Phi Phi Islands Thailand

 Asia-Thailand-Phi Phi Islands This is one of the iconic beaches around the islands. Did a boat tour for the day visiting some of the beaches. Not as exciting as I had hoped as some of the beaches too busy . Still the view was great and the warm water 

Posted in the main town on the tour. I think on the main island only one post office . The rest are mainly resorts 

Ko Phi Phi Islands - Thailand

 Asia-Thailand-Phi Phi Island These islands none for their stunning beaches. Spend a relaxing few days here. Situated between the straits of Malacca and Phuket.  To get here you go by speedboat from Phuket. 

Posted at Tonsai Bay which is the main commercial hub on the island. Got there by boat from the resort on a tour of the islands . 

Bangkok - Thailand

 Asia-Thailand-Bangkok Showing the Rama VIII bridge which opened in 2002 . Traffic congestion is certainly an issue in Bangkok. 

Just about made it in time to visit the Philatelic Office at the main Post Office . A good selection of stamps available . 

Bangkok - Thailand

 Asia-Thailand-Bangkok Its been quite some time since I have been here 19 years ago !  So delighted to feel the buzz that surrounds Bangkok with plenty of food options . Here to attend the " Extraordinary   Travel Festival ". It was so much fun meeting up with so many fellow World travellers. 

Purchased these stamps at a hotel concession before I got to the main post office in Bangkok. It was the Sheraton where I used to stay and only a stones throw away from the Post Office. 

Osborne House - Isle of Wight

 United Kingdom - England-Isle of Wight-Cowes  Stayed overnight on the Isle of Wight and the main reason was to visit Osborne use summer house and retreat of Queen Victoria . The Queen in fact dies here on 22 January 1901. This postcard shows the drawing room as it was in 1946. The house itself is not really that grand , but got lots of the original furniture still intact. 

This card was posted when I got back to Portsmouth as I was not near a Post office during my time on the Isle of Wight. 

HMS Victory - Portsmouth

 Europe-United Kingdom-England-Portsmouth I liked this card when visiting the museum shop on board The Victory . It is preserved very well and gives a very good understand what is was like to live on these sailing ship. The largest ship in the Royal Navy fleet when commissioned in 1778 . 

Mailed in Portsmouth without a postmark. 

Portsmouth - UK

 Europe-United Kingdom-England-Portsmouth My first time here and I had wanted to visit for such a long time . It certainly lived up to expectations. There is so much to see in the area of the Naval Dockyard. Different museums and the harbour area has been all cleaned up with shopping and plenty of places to eat. This area is a World Heritage Site. 

As ever in many European countries and especially UK getting a selection of stamps from the Post office is near impossible. All Definitive stamps in the UK carry a barcode exactly like Germany. 

Doha - Qatar

 Middle East-Qatar-Doha It is quite some time since I was here and Doha has certainly changed since my last visit in 2005 , nearly 20 years ago. Only had one full day here on a transit back from Pakistan. But oh,, what a lot to see. Museum of Islamic Art, National Museum of Qatar and the 321 Sports Museum. All very interesting and top class . A great day . 

As you can see this is the first time I have used an envelope on this site. In effect I could not find a printed  postcard and this metal postcard came with the envelope . So I used that to send with the postcard inside .The Post office inside was amazing with a quality Philatelic shop . Unfortunately it was closed on the Saturday I visited. But staff all helpful. Part museum, cafe shop and full service Post office. The stamps are featuring the posters from previous football world cups.  

Karachi Bahria Icon Tower

 Asia-Pakistan-Karachi This is showing the modern area of Karachi and the tower is the tallest building in Pakistan known as Bahria Icon Tower. Had dinner in this area and certainly more upmarket . 

My last card in the Pakistan set. I wont miss all the stamps I had to put on , though at the start it was fun. 

Pakistan-Karachi

 Asia-Pakistan-Karachi This is the Express Market in Karachi . This is the largest city in the country . Certainly full of energy . The old part I guess has not changed in many years and still feels a little quite colonial in many ways. Told that this was the most dangerous city in Pakistan and in fact did not meet any tourists while here. However, we had a good time , but a city that lacks attractions compared to other areas

The stamps with the political map of Pakistan are very interesting. I had never heard of the dispute with India in relation to Junagadh , Manavadar and Sir Creek. 

Derawar Fort - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Bahawalpur This is Derawar Fort. It was a key sight for me to see in Pakistan and it lived up to expectation. The original structure was built in 858. It is impressive and can be seen for miles as it is in the desert. Highly recommended. 

Posted in Multan which is were we were staying . 'The poet is Muhammad Iqbal who was also a politician . He died in 1938 , 9 years before independence. 

Hiran Minar Punjab - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Punjab-Sheikhupura. This is Hiran Minar a 17th century Mughal area complex. It is very nice to walk around and includes a park . Not too far from Lahore. 

Nice to get away from the large amount of stamps. Clear postmark on the main stamp. 

Takhai-i-Bhai World Heritage Site - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Mardan This area features the Hill top monastery from the first century . Known as Takhi-i-Bhai. We had a guide to explain the significance of this famous Buddhist site. Very interesting .A World Heritage Site. 

I did not notice any Post Offices in the Marden region so posted this card back in Lahore. Interesting that some of the definitive stamps are overprinted with a new value of Rs50 , previously Rs10 

Lahore - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Lahore This is the Badshahi Mosque which is within the wall city of Lahore . I think the must see city in Pakistan . The wall city is amazing and impressive and is also known as the old city. 

Posted at the GPO in Lahore . A old type Post office .  The mail from Pakistan is very quick in getting back . Impressed.