Baikonur - Russian Post Office

 Asia-Russia-Baikonur  This is unusual in that this area and city is leased to Russia . It is on the territory of Kazakhstan .  So when you enter you need a permit if you are a visitor . All needs to be arranged 60 days in advance. You will find both Russian and Kazakhstan police cars . So much to see as this area and the museum is where the history of space travel started.  

The Post office in the city of Baikonur is the Russian Post office . They had special space stamps available for sale . They also had special cachets that you could get stamped on the postcard. It was a dream come true to visit this area and Post office for a long time . It well exceeded my expectations. 

Kyzylorda - Kazakhstan

 Asia-Kazakhstan-Kyzylorda . This city is in the southern part of Kazakhstan. It is the entry airport for those wishing to visit the Baikonur  city and cosmodrome. The postcard is showing the local train station. 

The stamp is showing one of  the rocket launches from Baikonur which is about 3 hours drive from here. The post office itself did not think these were valid stamps and had to take photos of them and send them off to head office . In fact they would not let me send the postcards as they said they only did parcel and registered post. So I had to put my postcards inside the registered envelope to send back. First time . Though I do remember on my early days of travel in some ex Soviet coutry they said the same but they agreed in the end to let me send the postcards out. So first time this has happened. Below is a pic of the famous envelope that they got sent it. 

Almaty - Kazakhstan

 Asia-Kazakhstan-Almaty  My first time here . The main city in Kazakhstan but the capital is in the north more central in this very large country. This isthe opera house in the city centre. My hotel is nearly opposite and a lovely restaurant nearby . 

I was disappointed to see that there was no selection of stamps at the main Post Office. There was an old philatelic shop but closed down. I guess all the philatelic orders are dealt with in Astana  . Just a standard set of definitive stamps. 

Prague National Theatre

 Europe-Czechia-Prague This card is showing the National Theatre on the bank of Vltavy river. It had a big fire soon after opening in 1881 and reopened in 1883. A beautiful building .

These stamps show some of the stencils in the Main Post Office in Prague . This card was mailed at the Post office in the Castle . Again very helpful staff and a special handstamp in blue. Interesting all the postcards are handstamped. 

The Charles Bridge - Prague

 Europe-Czechia-Prague The famous Charles Bridge in Prague crossing the Vltava river . I had been here before but had very little memory as I had limited time. Lovely view on both sides. 

This is one of the most beautiful  sets of stamps I have ever purchased. So well designed . Part of  a bigger miniature sheet. I must mention the Main Post Office in Prague. I had not been before and I had no idea  it would be so nice inside. Also the Philatelic department was as perfect as one could get.  A person who knew exactly all the details of the large volume of stamps on sale. Some photos  follow. 

Prague - Czechia

 Europe-Czechia-Prague It is such a long time since I was here. So great to spend a long weekend. It was fabulous . So  much to see a great buzz and all  in all one of the best cities in Europe to visit . Cant believe I waited so long to really discover this city. 

At the Main Post Office which is amazing , ( more  on that later) , I did find a stamp with Czechia on it. I have now started using the new name instead of Czech Republic . It is shorter . This stamp was issued for a stamp exhibition in Japan and they used this name as is known in that country. 

Knysna - South Africa

 Africa-South Africa-Knysna  This   was my main stop on the Garden route . A very nice area to stay . 

These are new  issue stamps. South Africa  had not issued new stamps in a few years, so just by chance these were just issued in the month I was here. 

Post Office Tree - Mosel Bay South Africa

 Africa-South Africa-Mossel Bay This is near Mossel Bay. Was coming back from the trip on the Garden route.  Not as spectacular as I had hoped. 

There is a tree called the Post Office tree in Mossel Bay. I had just heard of it before I got here. So there is a opening in the side of the tree with a post box. So mailed it here and it got a special cachet . 

The Post box in the tree , You can see the slot. 

In a nearby cafe , there was a Post office fun box in the garden. It used to be used for mail prior to covid. 

Manzini - Eswatini

 Africa-Eswatini-Manzini Formally Swaziland, the new name of Eswatini was introduced  on 19  April  2018 on the 50th Anniversary of Independence from the UK. So back for my second visit and first under the new name. 

I had learnt in advance of my visit that most Post offices were still using Swaziland stamps. So I purchased these stamps in advance . Indeed at the Post office in Manzini only Swaziland stamps available so glad I got these. Eswatini has issued very few new stamps since the name change. 

Maputo - Mozambique

 Africa-Mozambique-Maputo I have always wanted to visit this city . Was interested in the colonial Portuguese history and look of the city. Unfortunately  it was a bit of a let down , but understandable in that there was a civil war 1977-92. So a lot was destroyed. Still enough the city was safe and I enjoyed a walking city tour. A lot more expensive then I had expected. 

The stamp on the postcard is the most recent issue. In fact the Main Post Office did not have this stamp. I had to get one of the  postal workers to get  one from  me. I had to give him extra for this stamp. The Post office was typical African not in good shape. 

Northern Lights - Tromso

 Europe-Norway-Tromso  The main reason for visiting over later December was to  hopfully see the Northern  Lights. We booked the  Northern Lights  tour twice to maximise  our chance of seeing  them. Luckily I did see them first go. 

Posted at the Post Office in Tromso without a postmark.