Amritsar - Golden Temple and Border Crossing

Asia-India-Amritsar  This is near Amritsar but in fact it is the border crossing at Wagah Border point. It is well worth the trip, About 45 minutes from the city . Great to watch the show on both sides , but as I was on the Indian side easier to see what was going on this side 

Posted in the Post Office in Amritsar. It is right in the old town . 

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Asia-India-Amritsar The Golden Temple was the main reason for my visit to this city . It is in fact a complex. Fascinating to see and lean all about the Sikhs culture and religion . A must see and a World Heritage Site. 

I usually do not put cards up without a postmark. But since my other card has a postmark , I decided to put this card up. It was also posted in Amritsar . 

Jaipur Capital of Rajasthan - India

Asia-India-Jaipur The Capital of Rajasthan  and historical city and gateway to India's most flamboyant state.  More selections here from the city of Jaipur. Certainly lots to see here and a very enjoyable visit . 

Not a very clear postmark. 

Jaipur - India

Asia-India-Jaipur The City Palace is amazing with a complex of courtyards , gardens and buildings . It is right in the centre of the old city. 

Posted in Jaipur . 

Asia-India-Hawa Mahall  Jaipur's most distinctive landmark. This is like a fairytale pink sandstone with a dizzying five storeys. 

Using one of the transport series I purchased in a booklet. 

World Heritage at Agra India

Asia-India-Agra This as you can see is Itimad-ud-Daulah, but when I was there no one called it that name. It was simply "The Baby Taj" . It has a beautiful delicate appearance and not to be missed. 

A hard to read cancel. Posted at Agra . 

Aisa-India-Agra  This is Fatehpur Sikri a magnificent fortified ancient city 40km went of Agra. This is really a set of Palace buildings peppered with Mughal masterpieces courtyards, gateways and ornamental pools. Both of these sights are World Heritage Sites. 

This stamp features a Temple in New Delhi 

Agra India - Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

Asia-India-Agra I would say then when many people including myself think of India we think of the Taj Mahal. Many of my friends had seen this before me and said how wonderful it was. So it had a lot to live up to. Well , I have to say it surpassed my expectations. I would consider it one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. A day never to forget. 

Visited the colonial Post Office in Agra. A busy place. 

Asia-India-Agra With the Taj Mahal overshadowing it, one can easily forget that Agra has one of the finest Mughal forts in India. A must see place. 

Spend two days in Agra, which is enough to see the main sites. 

World Heritage Sites in Delhi - India .

Asia-India-Delhi  This is Qutb Minar complex which is something special. A soaring victory tower and minaret erected in 1193. This whole area is very interesting and when here was very busy with tourists. The highest stone tower in India. 

This stamp celebrates Children's day. 

Asia-India-Delhi Humayun's Tomb is the most perfectly proportioned and captivating of Delhi's mausoleums. This really did take my breath away. Amazing. Dates from 1564.

These stamps show traditional dancing from India and Portugal as it is a joint issue between the two countries. Purchased from the Philatelic bureau. 

India - Delhi Red Fort

Asia-India-Delhi This 42m high stone memorial arch is one of Delhi's iconic tourist sights. It is quite impressive and nice to walk around and take the view in. 

Purchased all these stamps from the Philatelic counter at the main post office in Delhi. These stamps were issued in booklets and sheets. But the sheets were sold out soon after release. These stamps "transport" are from the booklets. These are still bicycle rickshaws in Delhi. 

Asia-India-Delhi The World Heritage Site , "Red Fort" is well worth seeing. Had a good walk in and around. In Old Delhi this massive fort was also used by the British army. 

The Philatelic counter had a full selection of stamps. The staff were very helpful and always delighted to get that level of service. 

Kadmat - Lakshadweep Islands

Indian Ocean-Lakshadweep Islands-Kadmat Island  Lakshadweep comprises of 36 palm covered white sand coral islands. Only 10 of these are inhabited and foreigners are allowed on 3 of these islands. Kadmat is I guess the main one. Flights from Kochi to Agatti and then a 3 hours crossing in a fast boat . Here is the resort I stayed in. 

There is one small Post office on the island. The postmaster was very helpful and delighted to see a clear postmark. I was lucky I brought the postcard with me. There was none available in the resort or on the Island itself. 

Colombo - Sri Lanka

Asia-Sri Lanka-Colombo I could not find a postcard showing a part of Colombo. So we have flowers instead. I have to say the city is one that I did not find too enticing. But on the other hand Sri Lanka has so much to offer that it is not a concern. 

I did pay a visit to the Philatelic Bureau in Colombo. It is one of the best I have visited. Full selection of stamps . The staff were very helpful and interested in what they were doing. At least I was able to select my stamps. 

Asia-Sri Lanka-Colombo I am a great tea drinker. I really drink very weak tea and in Sri Lanka was drinking this brand when there. There is a lovely tea shop by this brand in the city centre. I enjoyed the service and selection and delighted to find this free postcard when there. 

I posted this card at the airport , where I had my last cup of tea. The Postmark is not Colombo it is Katunayak which is where the airport is 

Galle - Sri Lanka, World Heritage Site

Asia-Sri Lanka-Galle is the big unmissable destination in the south. Galle is a city of trade and increasingly art. Today this historic Fort area is crammed full of little boutique shops . It is a highlight in Sri Lanka to walk around and take it all in. Pure delight. 

The Post office in Galle is very historic . It has been restored . Unfortunately it was closed on the day I was here . So this card was posted in Colombo 

Nwara Eliya Post Office - Sri Lanka

Asia-Sri Lanka-Nwara Eliya This Tudor style red brick Post Office was constructed in 1894 by the British and is one of the oldest Post offices in Sri Lanka. It is also on most tourists maps in this area . I was delighted to find it was open on the Sunday when I visited. 

Even though the Post Office was open when I got here on a Sunday they only had a small selection of stamps. The Philatelic section was only open Monday to Friday. 

Nine Arch Bridge - Demodara - Sri Lanka

Asia-Sri Lanka-Nwara Eliya  Took this train from Kandy to Nwara Eliya.  This bridge is one of the iconic bridges in the country . Wonderful trip. Lots to see out of the carriages and there was a special class for tourists if you paid the extra. 

I had run out of stamps at this stage so just used the stamps that were available at the post office. At least the stamp has a postmark. 

Sigiriya , World Heritage Site - Sri Lanka

Asia-Sri Lanka-Sigiriya Rising from the central plains, the iconic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's sing most dramatic sight. It is certainly impressive. On the way up there are sections of Royal gardens , frescoes and at the summit a beautiful terrace. I did not make it up to the top , too warm and happy to walk half way. A worthy World Heritage Site. 

The stamp features a warm orange sunset. I have to say you see these all the time in this area. Beautiful just to watch the sun go down. 

Royal Cave temple at Dambulla - Sri Lanka

Asia-Sri Lanka-Dambulla This Royal cave temple is an iconic Sri Lankan site. Five separate caves contain about150 stunning Buddha statutes and paintings. Amazing and a World Heritage Site. 

I could not find a suitable postcard near Dambulla. So I bought this card on my travels and posted in Nuwara Eliya. I purchased the stamps at the local post office. 

Pinnawala - Sri Lanka

Asia-Sri Lanka-Pinnawala One of my first stops in Sri Lanka . Pinnawala elephant orphanage. Just before here had a 15 minute elephant ride. Then here seen many elephants in the water. Loved the views .

There was no post office that was obvious in this area. So posted this card at Dambulla post office. I had no stamps purchased in advance from the post office in Colombo as will only be there on the last day. So just bought the stamps as I went along. 

Male - Maldives

Indian Ocean-Maldives-Male  This is a great postcard of the view of Male from the air. It really is like a mini Manhattan. Very crowed as you can see. Going here gives you a better sense of the Maldives rather then just staying on a Island. 

This card like all the rest was posted at the Post office at Male airport. These stamps again are from the 50th Anniversary of Independence in 2015.  

Snolkeling in the Madives

Indian Ocean-Maldives-South Ari Atoll  The diving here is amazing . On this occasion  I sent snorkeling and the sea was a clear as this postcard . 

 

This card features stamps from the 50th Anniversary of Independence in the Maldives. from 2015. These stamps were only available in a presentation folder. 

South Ari Atoll - Maldives

Indian Ocean-Maldives-South Ari Atoll  This is the resort I stayed on. I have to say it even exceeded my expectation. Got a sea plane down from Male. 

There is no Post office on the island , as the island is just the resort which is most like the rest of the Maldives. You can post at a reception desk, but I never do that. So this card was posted at the Airport Island beside Male. This stamp is from a Miniature Sheet .