Postcards of Africa, Islands and Exotic Locales

TUNISIA

2012-02-15T14:13:00.000-08:00

This amazing card shows some of the troglodyte homes of Matmata, Tunisia. Some accounts date these homes to ancient times, when the Roman empire sent Egyptian tribes to settle the region. Many myths have attempted to explain the origins of these cavelike dwellings, and some maintain that they allowed residents to hide from invaders, or to desert the shelters at night to attack invaders.

AFGHANISTAN

2012-02-11T01:10:00.001-08:00

This amazing card shows an early scene of tribal riders in one of Afghanistan's 33 provinces, showing traditional dress and gear

Afghan stamp

2012-02-11T01:09:00.001-08:00

This stamp franked the card above, and shows a military vehicle on parade in Kabul

ARGENTINA

2012-02-02T13:45:00.001-08:00

This spectacular sight is one that I have actually visited some years ago, and shows the breathtaking Iguazu falls, set amidst lush forest on the Argentine-Brazil border

Argentina: stamp

2012-02-02T13:44:00.001-08:00

75c: this cultural stamp came affixed to the card above and show traditional costumes of two tango dancers

BOTSWANA

2012-01-22T00:37:00.000-08:00

This lovely card comes from the vast Kalahari region, which covers much of Botswana. The region is really a semi-desert, as occasional rains turn huge tracts of land into prime grazing areas, and the Kalahari supports a diversity of animal and plant species, much more than "true deserts."

Botswana: art stamp

2012-01-22T00:34:00.001-08:00

This intriguing local art stamp came with the card above, and shows a stylized snake coiled up against a red earth color

COSTA RICA

2012-01-22T00:30:00.001-08:00

Wild rivers are a favorite of tourists that enjoy white water rafting. This card shows such a river, surrounded by rain forest and two images of local forest species: a toucanet and a brightly colored tree frog.

CURACAO

2012-01-18T11:33:00.000-08:00

An undersea view is the subject of this card, with a colorful angelfish and local coral reef scenery typical of the Caribbean sea

Curacao: stamps

2012-01-18T11:31:00.001-08:00

This card was sent to me just before Curacao separated from the Netherlands Antilles union, with stamps that show local scenes: a letter carrier and local forest biodiversity

THE GAMBIA

2012-01-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

A sunset over the white sand beaches of the Gambia is the theme of this lovely card, a welcome site to N. European visitors needing a respite from the cold winter

Gambia: stamps

2012-01-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

a butterfly and flowers were the theme of the stamps affixed to the card above, representing the biodiversity of this small W. African nation

BARBADOS

2011-12-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

This lovely card shows the white sands of the coast of Barbados, the easternmost of the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean

ICELAND

2011-12-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

This springtime coastal scene shows the scenery and foliage typical of Djupivogur, a town of just 350 located in the east of Iceland

ICELAND

2011-12-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

Kr. 105: this lovely bird stamp shows the starling, a widespread and gregarious species

COTE D'IVOIRE / IVORY COAST

2011-12-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

This lovely card came this week from Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. It shows the historical architecture of the seaside town of Grand Bassam, once a thriving port.

Cote d'Ivoire: orchid stamps

2011-12-13T13:06:00.000-08:00

This lovely pair of orchid stamps came affixed to the card above, with a clear postmark in Yamoussoukro

NEW CALEDONIA

2011-12-04T07:01:00.001-08:00

This stunning scene shows the coastline of the Isle of Pines, located SE of the central island of New Caledonia, as can be seen on the map below

New Caledonia: stamp

2011-12-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

In case you think the scene above is idyllic, this shark stamp shows that there are still perils in paradise...

NEW CALEDONIA

2011-12-04T06:55:00.001-08:00

This card shows the location of the islands of the New Caledonia chain, an overseas territory of France

MEXICO

2011-12-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

This dramatic card shows a plume of ash from Mt. Popocatepetl in the central highlands of Mexico; this peak was revered by the Aztecs for its periodic volcanic activity and dominance over the landscape

MALAYSIAN BORNEO

2011-12-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

This magnificent scene shows a view of Mt. Kinabalu in the state of Sabah, Borneo. At 4,095 meters, this is the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea, and is a renowned center of biodiversity.

SOUTH AFRICA

2011-11-24T02:08:00.000-08:00

This lovely wildlife card came to me from a friend in Cape Town and shows some of the large mammals characteristic of the South African veld and savannah regions, including lions, black rhino, elephants and a cheetah.

South Africa: stamp

2011-11-24T02:05:00.000-08:00

This fascinating stamp traces modern human ancestors from African hominid remains, underscoring Africa as the origin of early relatives of Homo sapiens.

TURKEY

2011-11-24T02:03:00.000-08:00

This lovely card came to me recently and shows the varied inland, coastal and historical features of Turkey. A treasure to receive such a wonderful card!

SRI LANKA

2011-11-17T13:07:00.000-08:00

This lovely landscape image shows the green hills of upland tea plantations in Bogawantalawa. Tea is one of Sri Lanka's chief crops, earning the nickname "liquid gold."

Sri Lanka: stamp

2011-11-17T13:05:00.000-08:00

R5: this lovely festive stamp came with the card above and celebrates Christmas traditions

SURINAM

2011-11-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

This lovely greeting postcard arrived from Paramaribo, the capital of the small tropical country of Surinam. It shows festive holiday gatherings and local costumes, in front of some of the city's notable civic buildings.

Surinam: stamps

2011-11-06T07:31:00.000-08:00

These amazing stamps came affixed to the card above, and show a blue parrotlet and two local insects, all native to the country's vast rainforests

ZIMBABWE

2011-11-01T01:17:00.001-07:00

This card shows a typical boat used to ply the shallow waters of the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls, amidst the mist of the plunge. This is an excellent way to view hippos, Sacred Ibis and many other wild species that inhabit the national park around the falls.

Zimbabwe: stamp

2011-11-01T01:12:00.001-07:00

$100,000. This is an inflation-era stamp that adorned the card above, and shows the Nyala, one of the largest and most regal of the region's antelope species

TRINIDAD

2011-10-28T23:48:00.000-07:00

This exquisite card shows the Temple in the Sea, a Hindu site in W. Trinidad, near the town of Waterloo. It is built on reclaimed land in a shallow coastal area.

Trinidad: stamp

2011-10-28T23:46:00.000-07:00

These lovely hummingbird stamps adorned the card above. Trinidad's original Amerindian name means "land of the hummingbird."

TAIWAN

2011-10-22T15:26:00.001-07:00

This is a truly stunning scene, showing the Sun-Moon Lake in Youchi, Nantou, Taiwan. This region is one of the national scenic areas of the island, and is home to the Thao ethnic group. The tiny island of Lalu is located within this lake.

Taiwan: flora stamp

2011-10-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

$12 this lovely flora stamp (showing Tabebuia spp.) came affixed to the card above, thanks to a private swap with Frank

UZBEKISTAN

2011-10-15T00:52:00.000-07:00

This dramatic landscape card came to me this week, and shows flowering trees against green fields ringed by mountains in the distance. Uzbekistan has a variety of different land types, from arid desert to temperate forests.

BRAZIL

2011-10-09T01:40:00.001-07:00

The Tijuca Forest covers 32 km sq. in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and is a sanctuary for remnant wildlife that were once widespread in the country's Atlantic Forest.

Brazil: Tanager stamp

2011-10-09T01:39:00.000-07:00

R2: this lovely stamp was affixed to the card above and shows the comically named Burnished-Buff Tanager, a widespread species in South American forests.

COSTA RICA

2011-10-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

This colorful card shows a hummingbird feeding in one of Costa Rica's national parks. As part of the land bridge between N. and S. America, the countries of Central America show a great diversity of species of flora and fauna.

KENYA

2011-09-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

This incredible card shows a seasonal migration route used by elephants during the rains flooding their savannah habitat; the scope and colors of the photograph convey the wilderness of rural Africa

Kenya: flower stamps

2011-09-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

20 Sh: this pair of stamps came with the card above, and show Pyrethrum flowers, an export crop grown in Kenya

MALTA

2011-09-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

This multi-view card shows coastal, cultural, port and interior views of island attractions, and is a nice addition from a country I see few cards from

Br. VIRGIN ISLANDS

2011-09-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

The British Virgin Is. lie to the east of the U.S. Virgins and are still a British crown territory, though they use the U.S. dollar as currency. This lovely card shows a beach and boulders on the largest island, Tortola.

Br. Virgin Islands: stamp

2011-09-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

15c: this nice stamp franked the postcard above, and shows an inter-island Air BVI plane

MALAYSIA

2011-09-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

This amazing card shows three species of Hornbills (family: Bucerotidae) native to SE Asia, that can be found in Malaysia's forest reserves and parks.

NEPAL

2011-09-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

This sweeping view shows Bhaktapur, in the east Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. This city was an ancient capital of Nepal in the 15th century and is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

TAHITI, Fr. Polynesia

2011-09-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Coconut palms lean out into a sweeping seascape, with the green cliffs of Polynesia in the far distance.

THAILAND

2011-09-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

This lovely card shows mist hanging over the Valley of Mae Hong Son and its fertile trees and fields, showing the character of the countryside

UGANDA

2011-08-26T23:30:00.000-07:00

Now this card shows a true image of my recollections of Western Uganda: green, often terraced hills, planted with a variety of crops and tended by prosperous villagers, the landscape is multi-hued, fertile and often shrouded in clouds

Uganda: bird stamps

2011-08-26T23:27:00.000-07:00

These stamps arrived on the card above and show the Didric Cuckoo, a brightly colored green-and-yellow species with a widespread range in the African Savannah

DUBAI, UAE

2011-08-23T22:26:00.000-07:00

This card shows some of the fantastic modern architecture that this emirate is known for. The city's skyline has rapidly expanded and changed in recent years, with new marvels appearing by daring and innovative architects.

UAE: stamps

2011-08-23T22:24:00.001-07:00

These stamps franked the card above, and celebrate falconry, a traditional activity in the UAE

NEPAL

2011-08-22T10:41:00.001-07:00

This spectacular scene shows a view from Pokhara of jagged Mt. Macchapucchare 6993 meters in height, with its abrupt rise from the surrounding landscape

Nepal: stamp

2011-08-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

This lovely stamp shows the snow peaks of Mt. Annapurna in the Himalayas, and was issued in 2000 to celebrate the ascent of this high peak

SURINAM

2011-08-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous card shows canoes and villagers on the bank of a wide stretch of the Upper Surinam River, with the area's famed lowland rain forest visible on the opposite bank

TAIWAN

2011-08-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

This dreamscape shows early clouds over the central mountains of Taiwan creating a poetic and beautiful scene

Taiwan: bird

2011-08-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

This lovely bird stamp came affixed to the card above, and shows a native rail or White-breasted Waterhen, a widespread species in S. and SE Asia

MONGOLIA

2011-08-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

This delightful card shows young horse riders speeding across the treeless and slightly forbidding plains of Mongolia

Mongolia: stamps

2011-08-16T21:25:00.001-07:00

these colorful Mongol Post stamps came affixed to the card above, and show modern car designs

KENYA

2011-08-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

The far peak of the famed dormant volcano Kilimanjaro is visible from the Kenyan side of the border, though it lies across the border in Tanzania. At 5,895 meters / 19,300 feet, it is the highest peak on the African continent.

Kenya: butterflies

2011-08-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

These stamps were affixed to the card above, and show several species of indigenous butterflies of Kenya

CAYMAN IS.

2011-08-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

A small sea turtle hatchling is pictured on this lovely postcard from the Cayman Islands, reknowned for its marine life and reefs

Cayman Is.

2011-08-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

10c A mangrove crab is pictured on this stamp from the Cayman Islands, which arrived on the card above.

COSTA RICA

2011-08-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

The national symbols of Costa Rica are shown here: the national flag, bird, tree and coat of arms in the center

COLOMBIA

2011-08-03T05:04:00.000-07:00

This lovely card shows a wide range of landscapes from Colombia, a nation with many micro-climates, from lowland forest and coastal beaches to high Andean peaks

COOK ISLANDS

2011-07-29T14:15:00.000-07:00

This lovely card came to me from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, a territory of New Zealand, and shows some of the atoll's stunning reefs and marine life

ICELAND

2011-07-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

Iceland has a wide variety of landscapes, including many waterfalls, due to high precipitation and rugged terrain, such as stark canyons

Iceland: stamps

2011-07-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

These lovely stamps franked the card above, and show landscapes, marine fauna and the fishing industry of Iceland

CURACAO

2011-07-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

This colorful card arrived a few days ago, and is my first card from the newly autonomous island of Curacao, which separated from the Netherlands Antilles union in late 2010

Curacao stamp

2011-07-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

166c this lovely stamp features a cherubfish, and is one of the first issues of Curacao, which had previously shared stamps of the Neth. Antilles

ANGOLA

2011-07-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

This card is the only one I have ever received from the central African country of Angola, and shows a peninsula near the capital, Luanda, with its South Atlantic coast and beaches

Angola: stamp

2011-07-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

Intl rate: this stamp was affixed to the card above, and shows local decorative pottery from Angola

FIJI

2011-07-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

This lovely card shows flora and avifauna of Fiji, including the plumeira, red ginger, heliconia and Masked and Red Shining Parrots.

HONDURAS

2011-07-10T05:48:00.000-07:00

This card shows the 140 foot leap of Pulhapanzak Falls, highest in Honduras, a country also known for the classic Mayan city of Copan, with its artistry and lush vegetation.

COSTA RICA

2011-07-06T14:36:00.001-07:00

This lovely card shows the Resplendent Quetzal, one of the showiest of species of the Central American tropics. It was once revered as sacred by the ancient Maya, who used its plumes in ceremonial dress

LESOTHO

2011-06-27T22:25:00.001-07:00

This card shows three scenes showing the celebrated peach blossom season in the highlands of Lesotho. For a short time in the austral spring, these colorful flowering trees light up paths, kraals and dot the landscape of this mountainous kingdom.

Lesotho flora stamps

2011-06-27T22:21:00.000-07:00

these lovely stamps show flowering plants, from Lesotho's current definitive series. Julius sent this card from Lesotho recently, which I was delighted to receive.

NEVIS

2011-06-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

This lovely island scene shows the sweeping view down from the hills of the Nevis golf course. I don't think I could keep my eye on the game with such amazing scenery as that!

Nevis: stamp

2011-06-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

80c: a pineapple stamp added some color to this card from this small and exotic West Indian isle

TRINIDAD

2011-06-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

A Rufous-tailed Jacamar is pictured on this card, and is one of the more visible forest edge species that can easily be seen in Trinidad's lush parks and hills

OMAN

2011-06-19T00:56:00.000-07:00

This recent card features the Jibreen Fort of Bahla, in Nizwa, Oman. The light-filled scene hints of battles past in this fascinating country on the eastern Arabian peninsula

Oman: fortress stamp

2011-06-19T00:54:00.001-07:00

As if the card above was not spectacular enough, this stamp came affixed, and is a stunning view of the Khasab Castle and surrounding landscape, showing the mystery and beauty of Oman

GABON

2011-06-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

This lovely card shows the Kinguele Falls, on the Mbei River deep in the forested interior of Gabon, near the town of Kango. The upper falls drop some 35 meters in a triple cascade, while the lower falls drop 45 meters.

NICARAGUA

2011-06-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

This lovely card shows the Momotombo Volcano, one of a chain of active volcanoes centered on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua

Nicaragua: soccer stamp

2011-06-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

C10.00 this stamp features a soccer player, though most in this country are generally more fond of baseball

MALDIVES

2011-06-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

This magnificent card features the marine diversity of the Maldives, one of the loveliest atolls in the Indian Ocean. Tourism is a key activity in these islands, fuelled by its stunning beaches and reefs.

PALAU

2011-05-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

The islands of Palau are renowned for their rich reefs and are a diver's haven. But the lush vegetation covering the islands are themselves home to several unique species of landbirds and flora.

Palau: stamp

2011-05-30T03:59:00.001-07:00

This stamp came affixed to the card above, and shows an island lagoon scene with flying fish in the foreground

SENEGAL

2011-05-30T03:58:00.000-07:00

This lovely multiview card comes from Dakar, Senegal in West Africa. The lower image shows a pirogue making its way across evening-tinged waters. My favorite image is the inset of baobabs in the twilight (center top).

POLYNESIA

2011-05-30T03:56:00.000-07:00

This card shows a twilight scene of darkening purple skies coloring a lagoon and island profile in French Polynesia

Fr. Polynesia: landscape stamp

2011-05-30T03:51:00.000-07:00

52fr: this magnificent stamp franked the card above, and depicts the work of an island landscape artist showing a vivid sky, towering hills, a far waterfall and local Polynesian culture

Senegal: Paris - Dakar Rally stamp

2011-05-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

500fr: this stamp arrived on the card above, and shows one of the most famous of races through the Sahara

VANUATU

2011-05-14T01:58:00.000-07:00

Epi Island, also known as Volcano Is. lies in central Vanuatu. This island has an area of 444 sq. km. and this card features several scenes, including a lizard and native flora

Vanuatu: stamp

2011-05-14T01:55:00.000-07:00

This stamp came with the card above, and shows a pair of sandpipers on an island beach

BENIN

2011-05-06T14:31:00.000-07:00

This striking scene is one of the very few cards I have ever seen from Benin, West Africa. Much of the country's population lives along the coast, where houses are often built above waterways and pirogues are used for transport and fishing.

Benin: lion stamp

2011-05-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

150fr: this stamp came with the card above, and shows a lion, resident of the northern savannah region of Benin

BELIZE

2011-05-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

This striking card shows one of the native orchids of Belize, whose forest has a great diversity of flora and wildlife making it a prime destination for ecotourism

Belize: reef stamp

2011-05-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

60c this stamp shows a Tube Sponge and other marine life of the long barrier reef just offshore of the country, which is second largest after Australia's

BAHAMAS

2011-04-29T23:15:00.000-07:00

The Ponciana tree is an amazing sight throughout the Caribbean, livening up the landscape and scattering bright red petals below its shady branches; this card shows just such a scene on a street in Nassau

Bahamas: flora stamp

2011-04-29T23:13:00.001-07:00

this lovely stamp came affixed to the card above, and shows the desert rose, a hardy local flowering plant