Friday, February 25, 2011

Christmas not over yet !















Many thanks Juris for this nice aerogramme of Christmas 2010, sent from Cadmans Cottage, in Sydney Australia ;-)))

Cadmans Cottage is the oldest surviving residential building in Sydney, having been built in 1816 for the use of the governmental coxswains and their crews.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cover from the Netherlands ...














Many thanks H. Veenstra for this nice cover with large handstamp from TNT Post ;-) I like this handstamp very much ;-)) Veenstra affixed 2 stamps from the 2010 issue of Children's Welfare.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Pictorial postmark of the 15th day of CNY (元宵节), from Suzhou China ...





















Many thanks Xu Wei for this nice postcard with nice pictorial postmark, sent on the 15th day of CNY ;-)))

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Les papillons de la France ...








Many thanks Eric for this awesome butterflies cover ;-)))

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Cover from India ...















Many thanks Shrikant for this nice cover with minisheet of India-Mexico joint issue, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between India and Mexico :-)))

This minisheet, which was issued on 15 Dec 2010, depicts the Kalbelia dance of Rajasthan, India and Jarabe Tapatio, the national dance of Mexico.

Cover from Spain ...















Many thanks Edna for this nice cover, sent from Granada, in the South of Spain ;-))) Thanks for remembering me ;-)

Edna used 2 stamps from the series of "ESPACIOS NATURALES DE ESPAÑA" (Natural Parks of Spain) which were issued in May, July, Sep and Oct last year with a total of 12 stamps.

Stamp on the left of cover: (issued on 20 May 2010)
The Garajonay National Park occupies 3.986 hectares and is located in the centre of the island of La Gomera. As the rest of the Canary Islands, La Gomera has volcanic origins and thus the characteristic rocks that are found along the island. These are former volcanoes whose shape has been sharpened by erosion. The park provides the best example of laurisilva, a humid subtropical forest with many species of evergreen leaves that need a high level of humidity. More than 50 species of endemic flora can be found in the island the most common being the laurisilva, beech and heather. With regards to the Fauna, there are over 150 autochthonous species such as the Laurel Pigeon, the owl, hoopoe, sparrowhawk and kestrel. It has been declared National Park in 1981, World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and Special Protection Area for Birds and Site of Community Importance.

Stamp on the right of cover: (issued on 15 Sep 2010)
The National Park of Ordesa and Monteperdido covers an area of 15 608 hectares in the province of Huesca, where the mountain ranges of over 3,300 meters contrast with the valleys at the foot of high mountains such as Ordesa, Añisclo, Escuaín and Pineta. This geological diversity results in a variation of landscapes and vegetation: from extreme dryness in the highlands to lush and abundant vegetation in the valleys. The endemic species include the honeysuckle of the Pyrenees and the king's crown; beech, fir and pine trees in the forest and willows and ash along the riverbanks. Regarding the fauna there are plenty of Aragon chamois, prairie dogs, vultures and the imperial eagles. Within the endangered species there are bearded vultures and grouse.

Cover from Italy ...













Many thanks Giovanni for this nice cover ;-))) This cover with cancellation on 7 June 2010, was only received recently.

The stamp - "Battaglia di Calatafimi" (Battle of Catalafimi) was issued on 5 May 2010, together with 3 other stamps in a minisheet entitled "150° anniversario della Spedizione dei Mille" (150th anniversary of the Expedition of the Thousand, from 1861 till 2011). Expedition of the Thousand played an important role towards the Italian unification.

An artistic postcard from Myanmar ...




Thursday, February 17, 2011

Happy 15th day of CNY (元宵节) ...

Chap Goh Meh represents the fifteenth and final day of the Lunar New Year period. The term is from the Hokkien dialect and refers to the fifteenth day of the first month, which is the occasion of the first full moon of the New Year.

The occasion is marked by feasting and various festivities, including the consumption of tangyuan and Kue Keranjang. In traditional Chinese culture, it is also celebrated as the Lantern Festival. In Southeast Asia, however, it coincides with the Chinese Valentine's Day. It is also when young unmarried women gather to toss tangerines into the sea, in a hope that their future spouse will pick it up – a custom that originated in Penang, Malaysia. In the past, this was also the only day that unmarried ladies could be seen with their partners.







Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Please don't buy a bunny !!!

CNY = Bad luck for Bunnies.

Hundreds of rabbits abandoned annually! Year of the Rabbit in 1999 saw 625 abandoned rabbits going to SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals'). Abandoned and neglected rabbits in the past two years totalled 1200. If you must get a pet rabbit, consider adopting from the SPCA instead of buying one. Many rabbits need a good home now. Or get a soft toy.

Message from http://www.spca.org.sg/





Gong Xi Fa Cai !!! (恭喜发财)