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. 

Gilgit - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Gilgit . This is in the Northern area of Pakistan . I have to say despite the poor quality of the highway driving up from Islamabad , it is certainly a highlight in this country . Up and around  the Mountains and it is beautiful . 

More of the excessive stamps, but I was well used to it at this stage.  

Azad Kashmir - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Azad Kashmir-Muzaffarabad I have to admit I have never heard of the main city in Pakistan Kashmir before. Traveled by road from Islamabad on the way up to the mountains . At this time travellers were restricted on where in Kashmir they could visit. So this is spend the day and had lunch here. 

There are 16 stamps on this card. I had to put them in a certain way to get them all on the card. Low value stamps only available at this post office. 

Islamabad - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Islamabad This is the capital of Pakistan and my point of entry for the tour of Pakistan . I had enjoyed my brief visit for a few days to Peshawar in 2006. So 18 years ago , how time flies. Islamabad is a relatively modern city and enjoyed the time here . Everyone very friendly and certainly at low prices compared to Europe. 

My first visit to the Post office was sort of a shock . The building itself was in need of a good clean both inside and out. I did visit the small Philatelic Bureau but most of the stamps were low value. I did go to the main Post office counter for stamps but they had even lower value stamps. I guess most international mail had meter stamps on the outside. So as you can see here this Postcard has 6 stamps.. This was a low number compared what I had in visits to some of the other cities. 

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Turkey

Asia-Pakistan-Peshawar  This is the main Gates into Peshawar.  This was a fascinating city to visit. Went to the local museum , which to be honest had seen better days. But enjoyed been out on the streets. They are certainly not used to seeing tourists. But everyone friendly at this time. In fact the hotel I stayed in was bombed a few years ago and rebuilt.  

In this post office you take what stamps you can find. A old post office, but in fact in full use. A good clean postmark of G.P.O Pershawar. 

Asia-Afghanistan-Kabul  Showing a poster of Karzai in one of the main squares. I have to say that Afghanistan was very dusty everywhere. Had to have security here for the trip,but all arranged. Went to see the museum but most of the items were destroyed, but still quite a lot to see. When here was not permitted to walk around that much. Thought I did go down chicken street which used to be the main tourist street in its heyday. This place is a feast for you eyes. So much to see. A very different culture. The week I was here the very first car bombing took place around the corner from my hotel !. 

The security team did not want me to visit the post office. Why? Because it is a government building. So I was a little hesitant going in. I met the postmaster who was very friendly and delighted to show me the stamps they had for sale. Interesting they had stamps dating back to the 1970 for use as postage. Two of the stamps here are 2003 and the other looks quite old as I think it shows The King . The Post office could not be more helpful. 

Asia-Afghanistan-Herat   Considered to be one of the safest parts of Afghanistan. Went by plane from Kabul. Run by a warlord so was told very easy to walk around. This was the case. I was with a friend Karin and I arranged her to "Rent a Burka" to see what it was like. She told me very difficult to see as we walked down the main street. The whole street shopkeepers came out to see what was going on. Quite a lot of laugher everywhere. All the shops including shops for women were all staffed by men. Herat  main square is a fantastic site. Pity I dont have a good postcard shot , only this one. A unforgettable few days here. 

Quite a job finding the post office in Herat. Still a clean postmark here as well. Herat is in West Afghanistan and quite near Iran. 

Middle East-Kuwait-Kuwait City   Went by plane from Kabul to Kuwait via Dubai. Had two days here. Certainly not one of my favourite spots in the Middle East. Did not find a lot to see here. But at least rested on a beach resort and got some good rest after the energetic trip to Afghanistan. 

The Post office here had no selection of stamps. So happy to take what they had. 

Asia-Turkey-Izmir  A very good city to visit. Was here for work .They have a lot of marble in this area so was working  designing Tables. So a very successful trip. 

I had a feeling that the currency had just changed when here. So I think these stamps are the old currency . This is what the post office gave me.