VENEZUELA ~Margarita Island- Juan Griego ~

Today a postcard coming from South America...wonderful tropical beach...my second one from the island Margarita...according to the sender "Paradise on earth"...and for sure I believe it!! ^__^
Thanks a lot Enrique!!!


With greeat stamp:
Joint issue Iran (Pico Bolivar)
(Issued 16-11-2004)

Photo Christian Mondin Margarita is a Venezuelan island (about 25 miles from the mainland) in the Caribbean Sea and is part of Nueva Esparta state. It's comprised of two islands connected in the middle by the mangrove-filled lagoon of La Restinga National Park.

Taguantar is a beach in Juan Griego a city on the northern side of the island and is the most northern port in Venezuela. It is one of the most important cities in Margarita and located right next to the sea and has a beautiful beach.

FIJI ~Levuka - Old Capital - UNESCO ~

...And my last little gem.... card nr 2 of Fiji from David (sent 05-09-2013) "Bula" or "Hello" from Fiji...I do love all my received cards but this set from the Pacific made me really jump of joy... I can't thank you enough David for making the effort to send so many gorgeous postcards...must be the first time to enlarge my collection so much in such a short time! ^__^



With lovely stamp:
Anemone fish
(Issued 07-11-2006)

Fiji comprises of approximately 330 islands, about one - third are inhabited. It covers about 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. After nearly a century as British colony, Fiji became independent in 1970. Today Fiji has one of the most developed economies of the Pacific islands.

 Levuka is a town on the eastern coast of the Fijian islands. It was formerly the Capital of Fiji.
This picturesque town was declared Fiji's first World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2013.

AMERICAN SAMOA

...Next fantastic card (date sent 30-08-2013) showing parts from paradise on earth... ^__^
American Samoa uses standard US stamps (like all American territories)!! Thanks David!


With great stamps:
Althea Gibson Black Heritage Forever stamp
(Issued 23-08-2013)
Sealed with love Forever stamp
(Issued 31-01-2013)
 and the USA's first president, George Washington
(Issued 11-04-2011)

American Samoa (Not to be confused with Samoa), comprises six islands located in the Samoan Archipelago halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand and while there is a strong American influence in the islands, American Samoans proudly retain their cultural heritage.Pago Pago has been the capital of the territory since 1899.

 The main (largest and most populous) island is Tutuila, with the Manuʻa Islands, Rose Atoll, and Swains Island also included in the territory.

KIRIBATI ~Christmas Island ~

...here another one of David's  amazing postcards (uploading by date sent 28-08-2013)...I would never have associated these gorgeous tropical views with Christmas...THANKS!!


With fantastic stamp and cancellation:
 (Christmas decoration...how cool is that!)
 Grey-tailed Tattler
(Issued  09.02.2008)

Kiribati (part of the Line Islands) is an island nation in the middle of the Pacific. The nation is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, Banaba. Formerly part of the British Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, Kiribati became independent in 1979.

 Christmas Island (also known as Kiritimati) by itself represents the majority of the land area of Kiribati and is the world's largest coral atoll. The entire island is a Wildlife Sanctuary.

 The island got its names from its discovery by Capt. James Cook on Christmas Eve in 1777. Christmas became Kiritimati in the local Gilbertese language.

Because of its position just west of the International Date Line, Kiritimati is the first inhabited island to begin each new day and year.

WALLIS & FUTUNA ~South Pacific ~

...Got 4 postcards of exotic locations from David (it looks as if my mailman collected them all and dropped them today in mailbox ^__^)...My first to show is from a totally unknown tropical  island and new place for me...but it looks amazing!! Thanks a lot David ... More to come in the next few days:)

With great stamps:
2012 Poetry of the Sea
(Issued 16-07-2012)
Ocean Garden
(Issued 17-01-2013)

Wallis and Futuna comprises of three volcanic tropical islands and a number of tiny islets located northeast of Fiji and west of Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean. The territory is split between two island groups lying about 260 kilometres apart.

The island  is an Overseas Territory of France, with the President of the French Republic as its Head of State.

The capital of the collectivity is Matāʻutu on the island of Uvéa, the most populous of the Wallis Islands.

SRI LANKA ~Lankapatuna Temple ~

...Great temple view on a beautiful location...on top of a rock and surrounded by sea...
Many thanks Ravindra!!


With great stamp nr 4 of six new stamps selected with animals living in the Yala National Park (Issued 28-07- 2013) to coincide with the completion of seventy five years of the network of Wild Life Reserves in Sri Lanka. -Hawksbill Turtle-Swamp Crocodile-Elephant-Black-necked Stork-The Wild Boar -The Spotted Deer.

Lanka Putuna Viharaya in Trincomalee is one of the oldest Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. It dates back to the time it was brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of king Kithsiri Mewan (303-331) who was the son of king Mahasen.

 The Temple is said to be lieing in the exact location where the Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamala landed in Sri Lanka with the tooth relic of the Buddha hidden inside Hemamala's hair coming from India. (small picture on the right) Buddhist ruins scatter in a area of about 50 acres which belong to the temple.

FRANCE ~Corsica - Gulf of Girolata - UNESCO~

...Last of 6 received postcards sent by Dieter and Eve during their vacation in one of the most beautiful islands...crystal clear azure waters with impressive mountains...Thanks so much for these amazing postcards and sharing it all with me!! ^__^


With the common "Marianne Beaujard" stamp.
 (Issued 01-07-2011)

Girolata is a (quite inaccessible) village and region at the south of the Scandola Nature Reserve in western Corsica, about 35 km north-west from Porto. It falls within the western part of the Corsica Natural Park.The Gulf of Porto-Girolata and the reserve of Scandola have been on the UNESCO world-heriritage list since 1983.

Corsica:
Fiercely independent, the Corsicans speak their own language and fly their own flag, featuring a black Moor’s head with white headband: the “bandiera testa mora”. The language appears to be a mismatch of Italian and French.

FRANCE ~Corsica - Scandola-UNESCO~

...Overwhelming mountain scenery and a deep blue sea... another wonderful postcard from Corsica!! Thanks so much Dieter en Eve!!


 With the common "Marianne Beaujard" stamp.
 (Issued 01-07-2011)

Located along the Gulf of Porto and Girolata, on the north western coast of Corsica, the Scandola Nature Reserve (Reserve Naturelle de Scandola) ranks as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and comes with hidden grottos and inlets, peaceful sandy beaches and remote headlands. located along the Gulf of Porto and Girolata, on the north western coast of Corsica,

SRI LANKA ~ Galle lighthouse-UNESCO ~

...Wondeful lighthouse overlooking the blue Indian Ocean... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!

As being located in the Galle Fort, and surrounded by historic buildings, the Galle lighthouse is part of the World Heritage Site.
In 1988, the Galle Fort was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

As usual with great stamps.

GREECE ~Lefkada Lighthouse~

...Wonderful lighthouse view standing on the edge of a high cliff above the clear Mediterranean blue sea...Thanks a lot Violetta!!


With nice stamp:
Geography and Meteorology Sport (Outdoor activities)
Issued 25-06-2012

Lighthouse and cliffs on Cape Lefkadas, the most Southern point of the Island.

This lighthouse was manufactured in 1861. The lighthouse is built on one corner of the 14th century Byzantine fortress of Santa Maura, which is otherwise in ruins.

Lefkada is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of Greece, connected to the mainland by a long causeway and floating bridge.

BELGIUM ~Nieuwpoort- Summer full of Music cancellation~

Great postcard that shows the "beauty" of my own country...our Belgian coast on the North Sea... one of my favourite places for a day out!! Thanks a looooot Johan!! ^__^

Fantastic stamp cancellation:
"Summer full of Music" Music festivals
(Issued 24-06-2013)

During summer, many music festivals are being organised in open air all around the country.
The most famous ones:
1.Rock Werchter( With over 139.000 visitors in 2012, it is among the five biggest rock festivals in Europe.
2. Pukkelpop
3. Dour Festival

Nieuwpoort is situated in the Flemish province of West Flanders on the North Sea at the mouth of the Yser River. The harbour of Nieuwpoort is the only natural port on the Belgian coast. It is a fishing port, an industrial center and a beach resort.

~GHANA - Elmina Castle - UNESCO ~

...African beauty nr 2 from Rod... a scene full with life... colors... African vibes...In the background the wonderful white Elmina Castle with is horrific slave trade history!! Thanks so much Rod!!
 (follow his adventures: Adventures West Africa )


With great  commemorative stamp for the 50th Anniversary of Ghana's Independence.
This stamp  illustrating Aburi Botanical Gardens.
(Issued 2007)

Elmina Castle (Elmina, Central Region) described as the first  known European structure of fortification in Ghana. Built by the Portuguese in 1482. A trade centre for ivory, gold and later slaves. It was captured by the dutch in 1673 and later purchased by the English in 1872.

Compared to other countries in the region, Ghana is stable and prosperous. The country is often labelled ‘Africa for beginners’ reputation as the friendliest in Africa . Ghana, is a country in West Africa bordered by Ivory Coast to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.

The word Ghana means "Warrior King" and is derived from the ancient Ghana Empire.

USA ~Miami Beach~

From freezing cold and snow in Louisville...to hot, sun, sea and beaches... Thanks again Ben!!

.

With lovely Forever flag stamps

Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Florida.It is located on a series of natural and man-made barrier islands between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the latter which seperates the Beach from Miami city.

SWEDEN ~Westcoast~

...Believe it or not...I finally received my first postcard from Sweden...after years of collecting and receiving cards from the most exotic places, I still missed this European county...
...a wonderful idylic panoramic coast view, well worth the long wait... Big thanks to ??? (sorry, can't read the name and I can't even remember for which swap this was...must be the age. ^__^)Thanks a lot Szilard for contacting me and for this wonderful first postcard from Sweden!!^__^

Nice self-adhesive stamp "Lacko Castle" (Issued 28-01-2010)

The Bohuslän coast stretches from Gothenburg, one of Sweden’s three largest cities, northwards to the border with Norway, and beside this coastline lies the Western Archipelago, a spectacular seascape of 8,000 islands, islets, skerries and rocky outcrops.

MACEDONIA ~St. Naum Monastery-Ohrid-UNESCO~

...Great aerial view of the monastery on top of a cliff...the view over the lake must be stunning...
Macedonians believe you can hear the saint’s heartbeat by pressing an ear to his stone coffin inside the church... I wonder, did you hear it too Agi?:D Many thanks!!

Lovely stamp:
Macedonian protected flora:Viola kosanini (Issued 15-09-1999)

As with most Byzantine churches, St. Naum was chosen primarily for its location – on a high, rocky outcropping over the lake, above deep forests and the life-giving springs of the Crn Drim. The monastic complex and church of St. Naum were built originally at the turn of the tenth century by the monk of the same name.

The monastery has been renewed and enlarged several times over the centuries. While most of its iconostases and frescoes date from the 16th and 17th centuries, earlier etchings in the Byzantine Greek vernacular also remain. But numerous orthographical mistakes indicate that they were written by Slavic-speaking local monks. Other inscriptions in the church make up some of the oldest epigraphic evidence of Slavic literacy.

Ohrid is one of only 28 sites that are part of UNESCO's World Heritage that are both Cultural and Natural sites.

BELGIUM ~Fortress Napoleon~

... A big thanks to Dorien and Ben, my niece and nephew for this great postcard...It's a bit special because it reminds me of our yearly day out with the dogs in Ostend (to the beach on the Fortress) a long time ago...This was before the fortress was renovated...back then it was badly vandalized...Nowadays it is certainly worth a visit!! Bedankt!!:D

With common self adhesive flower stamp (issued 19th of May 2008)

The 'Fort Napoleon' in Oostende is the only still completely intact Napoleonic fortress left in Europe.
At the end of the 18th century, France annexed our counties. Napoleon fears an attack from England on the harbour of Ostend, and that is why in 1811 he built an impressive fortress in the dunes.
The last stone was laid when his empire fell in 1814. The pentagonal brick building is surrounded by a moat 10 metres wide and a retaining wall 8 metres high.Five hundred Spanish prisoners of war had to build it together with bricklayers from the Oostende area. The fort was finished by September the 26th 1812. A total of 8.800.000 bricks were used for a construction space of 8.772 m³. The Fort Napoleon could house a garrison of 260 soldiers. It was defended by 46 canon-guns. The fort never saw action.
In the Second World War, it was used as barracks for the German officers.

In 1995 the Flemish Heritage Foundation leased the fort. After following restoration work the Fortress started a new life in 2000 as a monument and a museum.

THAILAND ~Krabi~

I've been spoiled with so many gorgeous postcards this week...Here another dream destination...Like Edna wrote and that says it all: "A travellers Paradise"...Thanks a lot Edna!!

With wonderful flower stamps:
Orchid Postage Stamps (Issue of 2011)
Stamps issued for Magha Puja day, a Buddhist holiday with designs showing different lives of Buddha.

Krabi is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, at the shore of the Andaman Sea. Ao Nang is the busiest beach destination in Thailand's Krabi Province.

Sri Lanka ~Negombo Beach~

My first postcard mail this week...A -tropical-paradise-idyllic- beach view from Sri Lanka sent by Ravindra!!We do have the tropical temperatures today, +30°C, probably for just one day, the weather forecast for this evening are heavy thunderstorms ....
...but unfortunately not this stunning beach... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!

And again a variety of wonderful stamps!

Negombo is situated by the shores of a lagoon by the same name that once has been a trading port for Portugese and Dutch and is a traditional fishing town of Sri Lanka. Wide sandy beaches and the safe sea attract tourists to Negombo.
The town has several buildings that date back to the Dutch and Portuguese colonial era. The predominantly Catholic leanings of the town are evident in the number of churches and statues of saints that one stumbles upon here.

Negombo is a gourmet's delight with seafood available in plenty.
Old world fishing crafts such as the outrigger canoe and the catamaran are very popular here.

MALTA ~Senglea~

And another breathtaking view..
Malta is a small island a few hundred kilometers south of Italy and a stone's throw away from North Africa. Its wind-swept landscapes and ancient towns make it a unique and mystical place to visit, and it houses some of the oldest known ruins in the world...Golden Mediterranean sunshine, azure seas, friendly locals...
...Maybe a tip for a holiday this summer??It is certainly on top of my "wishlist"!!:DThanks again Brian!!

Lovely stamp too!Painting (Norman and Hohenstaufen Period) Issued 29 Dec 2009. This is my fifth card from Malta and none of the cards are postmarked...

Senglea lies on a "tongue" of land extending towards Valletta in the heart of Grand Harbour. Togheter with its neighbouring cities Birgu (Vittoriosa) and Bormla (Cospicua) the Three Cities, as they came to be known, became the target during the island's bleakest days in its long history; the Great Siege of 1565 and the heavy air attacks during World War II.

ANTIGUA and BARBUDA ~English Harbour~

Amazing view... Crystal clear blue water ... Beautiful beaches...Wonderful nature...Pleasant year-round climate... Looks like paradise on earth!!:D:D Bedankt Gilles!!

English Harbour, so named because it was the Carribean base of the British Navy in the 18th C. Admiral Nelson chose it because of its "hurricane-proof" inner harbour and the commanding view of its approaches from Shirmey Heights where this picture was taken.

Antigua is the larger island of the nation Antigua and Barbuda. It lies roughly 17 degrees north of the equator in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Carribean. Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide capital St. John's.


 Lovely stamp from a set of thirteen stamps about plants, flowers and trees showing the Mesquite tree.