Brazil Postcard - Iguassu Falls

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Brazil

A beautiful card of Iguassu Falls of Brazil received last year. The stamp is nice and the postmark is very clear

Malaysia Postcard

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Malaysia

A very nice multview map card from Malaysia with a beautiful triangle stamp. The postmark on the card is very clear.

China Souvenir Cover

Souvenir Cover
紀念封
Envelope Comemorativo

China


Commemorate Chinese Zodiac Sign Transition

The Year of the Rat ends on 25 Jan 2009 and the Year of the Ox begins on 26 Jan 2009. The souvenir cover shown above was issued by the Shanghai Philatelic Corporation to commemorate the transition of Chinese Zodiac Sign from Rat to Ox. On the cover, the 1.20 yuan "Year of the Rat" stamp and the 0.10 yuan definitive stamp was cancelled at 24:00 of 25 Jan 2009, while the 1.20 yuan "Year of the Ox" stamp was cancelled at 00:00 of 26 Jan 2009 (the postmark is a little bit unclear, but I could still able to see the time and date on it)

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
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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"

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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.

Indonesia FDC on "Year of the Ox"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Indonesia


Year of the Ox

Date of Issue : 10 Jan 2009

I very much like the deisgn of this stamp issue

China "Year of the Ox" FDC
Korea "New Year’s Greetings" FDC

Saudi Arabia Postcard - Al-Masmak Place

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Saudi Arabia

This card shows the Al-Masmak Place. The postmark on the card is very clear.

Taiwan FDC on Giant Panda

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Taiwan

Sp.528 Cute Animal Series Postage Stamps – Giant Panda

Date of Issue : 20 Jan 2009

NT$5 stamp : Tuan Tuan
NT$9 stamp : Yuan Yuan
Miniature Sheet : Giant Pandas Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan

A very popular and nice stamp issue of Taiwan. My friend was very kind to sent me 2 FDCs with different special cancellations, Taipei Temporary Post office issuing ceremory postmark (stamp set FDC) and Keelung Temporary Post Office special cancellation (miniature sheet FDC).

China FDC on "Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints"

First Day Cover
首日封
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China

Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints

Date of Issue : 18 Jan 2009

4-1: Lion Holding in Mouth a Sword
4-2: The Coming Flood of Wealth
4-3: Goddess Sending Children
4-4: Rat Marrying off Its Daughter

The Zhangzhou New Year Woodprints, originated in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, emerged during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), developed during the Ming (1368-1644), and reached its zenith during the Qing (1644-1911). It adopts xylograph printing techniques and is mostly devoted to the subjects of welcoming a new year, bringing bless, exorcising evil spirits, and opera stories

Algeria Postcard

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Algeria

A beautiful desert card from Algeria with a very nice stamp. The stamp on the postcard is one of the stamps in the stamp issue : Cities From Algeria (issued on 18 Dec 2008). It shows the city of Biskra, or Vescera in the roman time, situated in the south of Algeria.

Estonia FDC on "Protection of polar areas and glaciers"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Estonia

Protection of polar areas and glaciers

Date of Issue : 15 Jan 2009

Besides China and Korea, Estonia also have stamp issue on 15 Jan 2009. This is the first time I received a registered mail Estonian FDC.

China FDC on "Centenary of the Birth of Comrade Bo Yibo"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

China


Centenary of the Birth of Comrade Bo Yibo

Date of Issue : 15 Jan 2009

2-1: Bo Yibo during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression
2-2: Bo Yibo in Reform and Opening-Up

Bo Yibo (薄一波, 6 Feb 1908 – 15 Jan 2007), a native of Dingxiang County, Shanxi Province, was an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The stamp design is nice. The design of the offical cancellation and the FDC cover are also great. It is the first time I have ever seen perforation around the picture of the FDC cover. But, I think it would be better to issue this set of stamps in 2008.

Germany Postcard - Brandenburger Tor

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Germany

The nightview of the famous Brandenburger Tor.

I very much like the round-shaped soccer stamps affixed on the card.

Korea FDC on "International Year of Astronomy 2009"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

South Korea

International Year of Astronomy 2009

Date of Issue : 15 Jan 2009

Stamp Design : Whirlpool Galaxy M51, Planetary Nebula NGC 3132

Both China and Korea issue new stamps on 15 Jan 2009 and I received the Korean FDC first

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

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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 "Bicentennial of Louis Braille’s Birth"

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South Korea

Bicentennial of Louis Braille’s Birth

Date of Issue : 02 Jan 2009

Stamp Design : The world seen by hands

Egypt Postcard - Sinai

Postcard
明信片
Bilhete Postal

Egypt

I received a card showing a view of Sinai Peninsula yesterday.

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.

China FDC on "Year of the Ox"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

China


Year of the Ox

Date of Issue : 05 Jan 2009

I personally very much like the design of the special cancellation of Shanghai of this stamp issue

Korea "New Year's Greetings" FDC
Indonesia "Year of the Ox" FDC

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.