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. 

Ghardaia - Algeria

 Africa-Algeria-Ghardaia One of the most conservative and in fact very interesting city in the Sahara. The old town is well worth seeing with its own culture and traditions . 

Sorry about the old postcard but in some places you take what you can get ! Still it has not changed very much. The postmark is faint , but I love the stamps showing local food. 

Algiers the most beautiful Post Office in the World

 Africa-Algeria-Algiers  This is my favourite Post Office of all the ones I have visited and that has been a lot. lol.. It is just beautiful to look at inside and out. For the last number of years it has been closed and due to open again as a "Post Office Museum" . Luckily for me I was able to visit when I was here last in 2007.

The operating  Post Office is nearly next to this building It is still majestic from the outside. Was mad busy .

Algiers - Algeria

 Africa-Algeria-Algiers Back to Algiers and this card is showing the area known as the French Quarter. This trip I had a lot more time to appreciate the area and see the museum. Looks like the Mediterranean of Africa ! 

The Post Office it was very busy. So I ended up putting the card in the box outside. 

Djanet - Algeria . Sahara Desert

 Africa-Algeria-Djanet This is a postcard I could not resist as it sort of matched what I seen when there. This area is amazing and one of my highlights in Algeria . 

It was very hard to find any postcards in Djanet . This card was purchased and send from Algiers. 

Djanet - Algeria

 

Africa-Algeria-Djanet This is an Oasis city down south bordering Niger and Libya. This place is amazing and this postcard wont do it justice , but to say the local Touaregs are very charming and great guides. Stayed overnight in a tent in the desert . A magical experience sleeping and just looking up at the stars. 

On the day I was here Saturday/Sunday the Post office was closed. Got back to late and left to early from the trip to the desert. There was no post box so I left the card with the guide and crossed my fingers. Well here is the result. The card came back. Love these stamps. 

Timgad - Algeria - World Heritage Site

 Africa-Algeria-Timgad This was a Roman city around 100AD and is considered one of the finest Roman sites in existance. The area stretches almost  to as far as the eye can see. Well worth seeing and a day trip from Constantine . 

Nice surprise to find a small but modern Post Office just outside the main entrance gate to Timgad. A nice clear cancellation . 

Constantine - Algeria

 Africa-Algeria-Constantine I would call this the city of bridges. First stop on my return trip to Algeria .It is a amazing city to see and as many near attractions . I think I crossed most of the 7 bridges . Unfortunately getting a postcard here was not easy. Not much choice. So it looks like an old black and white photograph. But I will load up some photos for you to see. A great start to this trip and a very friendly welcome here. 

Algeria has an very well functioning post offices. They are all busy with what ever they do.. lol. As I was visiting many cities I bought a year pack of stamps to save me time buying stamps at each stop. How could one resist a triangle stamp ? Quite rare to have this on mail. I think in my head this is my second one. The Post office here was centre stage in the city. 

Capri - Hand painted Postcard

 Europe-Italy-Capri This is a hand painted Postcard showing the main square in Capri Town . It is full of designer stores and the standout clock tower. 

Posted in the post box outside the main post office. Stamp shows the main Piazza in Napoli . Beautiful stamp.

Capri- Italy

 Europe-Italy-Capri Took the ferry from Sorrento and spend a very enjoyable day on the island of Capri.Took the funicular rail up from the port to the middle of the island and the main town. Did not have time to discover the beaches and relaxed and had a lovely lunch . 

The Post Office was nearby . But I could not persuade them to postmark this card. You cant win them all. lol.