Schuller. He changed the church’s name to Crystal Cathedral Ministries when the cathedral was completed in the early 1980s. He went on to build the congregation into one of America’s first mega-churches’ with a huge worldwide following.

An aerial view shows the tremendous size of this beautiful church.  

From point to point, the Crystal Cathedral spans a full 415 feet with seating capacity of 2,889. The mirrored look of the exterior reflects the surroundings, a shining beacon to all of Orange County, California. The white steel trusses form a lace-like frame to hold 11,400 windows. 90 foot doors open to minister to drive-in worshipers.

The interior of  the Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, CA. 

The cathedral’s most striking interior feature is one of the world’s largest pipe organs. The 185-foot (56-meter) wide marble chancel often holds hundreds of singers and musicians during large services and holiday concerts.

THE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS - A LIVING NATIVITY

Postcards received from Diane, Fountain Valley, CA

CROCODILE

The world’s largest reptile is the Northern Territory’s very own Saltwater Crocodile, or Salties in the vernacular of the locals. This incredible carnivore has sat atop the food chain of the Top End (a geographical region encompassing the northernmost section of the Northern Territory), for 100 million years. Salties can grow up to seven metres and weigh over 1,000 kilograms, but the average sized male any traveller in the Northern Territory is likely to see will be around five metres. Crocodiles can live for up to 70 years. The largest confirmed crocodile from the Northern Territory was trapped in the Mary River in the 1980s and measured a bit more than 20 feet.

Crocodiles have 68 fearsome teeth in their jaws that replenish constantly if broken off. A large croc can exert more than two tonnes of pressure with its bite. Crocodiles can swim as fast as 10 kilometres per hour and can run over open ground as fast as 11 kph for short bursts. 
 

 
Private swap with Gloria from Northern Territory

ANZAC DAY

Anzac Day is one of Australia’s most important national commemorative occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. Anzac Day falls on the 25th of April each year. The 25th of April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916. 'ANZAC' stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. With the coming of the Second World War, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in that war. The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all Australians killed in military operations.

Battalion bugler playing the Last Post

In military tradition, the Last Post is the bugle call that signifies the end of the day's activities. It is also sounded at military funerals to indicate that the soldier has gone to his final rest and at commemorative services such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. The Last Post is one of a number of bugle calls in military tradition that mark the phases of the day.

NEW JERSEY

 

• The Borough of Seaside Park, located on the Barnegat Barrier Island in Ocean County, New Jersey, was incorporated in 1898. Seaside Park is a small town of only 0.77 square miles with a year-round population of just over 2,200 residents. With almost two miles of shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean, the borough’s main industry is summer tourism.

• THE STATE HOUSE is located in New Jersey's capital city, Trenton, situated on a bank of the Delaware River. This gilt-domed building, constructed in 1889, houses the state's executive and legislative branches of government.
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Sunset at Seaside Park. The State House, Trenton. Autumn waterfall, Morris County. Aerial view of Newark. Clinton Historical Museum, Hunterdon County

• Newark, New Jersey's largest city, is the leading industrial and financial center in the State. Containing a major maritime port, Newark is one of the great sea, truck, rail and air transportation hubs of the nation.

• The Town of Clinton is located in central Hunterdon County, in northwest New Jersey. The landmark 10-acre Red Mill Museum Village is home to the Hunterdon Historical Museum, which has a collection of more than 40,000 historic artifacts. You’ll also find a replica of a log cabin, an old schoolhouse and the Mulligan quarry buildings on its grounds. In October, the Haunted Mill is an especially popular Halloween scare fest.
• Morris County is located about 40 km west of New York City and was named after Colonel Lewis Morris, governor of New Jersey. The county is part of the New York Metropolitan Area, and its county seat is Morristown.

 

See more at: http://www.visitnj.org

KNOTT'S BERRY FARM

 Located in the heart of Southern California, the lively city of Buena Park is close to all major attractions, dining, shopping, beaches, sporting venues and entertainment.  The city is perfectly situated just 5 miles from Disneyland Parks®, 15 miles from white sandy beaches and 20 miles from Los Angeles. The city is not only known for its premier location, but for its world famous entertainment - including Knott's Berry Farm.

Some of the greatest rides, shows and attractions are found at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California 

Knott's Berry Farm located in Buena Park, California offers dozens of rides, shows and attractions. Experience world-class thrills on Silver Bullet, the park's first-ever suspended coaster, or Sierra Sidewinder the spinning coaster that offers a panoramic view. Hop on board the Pony Express - The Ride, delivering a horseback relay at speeds never imagined in the Old West. For something different, detour to the Park's Old West Ghost Town and have a cool sarsaparilla or visit Camp Snoopy, home of the PEANUTS gang and filled with dozens of kid-sized adventures.  

An aerial view of exciting Knott's Berry Farm, one of Southern California's famous tourist attractions.

TIMBER MOUNTAIN LOG RIDE

Since its opening in 1969, the Log Ride has always been one of the most elaborate log flume rides in the US, taking guests through an 85-foot-high by 330-foot-long mountain range themed to a nineteenth-century lumber camp. The ride is one of the oldest log flumes in the United States and one of the few log flumes that is themed in the world.

A thrilling jorney in hollowed-out logs nears the end as you race down the log flume for a wave-splashing finale

Postcards received from Diane, California resident

VIPER

Since it was built Viper has been one of the tallest and fastest looping roller coasters in the world. The roller coaster is located in the Baja Ridge area of Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. An enormous structure, made of red and white steel, this metal snake rises to 188 feet and slithers down the track at 70 miles per hour. It features a breathtaking 18-story drop, three vertical loops, a double barrel boomerang, a classic corkscrew, and speeds of 70 mph. Riders turn upside down seven times. 

VIPER - The most Frightening Roller Coaster on Earth

Coiling track, corkscrews and zig zags connect you to the incredible boomerang (or “batwing”) loop, and by this time you should probably be getting comfortable with flying through the sky, upside down, at top speeds, like a giant snake … or maybe not.

Length: 3,830 feet
Introduced: 1990
Manufacturer: Arrow Dynamics, Inc.
Capacity: 28 riders

Received from Diane - California resident

CAMBRIDGE

Cambridge is an extremely compact place. Cambridge University swamps the town. As one of the world's most famous and oldest universities, founded when students were driven out of Oxford by rioting in the early 13th century, its medieval colleges are simply superlative. 
The Backs (i.e. the backs of the colleges), where lawns reach down to the Cam River, is very picturesque and best experienced on a punt. At the front, the handsome facades of these same colleges dominate the layout of the town centre,  lining up along the main streets.

Many of the buildings are extraordinary beautiful, but the most famous is King's College, whose King's College Chapel is one of the great statements of late Gothic architecture. There are 31 university colleges in total, each an independent, self-governing body, proud of its achievements.
Nosing around the colleges' hidden courts and gardens, and searching out ancient libraries, refectories and chapels is the most pleasurable part of a visit.  

Read more:  
Cambridge City Council
University of Cambridge

Postcrossing Postcard: GB-376024

WELLINGTON

New Zealand's capital since 1865, Wellington is situated on the south-west tip of the North Island. Featuring a magnificent harbour and panoramic views from the surrounding hills, Wellington is a city of contrasts, offering a wide variety of commercial, cultural and recreational activities.

Background: Wellington from Northland. Top right: 'The Beehive'. Bottom from left: Cable car, City and Harbour, Carter Fountain.

In some ways it is similar to Naples, though it is only about one quarter the size. It is built on steep hillsides surrounding a large natural harbour and there is a cable car running up to the top of Mount Victoria. It is also close to a volcanic area. Wellington is a major port as well as a major financial and artistic centre, and has a vibrancy not found in any other New Zealand city.

Wellington at Dusk. This beautiful harbour retains New Zealand's seat of government, and is a major port facility for the lower North Island.

Known primarily as the home of New Zealand’s parliament and its public servant population, Wellington transformed itself during the 1980s and 1990s into a vibrant, culture-driven hot spot. Tucked around one of the world’s most picturesque harbours, the capital city is intimate, sophisticated, arty and packed with national treasures.

Aerial View showing Paremata, Mana, Plimmerton, Porirua Harbour and in the background, Kapiti Island, North Island, New Zealand.

Postcards received from Kelly - Wellington resident

COASTAL CAROLINA

 The North Carolina coast comprises 300 miles of barrier-island beaches, each with its own unique vibe and variety of things to do. And quaint coastal towns and endless activities guarantee there’s always something new to explore – a fresh perspective in a familiar setting that brings visitors back year after year. Carolina beaches are beautiful, with creamy-colored sand gentle slopes. Sand fences are used for the purpose of building sand dunes by trapping blowing sand, and also to protect existing dunes and their vegetation. They are placed so as not to entrap sea turtles. Hundreds of sea turtles come ashore to nest on North Carolina’s beaches each summer.

Coastal Carolina

Postcrossing Postcard US-4092303 received from Tanja