Showing all posts in June 2024

In Blogging and the Web, Geek Talk, Sreisaatv2

Sunday Stamps: Roaring Taiwanese Tiger

Author sreisaatPosted on 3 Comments

This week’s Sunday Stamps takes us on a journey to Taiwan, celebrating a beloved national holiday – the Lunar New Year!

In 2010, I received a stunning postcard from Taiwan, featuring a beautifully painted tiger. While some might find it fierce, for me, it embodies the strength and energy of the tiger. Plus, guess what? Look closely – one of the stripes cleverly hides the letter “Y,” making it a unique “Y2010” keepsake!

Flipping the postcard over reveals a matching tiger stamp, below, issued by Chunghwa Post in 2010.

Back in the day, I ran a blog called Postcards Crossing, a celebration of postcards and the joy of snail mail.

Just like the postcard’s tiger, the one on the stamp isn’t just any big cat! They’re tied to a specific celebration: Lunar New Year festivities. The stamp showcases a majestic tiger with a powerful gaze, mirroring the traditional associations of the Tiger in Chinese astrology. These traits – farsightedness, optimism, and a go-getter attitude – are all believed to bring good luck in the new year!

The stamp, and the postcard, are a celebration of the vibrant cultural traditions surrounding Lunar New Year in Taiwan. They also serve as a reminder of the special connection people have with their zodiac animal, and the connection between philately and national holidays that offer a glimpse into a country’s heritage and festivities.

As someone born in the Year of the Tiger, the postcard and corresponding stamp hold a truly special meaning in my collection. What is your favourite postcards and stamps find?

In Expat Life, Geek Talk

Thursday Postcard Hunt: The Swinging Ritual of Belize

Author sreisaatPosted on 10 Comments

Okay, confession time: This week’s Thursday Postcard Hunt entry almost became my own archaelogical dig in my junk box. While I was searching for my rogue yo-yo (please don’t judge, I’m an old-school girl at heart) that I bought for myself on my birthday this year, I stumbled upon this Belize postcard. It was tucked in a box with a faded, fluorescent yellow sticker note with a screaming handwritten note, FOR BLOG POST. Who knows how long it has been in there, and how it even got there, but it seems that this postcard was destined for a rediscovery.

This little detour has thrown me off my weekly postcard line up, but it also reminded me of another delightful ritual — and I’m sure you’d all agree on this – discovering hidden gems through postcard swaps!

Now on to the postcard from sunny Belize.
Belize is this incredible tropical paradise nestled between Mexico and Guatemala. They boast pristine rainforests, stunning coral reefs, and ancient Mayan ruins. TRIVIA: it’s the only country in Central America where English is their official language! But the focus of this, though, is the swing bridge in Belize City.

The Swing Bridge in Belize City is a historic landmark and a popular tourist destination. It is the oldest swing bridge in Central America and one of the few manually operated swing bridges left in the world. The bridge was constructed in Liverpool, England in 1922 and was brought to Belize City by a United States company in New Orleans. It was built to allow sailing ships with tall masts to pass the bridge and continue up the Haulover Creek, a tributary of the Belize River, to offer supplies and services to the city.

The bridge requires a minimum of four men to crank it by hand until it is perpendicular with Haulover Creek. This process can take up to ten minutes. Today, the bridge is only swung on special occasions, such as for tall ships or for ceremonial purposes. However, it is still a popular spot for tourists to take photos and to watch the boats go by.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Bridge_(Belize)

Imagine rush hour traffic grinding to a halt for ships and fishermen making their way to and from the harbour since 1923 – all thanks to this manually operated marvel. Talk about a well-oiled (hopefully?) routine! That was the daily routine for Belize City folks back in the day.

So, a big shoutout to Debbie for the postcard. I almost “lost” the postcard, but thanks to that errant yo-yo, I found it again. Sometimes, the best finds come out unexpectedly life’s detours and lost toys!

In Expat Life, Images, Sreisaatv2, What's on in Cambodia, Work

From Fieldwork to Flying Bats in Battambang

Author sreisaatPosted on 7 Comments

This week’s My Corner of the World and Skywatch Friday takes a detour from my usual work routine when I did a field work in our Battambang program office. My schedule is typically a whirlwind of program office meetings and fieldwork in the communes that require traveling distances, collaborating with community partners and beneficiaries for monitoring and documentation. Office days have a familiar rhythm, while fieldwork often stretches our days from dawn to dusk.

My schedule for the day wrapped up early, finding me back in the car alongside colleagues by 4pm. Just as we were settling in for the drive back to town, a brilliant suggestion from a colleague sparked a spontaneous adventure – a quick stop at Phnom Sampov! This historical and natural landmark, renowned for its resident bat population, was conveniently located on our return route. Needless to say, I was all in!

Located about 20 kilometers from our fieldwork site and 15 kilometers from the town center, Phnom Sampov offers a unique blend of history and nature. Three large caves, adorned with Buddhist shrines and statues, pierce the mountainside. One such cave is pictured below. Giant Buddha carvings grace another side, while chilling reminders of the Khmer Rouge period remain within – locals claim human skeletons can still be found inside.

But the real allure of Phnom Sampov, attracting both local and international visitors, unfolds at dusk. As day surrenders to night, a breathtaking spectacle takes flight. Thousands, if not millions, of wrinkle-lipped bats emerge from the cave, their synchronized exodus painting the twilight sky with a mesmerizing dance. The movement reminded me of a starling murmuration – the closest comparison I can offer to capture this awe-inspiring phenomenon.

My phone couldn’t quite capture the detail, but these flying mammals are breathtaking! 
Clicks, squeaks, and a blur of wings – witness the nightly ballet of bats emerging from Phnom Sampov cave to hunt!

A moment of peace. Just me and this monk, after a near-Olympic sprint to dodge tourists for THIS shot. Worth the run.

So, if Battambang ever finds a place on your travel map, consider adding Phnom Sampov to your itinerary. And for those who appreciate the unexpected wonders of nature, don’t miss the chance to witness the nightly bat dance – it’s an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling truly batty (in the best way possible) about Battambang!