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. 

Somalia and Somaliland

Africa-Somalia-Mogadishu  Not the most exciting of cards , but I had to buy this card in advance. My trip to Somalia was very interesting , at least even trying to get there. While in Djibouti , I had arranged to visit the Somalia Embassy . I met the second in command .  The building itself was not in the best shape and inside it could have done with a good clean. There were a few Somalis there , getting some paperwork. I stood out as not being African. So I was shown into a office . After the pleasantries, the officer was shocked to find out I wanted to visit Mogadishu as a tourist .!! He explained that I could not be minded as the government at that time had only control over the airport.  I had known that and wanted to stay in a hotel outside the airport building but still in government hands. It was out of the question.  It was agreed that I could visit the airport , but not stay and continue on to Hargesia in Somaliland. 

So on the plane journey from Djibouti city I met a Somali who used to work for Somali Airlines and did all the his training in Dublin. In fact in his case he took out a photo with a Aer Lingus Plane and his colleagues. He even knew where I lived. Amazing how small the world was . He said I could stay with him, but I explained it was not possible as I had no visa to leave the airport . When the plane touched down the african union peacekeepers arrived in tanks to make sure the airport was not shelled while the planes were on the ground. Two planes arrange to arrive at the same time while security is in place . The head of security came over to meet me off the plane and said I could only stay near the plane and could not even enter the airport building as it may not be safe and I could be kidnapped. It was all unreal. So I spend over 1 hour on the tarmac with security taking photos and chatting about life in Mogadishu. 

Somalia had no operating Postal service while I was there. In fact it has just started incoming mail in the last 6 months. I have been in touch with the officials in the Post office in Mogadishu and they plan to start a outgoing Postal Service before December 2014. So they will issue new stamps.  These stamps I had purchased from a dealer and are genuine Somalia stamps from the last time that country issued stamps. While waiting for my plane to reload , I asked to used the rest rooms in the Airport. So I was able to go into the building . Near the toilets there was a office of the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority . I went in and there I could see a rubber stamp , like you see here. So I stamped the postcard . So I know it is not official but the best I could do at the time. For my collection all my mail must have gone through the postal system. When the Postal service starts again , I will revisit , now that I have a Government official who will facilitate this. 

Africa-Somaliland-Hargeisa  This is the Northern part of Somalia and the old British Somalia and it is safe to visit. I spend two great days here . Good hotels and just like Djibouti sand sand sand and dust everywhere. Down town the Somalis were very friendly and very chatty. You have to pay $10 per day to have a policeman with you if you go outside Hargesia which I did to get my flight back from Berbera which is on the coast. 

Just like Somalia there is no Postal service here. I did manage to visit the Old Post office and took many photos . While taking photos , I did get stopped by the army as they could not understand why anyone would want photos of a old Post office. In fact it was great, as in the offices you can see a list of services including Philatelic . Also a British postbox outside, quite amazing. I went to DHL to try and send my postcard out, but because of restrictions only packages and including my postcard can only be sent to Kenya . So the best I could do was to stamp my postcard in the DHL office in Hargeisa . The stamp is a "cinderella " meaning not issued officially. The last Somalialand stamps were issued long time ago. I do wonder that if the postal services gets going in Somalia will it extend to Somaliand ? 

Ethiopia and Djibouti

Africa-Ethiopia-Addis Ababa   This Postcard is showing the Martyr's Monument in Addis. The city is busy. Visited the excellent museums here. One of my best memories of was a high quality Italian restaurant with great pasta. I ended up sharing a meal with a diplomat from Lebanon , with some interesting insights into the world of Consular affairs. 

These stamps were recently issued and a nice set. The Philatelic section was very helpful and a nice clean Post office . These stamps show city monuments. 

Africa-Djibouti-Djibouti City   Arriving here , all I could see was sand and dust.. Certainly very Arabian compared to Ethiopia . Very safe here as lots of U.S and French Soldiers share bases in this important strategic location in the Horn of Africa. The city had a mix of Luxury hotels to simple buildings.  These buildings are in down town Djibouti City.  

The Post office here was very helpful in getting me a selection of stamps. That is once they found the key to were the stamps was. The cancellation are pure French and very similar to the ones that are  used in its overseas Territories. 

Ethiopia - World Heritage Sites

Africa-Ethiopia-Axum  These Obelisks are a worthy World Heritage Site. They are very impressive when you see them up close. They are over 1700 years old. My first stop in Ethiopia , a very friendly nation. 

The local Post office had sort of run out of stamps. So what they do is charge you the correct Postal charge and then make a effort to put about 3 or 4 stamps on the Postcard. In fact apparently I needed more but they said that this is the way to do it putting one stamp on top of each other. Reminds me of DR Congo where I had to do the same thing. 

Africa-Ethiopia-Lalibela   Another great World Heritage Site. The famous Stone churches in Lalibela. I wish I could show you some of the others but only one postcard here. Will have to wait until I get to start posting Photos from my trips. Ethiopia one of the best countries to visit in Africa. A lot to offer and not expensive when here. 

At this post Office they did have a correct value stamp and a Rhino on it. I did not see so much wildlife on this trip to Ethiopia . More of a Historical nature . 

Holyroodhouse Palace- Edinburgh

Europe-United Kingdom-Scotland-Edinburgh   I had always wanted to visit Holyroodhouse Palace, but never managed it until this trip. It is the official residence of the British monarchy when in Scotland. It is not often I have a postcard of the inside of a building and this is the Royal Dining Room. Edinburgh is a fun place to visit and a  beautiful city. 

As I said earlier, it is not easy to get a clear postmark in Scotland . Here you see a typical postmark I have found on my travels there. 

Wales and Scotland-United Kingdom

Europe-United Kingdom-Wales-Blaenavon  I had been to a few mines on my trips . The previous one was in Spitsbergen in Norway. This is also a coal Pit and is a World Heritage Site. Very very interesting and a lot to see. This was my final World Heritage site in the UK to visit. You really need to have a car in this part of Wales to visit, but luckily I had friends in that area . 

It is not always the case that mail posted in Wales gets a welsh postmark , like this one did in Cardiff. Some mail gets cancelled in Bristol in England , so pleased with this. 

Europe-United Kingdom-Scotland-Edinburgh   I had over the years gone across this bridge a few times. But this was the first time I had stopped to pay attention to it. A great site and famous in Scotland. The second longest span for a cantilever bridge in the world. A great Coffee shop across the road , nice to relax and view the bridge. 

Most of my cards mailed in Scotland get a postmark that is near impossible to read. I know the Scots have a name for meanness but saving the ink on postmarks goes a bit too far !!! ( Just a joke). So delighted to at last get a clear Edinburgh postmark. 

Greenland

Atlantic Ocean-Greenland-Kulusuk  This is East Greenland. Flew from Iceland . The Scenary is spectacular and great looking out of the plane as you come into land. This is very light populated part of Greenland. The village homes are all painted bright and different colours. Most houses had no running water and went to a nearby building for Showers . Intersting chatting with the locals who had could understand English and seeing their way of life. Enjoyed my stay here. 

The local Post office was not busy and in fact I had to go and find the official working there in a nearby shop. This card took about 3 months to get back to me, so thought it was lost, but made it at long last. Pity the postmark is so faint. 

Iceland

Atlantic Ocean-Iceland-Reykjavik  This is my second time to Iceland. I had been here over 20 years ago. .It is a great country to visit. It is certainly not as expensive as it was when I visited for the first time. Reykjavik has a look which is unique and a great clean environment .

This stamps is rather special. The stamp shows the eruption from Eyjafjallajokull which was famous for the Ash cloud of 2010. Here I am in Iceland in September 2010.. The stamp itself is embossed and embedded  in the stamp is particles from the ash eruption itself. Very unique and hard to appreciate on this blog. 

Atlantic Ocean-Iceland-Blue Lagoon  The Blue Lagoon is something special to visit when in Iceland. It is a outdoor very large suphlur natural hot spring. Regardless of how cold it is outside, the water temp is very warm and most relaxing. You can even just sip a drink as you relax for hours in this pool.. I had remembered from my first visit and was one of the best relaxation options to find anywhere . It is only a little outside Reykjavik and you can get a bus here. 

The Post office had a full selection of Icelandic stamps to choose from . Stamps are very well promoted in Iceland . Looks like a handstamp cancellation . 

Fort Myers - Florida

North America-United States of America-Fort Myers  Had a short visit here on the way back to Sarasota. Beach looks great.Not often I visit a location that is just pure relaxation. 

Interesting this has a slightly different postmark then the others in this collection. 

St.Petersburg and Fort Myers - Florida

North America-United States of America-St.Petersburg  Had a stop here at the Pier for coffee.. Not as exciting as it looks! 

Some more of the Cartoon stamps . 

North America-United States of America-Fort Myers  Visited the Edison and Ford Estates. The Edison museum was excellent and very educational . Well worth the side trip. 

This card has a Fort Myers postmark. 

Sarasota Florida

North America-United States of America-Sarasota   Spend a great few days here with friends. Sunshine and a great beach near by. 

I see this has a St.Petersburg postmark, even though mailed in Sarasota .

North America-United States of America-Sarasota   Went to visit the Ringling Circus museum here, which is fantastic.. They were one of the biggest influences in Circus in America. Here you see the Museum of Art near by. 

More stamps from the set I purchased. 

Philadelphia and Tampa

North America-United States of America-Philadelphia  I was on a stopover on my way to Florida. I had visited Philadelphia over 10 years ago . So did not get time to re visit . But on my previous trip I did visit Independence Hall, which is a World Heritage Site. The Declaration of Independence was signed here on July 4, 1776. 

A laser postmark , mailed at Philadelphia Airport. 

North America-United States of America-Tampa  I came here to visit friends, which is always an enjoyable time. 

I do like these stamps. Dennis the Menace was well known here in Europe, Garfield less so from my point of view. 

Russia and Abkhazia

Europe-Russia-Sochi  I was here in 2010, well before the Olympic Games. But you could see all the building work going on while here. Not one of my favourite parts of Russia. 

I had a interesting discussion with the Post office re these stamps. It relates to the two stamps commemorating the 2nd World War. The Post office when I gave them the Postcard to mail, said the stamps on the top were for collectors and I would have to buy " Regular Stamps".. So I did. They were two definitive stamps. You can see one here in green. The other one got removed at some point. I guess they decided after I paid that I did not need that stamp and it was reused.. This happens occasionaly when the Post office does not wish to recognise the stamps that were issued by the Philatelic Section. 

Asia-Abkhazia-Sukhum   Many would say this is part of Georgia. Abkhahazia is the breakaway republic within Georgia. However it is intersting to note, that the people here always had a different language then the rest of Georgia.. Getting a visa here is not too difficult, but getting a Double Entry visa to go back into Russia was. The Russian Embassy in Dublin could not understand why I needed a Double entry visa and more or less told me I could not visit Abkhazia . In the end after 3 visits I got the visa. Strangely enough, Abkhazia is a beautiful "Country" to visit. I had 3 great days here. When here it was full of Russian Tanks , but hidden . The capital Sukhum is very nice , with great views over the sea..  

The trip to the Post office was a event in itself. The Post office really only sells Russian Stamps. Abkhazia stamps are only valid for internal mail. In effect they are never used. I had to try and find someone higher up in the Post office to get me Abkhazia stamps. That was in a small office upstairs after I told the official I would pay more then the value of the stamps! Problem one sorted. Then I went down to mail the postcard at the normal counter only to find that I now needed Russian stamps. All the Russian stamps they had were on prepaid envelopes. So I could put this postcard in a envelope and send it out. I explained that would not work for me. So I went back up to my  good Official and explained I needed Russian stamps. After 10 minutes they found some and I was able to mail my postcard. As you can see the mail goes out via Sochi and it has to have Russian stamps and it is postmarked there too. A postcard from Abkhazia is a rare sight. Because Abkhazia is not recognised and mail not guaranteed to go through the international system. Of course my Russian stamps problem should have been ok, but you may recall I lost them in Moscow so had no extra Russian stamps with me. Hence I was fortunate to get this Postcard mailed. Just a extra foot note. South Ossetia use Russian stamps so I have no plans to visit that area. 

Siberia - Lake Baikal

Asia-Siberia-Irkutusk This is the train Station in Irkutusk. Took the train here up to Lake Baikal. 

I had lost my stamps in Moscow so this is the usual type Russian selection one gets at most Post Offices. 

Asia-Siberia-Lake Baikal-Listvyanka  This is Lake Baikal , the largest freshwater lake in the World. Enjoyed my stay here and is quite interesting around this area with old houses . Lake Baikal is a World Heritage Site. 

A nicer selection of stamps from the Post office at Lake Baikal.