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. 

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. 

Munich- Germany

 Europe-Germany-Munich  This is my second visit and have to say love the vibe of this place. Lots to see and the train service is excellent. 

I posted this in a normal post box.  A clear postmark and also with a bar code. It is just so difficult to find special stamps . 

Bamberg - World Heritage Site

Europe-Germany-Bamberg Certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Germany I have every visited. In the old town around every corner it is a sure delight. The buildings are fantastic and so much heritage and feel of an ancient town. Spend one day here , but could have spend a weekend.

 

The previous day I had managed to find the Philatelic office which is not right in the centre of Munich. So at last a choice of stamps. Again a handstamp here . 

Regensburg - World Heritage Site

 Europe-Germany-Regensburg My first stop on a visit that was originally for work , but got changed so free time to explore Romantic Germany , Regensburg is a lovely old town and a World Heritage Site. 

No selection  of stamps. But found out I could get a handstamp cancellation. I think first stamp I have used with a bar code. 

Cologne Germany

Europe-Germany-Cologne I have been to Cologne so many times with work and always in January, Not the best time to visit as can be quite cold to say the least. Here is one of those Postcards that has a movable image. Hard to see here. 

The Post office I normally visit had no choice of stamps. Just definitives. But at Cologne Airport I was able to get a small choice. 

Lubeck - World Heritage Site

Europe-Germany-Lubeck A great town to visit and a easy trip from Hamburg. Here you can see the main gates to the town . Very historical and a World Heritage Site. 

I was here on a Sunday , so mailed the postcard in a local postbox .

Germany - Elbphilharmonie , Hamburg

Europe-Germany-Hamburg This is the Elbphilharmonie right on the banks of the river. It is a stunning building. I passed it a few times and stopped to look and view. All was booked out when I was here as I would have loved to have taken a tour . Next time I know to book in advance. 

And here is the stamp issued by Germany for the Elbphilharmonie. Not often I have a postcard and stamp issued and relating to each other. 

Helgoland - Germany

Europe-Germany-Helgoland  I have often thought about going to Helgoland at some point. Well I got here at last. I was in Hamburg and it is a simple fast boat ride across. It takes nearly 4 hours. But there is lots to see in Hamburg harbour and you get a great overview of the city. Helgoland itself is quite small, but quaint The pics here reflect on what I seen on the day trip. 

The Post office in Helgoand is a full office and very efficient . They had even a choice of postmarks. This was handstamped. A full selection of stamps was on offer too. 

Hamburg - Maritime Museum

Europe-Germany-Hamburg  This city is all about the fantastic harbour and the river Elbe. My first time here and was impressed . This is the Maritime museum the largest in the world. Really enjoyed that. 

I was directed to a "Post Shop" which is a post shop in a shop. However the one I visited in Hamburg main train station had no selection of stamps. I purchased these stamps when I visited Helgoland which had a full Post Office. 

Cologne Germany

Europe-Germany-Cologne I visit this city every January for work. So it never looks like this postcard. However it still has a lot to offer. I especially like the green bridge that you see here on the picture. 

I had taken the trouble to find out what Post Office in the city had special stamps. The one I choose in fact had only this issue available as well as the regular Flowers issue. 

Germany and Ireland

Europe-Germany-Dachau  Just outside Munich this site is certainly worth visiting. It brings home and concentrates one'w thoughts on what happened during the Nazi regime. 

Bought this stamp in a shop. Many newsagents sell stamps. Was not near a post office on this trip. 

Europe-Ireland-Kenmare   Kenmare is in Kerry in the South west of Ireland. This town is one of my favourites and I have spend a number of summers down here . A very friendly town and Kerry itself has much to offer including the famous "Ring of Kerry"

I thought I was doing well when I got the postmaster to cancel this postmark. However it still went through the mail centre and got the regular postmark. 

From Munich to Jakarta

Europe-Germany-Munich  My first time to use this airport as a connection . Very good and easy airport to get around. 

There is a Post office at the airport. 

Asia-Indonesia-Jakarta  The Capital of Indonesia  I had passed through here before but never stayed . So spend a few days here seeing this city. Lots to see and bigger then I had anticipated. 

Great visit to the large Post office here. Very well organised and a separate Philatelic section. Lots of stamps to choose from.  

France and Germany

Europe-France-Beauvais  Catching a Ryanair flight back to Dublin. Beauvais is the low lost airport . 

French stamps are so nice. Here is a one printed in recess. 

Europe-Germany-Bacharach   On the Rhein a very  nice village. Enjoyed the look and the feel of this old village. This area is a World Heritage Site. 

In these small towns the Post office and the shop is one and the same. 

Frankfurt Airport and Denmark

Europe-Germany-Frankfurt Airport  It is not often you see a aircraft on here. I do have a great interest in planes, but don't tend to mention it here. This is the Airbus A330-300 , the type of aircraft I flew with Lufthansa from Addis Ababa back to Dublin via Frankfurt. I have often used Frankfurt as a transit as a very efficient airport . 

Visited the Post Office at the airport. I was quite amused by this stamp . Not many countries would put a charity stamp showing two naked men in a bath.. 

Europe-Denmark-Billund  I have been a regular visitor to Denmark, mostly for work reasons. Here are a selection of Danish scenes. 

I have never had much joy trying to get interesting stamps when in Denmark. This was a new definitive type I had not seen before. 

Germany World Heritage Sites

Europe-Germany-Lutherstadt Wittenberg   This is a World Heritage Site , with the famous Luther's House and Museum. Fascinating . The bigger story for me was getting here. I was with some friends and we got a early morning train from Berlin. Me being the traveller they had presumed that I was looking after the arrangements. At Berlin train station I gave everyone their tickets and it said the time of arrival. We are all on the train still together, but I fell asleep. I can even to this day remember the time of arrival 9,17... So I woke up at 9.17 and looked out the train window to discover we were at Wittenberg . All my fellow travellers were just staring out the window.. I jumped up and said we are here. But it was too late. The train pulled away. We had missed our stop. When I asked them all why did not wake me up they said, well they were not sure what station it was.. The train was the ICE train so very fast. The next stop was Leipzig. The train conductor seen our tickets and understood what happened and did not charge . We got the slow train back, I think that took 3 hours instead of 1 hour. Well we did see here in the end. To this day , I am reminded of that story, The day we went to Leipzig by mistake. I never did see Leipzig, just the train station. 

I rarely manage to get unusual stamps in Germany. So another definitive stamp. 

Europe-Germany-Berlin   The Pergamon is part of Museum Island. This is a World Heritage Site. I would have to say this is one of the best museums I have ever been in. I was especially taken with the section on Babylon. It has made me determined to get there. All being well that will be in 2014. 

More Lighthouse stamps. 

Berlin and Potsdam

Europe-Germany-Berlin   I was quite surprised with myself that I had never been to Berlin until this trip. I was completely surprised how much there was to see. Here you can see some of the highlights. The East side and West side was good to see and enjoyed the DDR museum.  Will have to go back. 

Posted in Berlin. The stamps showing Lighthouses. 

Europe-Germany-Potsdam  This is one of the Palaces in Potsdam. A train ride away from Berlin. Well worth the trip. Also a World Heritage site. 

Unfortunately in Germany many times the Post offices only have these definitive stamps. You have to ask usually to get any special stamps , if they have any.