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Europe-Turkey-Istanbul I loved this card so much I just had to buy it. It is slightly embossed and shows one of the old trams in Istanbul. They are in limited use now, most replaced by new style ones like we have in Dublin . |
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| I purchased this miniature sheet in the Philatelic shop in Istanbul. I liked that the theme of this card is transport from Trains to Trams . |
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Europe-Turkey-Istanbul This is The Hagia Sophia Museum. It used to be a museum. One of the best museums to visit in Istanbul. By Irish standards, Istanbul is very cheap city to visit. There is a large choice of different restaurants . Certainly a city where East meets West. This is a World Heritage Site. |
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| I like to buy stamps if possible that are issued in the year that I have visited, However that is not always possible as sometimes few issues are out that year. I purchased these in a nearby Post office and they are from 2011 and 2018 |
Europe-Turkey-Istanbul As you can see I have been a while off the radar here. A lot of changes and moving house. It took me some time to get sorted again. Now I am back and have lots of updates over the next few weeks. This blog started with a Postcard from Istanbul and it is the first postcard to my new address. Still living in Dublin but right in the city.This time in Istanbul the weather was lovely compared to my previous trip when it was full of snow but still lovely but very cold and not easy to get around. This is the Blue Mosquue an outstanding sight. |
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| It took me some time to find the Philatelic shop in Istanbul. A full shop with all the selections one could ask for and helpful staff. We dont get that enough when you visit a regular Post Office. |
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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... |
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| 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. |
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Asia-Turkey- Kadlkoy Istanbu Took the boat ride across the Bosphorus to Asia. Europe for Breakfast, Asia for Lunch. |
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| At least these stamps went on straight. |
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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. |
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| The Stamp shows the West lake in Hangzhou, a famous attraction. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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| These are definitive stamps for PRC. ( Peoples Republic of China ) . |
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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. |
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| 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. |
