Istanbul - Asian side

Asia-Turkey-Kadikoy, Istanbul This card is showing Kemal Ataturk who ruled Turkey in the early 1900s and changed the face of Turkey . 

This card was posted in Kadikoy, which is on the Asian side of Istanbul. It is a lot less touristy on the Asian side but still very interesting to visit. 

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. 

Greece and Turkey

Europe-Dodecanese Islands-Rhodes-Rhodes Town  Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese group of Islands . A lot of cultural sites to see here. The Medieval town of Rhodes is a World Heritage Site.A great Island to visit. 

Posted at the main post office in Rhodes Town. I just love these old replica Olympic stamps which were reissued. . 

Europe-Dodecanese Islands-Rhodes-Ixia   Showing the Hilton Hotel which was a very nice choice of hotel to relax and not far from the old town. 

The quality of these stamps are excellent . 

Europe-Dodecanese Islands-Rhodes-Rhodes Town   Showing more sights from the old town. The old town a great place to walk around and discover the history of the island. 

This card is issued by the post office in Rhodes . So it has a preprinted stamp . 

Asia-Turkey-Marmaris   Went on a day trip from Rhodes. Hard to believe you are now in Asia. A nice change . But a lot of carpet sellers and such like. I managed to escape all of them somehow. I do remember the Turkish delight !!!. 

Wish they had more selection of stamps. My Turkish stamps on postcards are not very exciting 

Europe-Dodecanese-Rhodes-Lindos  Lindos lies about 50km south of Rhodes town. A very interesting place to visit as you can see from the postcard. 

I see this has a local postmark. Always good to see. The postcards are always posted in the town or city of the postcard. So it is really only when there is a sorting office that the postmark is not local. More Olympic stamps here. 

Europe-Greece-Athens   Well my first time here. Really had a great time. I do remember the walk up to The Acropolis . Well worth it. 

The last year I had Eurovision stamps from Ukraine. Well here we have the Greek stamps. Yes it is Eurovision time again and was here for the competition. I even managed to get another photo of myself beside the stamp . 

Europe-Greece-Athens  From the hotel I stayed in, could see this sight at night. So just had to have a postcard to remember that. Of course also a World Heritage Site. 

This is a beautiful stamp and hard to see how nice it is with the gold printing. 

Turkey,China,North Korea,Hainan Island

Europe-Turkey-Istanbul  My first card.  Spent a great Valentine's weekend here.  It was great, but snowed all the time.  Still what sights and the fun that was had...

It was snowing. I could not get to the post office. So the Four Seasons Hotel obliged and mailed this card but affixed the stamp in a crooked fashion.  The postcard is from the hotel. 

Asia-Turkey- Kadlkoy Istanbu  Took the boat ride across the Bosphorus to Asia. Europe for Breakfast, Asia for Lunch. 

At least these stamps went on straight.

Asia-China Peoples' Republic-Beijing  3 days in Beijing visiting all the sights.  Lots to see. My first cup of Latte ever at the Hyatt. I don't drink much coffee but it's my favourite type.

The Stamp shows the West lake in Hangzhou, a famous attraction.

Asia-DPRK North Korea-Pyongyang  One week here, very cold.  A lot of Dear Leader Stuff. Still fascinating for sure. Great Memories.  Food left a lot to be desired, but at least more than some of the workers I had seen in the fields looking for scraps.

Well the post office here was something else. They had a great selection. I tried to buy some stamps of the "Dear Leader" to put on the postcard. They would have none of it , having the President postmarked was not a option.  They offered birds and I took one, they were also happy when I took the missile stamps against the "Imperial bastards " !! You have to laugh.

Asia-Hainan Island - Sanya  Well after the grey skies of South China where I had been working, it was a pleasure to find Sanya. It is a sort of Hawaii of China in the South China sea near Vietnam. What a delightful surprise. The hotel helped of course with the pure soft white sand and plenty of R and R. 

These are definitive stamps for PRC. ( Peoples Republic of China ) . 

Asia-Republic of China- Taiwan-Taipei  A view of  Taipei at night and Taipei 101 the tallest building at this time in Asia and the 3rd in the World. The best thing about Taipei is the National Palace Museum. Fantastic and considered to be the best in any part of China PRC or PR. — in Taipei, Taiwan.

These stamps say Republic of China , the stamps issued now state Taiwan. Just to confuse those who don't know about this sort of thing.. — in Taipei, Taiwan.