Doha - Qatar

 Middle East-Qatar-Doha It is quite some time since I was here and Doha has certainly changed since my last visit in 2005 , nearly 20 years ago. Only had one full day here on a transit back from Pakistan. But oh,, what a lot to see. Museum of Islamic Art, National Museum of Qatar and the 321 Sports Museum. All very interesting and top class . A great day . 

As you can see this is the first time I have used an envelope on this site. In effect I could not find a printed  postcard and this metal postcard came with the envelope . So I used that to send with the postcard inside .The Post office inside was amazing with a quality Philatelic shop . Unfortunately it was closed on the Saturday I visited. But staff all helpful. Part museum, cafe shop and full service Post office. The stamps are featuring the posters from previous football world cups.  

Karachi Bahria Icon Tower

 Asia-Pakistan-Karachi This is showing the modern area of Karachi and the tower is the tallest building in Pakistan known as Bahria Icon Tower. Had dinner in this area and certainly more upmarket . 

My last card in the Pakistan set. I wont miss all the stamps I had to put on , though at the start it was fun. 

Pakistan-Karachi

 Asia-Pakistan-Karachi This is the Express Market in Karachi . This is the largest city in the country . Certainly full of energy . The old part I guess has not changed in many years and still feels a little quite colonial in many ways. Told that this was the most dangerous city in Pakistan and in fact did not meet any tourists while here. However, we had a good time , but a city that lacks attractions compared to other areas

The stamps with the political map of Pakistan are very interesting. I had never heard of the dispute with India in relation to Junagadh , Manavadar and Sir Creek. 

Derawar Fort - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Bahawalpur This is Derawar Fort. It was a key sight for me to see in Pakistan and it lived up to expectation. The original structure was built in 858. It is impressive and can be seen for miles as it is in the desert. Highly recommended. 

Posted in Multan which is were we were staying . 'The poet is Muhammad Iqbal who was also a politician . He died in 1938 , 9 years before independence. 

Hiran Minar Punjab - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Punjab-Sheikhupura. This is Hiran Minar a 17th century Mughal area complex. It is very nice to walk around and includes a park . Not too far from Lahore. 

Nice to get away from the large amount of stamps. Clear postmark on the main stamp. 

Takhai-i-Bhai World Heritage Site - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Mardan This area features the Hill top monastery from the first century . Known as Takhi-i-Bhai. We had a guide to explain the significance of this famous Buddhist site. Very interesting .A World Heritage Site. 

I did not notice any Post Offices in the Marden region so posted this card back in Lahore. Interesting that some of the definitive stamps are overprinted with a new value of Rs50 , previously Rs10 

Lahore - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Lahore This is the Badshahi Mosque which is within the wall city of Lahore . I think the must see city in Pakistan . The wall city is amazing and impressive and is also known as the old city. 

Posted at the GPO in Lahore . A old type Post office .  The mail from Pakistan is very quick in getting back . Impressed. 

Gilgit - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Gilgit . This is in the Northern area of Pakistan . I have to say despite the poor quality of the highway driving up from Islamabad , it is certainly a highlight in this country . Up and around  the Mountains and it is beautiful . 

More of the excessive stamps, but I was well used to it at this stage.  

Azad Kashmir - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Azad Kashmir-Muzaffarabad I have to admit I have never heard of the main city in Pakistan Kashmir before. Traveled by road from Islamabad on the way up to the mountains . At this time travellers were restricted on where in Kashmir they could visit. So this is spend the day and had lunch here. 

There are 16 stamps on this card. I had to put them in a certain way to get them all on the card. Low value stamps only available at this post office. 

Islamabad - Pakistan

 Asia-Pakistan-Islamabad This is the capital of Pakistan and my point of entry for the tour of Pakistan . I had enjoyed my brief visit for a few days to Peshawar in 2006. So 18 years ago , how time flies. Islamabad is a relatively modern city and enjoyed the time here . Everyone very friendly and certainly at low prices compared to Europe. 

My first visit to the Post office was sort of a shock . The building itself was in need of a good clean both inside and out. I did visit the small Philatelic Bureau but most of the stamps were low value. I did go to the main Post office counter for stamps but they had even lower value stamps. I guess most international mail had meter stamps on the outside. So as you can see here this Postcard has 6 stamps.. This was a low number compared what I had in visits to some of the other cities. 

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 .