Tag: City

Discovery Series – San Antonio

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Discovery Series San Antonio is a full-sized version of the previously reviewed ornament.

San Antonio grew from a Spanish colonial settlement founded in 1718 into one of Texas’s most culturally expressive cities. Its history blends Indigenous roots, Spanish missions, Mexican heritage, and later American influence, which together shaped the city’s architecture, food, music, and celebrations. Over time, San Antonio became known for its hospitality, its riverside spaces, and its energetic artistic traditions that continue to define life in the city today.… Read more

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Been There – Johor

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It seems that the design of the Been There Johor mug is almost identical to the ornament that I reviewed earlier. Most of the symbols and landmarks can be seen in both designs, but they are arranged in a slightly different way.

Johor state’s history stretches back to the powerful Johor Sultanate, founded in 1528 following Malacca’s collapse. Under Sultan Abu Bakar’s visionary leadership in the late 1800s, the state modernized its government and infrastructure while preserving royal authority. Positioned strategically along vital shipping lanes and adjacent to Singapore, Johor has become Malaysia’s manufacturing giant and farming center without abandoning its royal traditions and multicultural identity.… Read more

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Been There Ornament – Phuket

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Been There Ornament Phuket is the first mini mug from Thailand in this series that I am adding to my collection. Interestingly enough, there doesn’t seem to be a country ornament yet.

Phuket has grown from a historic trading port into one of southern Thailand’s most culturally vibrant urban centers. Its history reflects centuries of exchange along busy maritime routes that brought Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European merchants seeking tin, spices, and safe anchorage. These influences blended with local Thai traditions and helped shape the character of Phuket’s old streets, its multicultural food, and its diverse communities.… Read more

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Discovery Series – St. Louis

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The Discovery Series St. Louis is a mug for “Gateway to the West”.

St. Louis’s history begins with its founding in 1764 by French fur traders Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau. Named after King Louis IX of France, the city became a crucial river port and launching point for westward expansion during the 19th century. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the Lewis and Clark Expedition that departed from St. Louis in 1804 cemented its role as America’s gateway. From hosting the 1904 World’s Fair to becoming a major manufacturing and brewing center, St.… Read more

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Discovery Series Ornament – San Antonio

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Here is the Discovery Series Ornament San Antonio for the Alamo City – a vibrant blend of history, culture, and Texas charm.

San Antonio is one of Texas’s oldest and most storied cities, founded in 1718 when Spanish settlers established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, later known as the Alamo. Over the centuries, the city grew into a lively cultural crossroads shaped by Indigenous peoples, Spanish colonial heritage, Mexican traditions, and Texan identity. Its long history is reflected in its architecture, its festivals, and the deep sense of place that still defines San Antonio today.… Read more

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Been There – Curitiba

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Been There – Curitiba is a mug for the capital of Paraná state in southern Brazil. It was founded in 1693, though it truly flourished in the 19th century with European immigration, particularly from Poland, Germany, Italy, and Ukraine. The city transformed dramatically under Mayor Jaime Lerner in the 1970s, who pioneered innovative urban planning solutions that made Curitiba internationally renowned as a model of sustainable development. From its pedestrianized downtown and pioneering Bus Rapid Transit system to its extensive green spaces and cultural programs, Curitiba represents Brazilian urbanism at its most creative and livable.… Read more

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Discovery Series – New Orleans

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I can’t believe it has been a year since I reviewed the ornament from the Big Easy. It is time to take a look at the design of the Discovery Series New Orleans mug.

New Orleans’ history stretches back to 1718 when French colonists founded the city along a strategic bend in the Mississippi River. The city passed through French, Spanish, and French hands again before the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 brought it into the United States. This multicultural heritage created a unique Creole culture that blends French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and American influences.… Read more

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Been There – Gramado

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Let’s review another mug from Brazil, this time it’s Been There Gramado. There are two more in the queue, stay tuned!

Gramado’s history begins in the mid-19th century when European immigrants, primarily from Germany and Italy, settled in the mountainous Serra Gaúcha region of Rio Grande do Sul. The city was officially founded in 1913, though its development accelerated in the 1940s when improved roads connected it to larger urban centers. What started as a small agricultural community transformed into one of Brazil’s most beloved tourist destinations, as visitors discovered its cool climate, stunning landscapes, and distinctive European-influenced architecture.… Read more

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Been There – Salvador

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Been There Salvador is a mug for the capital of the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil. It is one of the oldest cities in the Americas and the birthplace of Afro-Brazilian culture. Founded in 1549 as the first capital of colonial Brazil, it became a major port in the Atlantic world. Its historic center, Pelourinho, is known for colourful buildings, lively squares, and deep cultural traditions shaped by African, Indigenous, and Portuguese influences that continue to define Salvador today.

– One of the figures on the mug represents a traditional drummer, highlighting Salvador’s strong musical heritage.… Read more

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Been There Ornament – Hong Kong

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Been There Ornament Hong Kong joins other mini mugs in my collection.

Hong Kong began as a small fishing and farming community before becoming a British colony in 1842 after the First Opium War. Over the next century, it transformed into a major trading port and one of the most important gateways between East and West. In 1997 sovereignty returned to China under the “one country, two systems” framework, which allowed Hong Kong to keep its own legal and economic structures.… Read more

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