Susa - Azerbaijan

 Asia-Azerbaijan-Susa Another postcard from the same trip . 

I sent a few postcards  to make sure they came back in the post. All good. 

Susa - Azerbaijan

 Asia-Azerbaijan-Susa . Susa is am important town in terms of culture. Considered to be the cultural capital for poetry and music. This Susa fortress is featured on the card . Interesting to walk around as the surround area is at a  height over looking Khankendi . 

These stamps were specially selected at the philatelic office in Baku, You will note they all say " Susa" on them. In fact this card is very special as the first time that international postal operations took place and sent from this office since it is part of Azerbaijan. So very pleased to get here. 

The second and third photo is the outside of the new Post office in Susa. The last two photos is of myself being interviewed on Azerbaijan Television. 

Baku - Modern city of Azerbaijan

 Asia-Azerbaijan-Baku Postcard showing the now modern city of Baku. Some very interesting buildings have gone up , many well designed. 

The stamp is showing some rare rock carvings. 

Baku - World Heritage Site

 Asia-Azerbaijan-Baku This card is showing the Shirvanshah Palace in Baku. A World Heritage Site. Baku has vastly changed since my last visit in a very positive way. Loved walking around and  chatting with the locals. 

This stamp shows rock carvings in Azerbaijan. After a bit of trouble found the Philatelic shop in Baku. It was in a book shop ! . Thats a first time. But the staff could not have  been more helpful and very knowledgeable in what I was looking for stamp wise.  A full selection which is rare to find these days. 

San Marino

 Europe-San Marino-City of San Marino I liked this card as it shows the main areas you are likely to visit in the city. However they are not all in one location like this card . 

Posted in the main Post Office. One showing the Statue of Liberty and the other the main parliament building . 

San Marino

 Europe-San Marino-City of San Marino . This is my second time back. Many years ago only was there for the day and it rained non stop. So had to put that right. Stayed two days. Glorious weather and quite a bit to see. Enjoyed a lovely dinner as the sun went down . Most tourists are day trippers so in the evening nice and quite . Very enjoyable. 

Last time the Post office was closed so had to mail from a post box. This time visited the Philatelic  museum on sight. The Office is right in the centre of town but is not a Post Office per say.So I purchased the stamps there . A full selection was available and then made my way to the main post office which is lower down and about a 15 min walk. 

Hallstall - Germany

 Europe-Germany-Hallstatt Took a day trip from Salzburg. It is very nice with a beautiful lake surrounded by hills and mountains. It is however very crowded with tourists. I think with social media less and less places are hidden now and everyone can look them up on google. Such is progress . This is a World Heritage Site. 

Nice to see this had a hand postmark from Hallstatt .  Was visiting on a Saturday so the local post office was closed, Used the post box. 

Salzburg - World Heritage Site

 Europe-Austria-Salzburg This is right in the centre of this beautiful city. It was a beautiful day just like the photo . So much to see . 

This is another of those famous stamps . Featuring Tyrolean feathered hat. The Post office  was one of the best visited. Full stock of stamps and very helpful staff.. You dont get all that too often . 

Salszurg - Sound of Music

 Europe-Austria-Salzburg I have wanted to visit this city for such a long time . One of the reasons was as a child I loved the " Sound of Music " musical made in Salzburg . Based on the true story of the Von Trapp family. Took a organised tour and it was wonderful and fun also The card features some sights in the city that is included in the film 

Austria have a habit of issuing stamps from time to time not made of paper. In fact the stamp is made of real leather , I kid you not. Its a lederhousen which includes little studs. Very impressive 

Yangon - Myanmar.

 Asia-Myanmar-Yangon Showing the famous Pagoda . It is even more impressive in reality. One of those sights you never forget. This is a World Heritage Site. 

This card is in fact from October 2022. When I visited Myanmar , all the Post Offices only had limited mail outside the country. After Covid a lot of the Postal agreements with airlines were not renewed and so no way to get the post out to other countries. So , all my postcards were hand postmarked. However, this card was sent to a friend of a friend in Malaysia , as they had a postal service from Myanmar. 

Colgone Old Town - Christmas Market

 Europe-Germany-Cologne I love this card as it was purchased at the Christmas Post office in Cologne . First time at this and thought it was great. Would go back again. 

This stamps is very individual and it says Christmas Cologne Old Town . This was purchased at the special Post office at the market. 

Cologne-Germany

 Europe-Germany-Cologne Love this old style card from Cologne. The Rhein and the Cathedral is so iconic .  

Showing Christmas stamps as this was in late November. 

Cologne -Germany

 

Europe-Germany-Cologne Been to this city many times, but this was the first time to visit in December. Cold buy always a good time . 

Got the stamp at the local post office and they have very little selection . Would have to go to the Philatelic office which is not in the city centre. 

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 .