COOK IS.

A local Cook Islander is shown here in ceremonial costume and shell beads. These Polynesian islands are scattered across a vast territory, and form an autonomous territory of New Zealand.

80c: this card was franked with a colorful reef fish stamp showing the Squirrel fish

GABON

This card shows a typical scene in the forested interior of Gabon: villagers crossing a river by "bac" or improvised ferry. Transport is treacherous in the humid, lush conditions of the forested interior, where roads turn into seasonal rivers of mud.

HONG KONG

This amazing card came to me just last month from a Post Crosser in HK, and shows a colorful local festival in this autonomous region of PR China. The stamp is also intriguing and illustrates a local proverb: water drops wear away rocks.

ISLE OF MAN

This lovely card shows typical sights and modes of transport in the Isle of Man, including a Manx cat! At the upper left is the emblematic Castle of Peel. The stamps affixed to the card show local costumes and a railway train.

GUYANA

This lush landscape shows the Guyana Botanical Gardens in Georgetown, a place I have had the pleasure of visiting some years ago. It has massive trees such as Annato and many palms, which line canals bursting with lotus and water lilies. The white spots amid the foliage show egret roosts, and these lovely birds are every-present in Guyana.

OMAN

This lovely card arrived to me from Oman, showing the coastal area of Qantab. A label with the Omani flag is at the upper left. A long stamp was affixed showing the Muscat Opera House and cultural center.

MADAGASCAR

This card shows a view of the striking landscape and flora near Mahajanga, capital of the Boeny province in NW Madagascar. Much of the flora and wildlife of the island is endemic, making Madagascar a well-known destination for ecotourism. Mahajanga is a seaport at the mouth of the Betsiboka River, and has a sizable muslim community.

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.