Who Could Ask For Anything More?

The only Caribbean place missing (I Think) in my postcard collection is the Dominica, and my friend did work on a cruiser which docked in Dominica on a few occassions, but sadly couldn't find any postcards to send...my 2nd wish was a view card from Curacao as I didn't have any by that point - isn't it inviting? Just as a Caribbean view should be I suppose lol, thanks Matt :)

Btw I wasn't aware but upon glancing at this sticker stamp that NAf (Netherlands Antillean Guilder) is still being used in parts of the Dutch Caribbean.

St Jean At St Barths

St Jean is one of the best known beaches on St Barths; Gustav III Airport is only about a mile away, so this sight is quite common for the locals. Its been 7 years since I posted about St Barths here for the first and only time; back then I wished for a local cancellation instead of the general La-Poste one, and my wish came true - thank you Denise :)

Brazilian Beach Donkeys

Most recently acquired postcard of cute long-ears; obrigado Marcos :)

Mónsul Beach In Cabo De Gata-Níjar NP, Spain

One of the first swaps I had on FB was with Angela from Almería, who sent me this summery view of the nearby Playa de Mónsul (we are having a sort of a heatwave here (30 DegC), much like most of Europe, so a beach view seemed appropriate). This beach is situated in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, which is Andalucia's largest coastal protected area, a wild and isolated landscape with some of Europe's most original geological features. Spain's southeast coast, where the park is situated, is the only region in mainland Europe with a true hot desert climate.

The name Cabo de Gata relates to the mineral agate that used to be mined in this area. In 1997 it was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. 

A Beach House In Terengganu, Malaysia

This is not mentioned in the previous post, but how about a walk between the palm trees? I am sure not many would mind :) Thanks goes to Shane.

(The 100-Walks post was a quick reaction to saving a list I stumbled upon while looking for some info online. A few walks I have done, a few have been on my to-do list since forever, and plenty can serve as further inspiration. Hmm its not like I need more trouble to choose my next travel destination, humph.)

A Wild Beach In Barbados

I have chosen this view of Barbados (and it was one of the few of better quality) because it partially reflects my experience of the day. I got a tour, yay! By now you can figure out it is every other port I am able to tour (at this stage of the contract). We visited the less crowded east coast, starting with the similarly 'wild' beach at Martins Bay. Refreshments were served at a nearby tavern, and you could sit in front of the beach at wooden tables. Afterwards, for a slightly different experience, we visited the Codington College grounds at St. John's. Last stop was a cliffy view near the Ragged Point Lighthouse. Once again thanks to googling I figure out some places :) After the tour I managed to take a short walk into Bridgetown, after all it is a WHS site :)

Prior to Barbados, we stopped on the 29th at Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe; it was Sunday and lots of places were closed, I should imagine it is way livelier on workdays, plus in the mornings/evenings rather than through midday. Found a friendly souvenir shop but no stamps.

On the 30th we were in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and now I realise I had tours three ports in a row! I believe this to be so because everyone wanted to chill in Barbados esp as there is a 'special place' all ships crews hang out at, the one and only Boatyard. I was so not going there heh, so I got a tour instead. So yeah, the absolutely amazing St. Vincent and the Grenadines tour, which took almost a whole day, but oh so worth it! One of the best experiences during my ship episode, and certainly the best in the Caribbean. We were sailing around in a catamaran having drinks (khm, I did have to stick to only a few, while escorting and all) listening to 90s dance music, some people went snorkeling in one of the bays, we passed a few movie spots from the Pirates Of The Caribbean, then we had lunch on land, proceeded to the fantastic Baleine Waterfall under which many have taken a 'shower'. On top of it all, I have managed to take some passenger photos - I mean everyone was in a good mood :))

In the end there wasn't enough time for me to go to Kingstown for any souvenir browsing. Oh well!

Worth it!

Laid Back In República Dominicana

And now for something different! I got a tour for the Dominican Republic, which is just as well because the port of Amber Cove is very much tourist-orientated (read: expensive. and western.) and I've dodged another port-only experience. The tour was mainly historical - first we visited a small town of Luperón for some church time, and then continued to the site of the former colony of  La Isabela - one of the first European settlements in the Americas, established by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage in December of 1493. 

Later on we enjoyed some local food at a wonderfully positioned restaurant Rancho Las Paredes.

In Amber Cove I had the opportunity to laze around a pool and bar, at least thats what some folks were talking about...As I am not into that lifestyle, I just snooped around some souvenir shops trying to find postcards. And there was a nice range of them, and stamps available, so I grabbed quite a few! Alas when I was told one stamp is $2 I had to re-think it...The thing is, I have a list of friends at home I send postcards to, and if I send it to one of them, I have to send to all of them..! So its 'all or nothing' type of situation; decided to send from Barbados, if (hopefully) possible. 

Moving on to Guadeloupe...

And yay, my 1500th post on this blog *jiggle wiggle* :)))

A Beach In Belize

By the looks of it its a self-printed card, but a nice one isn't it :) I don't know which beach it is but I'd sure like to pop over there for a bit of a proper relaxation. Lovely stamp! Thank you Karolyn :)

UNESCO - Area De Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica

This is Playa Naranjo, part of Santa Rosa National Park, which is again part of the Area de Conservación Guanacaste in northwest Costa Rica. Many thanks to Marco :)

The Area de Conservación Guanacaste comprises 147,000 hectares of land and sea in the Northwest of Costa Rica. Encompassing several contiguous protected areas of various categories, the property is a mosaic of diverse ecosystems. 

The visually dramatic landscape mosaic is home to an extraordinary variety of life forms. Next to the approximately 7,000 plant species, more than 900 vertebrate species have been confirmed. Some notable mammals include the endangered Central American Tapir, at least 40 species of bat, numerous primate species and several felids, namely Jaguar, Margay, Jaguarundi and Ocelot. Among some 500 bird species are the endangered Mangrove Hummingbird and Great Green Macaw, as well as the vulnerable Military Macaw and Great Curassow. Diversity of reptiles and amphibians is likewise high with charismatic representatives like the vulnerable American Crocodile and Spectacled Caiman. Several species of sea turtles occur in the property, with a nesting population of the critically endangered Leatherback and a massive breeding population of the vulnerable Olive Ridley. Invertebrate diversity is extraordinary with an estimated 20,000 species of beetles, 13,000 species of ants, bees and wasps and 8,000 species of butterflies and moths.

Oh man if I could only have a glimpse of this fantastic world! At least in the form of postcards...! 

On The Beach Of Tarawa, Kiribati

Tarawa is the main atoll of Kiribati, of which I have written in the 1st post of this exotic country. I am grateful to Darya for arranging this 2nd card, very inviting on these glum winter days :)

Aroa Beach, Cook Islands

Lovely Aroa Beach on the most populous of the Cook Islands, Rarotonga. Thank you Susan for arranging this card for me :) It was missent to Gibraltar for some reason :)

The Cook Islands (Māori: Kūki 'Āirani) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres. The Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), however, covers 1,800,000 square kilometres of ocean.  Tourism is the country's main industry, and the leading element of the economy, ahead of offshore banking, pearls, and marine and fruit exports.

Sure would love to go there someday for a relaxing holiday..!

 

Turks & Caicos Beach

Such a soothing sight, I can hear the sound of the ocean while looking at this image...the beautifully coloured shell is Lobatus gigas, commonly known as the queen conch, one of the largest molluscs native to the tropical northwestern Atlantic, reaching up to 35.2 centimetres.

As always, a big heart and thanks to Denise :))

Oh the stamp is Year Of The Horse, fantastic!

 

Kuda Bandos Beach, Maldives

The awesome 'lying' palm trees on one of the paradise Maldives beaches...need I say this gets in the 'getaway' section? Even though the summer is almost over here, and I was kind of looking forward to it, I'd still love a few days on a white sandy beach with crystal waters in front of me...hmm who wouldn't. Diana was lucky to go there, and kind to send me this postcard!

Chevy On The Beach

I have been lazy updating...life on the island has become such a routine, with every day being the same and just flying by...its the peak of the tourist season, ports are busy, and the sky is (mostly) blue like on the pic - though truth be told it has been a weird summer so far, weather-wise. Probably the rainiest in a while. Well I am on my way to use a couple of days off! *waving*

P.S. This classic car looks like a Chevrolet to me, but I am not really sure..!

Boulders Beach, South Africa

I thought I would start this post with 'I haven't posted a South African card for a long time', and then I realise I haven't in fact posted any so far..! Its like I have a hole somewhere in my brain...heh. Anyways, this great view was sent to me for vacation RR, I was thrilled to 'jump' into the South Africa group (and even more so now), thank you Anesskina :))

Moruga Beach, Trinidad And Tobago

This I believe was my first written & stamped postcard from T&T :) The stamps show the Channel-billed Toucan, native to Trinidad and most of tropical South America. I think toucans are just so cool! And subsequently I loove these stamps, thank you Eshara :))

Views Of Menorca

A lovely view of the Port Of Mahon, which is the capital of the Balearic Island Menorca. The town's population is about 30 000 inhabitants and it has the second deepest natural harbour in the world. And what an awesome beach, the colour of the sea is just amazing..! Thanks to my nomad friend :))

Bahamas Beach

I will be away for the weekend but I do know the theme for the next Sunday Stamps, which is sea creatures. Yes I am quite early, but I have skipped one sunday and this topic is a good inspiration for a bit of blogging.

Lovely beach view from the Bahamas sent by Niki, who used great stamps, thanks! Among them two sea creatures - Spirobranchus giganteus, commonly known as Christmas tree worms,  tube-building polychaet worms; and Lobatus gigas, commonly known as the queen conch, a species of large edible sea snail.

Saint Thomas, USVI

 

 

Crystal clear waters and amazing thunder view of Saint Thomas, an island in the Caribbean Sea, part of the United States Virgin Islands. These were sent later than the first batch, but also have San Juan PR cancellation so am still wondering..!

Tortola, BVI

 

Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands; tradition sez that that Christopher Columbus named it, meaning "land of the Turtle Dove". The postcards show Soper's Hole wharf at the southwestern end of the island, the 'ridiculously' picturesque Cane Garden Bay as well as the 1.5-km-long sand beach of Long Bay.

Exactly a year after my first BVI postcards, another beautiful set, with a stamp showing a post office, and excellent clear cancellation :))