ÅLAND ~ Map ~

...My 3 card coming from Åland...a great map with nice stamp and special cancellation! Thanks a lot Sini!

Åland consists of 6,757 islands situated midway between Sweden and Finland. Although the people of Åland speak Swedish, this autonomous territory is part of Finland.

Åland has its own flag, has issued its own postage stamps since 1984, runs its own police force, and is a member of the Nordic Council.

Stamp:
Alie Lindberg’s grand piano on Europa stamp
(Issued 8-05-2014)

USA ~ Utah - Land of Contrast~

...I really like this sort of "multiviews"...it's showing all the beauty of Utah...found immediately lots of places I would love to see...the National Parks, the Dinosaur National Monument...great choice of card O'Neil! :D
Big thanks! (http://postcardsandroadtrips.blogspot.be/ )

Utha is well known as the most religiously homogeneous state in the Union ( its nickname is Beehive State)approximately 62% of Utahns being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS (Mormons), which greatly influences the state's culture and daily life.

Bordered by Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona and Nevada (and touching a corner of New Mexico)

 It is a geographically diverse state, located at the convergence of three distinct geological regions: the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau. Utah is known for its natural diversity and is home to features ranging from arid deserts with sand dunes to thriving pine forests in mountain valleys.

With nice Earth Day 2014 Global Forever Stamp.

SRI LANKA ~Ritigala Mountain Range ~

 ...Received great postcard nr 2  from a set of 4 Four on "Mountain Biodiversity"...this beautiful island  is recognized as one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world... Thanks Ravindra! Hope you had a wonderful vacation in Australia. :D

The Central highlands include Piduruthalagala, the highest peak, Kirigalpotta, Seven Maidens and several isolated mountains in the lowlands such as Ritigala which are the major components of the mountainous environment of Sri Lanka.

 Mountains are an important source of water, energy and biological diversity. Furthermore, other valuable resources such as minerals, forests and agricultural products also originate from there.

Stamps:
The National Hospital
(Issued 20-03-2015
Solar System - Mars
(Issued 05-12-2014)

BELGIUM ~ Lucky Luke - The Dalton brothers ~

...More Belgian famous comics...with fantastic stamp and wonderful first day cancellations...Thanks once more Johan for this unique item!!! http://johanpostcards.blogspot.be/

Morris (1923-2001) introduced the cowboy parody, Lucky Luke a character who went on to feature in live actions films and US cartoons.

Lucky Luke, the cowboy known to "shoot faster than his shadow". His name is inspired by that of Luciano Locarno, an Italian American sheriff who lived between 1860 and 1940.

The Dalton's  are loosely inspired by the real-life Dalton Gang, and billed as their cousins.

It is one of the most popular and best-selling comic-book series in continental Europe. About half of the series' adventures have been translated into English. Lucky Luke comics have been translated into 23 languages, including many European languages, some African and Asian languages.

Stamp showing "Lucky Luke" from  a sheet of 10 self-adhesive stamps showing ten characters from Morris comics series.

(Issued 13-04-2015)

USA ~Maine - Belfast ~

I've been spoiled with so many fantastic surprises lately...this  aerial view was sent by a reader of my blog...I only heard of Belfast in Northern Ireland but this place looks wonderful...thanks a lot Marie-lynne, always nice to find out that people enjoying all my  *hard work* here!!(◕‿-)

Photo © Jim Abts Maine  is the largest state in the New England region, (all of the other New England States could fit into Maine) bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south; New Hampshire to the west; and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost portion of New England.

The city of Belfast sits on a hill overlooking the breathtaking tidal waters of Penobscot Bay and was settled in 1765.

With nice Earth Day 2014 Global Forever Stamp.

COMOROS ~Mayotte - Ylang-Ylang tree ~

Wonderful postcard from a new and totally unknown place for me...love the bright green colors...Thanks a lot Rouwaïda for this fantastic surprise in my mailbox!!❁◕ ‿ ◕❁

Photo: Michel Forêt Mayotte is part of the archipelago that makes up the Comoros Islands. It is s a French island in  East Africa in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique.

 The plant pictured here is Cananga odorata, commonly called Ylang-ylang. It's is a tall fast-growing tropical tree valued for its perfume. The essential oil derived from the flowers is used in aromatherapy.

Among the many beauty products that feature ylang-ylant are many French luxury fragrances, including Chanel No. 5 and its namesake perfume by Guerlain.

Stamp:
From 1 January 2012 with the full integration of Mayotte with France, the island has no longer postal autonomy and uses the stamps of France exclusively.
A stamp depicting France's cultural symbol Marianne.
(Issued 16-07-2013)

USA ~ Hemingway Home and Museum - Key West

...It was not only sun, sand and beaches :D...Ben and Dorien also visited this great historical site... one of the most famous tourist attractions... Thaaaanks!!

Photo © Werner J. Bertsch
Backside card:
The Nobel Prize winning author resided here between the years of 1931 to 19by to 1940 with his second wife Pauline Pfeifer and their two sons Patrick and Gregory.The home was built in Spanish Colonial style of native rock hewn from the grounds, with furnishings, rugs, tile and  chandeliers brought by the Hemingways from Spain, Africa and Cuba. Guided tours will bring you closer to Ernest's life in the 1930's. A living memorial to the important American author, bullfight aficionado, big game hunter, deep-sea fisherman, world adventurer and cat lover.

Ernest Hemingway's most productive years were spent in Key West. And this is the place he did most of his writing.

Stamps:
Forever stamps - A Flag For All Seasons
(Issued 03-05-2013)