Madagascar: stamp

350fr: this stamp franked the card above, and celebrates the anniv. of the Malagasy socialist revolution of 1975

MALDIVES

This lovely card shows the serene, low-lying isles of the Maldives, surrounded by a magnificent clear blue sea, alluring for snorkelers and scuba divers eager to view the diverse coral reefs below the waters.

Maldives: stamp

R2: the card above was franked with this colorful stamp featuring Windsurfing, a popular holiday sport of tourists visiting the islands of this atoll nation

RWANDA

This card shows a gentle family of mountain gorillas, native to the forests of the Virungas highlands on the borders of Rwanda, Congo and Uganda. The study of this endangered primate was made famous by Dian Fossey, who established a camp at Karisoke, within the Parc des Volcans. Now gorilla tourism is a major local activity in the parks of the region, showing the benefits of wildlife conservation.

SEYCHELLES

This lovely card shows the sweeping view from Casse Dent, a hill on Mahe, the largest island of the Seychelles. Just 155 sq. km. in size, Mahe holds the capital, Victoria and some 90% of the country's population.

Seychelles: stamp

R3: A beautiful coastal scene is the subject of this stamp issue, ironically issued to commemorate a conference regarding oil exploration in the Indian Ocean

ST. LUCIA

The rugged coastline of St. Lucia, with its multiples beaches of white sand has become a treasured Caribbean destination. The island's history was tumultuous: Britian and France battled for centuries for control of the island, before Britian asserted dominance after 1814.

SURINAM

Surinam is richly endowed with pristine rainforests, and has an amazingly array of biodiversity: over 4,000 plants species and more than 600 bird species have been documented there. Its riverbanks are particularly sought after by tourists for the huge variety of butterflies that can be observed there.

TANZANIA

This lovely card shows a group of Sable Antelope, one of the tallest species of savannah antelopes noted for its ringed horns, which spiral backward. The Sable ranges in groups of up to 30 in eastern and south-central Africa, and is a scarce species that is being reduced in numbers by habitat conversion for agriculture.

SRI LANKA

This lovely card came to me last month from a friend who visited the highlands of Sri Lanka. It shows flora and butterfly diversity typical of this tropical island, with an inset with the country's national flag.

VIETNAM

This colorful card shows the nightime lights and activity in Ho Chi Minh City (previously known as Saigon), one of the most dynamic urban centers of SE Asia.

Vietnam: stamp

1000d: this intriguing 2005 stamp came with the card above and shows a historical political event with crowds holding flags in a plaza