NL-122966

This card travelled 10,387 Kms from Holland. Thanks Tanya for this handmade card..very nice & creative indeed. Have an awesome 2009 too!

More Windmills

More of windmills at my other post here!

More Tulips

Check out my other post on Tulips from Holland here!

Cheese Galore!

During the cycling tour, we chanced upon an ongoing cheese auction at this location in the postcard. The travel guide told us that it was really very fortunate for us as it is not a frequent thing. Not too sure if its still the case now. However, the whole auction was quite an experience to watch. Interesting way the transactions were made... all in the name of preserving this very nice culture. Next time, before eating cheese from Holland, my mind will wander back to this place...

More of Holland!

What more can I say? Gorgeous : ) I think I have purchased the most number of postcard in Holland compared to travels to other locations.

Windmills

Printed in Holland

A different time of the day, a different mood is reflected of these "one upon a time" wondrous workforces. Well, for some of these, they still serve their original purposes as a power generator or its secondary purpose as a tourist attraction. Either way, they are doing a great job! : )

Triple Delight

Printed in Holland

Triple delight.. a name given to highlight the 3 most significant things that made Holland a great place to visit. A bicycle tour took me to visit one of the windmills. The machinery inside of it is really quite interesting. Taking a boat tour take you on an architectural journey of low lying bridges and buildings . Also, I do get to see boat houses, people staying in boats by the rivers. My only regret is only being able to see the tulips in full bloom... I'll be back : )

Windows by the River

Printed in Holland

This panoramic fish-eye kinda of view of the Dutch buildings by the river happen to be one of my favourites in terms of photography. I like the way that the vast array of buildings seemed to line up in an organised manner but appear disorientated in the reflections of the river. Seems to indicate that there is always 2 sides to a coin : ) Apart from this, in my earlier post, another postcard explains the significance of the cornices in place.

Tulips

Printed in Holland

The sights of Tulip flooding a whole field with its splendid array of colours is one that I would love to see with my own eyes. Missed the season during my visit to Holland. The town of Keukenhof is the place to be to see this glorious sight. Tulips also happen to be my wife's favourite flower and I think this is on the list of "must-visit" places in our list.

Fiat 500

Printed in Holland

1993

This is probably one of the pioneers of the Fiat 500 series. During a Google, I realised that this car has a cult following. Many proud owners, and many (the Fiat 500 die hard) quote this as the best car ever (current models)

For the fun of it, check out the Fiat 500 enthusiast page here!

Citroen

Printed in Holland

1997

Got this series of "thumbnail" postcards from a small store while travelling in Amsterdam near the Vincent Van Gogh Museum. I personally liked this collection of thumbnails and the colour modifications given to each of the thumbnails.

Another thing, Citroen cars.. my first impression of this car was one that can has this very cool suspension system that can hover up or down according to the speed of travel. Very fascinated by the technology, but not so much so for the designs of the cars : )

Cornice-Gables

Printed in Holland

The description in the postcard gives a view of the economic situation spanning the 1700 to the 1800s. In this postcard, the more elaborate elevated cornice-gables were built in the mid to late 1700's. In the 1800's, it was a sobering evolution to the normal cornice-gable, and this reflects the deteriorating economic conditions.

In my visit to Amsterdam, I do note that there were many of such buildings. Many were in restored states which presents a very nice and elaborate architecture on the exterior. Definitely a site to be marveled with.

NORD Express by Cassandre Adolphe Mouron

Printed in Holland

1999

Another classic from "Art Unlimited Amsterdam"

Cassandre (1901 – 1968) was a groundbreaking French painter who revitalized advertising poster design and successfully manipulated its psychological impact. Born Adolphe Mouron Cassandre, he created revolutionary posters intended to be seen from fast-moving vehicles. He initiated the concept of a group of posters viewed in rapid succession to form a complete idea. Cassandre also theorized that words and images must instantly trigger emotions and mental associations. Influenced by Cubism, his posters were highly geometric and mathematically organized. Cassandre created several innovative fonts, and always began his poster designs with the text. Cassandre’s renowned works included covers for Harper’s Bazaar and the Yves Saint Laurent logo.

The "Nord Express" (Northern Express) was a train service introduced in 1896 by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, a Belgian night train company. It left Paris and travelled via Brussels, Cologne, Hanover, Berlin, Konigsberg (now Kaliningrad) and Daugavpils to Saint Petersburg. The founders of CIWL wanted to establish a direct link between Saint Petersburg and Lisbon to connect with ocean liners to America.

The "Nord Express" in the French station of Noyon - Beginning of the 20th century
Passengers from Russia had to change once in East Prussia at the German/Russian border because Russian railway tracks are of a wider gauge than those in Western Europe. In Paris there was a connecting service to the Sud Express (Southern Express) to Lisbon. This train service enabled people to travel across Europe in what was, by the standards of the time, a very fast and comfortable manner.

After World War I the train was diverted to Warsaw instead to Saint Petersburg. After World War II the "iron curtain" and air travel caused the end to this famous train. Since World War II the name Nord Express has been used for the ordinary night train between Paris and Copenhagen. In 2007 it was shortened further and diverted again such that it now runs between Paris and Hamburg, taking 10.5 hours.

Source "Wikipedia"

Holland oost azie liju

Printed in Holland

1994

Another of the quality and graphically delightful postcard that I got from "Art Unlimited Amsterdam". Well, this Dutch words means "Holland East Asia Line" probable reflecting the travel route of this vessel.

Primagaz

Printed in Holland

1999

This Postcard is part of the series that I have bought during my visit to Amsterdam. Printed by Art Unlimited Amsterdam, I am particularly impressed by the graphic design of the postcards. For this particular postcard, I have still not fully understood what the picture actually means : ) Even after translation of the words to English, it still leaves me thinking. Apart from that, the graphic is cool.

Holland Office National du Tourisme

Printed in Holland

1999

Another beautiful classic from Art Unlimited Amsterdam.

The Drummer Boy

Printed in Holland

1984

Having played drums before, I am naturally drawn to this postcard. Got this during my trip to Amsterdam many years ago. I have affectionately term this postcard "The Drummer Boy"