Tuesday 29 August 2017

Seongsan Jeju Island

Asia-Jeju-Seonsgan Another view of the World Heritage Site at Seonsgan. I had a wonderful walk around this area and a good view out to sea 

I managed to find a post office near the World Heritage Site in Seongsan and posted this card from there. The Postmark says SEONGSANPO. 

Monday 28 August 2017

Jeju Island

Asia-Jeju-Jeju City I could not find a postcard of Jeju-Si ( Jeju City) , the main city in Jeju. However this shows the World Heritage Site in Jeju. Jeju is to the South of Korea and is a very popular Island with tourists. 

I got the runaround trying to find a Post Office with a Philatelic Counter. From the main sorting office to the head office. There was very little choice. In the end I got a sheetlet of stamps showing favourite tourist sites in Korea.

Friday 25 August 2017

Presidential Palace in Dushanbe-Tajikistan

Asia-Tajikistan-Dushanbe This card is showing the Presidential Palace in Dushanbe. There are many large buildings like this in the city . 

 
Due to lack of choice same stamps as my other postcard. The small definitives stamps on the bottom are quite attractive . I believe they were issued in early 2017. 

Wednesday 23 August 2017

Dushanbe - Tajikistan

Asia-Tajikistan-Dushanbe One of the things you notice in Dushanbe the capital of Tajikistan is flags . As you can see here is one right in the middle of the postcard. This is a overview of the city. Some very nice older buildings here from the Russian times. 

The main old Post Office is now being rebuilt. I did see the area and there is still quite a lot to do so a few years away. So this was the main post office now. Very small with little facilities. When I asked about philatelic they said the " Lady with the key not in today" . How many times have I heard that one !!. Very little in choice of stamps, or should I say no choice.. .. 

Tuesday 22 August 2017

Erbil - Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Middle East-Kurdistan Region-Iraq-Erbil It was hard to believe I was in Erbil . It is so different then Baghdad and the south. There was no tension and it felt very safe and easy to go around. On the other hand there is not much to see in Erbil except the Citadel which is a World Heritage Site. Still the people were friendly and not bothered by tourists. A visa for most is available on arrival at no cost. 

Before I arrived here I did a bit of research and the information said that the Post Office was at the airport. That is correct there is a Post office there. I had planned to visit on my way in from the airport to my hotel. However the driver had an appointment and we went straight to the hotel which was right in the Old town. I had the phone number of the Post office and the manager of the hotel rang the number and talked to someone there. He discovered there was also another Post Office in the city itself. So we went there. I would not have found it but it is not far from the Citadel. It was a full working Post office . I had my Postcards ready and they had a choice of stamps and were most helpful. Even though I am in Iraq and we use Iraq money , the stamps here state " Kurdistan Region-Iraq". All the mail is sent via Jordon . All the stamps were quite large so it was fine as I dont write up my cards until I have put on the stamps. You will find postcards in the Souvenir shops in the Citadel .  

Monday 21 August 2017

Kyrgyz Express - Kyrgyzstan

Asia-Kyrgyzstan-Bishkek This card shows Ala-Too square in Bishkek the capital of Kyrgyzstan. A very orderly city . The city and surrounding mountains were enjoyable. 

This Postcard is a little unusual . Reason is that Kyrgyzstan has two official Postal services ! The Government one and this one the private Kyrgyz Express. I have to say the name matches the service. It was my first postcard to arrive from my trip. They were super friendly in the Kyrgyz Express Post office and were very helpful . They had a book with new issues and first day covers and this postcard is from the office. It is in face prepaid if you see to the right of the stamp but I wanted to use Postage stamps. A great service and best of luck to them. 

Friday 18 August 2017

Statue of Chinggis Khann in Tuv - Mongolia

Asia-Mongolia-Tuv  This is the largest statute of a horse in the world. It is of course the Statue of Chinggis Khann and includes a stairs to climb up to the top and restaurant and shops. 

I did not post this in Tuv as was rushing back. There was a post office at the complex which I purchased this postcard and they had a small selection of stamps 

Gobi Desert - Mongolia

Asia-Mongolia-Dalanzadgad This is a town in the Gobi Desert were I spend a few nights in a yurt. This is very much the view I seen when there. Quite green and flat in most parts. When most people think of a desert you think of sand. There is sand in certain places but is quite varied. 

I think this may be the first time I have used stamps in this formation and style. The stamps take up a lot of space if you dont put them square. But loved the way this turned out with the local postmark which is red like all the other postmarks I got in Mongolia. 

Wednesday 16 August 2017

Wrestling at Naadam Festival Ulaanbaatar

Asia-Mongolia-Ulaanbaatar Here is another card showing the Naadam games. We were due to see the wrestling but on the second day it was raining heavily and gave it a miss. But still a lot of colour as you can see from the photos in the blog. 

I like this stamp. It shows a yurt which I slept in when in the Gobi desert. In the summer it was quite hot and everyone kept the door open at night. 

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Naadam Festival - Mongolia

Asia-Mongolia-Ulaanbaatar This is the festival of Naadam held in July . This was the main reason for my visit. A very big occasion. It was in fact the first time that the newly elected President was presented after his win in the election.


A red postmark from the main post office in Ulaanbaatar. The Post office itself is quite large right in the centre of town. A full selection of stamps on display. 

Monday 14 August 2017

Ulaanbaatar the Capital of Mongolia

Asia-Mongolia-Ulaanbaatar  Here you can see the capital of Mongolia as it really looks. Not one of the worlds most beautiful places. 


Send this card from the Main Post office in Ullanbaatar. A great selection of stamps and postcards. As I was here during festival time I was informed that the Post office may not be open, so I purchased these stamps online from the Post office in advance. But no need to , as the office was open the two days I was in the city 

Thursday 10 August 2017

Layang Layang Spratly Islands











Underwater Post Office

Hokkaido Japan

The Sapporo





Flowers in Biei

World Heritage Site-Shiretoko


Main Post Office Sapporo



No Hokkaido prefecture stamps at Post Office so I purchased at stamp shop
Post Office at Shiretoko
Surprised to find Hokkaido stamps for sale on display