FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Taiohae Bay - Nuku Hiva - Marquesas Islands ~

... Fantastic postcard of one of the remotest places on the planet🌎... yet once again another paradise island🌞... showing the beautiful landscapes of the Bay of Taiohae... this seaside town, located in the center of a vulcanic crater half collapsed into the sea surrounded by the edges of the crater which form a green mountainous cirque... Nuku Hiva known as the Mystical Island is home to many rare and magnificent attractions... a black sand beach, the third tallest waterfall in the world, countless underwater caverns that shelter an impressive variety of flora and fauna... it is also widely regarded as the most beautiful of the Marquesas... Dear Glenn, I feel privileged that thanks to yours many postcards I have been able to travel a bit with you and see all these amazing exotic places😊... Thanks so much!乂❤‿❤乂

The Marquesas archipelago is one of the five island groups in French Polynesia and includes 12 islands, only 6 of which are permanently inhabited. They are the most remote islands from any continent. 

Nuku Hiva, located on the northwestern edge, is the largest of the Marquesas Islands and is Marquesas' principal island. Its rugged wooded terrain rises to Mount Tekao (1,185 metres) and is drained by small streams. There is no coastal plain or fringing coral reef.

Stamps:

Necklaces and Headdresses

(Issued 16-07-1998)

GERMANY ~ Classical Weimar - UNESCO ~

...Nice views of a city packed with culture and history... Weimar is one of Germany’s most precious gems... it represented the world of ideas during the enlightened era... three of the countries most famous writers, Schiller, Goethe and Herder lived and worked here... composer Liszt and Wagner turned it into a centre of music... and it is the also birthplace of the Bauhaus university which was the leading force behind most of the arts & design changes of the 20thC... walking through Classical Weimar, you can’t help feeling like you are in some place special... Thanks Sabine! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The first references to Weimar date back to 899. During the Middle Ages, Weimar expanded around a wooden castle and two small churches. In the 15thC, a town hall and the current main church appeared. The castle and the walls were completed in the 16thC, making Weimar a "real" town. 

 In the period from 1919 to 1933, Weimar became the political capital of Germany. This was due to the street riots in Berlin after the German Revolution in 1918. Years later, the opponents of the government in particular renamed Germany the "Weimar Republic". In 1920, the federal state of Thuringia was founded. Weimar became the capital of this state.

The Classical Weimar was added to the list of UNESCO sites in Germany in 1998. It has 12 UNESCO listed sites part of Classical Weimar and then yet more UNESCO sites associated with the Bauhaus movement.

Stamps:

Definitive - Flowers 

(Issued 08- 06- 2017)  

The 70th Anniversary of Yad Vashem 

(Issued 03-08-2023)

SERBIA ~ Studenica Monastery - UNESCO ~

... Views of one of the most important, largest and richest Serbian Orthodox medieval monasteries... fantastic architecture and wonderful location in the middle of intact nature... a quiet and peaceful place... its highlight are undoubtedly its collection of 13th and 14th century Byzantine style frescoes... there are three churches in the complex and the main one is constructed of fine white marble... as with all monasteries in Serbia, these are buildings still in use and very much for the people.... it is a place of reflection and connection with a rich history... Thanks a lot Vladimir!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Studenica Monastery is located in central Serbia, in the Raška region, which was the birthplace of the medieval Serbian state. This monastery was established in the late 12thC by the founder of the medieval Serbian state and the Nemanjić dynasty, Stefan Nemanja. Besides his, the graves of his wife Anastasia and his son, Stefan the First-Crowned, the first king of Serbia, are also located there.

Studenica Monastery is a huge complex including several churches, being the main one dedicated to the Presentation of the Holy Virgin, next to this one is another church dedicated to Saints Joachim and Anne, a small church dedicated to Saint Nicholas and the foundations of another church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. 

Studenica Monastery has been on the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage since 1986.

Stamps:

The 75th Anniversary of the UNO 

(Issued 23-12020)

Serbian Sacral Architecture 

(Issued 15-04-2021)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Opunohu Bay - Moorea ~

... French Polynesian beauty nr 4💙... a wonderful tropical beach🌴🌞 view surrounded by breathtaking peaks and nature... this bay on the north side of the island is actually the place where Captain James Cook dropped anchor in 1777... he described it as one of the best natural harbors in the South Pacific... big cruise ships moor here, but because there is no port, passengers are taken ashore in tenders... Moorea is the number one getaway place for the locals... they like to go there for a weekend retreat to rest and relax... Thanks a lot Glenn!ヽ(•‿•)ノ  

Photo: Teva Sylvain
Moorea shaped in a triangle form is 17 km located from Tahiti hence its name "sister island". It has two main bays: the Opunohu Bay and the Cook Bay. The island is surrounded by a coral reef and has 12 passes and counts 8 mountains whose highest point is the Mount Tohiea with its 1207m. But the most famous is the Mount Rotui (899 meters) which separates the two bays.

Opunohu, at 3 kilometers long and 80 meters deep, is one of two large bays in the island. The English explorer James Cook arrived in the bay of Opunohu, which means belly of the stonefish in Tahitian. Since this bay was already named, he gave his name to the second bay: Cook's Bay.

Stamps:

Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon 

(Issued 23-01-2012)

Polynesian Folklore Tahitian Dolls Art Costume 

(Issued 27-06-1988)

GERMANY ~ Manching ~

... Today an interesting postcard coming from a lot closer to home🙂... on the location of present-day Manching lies a famous and one of the prime examples of an Iron Age settlement... based on Caesar’s description, it's called an oppidum... it ranks at the top of the list of late Celtic cities in Central Europe... archaeological research carried out here since the 1950s... with a lovely "Iron Man" stamp from the "Superheroes" series and great special postmark👍... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】  

From backside postcard:

Top picture:

Since the 4th century BC, a celtic tribe settled here. In the 2nd century BC, their capital was surrounded by a 7,5 km long wall (oppidium) to protect it from enemy attacks.  It was widened and raised in a second construction period.

Bottom picture:

Around 15v Chr the Roman occupation destroyed  the wall and the city. Finds in the ground (a wide variety of fabrics, swords, spearheads, jewellery, doctor's cutlery, etc.) testify to a sophisticated Celtic culture.

 

Stamp:

Superheroes - Iron Man 

(Issued 07-09-2023)

SRI LANKA ~Baker's Fall - Horton Plains National Park - UNESCO ~

... A beautiful waterfall view nestled admidst the scenic landscapes of Nuwara Eliya district... located on a steep cliff surrounded by a mix of green trees and darker rocks... with many rhododendron and fern bushes around it... Baker’s Falls may not be the tallest or widest waterfall in the country, but it is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular... the waterfall provides a lifeline for the surrounding plants and wildlife, making it an important ecological component.... being one of the park’s main attractions, it is frequently visited by tourists throughout the year...Thanks a lot Ravindra!【ツ】

Photo: A. Felix J. Perra
Baker's Falls is a cascade type waterfall (which is said to be the most beautiful type) with 2 drops with a height of 20 meters and a width of 25 meters and gets its water from the Belihul Oya. The falls are named after the famous British explorer and big-game hunter, Samuel Baker who discovered it in 1845.

Horton Plains National Park at Ohiya is a protected area in the central highlands. This plateau at an elevation of 2,100 a 2,300 metres above sea level is rich in biodiversity and home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna. This region was designated a national park in 1988. 

Sri Lanka’s Highlands along with Horton Plains National Park, the Peak Wilderness Protected Area and the Knuckles Conservation Forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006.

Stamps: 

Law College 150th Anniversary

(05-03-2024)

Endemic Birds 

(Issued 09-10-2021)

TANZANIA ~ Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park - Zanzibar~

... Great view of a "cool" looking monkey... Jozani Forest is lying at the centre of Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park... the main reason to visit the forest is to see the uniqe red colobus monkeys in their natural environment... the Zanzibar Red Colobus is recognised as a separate species and is said to be endemic to Zanzibar... they  are highly social, living in groups of 30 to 60 individuals... unfortunately the red colobus monkey is the most endangered primate species on the African continent due to their habitat loss, logging, mining and hunting... but thanks to efforts at the Jozani forest, there are estimates of about 2,000 of them now, most of them in the Jozani forest... Thanks Alena!【ツ】

© Photo: Javed Jaffzeji
The Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park is located in the southeastern part of the island and the only National Park in Zanzibar. The park was established in 2004, it covers a small area of around 50 km2 and is made up of several different areas, there is a coastal area, a salt marsh, a mangrove and swamp forest. 

The Zanzibar red colobus is also called Kirk’s red colobus, after Sir John Kirk, the British Resident of Zanzibar who first brought it to the attention of zoological science. Locals call the Zanzibar red colobus “kima punju,” meaning “poison monkey” in Swahili, due to their distinct, pungent smell. The Zanzibar red colobus’ leaps between trees can cover as much as 7.6 meters.

Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Area is part of the tentative list of the UNESCO.

Stamp:

Wild Animals of Africa 

(Issued 28-10-2010)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Fakarava Island ~

... Happy smiling local women view... the islanders are extremely friendly and reputed for the warmth of their welcome and hospitality... Fakarava atoll is one of the most beautiful lagoon atolls in French Polynesia lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean... world-famous for diving and snorkelling... with soft, pink and white pristine beaches, dotted with coconut palms... you can visit a pearl farm and learn the secrets of their cultivation... Fakarava is Mother Nature’s ultimate sanctuary... 
🌴🌞🌴"A little Piece of Paradise at the End of the World."🌴🌞🌴

Thanks a million dear Glenn for once more so many wonderful postcards from places I only can dream of! ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ) I'm also smiling from ear to ear!!😊

The Tuamotu Archipelago (meaning ‘remote islands’ in Polynesian language) are a French Polynesian chain of just under 80 islands and atolls in the southern Pacific Ocean. They constitute the largest chain of atolls in the world, extending over an area roughly the size of Western Europe. This archipelago's major islands are Anaa, Fakarava, Hao and Makemo.

Fakarava island is the second largest atoll in French Polynesia and is about 60 km long  and 21 km wide. The main village is called Rotoava.

Fakarava and its adjoining atolls are a true marine paradise and have been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Tuamotu islands.

 Stamps:

Airplanes - The 60th Anniversary of D'Air Tahiti 

(Issued 11-01-2018)

The 20th Anniversary of the International Oceanic Documentary Film Festival 

(Issued 07-02-2023)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Water Gardens Vaipahi - Tahiti ~

... Glenn's next stop🛳️... one of French Polynesia’s top destinations ... also known as "the Queen of the Pacific"🌞... the largest in the chain of islands at the heart of the South Pacific... with a fantastic lush green tropical nature scenery of a tranquil and picturesque site... view of the centerpiece at the Water Gardens Vaipahi... the Vaipahu Falls, where according to legend, you will experience the "mighty breath of the spirit of the waters"... it is a historical religious site of purification and rebirth of the departed souls of the Teva clan... a sacred place on the island... markers throughout the garden tell the story... Thanks so much Glenn! (•‿•) 

Tahtiti is divided into two parts, Tahiti Nui (bigger, northwestern part) and Tahiti Iti (smaller, southeastern part), the island was formed from volcanic activity; it is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs. Papeete is the capital city of French Polynesia and located on the island of Tahiti.

The Water gardens of Vaipahi are located on the south edge of Tahiti Nui on the mountain side with an area of 1ha.

Stamp:

Traditional Mourning Costume 

(Issued 15-12-2023)

FRENCH POLYNESIA ~ Hura Dance - Raiatea Island~

...First of three amazing postcards coming from a tropical paradise🌞🌴🌺🏖️... so beautiful native girls dancing the Hura dance... known to be the most popular art form on several islands... this graceful form of dancing consists of smooth and elegant movements that are accompanied by a unique style of costume and colorful accessories, such as flowers, feathers, and headdresses... it is a unique cultural treasure of French Polynesia... it can can be seen at celebrations, such as weddings and birthdays, festivals, and other special events... once more a dream holiday destinations💙...with a wonderful selection of stamps👍 and postmarked on the island Raiatea... Thanks a lot Glenn! 乂❤‿❤乂

Raiatea is known as the sacred island and the craddle of Polynesian culture. It was the first island populated by Polynesians and the starting point of the great migrations to the islands of the Polynesian triangle. It is the most historic and cultural island to visit.

The name ‘Raiatea’ translates into Bright Sky.

There seems to be a dfference between "Hura" and "Hula" dance. Tahitian dance is meant to demonstrate the day to day life occupations of their people, while Hula dances are intended to tell the story of their civilization, passing it down from generation to generation.

Photo: © Teva Sylvain

 Stamps:

Tourist Spots in Tahiti 

(Issued 08-11-2023)

Endemic Insects of Tahiti 

(Issued 22-09-2023)

 

The 113th Anniversary of the Publication of "Le Mariage de Loti" by Pierre Loti

(Issued 19-05-1995)

Necklaces and Headdresses 

(Issued 16-07-1998) 

JAPAN ~ Kobe Port ~

... Nice view of one of the most popular cruise ship ports in Japan... many local residents and tourists from all over the world often come here for entertainment, food and shopping... especially the view that you can see from the ship at her entering Kobe Port is outstanding... the symbol of the port and well-known landmark is the very famous red Kobe Port Tower inspired by Japanese drums... it has a beautiful curve and stands tall and elegant on the edge of Kobe Port... you can climb the 91-meter-high fully transparent observatory, overlooking the panoramic view of Kobe City and the beautiful harbor... this port is also the largest container port in Japan and ranks among the top ten in the world... Thanks Jobbo!【ツ】🐮🐄😉

The Port of Kobe was opened in 1868 and is located at the foot of the Rokko Mountains on the west bank of the Ashiyagawa River mouth in Hyogo County, southern Honshu, a prime location for maritime trade and commerce, as it sits on the northwest side of Osaka Bay.

Stamp: 

Philately Week - Ukiyo-e 

(Issued 20-04-2022)

AUSTRALIA ~ Zuytdorp Cliffs - Shark Bay - UNESCO ~

... Stunning nature view... the Zuytdorp Cliffs extend for about 150 km along a rugged, spectacular and little visited segment of the Western Australian Indian Ocean coast in Shark Bay... they rise up to 250 metres out of the Ocean and were named after the Zuytdorp, a Dutch ship wrecked on the cliffs in 1712... they are part of the Tamala Limestone formation and are of heritage, cultural and geological significance... Shark bay itself covers an area of 1,300,000 hectares, with an average depth of 9 metres with a coastline stretching for 1500km... about 65 percent is marine waters and renowned for its marine fauna.... a scenic coastline with dramatic red cliffs and white sandy beaches... Thanks a lot Helen!ヽ(•‿•)ノ 

Jiri Lochman, Lochman Transparencies
Shark Bay located in the Gascoyne region includes many protected areas and conservation reserves, including Shark Bay Marine Park, Francois Peron National Park, Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, Zuytdorp Nature Reserve and numerous protected islands.The area’s first inhabitants were recorded as Australian Aboriginals.

Shark Bay contains plant species that are unique and has the largest seagrass beds in the world. It is also one of the world's most significant and secure strongholds for the protection of Dugong, with a population of around 11,000. Shark Bay is one of only two places in the world where living marine stromatolites exist. These ancient structures are examples of what life on Earth was like 3.5 billion years ago and are considered living fossils - the earliest record of life on earth.  

In1669, William Dampier made many detailed observations of local wildlife and named the area "Sharks Bay" in recognition of the large number of sharks in the area.

Shark Bay was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1991.

Prestamped postcard

INDIA ~ Great Himalayan National Park - UNESCO ~

... Fantastic maxicard of a stunning natural wonderland... the park boasts an incredible variety of flora and fauna... it is home to over 375 species of fauna, including the rare snow leopard, the Himalayan brown bear, and the Himalayan tahr... it also has over 300 species of birds, making it a great place for birdwatchers... home to snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and crystal-clear rivers... the park is a populare ecotourism and trekkers destination with a number of trekking routes that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape... this National park's amazing scenery, incredible biodiversity, and conservation efforts make it a true gem of India's natural heritage... entrance to the Great Himalayan National Park is strictly by permit... Thanks a lot Siram!(✿◠‿◠)

Located in the Western Himalayas in the Kullu region, the Great Himalayan National Park was built in 1984 and declared a National Park in 1999 and is spread over an area of 1171 km2.  Elevations within the park range between 1500 and 6000 m and it contains 7 named mountains, the highest and most prominent of which is the Pyramid (6,230m).

In 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.  

Stamps:

2X UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

(Issued 16-03-2020)

SRI LANKA ~ Kadurugoda Temple - Kandarodai - Jaffna ~

... View of one of the very few ancient Buddhist sites remaining in Jaffna today... it is a very unique archeological site with  intact dome type stupas... according to one legend they are 2000 year old memorials to priests who supposedly were poisoned by a mushroom curry served to them and all of the Buddhist monks had died... this historical temple with a large number of "stupas" has become a popular tourist destination and is maintained by the Army... Thanks Ravindra!【ツ】

Kadurugoda Viharaya (also known as Kantarodai Archaeological Reserve) is located in Kandarodai village in Chunnakam, Jaffna District and it's history goes back to the Anuradhapura era.

The site was first identified in 1917 by P. E. Pieris, the then-district judge for Jaffna. They are uniquely constructed, each one made of coralline stone, now petrified. Each block has a hold drilled into it in the middle and standing atop the summit of the construction is a single spire. 

Stamps:

The 130th Anniversary of the Birth of Don Richard Wijewardena, 1886-1950 

(Issued 26-02-2016) 

Royal Botanical Gardens 

(Issued 12-09-2022)

GAMBIA ~ Green Vervet Monkey - Bijilo Forest Park ~

... Lovely monkey🐒 views at the Bijilo Forest Park ... a small rainforest nature reserve home to various mammalian species... the green monkey is the most tourist tolerant beast in West Africa... sadly the monkeys have often been fed by visitors in the park and this has caused issues, and the park is nominally trying to stop this practice, though park staff still regularly sell visitors peanuts to feed to the monkeys... this will reduce their fear of humans and disrupt their natural behaviour, which then increases the danger of small primates being stolen or hurt... there are plenty of fruit trees and other naturally growing foods for them to feed on... Thanks a lot Alena!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Photo: © Phil Gysen
The species rich Bijilo Forest Park is a fenced woodland which was created in 1952 and covers an area of 51.3 hectares situated on the coast. The park consists of mainly of closed canopy forest with a significant number of Borassus aethiopum palms. The park was opened to the public in 1991 and now receives over 23,000 visitors per year. The park lost part of its reserve status in 2018 during the construction of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center.

This forest park is a home to over 150 bird species, other invertebrates and over 600 Monkeys.

Stamp: 

Butterflies 

(Issued 04-04-2005)

POLAND ~ St. Michael the Archangel Church - Binarowa -UNESCO ~

... Nice view of  one of the oldest and most valuable monuments of wooden religious architecture in Poland... from the outside you see a wooden fence, wooden little chapel and main wooden building.... when you enter, you are in a picturesque world of colors, figures and decorations which makes an enormous impression on visitors... they were designed to bring the Bible closer to people, and were an interpretation of the rules of conduct... angels in Binar's church are everywhere, thanks to them the church is simply magical... Thanks a lot Anastasiia!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photo: Andrzej
Michael Archangel's Church is a Roman Catholic Gothic-wooden church located in southeast Poland, dating built around 1500, enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries (tower, chapel, porch). In the 1990s, the church was restored to its original structure, with the roof tin replaced with wood shingle. Between 2010 and 2012, the church was renovated, restoring the church after damage made in the 2010 flood.

This is one of the six Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland, on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites since 2003.

 Stamp:

The 30th Anniversary of Caritas Poland 

(06-10-2021)

FRANCE ~ Malaucène - Vaucluse ~

... Pretty views of a historical village located in the Provence... nestled at the foot of the northern face of the Mont Ventoux... with medieval architecture, a courtyard under the shade of plane trees, plenty of shops, the source of the River Groseau and a number of listed monuments... it has one of the oldest markets in Provence with fresh local procucts such as the famous Malaucenne cherries... the village today lives on agriculture, vineyards, crafts and tourism... but most visitors here are "driven" cyclists, climbers and hikes come to confront the Mont Ventoux... cycling the Mont Ventoux from Malaucene is not as famous as the Bedoin route but absolutely stunning... Héééél Erg bedankt Ben!ʘ͜͡ʘ... He climbed also the three sides of the famous Mont Ventoux!🚴‍♂️💪🚴‍♂️

Photos: Piergeorg
Malaucène  is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It is the capital of the Ventoux and dates from the 10thC.

At 1,910m the Mont Ventoux is the highest mountain in the region and has been nicknamed the "Giant of Provence", or "The Bald Mountain" or Beast of Provence". It has gained fame through its inclusion in the Tour de France cycling race.

Stamp: 

Marianne - New Design

(Issued 20-07-2018)

GERMANY ~ Erich Kästner -Villa Augustin - Dresden ~

... Lovely view of a bronze sculpture of young Erich Kästner... he is considered one of the most famous German writers and most beloved children's author... he wrote wonderfully funny and witty, heartwarming stories about kids... his works for adults, however, are thoroughly political and moral... Kästner was also a publicist, poet, satirist, dramatist and novelist... his books has been translated into over 70 languages... with matching stamp and great special postmark👍 celebrating the 125th anniversary of his birthday and the 50th anniversary of his death... Thanks Dustin!【ツ】

Erich Kästner was born in Dresden in 1899 and spent his entire childhood there. He left Dresden in 1919, moving to Leipzig to study German, History, Philosophy and Theater Studies. He also started working on his first poems during this time. 

In memory of the great poet, a sculpture created by the Hungarian artist Mátyás Varga in 1999 is now sitting on the garden wall. The garden belonged to his uncle’s villa "Villa Augustin", an important place in Erich Kästner's childhood.Today, this villa houses the Erich Kästner Museum on Albertplatz in Dresden.

 Stamp:

The 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Erich Kastner, 1899-1974 

(Issued 01-02-2024)

TANZANIA ~ Old Dispensary - Zanzibar - UNESCO ~

... Nice view of the Old Dispensary located on the seafront... this historic building is one of the finest decoreated buildings in Stone Town with wooden carved balconies, stained glass decorations and stucco adornments... the inside of the building is just as sophisticated, with a covered courtyard and carved bridges connecting the floors... it is considered as a multi-cural style of Zanzibar architecture... it houses a small museum about the history of zanzibar... today the most photgraphed building... due to its heritage, Stone Town is also a major visitor attraction in Tanzania, and a large part of its economy depends on tourism-related activities... Thanks a lot Alena! (✿◠‿◠)

© Javed Jafferji
Stone Town located on the Pacific Ocean is the historical core of Zanzibar City, the capital of the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar which is part of Tanzania.

It is a well-preserved example of a Swahili coastal trading center. Stone Town's Swahili architecture incorporates elements of Arab, Persian, Indian, European and African styles. The town has flourished as a spice trading center in the 19thC and was a major port for the slave trade. 

Stone Town gets its name from the buildings and houses built with local stone. 

The Stone Town of Zanzibar was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the year 2000. 

Stamp: 

Omani Architecture in Tanzania - House of Wonders 

(Issued 09-10-2022)

SRI LANKA ~ Vedda people ~

... Nice views of  the last indigenous tribe still in existence on the island... they inhabited the forests of Sri Lanka long before the Buddhists arrived... the "Vedda Forest People" are unfortunately slowly becoming extinct... after living in the jungles for more than 12,000 years most are now assimilated into normal life... a few remain in their jungle homes near national parks and reserves where Veddas show tourists their way of life... the Vedda people are hunter-gathers and forest-dwelling people... they are also known for their collection of bee honey; they climb trees to gather honey, warding off bees with burning leaves... Thanks a lot Ravindra!【ツ】

Photo: Anverdeen
They are said to exist since the 6th century BC. However, studies have shown that they have strong biological resemblances with prehistoric inhabitants from the Stone Age, making them be possibly one of the oldest tribes of our time. 

Today, the Vedda live scattered in tiny settlements in the Hunnasgiriya hills in central Sri Lanka up to the coastal lowlands in the island's east.

Vedda is a Dravidian word meaning “hunter,” and has traditionally implied “uncivilized”. 

Stamps:

Deepavali 

(Issued 10-11-2015)

4X World Wetlands Day 

(Issued 03-02-2020)

USA ~ Nāpali Coast - Kauai - Hawaii ~

... A spectacular aerial view of kauai's north shore, the most beautiful part of the island... the unique shapes and colors of the north shoreline are captured here... after great postcards of the Big Island, Waikiki and Maui this is Hawaii island nr4👍... as being the greenest of the Hawaiian islands its nicknamed the "Garden Island"... the Nāpali Coast is a sacred place defined by extraordinary natural beauty... with rugged mountains, lush landscapes, amazing beaches and spectacular sea cliffs.... only accessible by kayak or hiking trails...  perhaps the most interesting and unusual fact is that Kauai's Building Code dictates that "no building shall be taller than a Coconut Palm"... thus the 4 story limit on vertical construction... Thanks a lot once more dear Glenn, must have been another fantastic cruise vacation!!!  \_(♥‿♥)_/

Kauai is the northern most and the fourth largest island in the Hawaiian chain with the largest Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Kahoolawe (listed in order of size).

Kauai is geologically the oldest of the major Hawaiian islands at 5.8 million years old.

90% of the landmass is being used for agriculture or conservation.  Kauai grow more taro (taro is the staple of the Native Hawaiian diet and at the core of the Hawaiian culture.)  than any other island and are well-known for having the largest coffee plantation in the entire US.

Hawaii is the most isolated inhabited land mass in the world. 

Photo: Howie From Maui

 

Stamps: 

Pony Cars 

(Issued 25 -08-2022)

Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon 

(Issued 25-01-2024)

USA ~ Humpback Whale - Maui - Hawaii~

...Another wonderful whale postcard from dear postcard friend Glenn🩵... it's always a great pleasure to get a new whale card for my collection👍... spectacular sight of the magnificent "gentle giant of the ocean" seen off Baby Beach on Maui's south shore... they are true "acrobats of the sea"  often seen "breaching" or jumping out of the water and crashing into the waves... although you can go whale watching in Maui from pretty much anywhere along Maui’s shorelines, the south and west sides of the island are the most popular... it is the area most visited by whales in all the Hawaiian islands... an unforgettable experience and one of the favourite things to do on the island......Thanks so much Glenn!ヽ(•‿•)ノ

Photographed by Michael S. Nolan
North Pacific humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world and can weigh anywhere between 25-40 tons, and approximately 1 ton as newborns. They come here to feed on capelin, krill, and squid along the coast.

Their upper (dorsal) body is primarily a dark shade of grey, with distinct areas of white on their flippers (pectoral fins) and under (ventral) bellies. On average, the North Pacific humpback whale can live for about 50 years (although there have been accounts living up to 90 years), and reach sexual maturity between 5-7 years old. 

Stamps:

Tulip Blossoms 

(Issued 05-04-2023)

Insects - Colorado Hairstreak 

(Issued 09-03-2021)

USA ~ Aloha - Hawaii ~

...🩴🏝️🌺ALOHA🌺🏝️🩴from Waikiki... wonderful tropical view of a vintage Travel Poster... young woman in traditional Hawaiian skirt dancing hula dance with ukulele guitar on  the beach... designed by Kerne Erickson, an unusual modern day visual artist creating Hawaiian Scenes Art in his own unique "vintage" style...Thanks a lot Glenn! (✿◠‿◠)  

With her flower crown and grass skirt, the hula girl has been synonymous with Hawaiian hospitality since cruise ships first docked in Honolulu in the 1920s.

Even today, exoticized images of these traditional dancers headline on travel websites, at tiki-themed bars, and on wiggly dashboard tchotchkes. 

Over the past two centuries, the cherished Hawaiian dance has moved from a sacred religious practice to a tourist attraction.

© Greg Young Publishing

Stamps:

Pony Cars 

(Issued 25-08-2022)

SCOTLAND ~ Maeshowe Chambered Cairn - Stenness - Orkney - UNESCO ~

... Nice views of one of Orkney’s Prehistoric Wonders... Maeshowe, a monumental chambered tomb, is the finest Neolithic building to survive in western Europe... a masterpiece of Neolithic design and construction, not least because of its use of massive stones... after duck-walking through a low ceiling passageway, visitors enter a large neolithic tomb site... perhaps one of Maeshowe's most famous attributes is its midwinter alignment... for a few days each year, as the midwinter sun slips below the horizon, its last rays shine directly through Maeshowe's entrance passage to illuminate the rear wall of the central chamber... a "must see" site when staying on Orkney... Big Thanks Andrene!(✿ ♥‿♥)... It also rained here non stop for weeks and the amount of rain we have had lately is pretty crazy!🌧️☔🌧️

© Charles Tait, Kelton, St OLa, Orkney
Maeshowe was built on a natural hillock, only slightly higher than the surrounding land located in the parish of Stenness, in Orkney’s West Mainland.

It was built around 2,800 BC (around 300 years earlier than the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt). The burial mound itself measures approximately 37m in diameter by 7.4m high, with an entrance passage of 14,5m. It is is made up of a large central chamber, with three side chambers built into the walls. 

This site was looted by Vikings in the 12thC. The several runic inscriptions on the walls of the chamber represent the largest single collection of such carvings in the world.

Maeshowe is part of the "Heart of Neolithic Orkney", a group of sites including Skara Brae, which were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. 

 Stamp: 

Definitives - King Charles III 

(Issued 04-04-2023)

USA ~ Waipio Valley - Hawaii ~

... Great postcard from Glenn's first port stop on his Hawaiian cruise🛳️💙...Waipio Valley is said to be one of the most gorgeous spots on "the Big Island" known for its natural beauty... the Valley is in fact embedded between high cliffs, which descend many streams with several beautiful waterfalls... the shoreline is a soft black sand beach that meets blue waters for absolutely breathtaking views... often called the "Valley of the Kings"... it is considered as a sacred place due to its historical importance to the Hawaiian people... generations of Hawaiians lived down in this valley for years, including famous chiefs and kings that led the Hawaiian people... this valley is one of the most beautiful and secluded places to go to for a hike or horseback ride... Thanks a lot Glenn!【ツ】 

Photo: © Fyne/eStock Photo
The valley is located on the northeastern shores of the Hamaku Coast, tucked in the Kohala Mountains on the Big Island. Out of the seven valleys on the windward side, Waipio valley is the largest and most popular site to visit. Waipio valley is one mile wide at the coastline and six miles deep with 2000-foot high cliffs. This "Valley of the Kings " was the childhood home of King Kamehameha I.

It is named after the river that runs through the valley. Waipi'o means “curved water” in the Hawaiian language. 

 Stamps:

Insects - Colorado Hairstreak (Issued 09-03-2021)

Tulip Blossoms 

(Issued 05-04-2023)