Rice terraces, Philippines

First created over 2000 years ago, these rice terraces in Banaue in the Philippines are still in use today, although tourism is proving to be increasingly important as a source of income in the region.

Although you can't see any in this picture, apparently this area was excluded from the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing which covers the rice terraces of Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central and Nagacadan because of a number of modern buildings.  It is, however, a National Cultural Treasure in the Philippines, and rightly so.

It is amazing how humans have managed to carve out the land to plant crops.  Not only here in the Philippines, but also Vietnam, Bali, China, Peru, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and no doubt many others I haven't yet come across.  It has been suggested that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon may have been built on an artificial mountain with terracing.  A fascinating subject.

This is a post for Postcard Friendship Friday, which is hosted by Beth Niquette at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.

Exotic fruit

Colourful fruit stands along the roadside in Tagaytay, Batangas, Philippines.  That is all it says on the reverse of the card, and I'd dearly love to know what the fruit is.  I can at least identify oranges and grapefruit and bananas but I don't want to display my ignorance by guessing at the others.

If you click on the picture, you can see a much larger version and maybe identify a few more.

This is a post for Postcard Friday, which is hosted by Beth Niquette at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.

Daisies

 

Daisies from the Philippines

Daisies from Norway

Daisies from the Netherlands

Somebody, somewhere seems to have decided I like daises and they are coming from all directions! 

Daisies are, along with sunflowers, part of one of the largest families of plants in the world, the Compositae.  They are widespread throughout most parts, and particularly so in any garden I've ever had.

Map cards: Philippines

Postmarked Ortigas, dated 27 March 2009.

Philippines.  PH-3.

After careful study, I have matched the following information off the back of the card to the pictures on the front, starting at the top left and following on clockwise.

Idyllic Coco-Loco Island in Palawan.
Colourful Atatihan Festival, Kalibo.
Perfectly coned Mayon Volcano, Legaspi.
Chocolate Hills of Bohol.
Makati, the business district of Manila.
Beautiful lagoon of El-Nido, Palawan.
Horse driven calesa found in Vigan and Intramuros, Manila.
Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna.
Monument of Leyte Landing of Douglas McArthur.
Magellan's Cross in Cebu, cradle of Philippine Catholic religion.
Taal Volcano and Lake, Tagaytay.
Muslim Vinta in Zamboanga.
White Beach of Boracay Island.
Banaue rice Terraces, North Luzon.
Rich aquatic marine life of the Philippine Seas.
Wild local and african animals in Calauit Island, Northern Palawan.