Map of Alaska

North America-Alaska-Juneau I love maps . This is showing how big Alaska is comparing to the rest of the USA. Here I am in Juneau the capital of Alaska. Though being here it does not feel like a state capital. Very small. 

The Post office here had no official sign outside and was told it was contracted out. Well looking at the postmark it makes sense . Showing "Juneau AK Contract Station" . They had a few different choice of stamps. Staff at the "Post Office " which was also a shop were very helpful which was also a shop. 

Black bears in Alaska

North America-Alaska-Ketchikan One of my main goals for going to Alaska was to see black bears catching wild salmon in the rivers. I  had seen it before a few times on television. So took a float plane to Prince Wales island which is about 15 minutes from Ketchikan . Had about a 10 minute walk to a river. Waited about 40 minutes or so and hey presto a black bear appears. Spend about 2 hours there and seen about 6 bears. One was a mother with cubs. It was amazing and fantastic to see. I had planned to go earlier in the season , but you can only see bears from end of July ( which is when this trip was ) onwards. This was the second week the bears had started coming down to the river. A great add on trip and worth it and the great views from the old plane as well. 

I think the caption beside the stamps says it all. - Alaskan black bear goes fishing for salmon in Southwest Alaska. 

Ketchikan Alaska

North America-Alaska-Ketchikan This was my first stop on the cruise starting in Vancouver. I had a few hours in the afternoon to look around after my visit to see black bears. It was a very nice to just walk around and take it all in. First time to Alaska and my last part of the North America to visit on this journey . 

A small post office with a shop. No selection of stamps. This is a standard Global stamp for mail outside USA and Canada. 

Victoria - British Columbia

North America-Canada-Vancouver Island-Victoria My final card from Victoria. This beautiful sunny day setting was exactly like it was on the day I was here. Lovely gardens and well kept streets. Well worth the trip from Vancouver 

I had ran out of stamps so just purchased these stamps from the local post office. No other selection available. No postmark on this one. 

Empress Hotel - Vancouver Island

North America-Canada-Vancouver Island-Victoria This is the famous Empress hotel where I had afternoon tea. It was very nice, but nothing we would not have in Europe. But loved the history of the hotel . 

This card past the Canadian Postal system with no cancel. Not the first time . 

Victoria British Columbia

North America-Canada-Victoria  It is the Parliament Building for British Columbia. It is an impressive site especially coming by boat from Vancouver. Very well maintained city 

A standard Definitive stamp. I posted this locally and at least it got a postmark unlike the rest. 

Vancouver Cruise Port

North America-Canada-Vancouver This is the stepping stone to my next trip Alaska . So this postcard showing a cruise ship is perfect. Starting a Holland America cruise. My last one with them was around South America. I had seen quite a bit of Vancouver on my last two trips. Liked the city and the vibe. 

Visited a main Post office. Very modern looking and had a full selection of stamps. One showing 50 years since the moon landing. I remember watching that on TV in blank and white. Those were the days..... 

Calgary - Canada

North America-Canada-Calgary Had a new direct flight from Dublin to Calgary and then on to Vancouver. So only a airport stop. I had always wanted to visit  here, but could not do on this time. 

Posted this card in Vancouver when I arrived there as could not buy any stamps at Calgary airport to mail the card from there. 

Rio Muni - Equatorial Guinea

Africa-Equatorial Guinea-Rio Muni-Bata The Giraffe is the national animal of Equatorial Guinea. Though I did not see any. In Bata there is very little upscale developments compared to the island Malabo is on. 

As per the previous posting , this was postmarked at the Bata post office. 

Bata Equatorial Guinea

Africa-Equatorial Guinea-Rio Muni-Bata This is the central part of Equatorial Guinea in mainland Africa. The capital is in Malabo in Bioko an Island. I had visited there before . My previous stop here was just a aircraft stop . I did give a postcard to an airport employee to mail for me.. I am still waiting .... lol  So this was a 3 day stay here. To be honest hard to find much to do. It is rather run down and uncared for , compared to the capital and the surrounds. 

I had discovered before coming here that the Post office was not in operation.But fingers crossed. First of all the hotel the Ibis in Bata was not aware of any post office !! Everyone I asked no one knew were the Post office was. Luckily for me a friend had been a few years ago and e sent me a whats app with directions. It was about a 15 min walk from the hotel. Near the famous roundabout with the revolving restaurant. But I have to say it was in one of the worst conditions I have ever seen for a post office. I did manage to find an employee. She told me there was no international Postal service. Only to Malabo. But she did have stamps. They were stored in her handbag ! . And she postmarked this postcard for me. It did not go in the mail as there is no service. At least you can see Bata in the postmark. 

Puerto Rico - Canary Islands

Atlantic Ocean-Canary Islands-Gran Canaria-Puerto Rico I had holidayed here for many years in the late 80s . I spend a half day here and seen how much has changed and yet it stays the same. The same here was imported from Mauritania as it is not a natural beach 

I posted this in Las Palmas airport . Stamps showing Las Palmas as part of a set issued for each island in the Canaries. 

La Laguna - World Heritage Site

Atlantic Ocean-Canary Islands-Tenerife-La Laguna This was the old capital and had a very lovely evening here. It is about 45 mins by tram from Santa Cruz. Nice old buildings and full of atmosphere. This is also a World Heritage Site. 

I especially like this stamp for how simple it is. Just a single flip flop as we all them on the sand with the blue of the sea on the side. 

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Atlantic Ocean-Canary Islands-Tenerife-Santa Cruz de Tenerife This is the capital of Tenerife . One of the main attractions here is the beautiful Opera House. It is stunning outside as well as inside. Was just here for the day so did not get to see a show. But there is a lovely cafe and a great vies over the sea. 

The stamp on the right is one of the stamps issued for each Canary Island. I loved the stain glass window stamp with a beautiful finish , heard to see here. 

Puerto de la Cruz - Tenerife

Atlantic Ocean-Canary Islands-Tenerife-Puerto de la Cruz Took a short flight here from Gran Canaria. It was in fact cheaper then the boat trip. A nice enough town , stayed overnight. 

Head Post Office building here quite impressive outside. Had a good selection of stamps on offer. Very clear postmark. 

Palestine State

Middle East-Palestine-Bethlehem My second time here. This time got a Arab bus from Jerusalem . Visited the church and walked around. Completely different atmosphere than Israel. A very Arab feel. Had a nice lunch here. 

The Post office had a mixture of stamps to choose from. It is right in the square. This time it was a new post office since the last time inside. 

Middle East-State of Palestine-Bethlehem This Postcard gives you a  better overview of Bethlehem . It was easy coming on the bus. The church itself was very busy as usual. 

You will notice that this stamp is now inscribed "State of Palestine" . A change from the previous listing of "Palestine Authority". So a new listing. This is the standard stamp that was being given out by the Post office when I was there, but still had the old Authority stamps for sale. 

Western Wall - Jerusalem

Middle East-Israel-Jerusalem Showing the Western Wall . My second time here and I had hoped to get a closer look at the Golden dome nearby, but like the previous time not able to get near access today. 

This stamp is showing the logo for the Eurovision Song contest 2009. This is the main reason I came here. A lot of buzz in Tel Aviv for the event. I had not time to find a Post Office in Jerusalem so posted in Tel Aviv. 

Umbrellas in Israel

Middle East-Israel-Tel Aviv  This card I noticed just now has Jerusalem on the front. Loved the Umbrellas and all the different colours. I posted this in Tel Aviv where I stayed for a few days. My second visit to Israel.

I never did find a philatelic office but the Post Offices  had a small selection of stamps . In May when there Israel had lovely blue skies and these stamps remind me of that. 

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. 

Istanbul Transport

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 . 

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 .

World Heritage Site - Istanbul

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. 

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

Welcome Back from Istanbul

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. 

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. 

Gran Canaria

Atlantic Ocean-Canary Islands-Gran Canaria-Playa del Ingles. I always enjoy map cards. This one shows Gran Canaria which I have been to many times. Nice for a winter break . 

Many have the post offices in Spain have no choice of stamps and will try sell you a pack of definitive stamps. Got all these stamps when I was in Tenerife as there was a Head Post Office there. Postmark is Last Palmas even though posted in Playa del Ingles. 

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. 

Rabaul - Bismarck Archipelago

Pacific Ocean-Bismarck Archipelago-Rabaul  This is showing the famous Mount Rabaul and the Tavurur Volcano . Rabaul was the capital of East New Britain province. It was mostly destroyed by falling ash from the volcanic eruption in 1994. The capital was moved to Kokopo 20 km away. There is not much to see here now , but worth coming for the view . 

There is still a small centre in Rabaul and inside one of the shopping centres is a small post office. I had given up on this card as it has taken nearly 6 months to get here. But better late then never. Nice clear cancelation. They had no choice in stamps at this post office.