Turtle Island | Thailand

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Koh Tao, meaning "Turtle Island" is part of the Chumphon Archipelago. It covers an area of about 21 km². The economy of the island is almost exclusively centred on tourism, especially scuba diving. The island is located 40 km northeast of Koh Samui.

Hin Taa Toh in Thai means Buddha Rock. The shape of the rock resembles a sitting man and is worshiped by the local population.

Thx SL!

View from Thethi | Albania

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Theth is a community in northern Albania, located at the centre of the Theth National Park. Surrounded by the Albanian Alps the area has wonderful landscapes with waterfalls, caves and canyons.

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The stamps on the left is part of a series of 4 stamps titled Cultural Heritage Day.

September 29 marks the National Day of Cultural Heritage in Albania. The day to commemorate restorers, architects, researchers, and scientists, folklore handlers and handicraftsmen, who have contributed in shaping and studying Albanian heritage.

The stamp on the right is part of a set of four stamps about antique silver, issued 2011.

The Balearic Island of Mallorca | Spain

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Mallorca is the largest island of the Spanish Balearic Islands. Located in the Mediterranean Sea the island is an extremely popular holiday destination. Just like Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera, the other Balearic Islands. Sa Calobra is a small village on the northwest coast of Mallorca, a popular destination for coach trips and road cyclists.

Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located on a sheer-sided mountain range parallel to the north-western coast of the island of Mallorca.

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A stamp dedicated to tourism (issue 2014). It shows a compilation of various facets relating to tourism.

The passion and beauty of the country are reflected by red-roses, natural products by oranges, crafts by the typical Spanish fan, and art by the carved tympana over church and cathedral doors.

Ischigualasto Provincial Park in Argentina

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Ischigualasto Provincial Park is located in the north-east of the San Juan Province of Argentina. El Submarino is a number of rocks that look like a submarine when viewed from a certain angle. Since 2000 Ischigualasto is an Unesco World Heritage Site, together with neighboring Talampaya National Park. 

Thx Ruben!

Uluru (Ayers Rock) | Australia

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Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) is probably Australia's most recognisable natural icon. It is one of the largest monoliths in the world. Made of arkosic sandstone, Uluru rises 348 metres above the desert floor.

Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have significant meaning to Aboriginal people. They both form an important focus of their spiritual life. The park is jointly managed by its Anangu traditional owners (people of Aboriginal origin) and Parks Australia.

Thx Steve!

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park | Australia

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This park, formerly called Uluru National Park, features spectacular geological formations that dominate the vast red sandy plain of central Australia. Kata Tjuta (pictured on this card) are a group of 36 large domed rock formations located about 365 km of Alice Springs. The other major landmark is Uluru, commonly known as Ayers Rock.

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Postage pre-paid

Thx Steve!

East Ninepin Island | 九針群島

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Kwo Chau islands, also known as the Ninepin Group, are located to the east of Hong Kong island. There are three main islands and 29 small islands. The three main islands are South Ninepin Island, North Ninepin Island and East Ninepin Island. They look like nine pins from the sky. The name "Ninepin" is inspired by an old British game similar to modern day bowling.

Located in the open sea the islands are subject to the relentless impact of strong wind and waves, resulting in diverse peculiar coastal landforms, including steep cliffs, sea arches and various strangely-shaped rocks.

Stamps

2006 bird-definitives: the White-bellied Sea Eagle and a Scarlet Minivet. The other stamp is part of a set of four stamps with topic Hong Kong festivals (issued 2012).

Only for the brave: Kjeragbolten, Norway

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The famous Kjerag boulder (Kjeragbolten) is a massive 5 m³ boulder wedged between two cliffs.

Without the help of any mountaineering equipment, brave visitors can walk on to the bolt – it is said to bring good luck. But think twice about looking down; the walls drop a 1,000 meters on both sides!

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In 2011 Norway issued a set of three stamps about modern architecture and tourist destinations. This stamps pictures Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) mountain lodge. 

The Twelve Apostles, Victoria - Australia

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The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.

You won't see 12 of these rock formations all at once, as they say some may be hidden from view from any of the vantage points. But, more importantly, there are no longer 12 rock formations, because a few have been eroded away by the action of wind and waves.

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From a set of 5 stamps about Australian Bush Babies: the Kangaroo (issues 2011).

O'Hara's Battery - Gibraltar

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Named after General Charles O'Hara, Governor of Gibraltar from 1795-1802, there was originally a look out tower at the point we now call O'Hara's Battery.

The Governor believed if such a tower was built it would enable the Garrison to see Cadiz harbour and any ships heading towards Gibraltar.

After it was built and his theory was dashed it became known as O'Hara's Folly. The battery is the highest point of Gibraltar at 426 meters (1400ft approx). It was last fired in 1976.

Stamps

From a large set of 13 stamps with birds from Gibraltar: the Woodchat Shrike and the Eurasian Hoopoe.  

Ogasawara Islands: the Galapagos of the east

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The Ogasawara Islands are oceanic islands comprised of about 30 islands of various sizes. As they are in the ocean separated from Tokyo by about one thousand kilometers, a lot of uniquely evolved, endemic plants and animals are found on the islands.

Ogasawara Islands are said to have been discovered by Sadayori Ogasawara in 1593. The first immigrants were five Europeans and 15 Hawaiians who had come to Ogasawara in 1830.

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Vase Rock, Little Liouciou Island | 小琉球, Taiwan

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Little Liouciou lies off the southwestern coast of Taiwan, and is the only one of Taiwan's 14 offshore islands or island groups that is composed of coral. Vase Rock (or Flower Vase Rock) is the symbol of Little Liouciou, and the sight that most tourists come to see. It’s a pretty peculiar looking rock. Maybe shaped more like a mushroom than a vase though. Vase Rock is the result of coral sculpted by wave action.

 

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(left) Fuguejiao (Fu-kuei Cape) Light, Shimen

(right) a fruit

Rock apes from Gibraltar

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Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. Today its economy is based largely on tourism, financial services, and shipping.

The Barbary Macaque population in Gibraltar is the only one in the whole of the European continent, and, unlike that of North Africa, it is thriving. At present there are some 300 animals in five troupes occupying the area of the Upper Rock, though. The Gibraltar Barbary Macaques are considered by many to be the top tourist attraction in Gibraltar.

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From a large set of 13 stamps with birds from Gibraltar: the Eurasian Hoopoe.  

A postcard from Ireland: The Skellig Islands

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The Skellig Islands, Skellig Michael and Small Skellig, are two small, steep, and rocky islands lying about 13 km west of Bolus Head on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Skellig Michael is known throughout the world of archaeology as the site of a well-preserved monastic outpost of the Early Christian period that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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(right) A matching stamp. from a set of two Europa stamps (2012).

A postcard from Guam: Rock formations at Tanguisson Beach

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Guam is located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is the southernmost and largest island in the Mariana island chain and is also the largest island in Micronesia. The indigenous people of Guam are the Chamorros.

“The island of Guam, Guahan in native Chamorro, is a truely cosmopolitan community that reflects the cultures of its original Chamorro inhabitants as early as 2,000 B.C., influenced by countless European, American, Asian, Micronesian, and other people who have occupied, visited and immigrated to Guam since the 16th Century.”

Guam was colonized by Spain from 1595 – 1898. At the end of the Spanish American War the United Stated gained control over the island in 1898. In WWII it was occupied by Japan from 1941 – 1944 but the United States reclaimed it in 1944.

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Guam uses USA stamps. The stamp is cancelled in the village of Barrigada.

A hidden paradise from Philippines: Lahos Island

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Lahos Island is found in Caramoan Peninsula, Camarines Sur, which is dubbed as the Philippine's hidden paradise. The island is distinctively beautiful because it has two beaches. The shore is hugged by superb white sand and amazing karst limestone formations.

The name of the island was derived from the word “Lahos” or “Laho” which means “vanish in English because the beach usually disappears during high tide.

Caramoan hosted many season of TV series “Survivor”.

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A Triton Trumpet and a Copper-band Butterflyfish.

Pingtan Haitan National Scenic Zone, China

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Located in Pingtan County, Fujian Province, this national scenic zone is the closest resort to Taiwan, and is a natural scenic zone featured by sandy beaches and marine abrasion landform constituted by granite rocks.

“The higher is 33 meters, and the lower is 17 meters. They stand gloriously in the midstream, just like skyscraping pillars positing between sky and the sea. They are picked up by a reef plate at the bottom, which is like a ship hoisting its sail. In the morning fog or sunset glow, the sea glows with wave light, while the two stones are like two large ships cruising lively with hoisting sails.”

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A Postcard from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Corcovado mountain bears at 704 m above sea level the town symbol of Rio the Janeiro: the well known, 1000 tons weighting Christ the Redeemer seen from every corner of the metropolis.

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(left) From a series of four stamps about historical cities of Brazil: historic city of Mariana.

(right) Costureira (sewing)

Pigeon Rocks Beirut, Lebanon

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“A stunning set of rocks welcome you to the city of Beirut.  Pigeons’ Rock (also known as the Rock of Raouché) is located at Beirut’s western-most tip, the two huge rock formations stand like gigantic sentinels to the city.  Locals love to walk along the corniche (seaside promenade) at any time of day, but during sunset it is especially busy.”

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(left) Arabic League

(right) from a set of three, picturing traditional buildings

Thx Steve!

Delicate Arch, UTAH

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Delicate Arch is a 52-foot (16 m) tall freestanding natural arch located in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah.

In 2008 Wall Arch collapsed: “Erosion—the same force that largely formed the park's arches—and gravity are the most likely culprits for the destruction of Wall Arch sometime last week.“

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The Garden of Love Forever stamps consist of 10 different designs on a pane of 20 stamps. designs, depicts a colorful abstract garden of bright flowers, a butterfly, a strawberry and doves, interlaced with vines that run from one stamp to another.