Postcards of Africa, Islands and Exotic Locales

SENEGAL

This multiview shows varied scenes of Senegal, including the Corniche in Dakar (upper left), the grand Mosque, and my favorit: a rural river and village scene, most likely in Casamance

BALI & W. JAVA, INDONESIA

These wonderful cards show Bali and W. Java with a wonderful stamp

Two cards arrived this week showing views of Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco with over 3 million residents. Made famous in a 1942 wartime movie, the area has ancient roots, with settlement dating from the 7th century BC.

Ile de la REUNION

This postcard simply transported me when I received it: to the lush hills of the Cirque de Salazie, on the Indian Ocean isle of Reunion. This area is a dormant volcanic caldera in the central Piton des Neiges area, which includes the highest elevations on the island.

Mustique, GRENADINES of ST. VINCENT

This lovely card shows a coastal scene on Mustique, one of the small islands known as the Grenadines, south of St. Vincent. This island covers just 2.2 sq miles and a population of about 500 in three villages. The scenic island is known for its reefs and birdlife.

Cape Coast, SOUTH AFRICA

This intriguing card shows a colony of African Penguins in the Boulder Park of the Cape Coast of South Africa, a unique attraction of this stunning coastal region

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.