COCOS KEELING ISLANDS

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located in the Indian Ocean 2950 kilometres north-west of Perth and 3700 kilometres west of Darwin. There are 27 coral islands in the group with a total land area of approximately 14 square kilometres. Only two of the 27 islands are inhabited. Australia's last unspoilt paradise lies in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, kissed by the sun and caressed by fragrant trade winds.

 

Apart from North Keeling Island (declared a National Park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia), which is 30 kilometres from the main group, the Islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon. The people of the Cocos Keeling Islands voted to become part of Australia in 1984.

 

On the stamps:

• The Herald Petrel (Pterodroma arminjoniana) is a medium-sized bird belonging to the Procellariidae family. It is a sea bird and spends much of its life on or above the ocean, only really visiting nesting grounds during breeding season.

• Home Island - located across the lagoon and just a short ferry ride away, this unique part of the Cocos Keeling Islands is a must-see for visitors. Home of the Cocos Malay people, the island offers a complete contrast to West Island.

 

Received from Cocos Keeling Islands Visitor Centre

ST HELENA

the most extraordinary place on earth 

Situated 1000 miles from mainland of Africa and 1700 miles from Cape Town. This green gem set in a ring of bronze as a poet once called ST HELENA. Much of its charm lies in its remoteness. The Islander are British and proud of it.
The countryside of St Helena consists of astonishing contrasts. The terrain ranges from wind eroded desert with multi-coloured ridges and valleys, to flax and tree covered hillsides, soft pasture, lush vegetation-filled valleys and large areas of prickly pear scrub. The surrounding coastline is magnificent with 1000 feet high cliffs dropping, sometimes sheer, to rocks against which Atlantic rollers pound.

Jamestown by night. The island's capital Jamestown at night, with the Royal Mail Ship St Helena at anchor in James Bay.

Jamestown is not only the capital of the island it is also the only town. Exploring Jamestown is a delight rather akin to a treasure hunt. By far the greatest number of buildings in the town are of eighteenth or nineteenth century origin. The most spectacular feature of Jamestown is Jacob's Ladder: 699 steps leading from the floor of the valley, on which the town is built, to the top of Ladder Hill.

The island of St Helena is best known as Napoleon's place of exile. Longwood House where Napoleon spent the final six years of his life is filled with Napoleonic memorabilia.

Memories of St Helena will remain long after the rest has faded!

   

Received from St Helena Tourism

WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY

 The West Coast Wilderness Railway is an award-winning railway and wilderness experience located on the west coast of Tasmania. The lovingly restored steam journey connects the historic towns of Queenstown and Strahan and is a wonderful way to experience a combination of Tasmanian wilderness, history, cuisine and hospitality. Three of the original trains now command the railway, built in 1896 (ABT 1), 1898 (ABT 3) and 1938 (ABT 5), and are beautifully restored to their former 28 tonne glory. 

The West Coast Wilderness Railway was originally built during the 1890s to transport copper from the mines in Queenstown to the port on the coast at Strahan. The railway operated until the 60’s when it became too expensive to run, and road transport became a more efficient way of travelling. The trains were decommissioned and the track fell into disrepair. However, reconstruction work started in the 1990s and in 2003 the railway was officially reopened. 

The West Coast Wilderness Railway embodies a wealth of stories, stories that tell of the ingenuity, resilience and determination that turned the west coast of Tasmania into one of the wealthiest mining regions in the world.   

West Coast Wilderness Railway

OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN

The Old Man of the Mountain, nicknamed the Great Stone Face or Profile, was located in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire. Discovered in 1805, the rocks that made up the profile collapsed during the night hours on May 3, 2003. 

The Profile was a natural rock formation that was formed by a series of geologic happenings that began an estimated 200 million years ago. It hovered majestically 1,200 feet above Profile Lake. The Old Man was made of five separate granite ledges arranged horizontally to form a man’s profile. From chin to forehead, the Profile measured about 40 feet and was 25 feet wide.

Franconia Notch, New Hampshire

Robert Frost (1874–1963), one of America’s best-loved poets, settled in the Franconia Notch region in 1915. The Frost Place Museum includes a half-mile nature trail that has plaques displaying the poems written by Frost during the years he lived in Franconia.

Postcrossing Postcard US-877496  

This is a natural Rock Formation, which is amazing to see inperson - the sender writes.

CALGARY

Calgary is the largest city in the province of Alberta which is located in Western Canada. It is nestled in the Foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains and has many beautiful parks and rivers. The city is known for its friendly western hospitality and is a culturally diverse and thriving metropolis. The City of Calgary is committed to ensuring Arts and Culture remains an essential element in creating a vibrant, creative and culturally stimulating city, and encourages residents to actively participate in and access the arts around the city.

North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres operate year-round to bring you and your family the best in arts programs, facilities and services. Visit us soon and discover the incredible variety of creative opportunities that await you

North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre has been offering fine arts classes and studio space to Calgarians of all ages and abilities for more than 25 years. Housed in a heritage property built as a school in 1913, North Mount Pleasant ceramics and visual arts programs are varied and will appeal to all levels of personal competency.

Wildflower Arts Centre is situated in the community of Spruce Cliff/Wildwood, in a former school, built in 1957. The City of Calgary transformed the facility and opened the Wildflower Arts Centre in January 1978. Wildflower Arts Centre has offered fine arts, drama and dance classes to Calgarians of all ages and abilities for more than 30 years.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is one of only four atoll nations in the world and is also one of the world’s youngest nations, independent only since 1986. The Marshall Islands consists of 29 atolls each made up of many islets and 5 islands in the central Pacific between 4 degrees and 14 degrees north, and 160 degrees and 173 degrees east. The atolls and islands are situated in two almost parallel chain-like formations known as the Ratak (Sunrise or Eastern) group and Ralik (Sunset or Western) group. 

The Republic of the Marshall Islands covers nearly a million square miles of picturesque islands, thriving coral atolls, and crystal clear blue waters … undoubtedly one of the most interesting places in the world to visit. Marshall Islanders are known throughout the Pacific and the world for their friendly and peaceful nature. Both Marshallese and English are the official languages of the Marshall Islands.

Capital: Majuro Island, Majuro Atoll
Political Status: Self-governing democracy in free association with the U.S.
Currency: U.S. dollar

Received from Marshall Islands Visitors Authority

POULSBO

 Velkommen til Poulsbo! Welcome to Poulsbo!

Poulsbo, Washington, with a population of 9,775, is located in the northern part of Kitsap County and is 4.5 square miles in area. Liberty Bay, originally called Dog Fish Bay, and the majestic, snow-peaked Olympic Mountains to the west induced the Scandinavians to settle in Poulsbo because the area was so similar to the fjords of Norway.

 Often referred to as "Little Norway", Poulsbo is the site of the annual MAY VIKING FEST. Come join the fun!

For over 50 years Poulsbo has been celebrating Viking Fest – a celebration rooted from Norway’s Constitution Day of May 17. Traditional Norwegian costumes are a prominent and common part of the celebrations. The festivities last from early morning until late at night. Parties with family and friends featuring traditional food and drinks are common. Festivities include a parade, food & vendor booths, as well as a carnival with rides.

Liberty Bay and Olympic Mountains provide a dramatic background for this famous city located between Seattle-Winslow ferry terminus and the Hood Canal Floating bridge, seventeen miles north of Bremerton

Today Poulsbo is a thriving community with many amenities. With its picturesque downtown core of rosemaled storefronts and shopping areas at Poulsbo Village, along Viking Avenue, and in College Market Place, Poulsbo offers much to citizens and guests alike. These include several beautiful parks, a boardwalk along Liberty Bay, the Valborg Oyen Public Library, three marinas, interesting gift shops, delicious bakeries, and panoramic views of Liberty Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

For more information on Poulsbo please visit: Velkommen til Poulsbo
 

FOUR CORNERS

The Four Corners is the only place in the United States where four states (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado) come together at one place. The original marker, erected in 1912, was a simple cement pad placed after government surveys showed the location of the terminus of the four state boundaries. The monument was refurbished in 1992 with a bronze disk embedded in granite. Each of the state boundaries radiate from the disk and each state's seal rests within that state's boundary. The scenery immediately surrounding the Four Corners Monument is somewhat bleak, but nearby you will find incredible sites that typify Southwest desert country. 

The only place in the entire United States where a person can stand in four states at once. The corners of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah meet here

The area surrounding the monument is Native American land, which includes part of New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona and covers some 25,000 square miles. Both the Navajo, or Dine, and Ute people live in the Four Corners area. Artisans and craftsmen from both Indian nations are represented at the monument. The area is very remote. The tiny community of Teec Nos Pos, AZ, is six miles away.

For more information visit: Four Corners Monument

NEWARK

 It’s a happening place

The Garden State’s largest metropolis, Newark blossoms mere miles from New York City.  Newark shines even in New York’s shadow.  It offers ease and affordable access to all New York is.  But Newark offers a taste of Big-Apple-style action in smaller more intimate bites. Before America was, Newark was already happening.  As an early outpost in the New World, it served from the beginning to bring together cultures and commerce.  Even then, it was a melting pot brimming with indigenous and imported foods, arts, music and entertainments.

   

Newark, New Jersey's largest city, is the leading industrial and financial center in the State. Containing a major maritime port, Newark is one of the great sea, truck, rail and air transportation hubs of the nation.

 
In the centuries since, Newark has continued to blossom, always renewing and reworking itself, always becoming something richer and more varied – a new work with each new arrival of people and promise. Each new face in its growth has given rise to a different facet of its overall character so that today’s Newark is multi-faceted – an endless parade of offerings, adventures and opportunities.  From America’s first and oldest public park to one of the country’s largest performing arts venue, from the state’s biggest museum to the continent’s 5th largest cathedral – pro sports, fine arts, urban retail and outdoor adventure, it’s all happening here. On any given day, you’ll find 25 different languages conversing over an even greater mix and melding of world cuisine and cultures. 

CANADA

A World of Possibilities

The red and white Canadian flag shows a leaf of the maple tree, which grows widely in North America. Canada provinces number 10, with three territories to the north (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut). Each province and territory has its own unique draw for visitors. 

 

The 10 provinces in Canada, from west to east, followed by the territories are best known for:
1. British Columbia - Okanagan wine region, skiing, fishing, whale watching, golf and other outdoor adventures.
2. Alberta - Calgary Stampede, Edmonton Folk Festival, Edmonton Mall, Rocky Mountains, Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.
3. Saskatchewan - Fishing, hunting and other outdoor adventure.
4. Manitoba - Polar Bear Capital of the World, Le Festival du Voyageur, Folklorama.
5. Ontario - Algonquin Park, CN Tower, Niagara wine region, Bruce Trail, woods and lakes.
6. Quebec - French Culture / Language, Old Montreal, Plains of Abraham, skiing.
7. New Brunswick - Bay of Fundy, Appalachian Range, coastline, lighthouses.
8. Nova Scotia - Cabot Trail and other scenic drives, Celtic culture, Fortress of Louisbourg, fresh lobster dinners, coastline, Annapolis Valley.
9. Prince Edward Island - Anne of Green Gables.
10. Newfoundland & Labrador - Gros Morne National Park, the friendliness of the people, icebergs, whale watching.
11. Yukon - Northern lights, dog sledding, historic Klondike Gold Rush locations, Kluane National Park, midnight sun.
12. Northwest Territories - Northern lights, midnight sun, Nahanni River, outdoor adventure.
13. Nunavut - Canada's youngest territory or province.