Akha

Following my post on Karen, this magnet represents The Akha who also known to the Thai as the Gaw or the E-gaw (names that the Akha do not like). They are located primarily with Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces. The Akha are closely related with the Hani of Yunnan province, China.

The Akha speak a language in the Lolo/Yi branch of the Tibeto-Burman language group. They have no traditional written language.

A key part of UAE

Camels are a key part of UAE's rich heritage because of its social and economic value in the region.



The animal is famously known as the ship of the desert because of its walk, which is much like the motion of a ship at sea. Patience is one of its most observable features and camels are generally useful animal.

In the olden days, camels were not only a source of transport but also for food and milk.

Nowadays the camel is essentially used for racing. Camel racing is considered to be a very popular activity amoung UAE community members.

This is also one of Dubai collectibles bought on my visit during 2002-2005.

New York at night

As a continuation from the post on Segovia Aqueduct souvenir spoon, when Wannee learnt that I have this blog of collectibleslovers, she remembered that besides other collectibles given to me, she also gave me a snowglobe from New York.

With the Big Apple between The Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, showing New York at night and a red apple in the word , it is undoubtedly why they call New York City the "Big Apple".

Christmas Golf Balls

Perfect gift for the golfers.

This is a gift from my eldest daughter's host family whom she stayed as an exchange student in Manhattan, Kansas during 1996/1997. Three balls namely, Reindeer, Christmas Tee and Jingle Balls.

Undoubtedly, they used to be white. As the years fly they all turned to yellow. Never been once hit by a golf club.

Thanks to Ken and Pat Embers.

Kinderpyramide

A product of original handicraft made in Germany, high standard quality and exclusive design.

Each article is unique and embodies the long tradition of handcrafting products of wood in the mountains of the Erzgebirge in Germany.

When the candles are lit, the impeller slowly begin to turn creating an enchanting play of light and shadow.

This is another collectible I do not remember how I come to possess it.

Kangaroos

Like Platypus, Kangaroos are endemic to Australia. The kangaroo is a national symbol of Australia. Its emblem is used on the Australian coat of arms, on some of its currency as well as by some of Australia's best known organisations, including Qantas.

A common myth about the kangaroo's English name is that "kangaroo" was a Guugu Yimithirr (an Australian Aboriginal language, the traditional language of the Guugu Yimithirr people of Far North Queensland) phrase for "I don't understand you."

There's a legend that when exploring the area, Lieutenant Cook and naturalist Sir Joseph Banks found the animals. They asked a nearby local what the creatures were called. The local responded "Kangaroo", meaning "I don't understand you", which Cook took to be the name of the creature.

This magnet collectible from my daughter's flight to Australia always reminds me of my 3 daughters and myself.

Karen

Northern Thailand is home to interesting and colourful minority groups called hill tribes.

Most of the hill tribes have moved into the region during the past 100 years and have largely preserved their traditional ways, making them a fascinating cultural study.

There are seven broad hill tribe groupings: Karen, Lahu, Hmong, Lisu, Akha and Mien. Each has its own customs, language, dress and spiritual beliefs

Karen is the largest of the minority groups. There are three main sub-groups within the Karen, White Karen or Sgaw, Black Karen or Pgo and Red Karen or Kayah.

The Karen wear woven v-neck tunics of various natural colours and turbans. Unmarried women wear distinctive long white v-neck tunics.

This is one of the four Northern Thailand Hill Tribes magnet collectibles bought during my visit to Chiengmai in 2009.

Postbox

Postbox from the reign of King Edward VII

This is one of the first four magnets which my colleague, Duangrat brought for me when she visited her sons in England more than ten years ago. It is the opening of my magnet collectibles.

The designs of the postboxes are often related to the cultures and historical backgrounds of the countries. They have their unique stories, shapes, colours, fonts, logo and etc.

Different countries have set different colour schemes for their postboxes. The postboxes in Great Britain are red in colour. In the western European countries like France, Germany and Spain the postboxes are in yellow colour. In the US, the postboxes are dark blues.

All postboxes in England bear the royal badges. Whenever there was a change of regime, so was the badge. No wonder, postboxes bearing royal badge of different regimes on the sides can be found easily everywhere in the streets of England. However, postboxes bearing the Victorian badges can rarely be found in London because most of them had already been destroyed when the German air force bombarded London during World War II. Today most of the postboxes in England are inscribed with the Royal Badge of the present Queen Elizabeth 2nd.

Platypus

A platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal found in eastern Australia where they live on the edges of rivers and freshwater lakes where burrows can be dug. It is one of the mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.

Because of its features; egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal, it became an iconic symbol of Australia. It has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of the Australia 20 cent coin. The Platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales.

My eldest daughter bought this cute and very lifelike doll from her flight to Australia.