Blog # 1615 --- Day 800 of the Current ( Second ) Russian Invasion of Ukraine
GLORY TO UKRAINE
Here's a new update to Gems World Postcards. My first card is from King Edward Point, South Georgia - not a location one gets a card from often. King Edward Point is a permanent British Antarctic Survey research station on South Georgia island and is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The settlement is the smallest capital in the world by population. Currently twelve BAS personnel overwinter at the station, rising to around 22 in summer.
Jean Pierre's card shows Grytviken, a hamlet on South Georgia, located at the head of King Edward Cove. Grytviken no longer has permanent residents but occasionally accommodates researchers and British administrative and military personnel. It is also temporarily inhabited during summer months by a few staff who manage the South Georgia Museum. The settlement has become a popular attraction for Antarctic cruise lines, with many tourists visiting the resting places of polar explorers Sir Ernest Shackleton and Frank Wild in Grytviken's graveyard.
Two highlights not to miss in Grytviken are the Museum and the Norwegian Anglican Church , built in 1913. You can see the church , lower left, on the card.
Jean Pierre used a definitive from a set of 12 issued in 2020, showing a Humpback Whale.
I don't know about you but I would love to visit Grytviken on a cruise. How about it Teena ? Sounds like a great way to celebrate our 50th anniversary in August.
Card 2 for today arrived from the Kingdom opf Cambodia. It shows a portion of Ta Prohm Temple. This temple, located near the city of Siem Reap was built during the 12th and 13th centuries. It s referred to as the " Tomb Raider Temple " due to its depiction in the film Lara Croft : Tomb Raider. The temple was built without mortar and, after it was abandoned, trees took root in the loosened stones. The trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of the most popular temples with visitors to the area. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1992.
Alena used a 2019 stamp from a set of 7 showing Cats.
This next card shows a lovely view of the port of Cassis. This is a commune located east of Marseille on the French Riviera in Southern France. It is a popular tourist destination and was one film location in the movoe The French Connection. The motto of the commune is "Qu'a vist Paris, se noun a vist Cassis, n'a rèn vist", which means "Who has seen Paris and not Cassis, has not seen anything".
Dominique used a 61 year old stamp . It was 1 of 5 in a set of Famous Europeans. This one show Belgian poet and art critic Emile Verhaeren.
Here's a card that arrived from The Bahamas. It's a look at the two bridges connecting Nassau to Paradise Island. The original bridge, the Paradise Island East Bridge , in the foreground of Gina's card was built in 1966. The newer bridge , in the background, is named Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge, was built in 1997.
Here's another card sent by Jean Pierre. It is from Mayotte. Mayotte is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique. It’s a department and region of France. The total area of Mayotte is about 374 km2, which makes it by far the smallest French overseas department.
Jean Pierre used 2 Mayotte stamps and 1 French stamp on this card. The left stamp, issued in 2011 , is 1 of 3 in a set showing Country Views. The middle stamp, from 2008, was issued for Dance - le M'Biwi. The right stamp, from France shows Common Gardens and was issued in 2023.
On February 2, 1997, Mayotte was granted postal autonomy, which allowed it to select its own stamp subject. Then use of French stamps resumed on April 1, 2012, though Mayotte stamps remain valid indefinitely.
It's now time for the last card for today. Another card from France sent by Dominique. It's a great view of Les Calanques. A Calanque is a unique kind of geological formation made of limestone. They are big rocky coves forming a steep and narrow valley inland and are mostly found around the Mediterranean sea. Here, the Calanques National Park is a protected and highly regulated area, stretching over 20 km from Marseille to Cassis, with 26 Calanques of various sizes (25 in Marseille and 1 in Cassis). Some are easily accessible and others are a lot less, but regardless, the Calanques are an absolute must-see when you visit Marseille!
The stamp is from 1964 and is 1 of 2 in a Tourism set.
Well as they say in the movies, That's a Wrap. Thanks for these cards go out to Dominique, Jean Pierre, Gina and Alena.
Once again to all you Star Wars fan out there -- May The 4th Be With You.
Later.
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