Mail from Flight MH17

This letter greet me when I return home from work. Such an emotional moment to read this letter. Dutch Post have done a very good deed by sending it back to the recipient. Kudos to them!

"Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) was a scheduled passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur that was shot down on 17 July 2014 while flying over eastern Ukraine, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board. Contact with the aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER, was lost when it was about 50 km (31 mi) from the Ukraine–Russia border and wreckage of the aircraft fell near Hrabove in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, 40 km (25 mi) from the border. The shoot-down occurred in the War in Donbass, during the Battle of Shakhtarsk, in an area controlled by pro-Russian rebels. The crash was Malaysia Airlines' second aircraft loss during 2014 after the disappearance of Flight 370 on 8 March.

The Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) was used extensively in operations against the rebels, and several UAF aircraft had been shot down over the rebel-controlled territory, both before and after the MH17 incident. Immediately after the crash, a post appeared on the VKontakte social media profile attributed to Igor Girkin, leader of the Donbass separatist militia, claiming responsibility for shooting down a Ukrainian An-26 military transporter near Torez. This post was removed later the same day, and the separatists then denied shooting down any aircraft.  In late July 2014, communications intercepts were made public in which, it is claimed, separatists are heard discussing an aircraft that they had downed. A video from the crash site, recorded by the rebels and obtained by News Corp Australia, shows the first rebel soldiers to arrive at the crash site. At first they assumed that the downed aircraft was a Ukrainian military jet, and were dismayed when they started to realise that it was a civilian airliner."

TANZANIA - Children with a catch of rays, Uroa Bay, Zanzibar

Amazing cards arrived in my mailbox today, happy day!.  The first card is from Tanzania and this would be my first written and stamps card from the country. I have had one from Zanzibar but it was a blank card so I am happy to get this.

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Just have to share what Abir wrote on her card.

"When you visit Zanzibar, it is impossible to miss all the fishing boats, fishermen nets and rods sailing into the ocean and fresh coconut water.  The children perform acrobats afterschool by the ocean outlining the Island.  As I walk through stone town, I am welcomed by its magical jumble of cobbled alleyways.  A beautiful historical town filled  by the aroma of street vendors, burning incense and the sound of the call to prayer roaming the streets.  Zanzibar's rich cultural melange come to life: Arabic-style houses with their recessed inner courtyards rub shoulders with Indian-influenced buildings boasting omate balconies and latticework and bustling oriental bazaars alternate with street-side vending stalls."

Thanks a lot Abir for the awesome card and great information!

TANZANIA - Maasai's dancing, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Abir second card shows the Maasai's dancing.  She wrotes that, "Tanzania mainland is full of rich cultures, tribes and traditions.  Scientists have proven that the beginning of mankind and life of the universe all started here! One of the world's oldest tribes are the Masai, a nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people. They are fierce warriors who have preserved their customs and traditions as well as language."

Thank you so much Abir!

ISLE OF MAN - David Jefferies

The third card is from Isle of Man showing the late rider David Jefferies.  Thanks James!

"Allan David Jefferies (18 September 1972 – 29 May 2003) was a British motorcycle racer. He died after crashing during practice for the 2003 TT races."

CUBA - Sede del Governo Provincial, Cienfuegos

My 3rd card from Cuba, thanks to Frank.

ICELAND - Aurora Borealis

My first written and stamp card from Iceland. I have a card from Iceland before but it was unwritten so I'm happy to get this, love the clear postmark too.  Flor sent me this magnificent view of Aurora borealis and traditional Icelandic houses, - thank you!

Aurora borealis or northern lights originate from solar jets of electrons entering the atmosphere.

USA - Albuquerque and Ohio

We swap for multiple cards and magnet in an envelope.  Thanks Chayah.

"Albuquerque  is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is a high-altitude city and serves as the county seat of Bernalillo County, and it is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 555,417 as of the July 1, 2012, population estimate from the United States Census Bureau and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S.

Albuquerque is the 59th-largest United States metropolitan area. The Albuquerque MSA population includes the city of Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Placitas, Corrales, Los Lunas, Belen, Bosque Farms, and forms part of the larger Albuquerque – Santa Fe – Las Vegas combined statistical area, with a total population of 1,163,964 as of the July 1, 2013 Census Bureau estimates. With its population growing bigger over the years, Albuquerque is the fastest growing city in New Mexico."

"Youngstown is a city in the state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County. The city was named for John Young, an early settler from Whitestown, New York, who established the community's first sawmill and gristmill.

Youngstown is in a region of the United States that is often referred to as the Rust Belt. Traditionally known as a center of steel production, Youngstown was forced to redefine itself when the U.S. steel industry fell into decline in the 1970s, leaving communities throughout the region without major industry."

"Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is a United States Presidential Memorial, a National Historic Landmark District in present-day Lincoln City, Indiana. It preserves the farm site where Abraham Lincoln lived with his family from 1816 to 1830. During that time, he grew from a 7-year-old boy to a 21-year-old man. His mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, and at least 27 other settlers were buried here in the Pioneer Cemetery."

CHINA - Miao Village, Guizhou Province

Thanks to postcrosser Yujia for the great view of Miao village, love the green view of the village.

"Miao Village is about 37 kilometers from Leishan County and about 80 kilometers away from Kaili. It takes about an hour to travel to Xijiang from Kaili by automobile. It is one of the biggest of the Miao villages in Guizhou Province, much of the rest of the town is still traditional architecture and people walking on the farmer’s paths can see the nice scenery that includes a river valley with terraced fields, intricate wooden houses built in their architectural style, and farmer’s working the land with their oxen. The women still dress up in lots of ornamental silver jewelry."

LUXEMBOURG - City Flowers IV by Sandra Jacobs

Thanks to Valerie for the card and nice stamps.

RUSSIA - The Smolny Cathedral

The cathedral look so lovely with the blue sky background, it matches the cathedral color! Thanks to Saniya for the card.

"Smolny Cathedral was originally intended to be the central church of a monastery, built to house the daughter of Peter the Great, Elizabeth, after she was disallowed to take the throne and opted instead to become a nun. However, as soon as her Imperial predecessor was overthrown during a coup, carried out by the royal guards, Elizabeth decided to forget the whole idea of a stern monastic life and happily accepted the offer of the Russian throne."

TURKMENISTAN - Modern Ashgabat

Yippee..my first card from Turkmenistan, country #145.  Kjersti wrote  in her card that Turkmenistan is one of the least visited countries in the world, but there is a lot of great things to see and do here.

Thanks a lot Kjersti for sending this card from your vacation. It sure looks like a nice place to visit.

"Ashgabat (Turkmen: Aşgabat,; Persian: اشک آباد‎; Russian: Ашхаба́д, tr. Ashkhabad]) between 1919 and 1927, is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan in Central Asia, situated between the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range. The 2001 census estimated a population of 695,300, while the 2009 census estimated a population of 1 million, primarily Turkmen people, with ethnic minorities of Russians, Armenians, and Azerbaijanis."

This card from Turkmenistan now completes the Central Asia part of my world collection!

GUERNSEY - Flavour of Guernsey

This card shows the multi view of Guernsey.  Thanks to Maya from Jersey for sending a card from Guernsey. Such a nice view, I would love to spend a day there..

ROYAL FAMILY

The card shows the royal family at the royal wedding of Price William and Kate Middleton on 29 April 2011.  Thank you to postcrosser Alex from Moscow, Russia and he is only 8 years old, such a young postcrosser.

CROATIA - Plitvice National Park in Autumn

A mailbox full of joy today!.  The first card is from Anja, such a spectacular view! She writes that the national park is the biggest and the most magnificent in Croatia with 16 lakes connected or separated with travertine barriers.

The card look so alive, I hope I could visit the park someday. Thank you Anja!

"Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatian: Nacionalni park Plitvička jezera, colloquial Plitvice, pronounced [plîtʋitse]) is one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia.

The national park was founded in 1949 and is situated in the mountainous karst area of central Croatia, at the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The important north-south road connection, which passes through the national park area, connects the Croatian inland with the Adriatic coastal region."

The stamps was issued on 7 Nov 2012 in a set of 2 featuring Museum of the Krapina  Neanderthal Man (C).

CROATIA - Labin

The second card from Anja shows her very small town of Labin (about 10 000 inhabitants).  It is situated at the west of Croatia, at Istra peninsular, only 2 km from Adriatic Sea.

The city looks so colourful and lovely in purple color. Thank you Anja for 2 wonderful cards.

The stamp used was issued on  15.4.2015 in a set of 3, featuring Croatian fauna, Woodland Animals.

PENNSYLVANIA - Mapcard

This Pennsylvania map card is the newest  addition to my map card collection. Thank you Sarah for the swap.

NORTHERN CYPRUS - Lala Mustafa Mosque (St. Nicholas)

I am very happy to get my hand on a card from Northern Cyprus, a new addition to my collection, #144. Considering how difficult to get the written and stamps card from here, it is indeed a bonus to me, Many thanks to my dear stamp friend, Valeri from Cyprus.

The 14th-century Gothic Cathedral of St. Nicholas, which has since been turned into a mosque named Lala Mustafa Camii, is the most important monument in Famagusta, Northern Cyprus.

 "The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque originally known as Saint Nicholas's Cathedral and later as the Ayasofya (Saint Sophia) Mosque of Magusa, is the largest medieval building in Famagusta, Northern Cyprus. Built between 1298 and c. 1400, it was consecrated as a Catholic cathedral in 1328. The cathedral was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman Empire captured Famagusta in 1571 and it remains a mosque to this day."

Northern Cyprus (Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs), officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti), is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus. Recognised only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is considered by the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus.

NETHERLANDS - Royal Family

From postcrosser Dini with a card of the Dutch Royal Family. 

The card reads; Kinnklijke family at closing koniginnedag on balcony.  

30 April 2011.

"Koningsdag or King's Day is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Celebrated on 27 April (26 April if the 27th is a Sunday), the date marks the birth of King Willem-Alexander.

From 1890 to 2013, the day was known as Koninginnedag or Queen's Day. The holiday was first observed on 31 August 1885 as Prinsessedag or Princess's Day, the fifth birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, heir to the Dutch throne. On her accession, the holiday acquired the name Koninginnedag. When held on 31 August the holiday was the final day of school summer vacation, leading to its popularity among children. Following the accession of Wilhelmina's daughter Juliana in 1948, the holiday was moved to Queen Juliana's birthday on 30 April."

REPUBLIKA SRPSKA - Banja Luka

Another swap with Sanda, this time we swap for fridge magnet and cards. These card shows the view of Banja Luka city. Thank you Sanda!.

"Republika Srpska (Serbian Cyrillic: Република Српскa,[repǔblika sr̩pska]; literally "Serb Republic") is one of two constitutional and legal entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The entities are largely autonomous. Its de jure capital city is Sarajevo, but the de facto capital and administrative centre is Banja Luka"

"The Dayton Agreement ended the Bosnian War and created the federal republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), made up of two entities, the Bosniak and Croat-inhabited Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), and the Serb-inhabited Republika Srpska (RS)."

FINLAND

Thanks to postcrosser Aamo for the card and stamp.  It come with this sticker on and I do not know what this sticker is for and was afraid to peel it of the card as it could damage the card :(
It would be nice to  know a bit about the tower..

The stamp was issued on 8/9/2014 in the set of 3 by the The Finnish post office, Itella Posti Oy. Featuring images from the iconic gay erotic artist Tom of Finland.  Cool stamp!

NAMIBIA - Swakopmund Mole and surroundings

What a nice card from Namibia showing Mole and its surroundings area. Thanks to Marlinda for the swap.

"In 1899, architect FW Ortloff's sea wall - better known as the Mole - was intended to enhance Swakopmund's poor harbour and create a mooring place for large cargo vessels. Unfortunately, Mr Ortloff was unfamiliar with the Benguela Current, which sweeps northwards along the coast, carrying with it a load of sand from the southern deserts. Within less than five years, the harbour entrance was choked off by a sand bank and two years later, the harbour itself had been invaded by sand to create what is now called Palm Beach. The Mole is currently used as a mooring for pleasure boats. " from here.

MOZAMBIQUE - Greeting from Vilanculos

Thanks to Carlos for yet another beautiful card showing Moçambique !

"Vilankulo (or Vilanculos) is a coastal town in Mozambique, lying in the Vilanculos District of Inhambane Province. Vilankulo is named after local tribal chief Gamala Vilankulo Mukoke, and some of the "bairros" (suburbs) are named after his sons. During colonial times the name was changed to Vilanculos since the Portuguese do not use the letter K much, and commonly use the 'ssh' sound of the S. At independence the name was changed back to Vilankulo – with a K and no S. Today the district is called Vilanculos and the town Vilankulo, and many residents have Vilankulo as their last name."

TENNESSEE - MEMPHIS, River City

From postcrosser Jamie a card showing the bridge in Mississippi river. Thank you!

"Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the fourth Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers."

SWAZILAND - Malolotja Nature Reserve

New country in my list, country #143 is Swaziland.  Thanks a lot to Carlos for the card of Malolotja Nature Reserve.

"Malolotja Nature Reserve covers 4,447 acres (18,000 ha) of mountain wilderness on Swaziland's north western border with South Africa. The park includes Ngwenya Mountain, Swaziland's second highest mountain (1829 m), and Malolotja Falls which drop 292 feet (90metres), the highest in Swaziland.  Habitats include short grassland to thick riverine scrub, bushveld and Afromontane forest."