Vanuatu Underwater Post Office

Now here is something that I really thought would be one of the last missing countries/wanted postcards on my list! But as it happens, my friend went to a few 'hard to get' Caribbean countries, and I was able to swap for equally htg countries. Many many thanks to Denise! Not only is it from Vanuatu, one of the smallest and remotest countries - it is a waterproof postcard sent from their Underwater Post Office :)) (only the cancellation doesn't seem to be waterproof ;))

 

Situated within the Hideaway Island marine sanctuary, the Underwater Post Office sits in around three metres of water and both divers and snorkellers are able to post special “waterproof postcards”. If snorkellers cannot duck-dive down that far, Hideaway Island staff will be on the spot to help out. During opening hours the cards will be cancelled/embossed by the postal staff in the Underwater Post Office. Instead of being stamped with ink to show that the card has been sent, the Post office has developed a new embossed cancellation device.

 

If you check Vanuatu stamp issues you will for sure start ooh-ing and aah-ing, such beautiful and unique designs! This particular stamp was issued in 2008, in a set of 4 self-adhesive stamps titled Xtreme Underwater Postmen.