Saint Barthélemy

Officially the Territorial collectivity of Saint Barthélemy (French: Collectivité territoriale de Saint-Barthélemy), is an overseas collectivity of France. Often abbreviated to Saint-Barth in French, or St. Barts in English, the indigenous people called the island Ouanalao.

The collectivity is one of four territories among the Leeward Islands in the northeastern Caribbean that comprise the French West Indies along with Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Martin. The island was named by Christopher Columbus after his brother Bartholomeo.

One of the amazing caribbean surprises from Ash :) Stamped for my bday! Not that lucky to get the St. Barths/Guadeloupe cancellation, but I am sure better luck next time. Patience is virtue, right? ;)

UNESCO - Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is located in Quang Ninh province, north-east Vietnam; it consists of a dense cluster of over 3,000 limestone monolithic islands each topped with thick jungle vegetation, rising spectacularly from the ocean. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. Even if you don't see pictures, the description is enough to make you wanna fly there instantly..!

I love this photo, with the boat and people situated at a perfect spot between the rocks. And only when I read its name I realise it actually DOES look like a swan! Amazing. No stamps were used but I am happy with three clean, well other kind of stamps :) Thank you Amber :)

Le Rocher, Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world -  it has an area of 1.98 km² and a population of 36 371, and is situated about 16 km from Italy. Monaco is a principality governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state. The House of Grimaldi have ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297.

The postcard says 'Monte Carlo', which is the most popular of the ten wards Monaco is divided into; but it actually shows Monaco-Ville or simply Le Rocher (The Rock), as it is situated on a rocky promontory into the Mediterranean Sea. It's where you'd find the Prince's Palace.

A funny thing to be said! I have one other written & stamped card of Monaco, sent to me by my sis who was there 5 years ago. And its exactly the same card..! I should have posted it here heh, now i don't have to. The Europa stamp and the cancellations are GREAT, thanks so much Marta :)

Itchy Kangaroos

This postcard is begging for those speech bubbles where they'd be saying something funny statler-and-waldorf-of-the-muppet-show style xD

And how awesome are these stamps?! Russell Crowe is one of my fav actors, thanks Heather! :))

Bison Calf In Yellowstone National Park

Just the other day I've seen a TV programme which reminded me of the sad bison (hi)story...as they were hunted almost to extinction in the late 19th century. US federal forces were ordered to slaughter the herds to deprive the Native Americans of their source of food. Today the herd that resides in Yellowstone NP is the only continuously wild bison herd in the United States. 

Thanks Bryon for this gorgeous photo, I've been wanting a bison postcard for a long time! The stamps are great too :))

Religion And Traditions Of Bahrain

I am very happy to have received these two awesome cards from Bahrain, thanks to Sanjay :) And the variety of stamps is great, as is the fact that this time they got cancelled, yay!

1st card shows the Khamis Mosque, the first mosque in Bahrain, founded in the 11th century.

The 2nd card shows baking the yummy flatbread  khoubz in traditional clay oven tandoor.

Prince Edward Island, Canada

Prince Edward Island or P.E.I. is the smallest Canadian province, consisting of an island of the same name as well as other islands. It is located approximately 200 km north of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I love the map, the Confederation Bridge view (the bridge connects the main island with mainland i.e. New Brunswick and is 8 miles long) and the capital Charlottetown - but what I am happiest about the most is the diversity of stamps! I usually get the small self-adhesive definitives only, but Ash has given effort and found some gorgeous others too..! That said, the small self-adhesive animal ones are just supercute..!!

Ash deserves another HUGE thanks :))

Curious Bavarian Donkey

Living in a wooden house like this one and having a donkey in the yard doesn't seem like a bad place to be - not at all :))) Thank you Birgit for the swap!