Malaysia FDC on "National Angkasawan Programme"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Malaysia

National Angkasawan Programme (National Astronaut Programme)

Date of Issue : 21 Oct 2008

30sen: Soyuz TMA-11
Soyuz TMA Rocket was brought first Malaysian Angkasawan to the International Space Station on 10 October 2007.

50sen: Experimental Science of Microgravity
One of the objectives of the National Angkasawan Programmed is to send Malaysian Angkasawan to ISS and conduct beneficial activities to the country and its people especially in science and technology development for now and in the future. The major activity of national angkasawan in the ISS involves conducting microgravity science research. Some of the experiments that were conducted are regarding cell in space, microbe in space and protein in space.

50sen: International Space Station (ISS)
The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest international scientific project ever produced. It's an outcome of collaboration between countries such as the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, and other eleven European countries. This station is generated by solar power which will produce 110 kilowatts of power once it is equipped. Laboratory and habitation modules will support a permanent international crew of seven astronauts. ISS will act as a platform for Earth and space observation and the experiments conducted on board will help produce new materials and pharmaceutical products, which can only be carried out in a microgravity condition

Miniature Sheet : Launching
Malaysian Angkasawan, Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Syukor Al-Masrie was launched to space at 9.21 pm (Malaysian time), 10 October 2007 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on board the Soyuz TMA-11 rocket. This marks a significant milestone in Malaysia's history where for the first time ever, a Malaysian was successfully able to go to the outer space and this is indeed a catalyst for future space exploration projects.

I very much like stamp issue on the topic of space. So, Thank You very much to my friend for sending such a nice stamp set and miniature sheet FDCs to me.

Vietnam FDC on "Vietnam - Singapore Joint stamp issue"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Vietnam

Vietnam - Singapore Joint stamp issue

Date of Issue : 18 Nov 2008

Value (2-1), denomination of 2,000d: Durian fruit - Durio zibethinus Muray
The Durian, native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia, is the fruit of trees from the genus Durio belonging Malvaceae family. It is mostly planted in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India and Australia. The fruit can grow up to 30 centimetres long and 15 centimetres in diameter, typically weighs one to four kilograms and formidable thorn-covered husk. The shell splits into five segments when ripe, exposing the creamy whitish, yellowish or pinkish aril which surrounds large seeds. The taste is sweet and unique odour.
The durian is commonly known and revered in Southeast Asia as the "King of the Fruits".

Value (2-2), denomination of 8,000d: Dragon fruit - Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose
Dragon fruit, the fruit of several cactus species, is cultivated as a flowering ornamental tree or fruit-tree. It not known exactly where the dragon fruit originated, but it is thought to have come from Central and South America. The dragon fruits are also cultivated in China, Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Growing red dragonfruit with red or pink skin and white flesh in Thailand, China, Taiwan, Philippines ... are collected seeds from Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit in Vietnam.
Vietnam Dragon Fruit is a spectacular night flowering cactus with highly ornamental pink skin & white flesh fruit containing numerous small black seeds. Fruit can be up to 1kg with a melon like flavour. Dragon fruits are valuable fruit export of Vietnam.

Vietnam FDC on "Vietnam - Argentina Joint stamp issue"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Vietnam

Vietnam - Argentina Joint stamp issue

Date of Issue : 25 Oct 2008

Value (2-1), denomination of 800d: Floss Silk Tree
Considered one of the most beautiful trees in the world, the Floss Silk Tree is a species of deciduous tropical plant from Argentina and Brazil. It is resistant to drought and moderate cold. It grows fast in spurts when water is abundant, and sometimes reaches more than 25m in height. Silk Floss blooms in early Fall with abandon. The older the tree, the better the flower display. And with individual trees grown from seed there are variations in the flower colors; more pink, more rose, etc. The fruits are ligneous ovoid pods, 20 cm long, which contain bean-sized black seeds surrounded by a mass of fibrous, fluffy matter reminiscent of cotton or silk.
Silk Floss Tree is cultivated as a flowering specimen tree. The seedpod silk has been used to stuff cushions.

Value (2-2), denomination of 10,000d: Lotus
This is the typical Lotus flower in West Lake of Hanoi - Vietnam. Lotus flowers in West Lake are unique for both their color and fragrance; they are lighter pink and sweeter in fragrance.
In Viet Nam, Lotus is assigned to the set of four seasons "Tø QuÝ": Orchids, Lotus, Daisies, Apricot blossoms and is also the symbol of Summer. Lotus tree has a lot of use. The department lotus flowers are processed food featuring flavor tastes of Viet Nam such as lotus rootstock salad, sugar coats lotus seeds, lotus compote, lotus tea... Lotus tea is a common drink in Vietnam. Lotus tea made from West Lake's lotus flowers is well known with its own unique flavor.

Vietnam FDC on "Joint Stamps issue between Vietnam - France"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Vietnam

Joint Stamps issue between Vietnam - France

Date of Issue : 15 Oct 2008

Value (2-1), denomination of 800d: Bouches de Bonifacio in France
Bonifacio is a commune at the southern tip of the island of Corsica, in theCorse-du-Sud department, SartÌne district (arrondissement), Bonifacio total (canton). Bouches de Bonifacio is located on the Mediterranean Sea with the roughly limestone and coastal further into cliffs. This is an attraction famous of France.

Value (2-2), denomination of 14,000d : Ha Long bay in Vietnam
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Ha Long bay consists of a dense cluster of 1,969 limestone monolithic islands with rich vegetation cover and many beautiful caves. This is not only one of the attractions famous in the world but also be introduced to nominate as World's 7 Natural Wonder.

India FDC on "Saint Alphonsa - 12-10-2008 Cannonixation

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

India

Saint Alphonsa - 12-10-2008 Cannonixation

Date of issue : 16 Nov 2008

Saint Alphonsa, born on 19 August 1910 at Kudamaloor in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, Kerala

Korea FDC on "New Year’s Greetings"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

South Korea

New Year’s Greetings

Date of Issue : 01 Dec 2008

The design of the stamp is very cute

Korea FDC on "Masks"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

South Korea

Korea - Hong Kong Joint Issue on Masks

Date of Issue : 06 Nov 2008

Korea’s mask - Chwibari mask seen in Bongsan Mask Dance Drama

Hong Kong’s mask - Big Head Buddha mask seen in the Lion Dance of the Southern area

It is one of the best FDC I have ever received from Korea. I very much like the stamp sheet with both the national flag of Korea and the flag of Hong Kong.

Indonesia FDC on "The Small Outermost Island"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Indonesia


The Small Outermost Islands

Date of Issue : 13 Dec 2008

1/4 Damar Island
Damar Island or commonly named by local people as Tokongatap is part of Anambas Islands located at Natuna Sea and bordering on Malaysia. This island is part of Jemaja District, Natuna Town, Kepulauan Riau Province. Beside of its fish resource richness, water area around Damar Island is knowned as a location of 4 sinking ship containing precious historical goods.

2/4 Sebatik Island
Sebatik island is divided into 2 territories, one part under the Republic of Indonesia while other under Malaysia. Sebatik is the farthest district at the east of nunukan Town, East Kalimantan province consisting 4 villages, namely Tanjung Karang, Pancang, Sungai Nyamuk, Tanjung Aru and Setabu. The weather is generally hot around 28.8 oC, the lowest temperature 22.9 oC in August whilw the hottest 33.0 oC strikes in April.

3/4 Batubawaikang Island
Batuwaikang Island is one the farthest islands at the north of Sulawesi bordering of the Philippines. This vertically stab of stone shaped island is part of Kawio Islands. The island is located at the north of Sangihe Island anf the northeast of Marore Island. Batubawaikang is part of North Tabukan Dostrict, Sangihe Town, North Sulawesi Province. The weather around the island is highly changing in short times. In northern wind seasons, the speed of wind can reach 40 miles per hour causing high wave that even a big ship can not passed this waterfront.

4/4 Bras Island
Bras Island is part of Mapia Islands bordering on the Republic of Palau. This island is 390 miles away from Babelthuap island (the Republic of Palau). Mapia Islands consists of 5 islands, namely Mapia or Pegun, Bras or Berasi, Small Bras, Fanildo or Faniroto and Small Fanildo. The islands territory is secured by Indonesian National Army stationed at Mapia Island. Bras Island is part of West Supiori District, Supiori Town, Papua Province, Sea bio-diversity richness as well as preserved ecosystem in Mapia Islands brings out opportunity to develop tourism industry, including nature, culture and historical site of World War II.