Westport Ireland

 Europe-Ireland-Mayo-Westport  This is a very popular tourist town in the West of Ireland. I had been thought this area about twice before but never stayed. So stayed a few nights during the wonderful sunny days of August . Went by train from Dublin . 

I had forgotten to get stamps in advance so purchased a booklet from the local Post Office. The postmark is celebrating Tayto potato chips being 70 years old. Which is now famous as being one of the first to produce this product. I have to say I love Tayto crisps as we call them in Ireland . 

Brcko - Croatian Post

 Europe-Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatian Post  This is the smallest population in Brcko . The numbers reduced a lot during and after the war. This area borders Croatia and can be visited  just crossing the bridge. 

The main Post office for Croatian Post is right beside the border point to visit Croatia . The Post office itself had very little selection of stamps. 

Brcko District - Unique franking .

 Europe-Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina-Bosnia Herzegovina-Republic of Srpska-Croatian Post.  

This card is unusual in that it has postmarks from the 3 Postal Administrations in this area. On the left is the Stamp featuring animals from HP Mostar which is Croatian Post . The centre top is the stamp from BH Posta which is Bosnia Herzegovina and on the top right is Poste Srpska stamp . All postmarked with the cancellations from each Post Office . On the bottom is the tax stamps which are sold in each post office. There is one from the Srpska and one from Bosnia Herzegovina Srpska District. So a unique postal item. 

Brcko Bosnia Herzegovina

 

Europe-Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina-Bosnia Herzegovina So this is a view of the town from the river Sava river which borders Croatia . 

This card was posted in the Bosnia Herzegovina Federation Post office in Brcko . This and the Srpska Post Office was the busiest . 

Brcko District- Republic of Srpska

 Europe-Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina-Republic of Srpska . This area is most unusual in that it is Officially named Brcko District of Herzegovina and is a condominium of the Federation of Bosnia Herzegovina and Republic Srpska . In practice it governs like a  local self Government area. 

I guess you could also call it a Free city state, so very unique. This is the main town hall where the local Government sit. This card is showing a Card from the Republic Srpska in Brcko . I have wanted to visit here for some time and intersting to talk to local people and learn to live in this area and get along with every one. 

My first Post Office to visit was the Republic of Srpska . Here like elsewhere they issue their own stamps for that area and the stamp says Bosnia and Herzegovina - Republic of Srpska . One of three Postal administrations in this District. 

Mostar - Bosnia

 Europe-Bosnia Herzegovina-Mostar-Croatian Post . Delighted to visit this very interesting city again . Of course the centre stage is the Bridge that was rebuilt after the Yugoslavia  war in the 1990s . The city is full of atmosphere and life. A lot busier this time . Seen the divers this time jumping off . A special place for sure. 

I purchased the stamp from a souvenir shop in the old town . It is from the Postal Authority of the Croatian Bosnian Post office. There are two Postal administrations in this town and the other is Bosnia Herzegovina Government in Sarajevo . But I could not find the Croatian Post office and the government Post office took the card and accepted it . So there we go.. 

Croatia-Dubrovnik

 Europe-Croatia-Dubrovnik Back for my second time for a wedding. It has changed quite a lot since 2005. Now very very busy and prices even higher then Dublin, so expensive for food and accommodation. However, there is much to see here and certainly a great vibe. Stayed in the old town the first night. Certainly a stand out city to visit. 

I could not remember where the Post Office was, but sorted it due to Google maps. It turned out that was the same exact Post Office I visited the last time. The memory must be going lol. Not too many stamps to choose from . Still a very friendly bunch in the office to chat to. 

Porto - Portugal

 Europe-Portugal-Porto I guess the second city of Portugal. Cant believe I have never been. So much to see. Really enjoyed it here. From the old trams, the river and the great views, not to mention the Port and wonderful food. A city not to be missed. 

The main `Post office here had little or no choice with stamps. At least the stamp got cancelled. 

Ponta Delgada - The Azores.

 

Atlantic Ocean- Azores-Sao Miguel-Ponta Delgada-Sao Miguel-Azores  This is main square right down town near the harbour. Beautiful to walk around and in fact did a walking tour. 

One of the Azores stamps I got from the Post office. This is again in the main area. A hand cancellation done by the Post office itself. 

Sao Miguel - Azores

 Atlantic Ocean-Azores- Sao Miguel-Ponta Delgada Back to the Azores for 5 days. It was wonderful . Only spend time on this island but got to see quite a bit of it with tour companies. Very green Some beautiful scenery . This is one such location . More to explore 

The Post office generally just sells Portuguese  stamps. I wanted the special Azores issues. To get these I had to buy a year pack from 2023. So happy to do that as the Azores does not issue many stamps. 

New York - USA

 North America-United States of America-New York Always a buzz when going to New York . There for good reason . Travelers Century Club, New York chapter  was having one of their regular meeting and I was a guest speaker. How cool was that. Of course I have been a speaker before at other events, but this one was full of energy and I really enjoyed it. Did the usual stuff , theatre and catching up with friends. 

I took the opportunity to at long last visit what used to be the main Post office in New York City. There is very little part now which is the Post Office, but still impressive . James A Farley Building. I bought the stamps there , but had not got the postcard so ended up posting this in Midtown at the Post office I know there. 

St. Maarten

 Caribbean-Saint Maarten-Philipsburg After Bonaire, St. Matin was a bit of a let down . Lots more tourists about and quite tacky in parts. Was not helped by the constant rain . 

I specially visited due to the island status changing since my last visit. Now St.Maarten had its own stamps and no longer part of the Netherlands Caribbean . The line in the post office was gigantic !! . Luckly the staff let me skip as I was only buying stamps. 

Bonaire - Netherlands Caribbean

 Caribbean-Netherlands Caribbean-Bonaire-Kralendijk This is right downtown near where the cruise ships are. Spend a nice afternoon having lunch here. Loved all the vibrancy and the colour . 

I posted this card in the post box at the airport. But no postmark. 

Bonaire - Netherlands Caribbean

 Caribbean-Netherlands Caribbean-Bonaire-Kraleddijk Last visited on a stopover flight in 2007 . So this time a 3 night stay . I have to say I really enjoyed it . Stayed at a resort hotel with excellent food , Weather and good prices . Whats not to like. 

The last time this island was part of the Netherlands Antilles . Since then it has changed to Netherlands Caribbean . So different stamps. In fact the stamps have dual names of Bonaire added . These stamps can be used in any of the Netherlands Caribbean islands. Mailed at the main post office in Kralendijk . The postmark is not on the stamp. But , thats all right , its there. 

Tlemcen - Algeria

 Africa-Algeria-Temcen Is in the Northern part of Algeria. Was our last stop before making our way to Algiers and home. Algeria has been a great country to visit , very welcome and lots to see. 

The Post office in Tlmcen was straight out of pure casting for this area. It was beautiful and I just had to stop when I seen it. A photo attached here . Algeria sure had amazing postal buildings . Keep in good order. 

Oran - Algeria

 Africa-Algeria-Oran A major port city in the northwest of Algeria. This feels like a young peoples city with a more modern vibe to it then other parts of Algeria. As it is on the coast I had expected to see a lot of tourist related hotels etc but that sort of tourism does not exist in this country . 

These are the usual definitive stamps that most Post Offices sell to stamp customers.