#108 - My Cousin Vinny

If you can only visit one Caribbean island, I think it should be Turks & Caicos. Turks is one of the few islands that actually has gorgeous, white beaches, clear aquamarine water. In other words, it's the real deal.

The 40 island nation is located just east of Hispaniola in the Atlantic Ocean.

Thanks to my cutie patootie cousin Vinny ♥ for sending this when she could have been on the beach or eating cotton candy, snorkeling, playing Xbox...

#107 - The Annapurna Circuit

Imagine trekking through the Himalayas, visiting remote villages, as you ascend to a peak of 18,000 feet. That is the highlight of the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. It's a 20 day trek taken by the adventurous, including a climb on Mt. Annapurna, the 10th highest mountain in the world.

The trek is rigourous; hiking at high altitudes, shortage of oxygen, its' cold...simple and modest accomodations in Nepali guesthouses...but there's no question, the view is worth it. Am I right Binaya?

#106 - Jaw Jaw Sula

Cheryll from Suriname found this project and sent me this pretty view of the Jaw Jaw Sula (rapids) in the Suriname River. It's a a small country in South America, north of Brazil in case you're curious...

Cheryl tells me that 80% of the country is covered in rainforest; move over Costa Rica!

Here's another surprising fact; even though we associate Suriname as being in Latino land, it's official language is Dutch. Nuts!

#105 - I'll raise you an island!

I have the greatest friends. Christina was heading to the Faroe Islands and immediately sent me a card for the project. Thanks darling! Happy to say, there goes another $5 from my wallet!

The Faroe Islands used to belong to the Norweigans but centuries ago, the King lost the territory in a drunken game of poker to the King of Denmark. (If only all territorial disputes could be resolved that way, eh?)

You can also find one of the worlds smallest capitals here, the city of Torshavn. It's beautiful really, with all the multi-colored buildings, all of different shapes and sizes. Apparently people here really take ownership to heart and they display that through personalized colours on their homes.

I'd paint mine turquoise, dark black roof. You?

#104 - Where in the world is Tinian?

Tinian is part of a 15 island group that makes up the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The name might be familiar; just east of the islands you can find the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the worlds oceans.

Tinian also played a huge role during World War II. The US took over the island, and used it as a base to attack the Japanese mainland. In fact, the planes that dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? They were flown from Tinian.

Interesting eh?

#103 - Ruinas de La Vieja

To be honest, I was feeling kinda blah today. I don't know why, maybe it's because I ran out of Nestle Quik last night. I haven't had a single glass of chocolate milk in the last...16 hours. Trupti without chocolate milk is like a sunflower without sunshine.

But you know what cheered me right up? Another person out there in the world, strolling around in cyberspace, found my blog and decided to send me a postcard for this project. *big smiles*

Yanireth from Panama sent me this view of the La Vieja ruins near Panama City. It was built in 1519 which marked the arrival of the very first Spaniards on the Pacific Coast. From here, they planned and developed strategic attacks on the Incas. Amazing piece of history ain't it? Thanks Yanireth!

And now I'm off to get my chocolate milk!

#102 - Under the Shade I Flourish....

..is the the official motto of Belize. Naturally one imagines sitting under a palm tree, reading a book, having a drink...or two, or three. But in reality, the motto has very little do with relaxation. It refers to the shade of the mahogany tree which formed the basis of the Belizean economy in the 18th and 19th century. The nation was literally covered in these giant red trees until the British abused this natural resource which led to the depletion of mahogany in the 1930's. Today, the mahogany tree is on the conservation list in Belize. It's yet another reminder that we must protect our planet and avoid repeating mistakes made by our ancestors.

#102 - Krygah-what?

Kyrgyzstan. It looks like such an awkward assembly of letters to us English speakers, doesn't it? I wonder how many points you could gain by placing Kyrgyzstan on a scrabble board.....but anyway....


K-stan is a small mountainous country west of China. Beautiful landscapes and rolling hills. The nomadic Kyrgyz people also value horses; horseback riding and horse riding games are very popular here. Wonder if Christina saw any during her trip....

#101 - The Ashanti. My New Heroes.

Ghana! WOW! What a surprise.

Charissa is an American student student currently studying in Ghana. Somehow she found my blog and decided to send a card for the project.

This my friends, is the current Ashantehere or chief of the Ashanti tribe, the largest ethnic group within Ghana. They are known for being fierce warriors and accumulating gold. : (Check out Mr. Tutu's collection!)

And you know what else I love about the Ashanti people? They live in a matrilineal society (say what?) which means the line of descent is traced through the FEMALE. Land rights, property and titles are also passed down through the females.

Clearly, one of the few intelligent societies on Earth ;)

#100 - Cha, check dis postcard!

What gorgeous views from Barbados!

Aside from the spectacular beaches, the sun, and the beautiful weather, Barbados lays claim to one of the oldest rum companies in the world; Mount Gay Rum was first produced in 1703.

Not gonna go there. Oh I was tempted but...let's keep this family friendly ;) Thanks Marion!

#99 - Laguna Verde

Or the Green Lagoon in English, can be found in Chile. This salt lake sits 4300+ metres high and is well known for it's emerald green water and hot springs.

If you want to see a stunning photograph of the region, click here to jump to Flickr. Isn't that gorgeous?

Many thanks to Noelle who sent this card right after the earthquake in Chile; wasn't sure if this one was going to arrive but here it is! Gracias senorita!

#98 - Rohtas Fort

This UNESCO site in Pakistan has got to be one of the most impressive forts in the world, not only for it's impressive architecture but sheer size as well.

The fort walls are about 4 km in circumference. You read that right. Four. Kilometres!

Even more more impressive, Salman tells me there's a village within the walls of the fort. I guess they're very well protected!

2010 Off To A Slow Start....

I've been trying to get and fine more people to help with this project but I won't lie, it's been hard. I've received cards from the most common countries of the world and the rest are going to be hard work.

But you know, I can't and won't give up. There are new malaria cases everyday and people dying from something that can be prevented so easily.

Time to get your butt in gear Trupti...must meet your goal!

#97 - The First Card of 2010!

One of my goals this year is to complete this project; 97 countries down and only 166 more to go!
The first card of 2010 comes from Elie in Lebanon, with a view of The Grand Serail.
It's the headquarters of the Prime Minister of Lebanon. Built in 1853, it has 430 rooms.
One for every day of the year, and then some!