Republic of Abkhazia , country or entity # 238

I know that I haven't been here for over a week, but the wait is worth it. I feel I am returning with a bang. A card from the Republic of Abkhazia. I am not taking sides, nor am I making a political statement, I don't do that on this blog. This blog exists only for the enjoyment of postcards and stamps, nothing else. In addition to the card from Abkhazia, I also will show cards from St. Pierre & Miquelon, Romania, France and Malaysia.Without further ado, let's get to it.
Abkhazia is located on the eastern coast of the Blabk Sea and the south western edge of the Caucasus. It considers itself an independent state. However, it's independence is only recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, South Ossetia and Transnistria. Those last two are somewhat in the same league as Abkhazia. The rest of the world considers Abkhazia to be a part of Georgia. With it's capital in Sukhumi, the so called republic has a population of around 216,000.
The card shows a view of New Afon Lake. The card is from David L , a postcard collector and world traveller, who just happens to read this blog. Since the stamps of Abkhazia are only valid in Abkhazia, David had to use stamps of Russia in addition to the Abkhazia stamps. The Russian stamps are from 2008 and 2009. The Abkhazia flag stamp was issued in 2009 and the larger stamp on the right is from 2006. It shows a map of the area and the president, Mr Bagapsh. David, I can't thank you enough, it is certainly a great addition to my collection. Certainly, it is one that I never thought would be in my collection. Now I guess I will have to concentrate on South Ossetia and Transnistria.
Just another thought before moving on to the other cards. Receiving cards from some places is quite easy, while some others are next to impossible. Abkhazia was in the next to impossible group. For me this group includes North Korea, Antarctic Bases, Alert, Tristan da Cunha , Saint Helena, and Pitcairn Islands. All of which, I might add, I have succeeded in collecting. Perhaps I should have included Nauru and Wallis & Futuna Islands in the group as I have had absolutely no luck with either for over 3 years now.

Now I want to show a card from Saint Pierre and Miquelon. It is a card showing July 14th holiday celebrations on St. Pierre. The holiday celebrates the storming of the Bastille in 1789. St Pierre is a little special place to me. It is just off shore of my home province of Newfoundland and where I and my lovely Teena honeymooned in 1974. I owe thanks to Jean Pierre for this card. The stamps used include a SPM overprinted France Marianne definitive stamp, a 2009 stamp celebrating local traditions and a 2007 flower stamp, 1 of a set of 4 showing carnivorous plants.I have collected stamps for a long time and consider stamps from St Pierre and Miquelon to be among the most beautiful stamps out there. I put them right up there with stamps of French Polynesia. If you want to have a collection of superb stamps, try collecting either or both of these. You won't go wrong.

Card # 3 was posted from Bucharest, Romania. It is a view of Arnota Monastery. Built in 1634, it is located 37 km from Ramnicu Valcea, Romania. The stamps include a 2005 pottery definitive and a 2007 stamp, 1 of a set of 3, featuring German personalities in Romania.
Now another card from France, sent by Jean Pierre. It is a map card of Normandy. Really nice stamps on this card include a 1999 stamp from a multi sheet of 10 celebrating the 1999 Tall Ships in Rouen Armada. The middle stamp is a 2010 20 gram letter priority stamp. Lastly is a Marianne definitive .
Our final card for today comes from Sabah, Malaysia. Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. The card was posted in the capital of Sabah, Mel Kinabalu. Maureen, a Postcrosser sent this card along. Maureen's card shows Bajau women carrying trays of prepared food, along a waterway in a west coast stilt village. Maureen used a round stamp issued on Jan 18, 2010 even though the stamp reads 2009. It is from a set of 6 featuring currency coins. This is the 2nd set of round stamp from Malaysia, the first was in 1971.
Well, that's my update for this time. Hope to be here again soon.
Comments are welcome.