Nukunonu Tokelau

Pacific Ocean-Tokelau-Nukunonu Without a doubt the most difficult Island for me to get to. On my first attempt a few years ago , the ship left a few days before my arrival even though it was organised. This time, I arrived to find I needed extra paper work, like a Police clearance and a Medical report. Also no permit had been issued, as you need these to visit each island. Luckily I was planning on being in the Pacific region for 4 weeks so was able to book a trip one month later and wait for all the paperwork to get sorted. As is common, the ship left a day later then planned . But all was well and managed to say one night in Nukunonu witch even has a hotel. Arrived on a Saturday and was able to look around the island. It is quite small and you can walk from one end to the other in a 2 hours or less. It is really down to the heat.  The people were very friendly and on Sunday was able to have lunch with a local family prior to the ship going back to Samoa . 

There are no postcards to be found in Nukunonu so I brought this card with me. As I arrived on a Saturday and departed Sunday the Post office as such would not be open . However I found out that the immigration officer on Nukunonu is also the Postmaster. So it was arranged and the Post office was opened for me at 10 pm on the Saturday night , so I could mail the postcards. Very helpful. You will note that the postmark has no date. This is the real cancellation which is on the island. Philatelic mail gets cancelled in New Zealand and those cancellations have a date. Tokelau is a dependent territory of New Zealand. 

Zagreb - Croatia

Europe-Croatia-Zagreb This was my last capital to visit in Europe . Zagreb is divided into the old and new town. My hotel was right in the centre in the main square in the middle of this postcard. For those eagle eyed , I have no postcard  yet from Warsaw ( I was not sending postcards at that time) and Chisinau as my postcard got lost in the mail.   

Did not realise until this card arrived home that the stamps were not straight. So on like me. The philatelic section of the main Post office in town is superb. A full display of stamps for the last 5  years . Even more important the lady behind the counter was enthusiastic and very knowledgeable.  I dont often ask for the name but her name is Drazenka. It certainly is up there with Crimea - Russia which had the best philatelic counter I had seen . 

Lake Bled - Slovenia

Europe-Slovenia-Bled Another view of this fabulous lake. The church in the middle was a key island to visit. I got there by boat . I went twice. Once by tour boat and once by single boat. All boats must be rowed, no engines allowed on the lake. That is one of the reasons this is so special. 

A block and a stamp showing houses of Slovenia. In fact the one of the left is a Post Office. Love the clear and clean postmark. 

Bled Slovenia

Europe-Slovenia-Bled What a magnificent place to visit. The lake itself and the surrounding areas. Pure bliss.. One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. 

I had purchased these stamps at the philatelic counter in Ljubljana . I did not know that honey was such a big export in Slovenia. Famous here. 

Ljubljana Slovenia 2

Europe-Slovenia-Ljubljana Another view of this beautiful capital city. The red roof tops with the river and the green surrounding areas.. Easy to walk around. 

Could not resist these stamps, bearing in mind that Ljubljana is full of bridges. 

Ljubljana - Slovenia

Europe-Slovenia-Ljubljana My last capital city in Europe to visit. What a gem it was . Beautiful and very well maintained. You could feel a sense of pride by the people who lived here in their city. A sure wow city. 

The Post office lived up to its reputation with being very helpful. The original lady at the philatelic desk could not speak english , but soon got me help. After that it was plain sailing with a full display of stamps. In fact I was able to purchase this block on the basis that I would not use it for 2 days as it was given to me prior to issue. A first time ever this has happened. I did place the block on this card and informed then went postmarking to post it two days later so no one would get into trouble. A beautiful stamp too. 

State Rooms- Buckingham Palace

Europe-United Kingdom-England-London This is the very impressive State room in Buckingham Palace. I have been to a lot of Palaces that are open to the public. This one is very well maintained and is stunning. I suspect the key reason is that it is in reality in use with the exception of the 6 weeks it is open to the public in the summer. 

This card does have a postmark which for me is now rare in the UK.

Buckingham Palace

Europe-United Kingdom-England-London  This is Buckingham Palace , the home of The Queen . I am not normally in London at this time of year, but on this occasion I was able to visit the State rooms. 

United Kingdom is famous for its Machin Definitive stamps , which have been on sale since the 1960s. Most Post offices only sell these stamps and as is often the case the card is not postmarked. 

Benalmadena - Spain

Europe-Spain-Benalmadena Spend a lovely evening here overlooking the harbour. In fact it was an exact replica of this picture postcard. 

The Spanish Post Office , postmarked the end of this card and not the top. 

Picasso Museum - Malaga

Europe-Spain-Malaga "Women with raised arms " One of my favourite pictures from the Picasso museum in Malaga. Painted in Paris 1936. 

Posted locally in a Post box . 

Madang Papua New Guinea

Pacific Ocean-Papua New Guinea-Madang This card is in fact showing Lae. When in Madang this was the only card being sold at the Post Office and the hotel had none. I have to say Madang was a disappointment and it was only for the village sing sing that was the highlight. The city itself is not interesting

These are still the stamps I purchased from the Philatelic Bureau in Port Moresby. Cant make out the postmark even though it was posted in Madang 

Fire Dance - Mask Festival

Pacific Ocean-Bismarck Archipelago-New Britain-Kokopo This is the famous fire dance. Seen this on the last night of my stay in kokopo. But it is not held there and can be in different locations. I think it was about a 45 minute drive from the hotel. Very enjoyable with the dark sky.  

This card got a double set of  postmarks care of the Irish Post office. Luckily the PNG postmark is in a sort of pink colour. The Irish one is ink jet. 

Mask Festival Kokopo

Pacific Ocean-Bismarck Archipelago-Kokopo This is showing another dance from the mask festival which I attended. However I did not see this particular dance when I was there. But the festival went on for 3/4 Days, I was there for two full days. Fantastic to visit. 

Posted this at the very friendly Post office in Kokopo. Glad I brought stamps with me from Port Moresby, as the selection once you go outside the capital is very poor. 

Nature Park - Port Moresby

Pacific Ocean-Papua New Guinea-Port Moresby This is the Nature Park at Port Moresby . To be blunt if the museum is closed this is the only other activity . It is well worth going . Loads of birds and very easy to see. An enjoyable half day. 

There was a Post box at the Nature Park, so I posted this card there. It has a different Postmark then my other card which was posted at the Philatelic Service in Port Moresby. 

Tanna Resort - Vanuatu

Pacific Ocean-Vanuatu-Tanna It is rare now days that you an find a postcard of where you are staying. This is White Grass Ocean Resort and I would think it is the nicest hotel to stay in Tanna. Great setting and excellent food. 

Looks like this has two postmarks. I mailed this in the local Post office in Tanna. 

Volcano Post - Vanuatu

Pacific Ocean-Vanuatu-Tanna-Volcano Post I was very excited to visit Tanna. The volcano was amazing and later on I will put up some photos. Best seen from 6pm when it starts to get dark. 

The photo on the front of the card is a little misleading. The post box is a lot smaller . Also more important it is on the way as you start to walk up to the top of the volcano . So it is not on the edge as you see here. But I have to give top marks to Vanuatu Post for promoting this. Great that unlike the underwater card, this card does get a sort of postmark . It is hand dated with 11 July . I posted this on 2nd of July 2018.