JORDAN TOURISM 2010

Today I have received some beautiful stamps from Jordan. Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing control of the Dead Sea. Over half of Jordan is covered by the Arabian Desert. However, the western part of Jordan consists of arable land and forests.The capital city is Amman.
My stamps come from Abu Nusair. Yes, there are also railways, as you will see in another post, but I thought to share some other stamps too. The issue consists of 4 variation and a miniature sheet about touristic destinations, more exactly ruins of ancient cities and places. Fascinating.

So let´s see in more detail what we have here:
10 p.stamp shows Ajlun Castle
The marvels of nature and the genius of medieval Arab military architecture have given northern Jordan two of the most important ecological and historical attractions in the Middle East: the sprawling pine forests of the Ajlun-Dibbine area, and the towering Ayyubid castle at Ajlun, which helped defeat the Crusaders eight centuries ago.
Ajlun Castle (Qal'at Ar-Rabad) was built by one of Saladin's generals in 1184 AD to control the iron mines of Ajlun, and to deter the Franks from invading Ajlun. Ajlun Castle dominated the three main routes leading to the Jordan Valley and protected the trade and commercial routes between Jordan and Syria; it became an important link in the defensive chain against the Crusaders, who, unsuccessfully spent decades trying to capture the castle and the nearby village.


20 p.stamp shows Amman
Amman, the modern and ancient capital of Jordan, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the World. The city's modern buildings blend with the remnants of ancient civilizations. The profusion of gleaming white houses, kebab stalls with roasting meat, and tiny cafes where rich Arabian coffee is sipped in the afternoon sunshine, conjure a mood straight from a thousand and one nights.
Recent excavations have uncovered homes and towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age with many references to it in the Bible.
The stamp illustrates some ruins found at the Citadel, I think.

30 p. stamp shows Karak
Karak Castle is a dark maze of stone-vaulted halls and endless passageways. The best preserved are underground and can be reached via a massive door. More imposing than beautiful, the castle is nevertheless an impressive insight into the architectural military genius of the Crusaders.
With some care, you can walk along the crenellated top of the West Front wall and admire the sweeping view. On clear days, you can look across the Dead Sea and see all the way to the Mount of Olives bordering Jerusalem.

40 p. stamps shows Showbak
A lonely reminder of former Crusader glory is Showbak Castle. Once called "Mont Real," Showbak dates from the same turbulent period as Karak. It is perched on the side of a mountain, with a grand sweep of fruit trees below. The castle's exterior is impressive, with a foreboding gate and encircling triple wall. Despite the precautions of its builder, the fortress fell to Saladin only 75 years after it was raised. Inscriptions by his proud successors appear on the castle wall.


50 p. block shows Jerash (Hadrian´s Arch)
Located 48 km north of Amman and nestled in a quiet valley among the mountains of Gilead, is the grandeur of Imperial Rome being one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture in the World outside Italy. To this day, its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theaters, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates remain in exceptional condition. Hadrian's Arch was built in 129 AD to mark Emperor Hadrian's visit, this was intended to become the new southern gate of the city. The Crusaders described Jerash as uninhabited, and it remained abandoned until its rediscovery in 1806, when Ulrich Jasper Seetzen, a German traveler, came across and recognized a small part of the ruins. The ancient city was buried in sand, which accounts for its remarkable preservation. It has been gradually revealed through a series of excavations, which started in 1925, and continue to this day.

 

Title: Tourism Sites
Date of Issue: December 3, 2010
Country: Jordan

Source: http://www.jordanpost.com.jo
Denominations: 10,20,30,40 and 50 piasters

Sri Lanka odd shape Lokomotive

This post is meant for Viridian´s Sunday Stamps (though it is not Sunday yet) with topic odd shaped stamps. So here we go with my favorite theme, railway stamps:

Viceroy Special Sream Train B1 251

Sri Lanka has issued five stamps this year, including the longest ever stamp of this country, to mark 25 years of service of the Viceroy luxury coal powered steam train. The 123mm long and 30mm wide stamp was issued at the Rambukkana Railway station under the patronage of Post and Telecommunication Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga and Transport Minister Kumara Welgama.

The illustrated stamps are as follows: Viceroy Special Steam Locomotive B8 240, Viceroy Special Locomotive B2 213, Sentinel Camel Steam Rail Car V2 331 and Narrow Gauge Steam Locomotive J1 220.

The MS I have received from a friend, Dr. Pulak Barua (many thanks), represents the Viceroy Luxury steam Train, popular charter operation on tracks in Sri Lanka. 

The ‘Viceroy Special’ is a 75 year old locomotive train and the only steam train still in operation in Sri Lanka. The train has two air-conditioned observation saloons furnished in period style, with 64 plush reclining seats and individual adjustable tables and a restaurant car.

The Sri Lankan Railway came into operation during the British Era in the 19th century with the main purpose of transporting commodities, especially tea from the up country plantations. It then expanded to many points in Sri Lanka and passenger transportation. The railway continues to be main transportation way until today.

‘Of the journeys to many parts of the island, passengers experience panoramic picturesque views in their 290 kilometer journey to Badulla. This steam engine ‘Viceroy Special’ was introduced as a unique tourism product 25 years ago to offer the visitors and specially tourists a true experience of a journey of colonial times with a modern and relaxing comfort. ‘Viceroy Special’ is one of the few remain steam locomotives in the world’ said Hemasiri Fernando, the Chariman of JF Tours.
The 'Viceroy Special' has come a long way making a tremendous contribution to Sri Lanka tourism with popular trips to Pinnawala, Kandy, Hill country as well as the west coast to the beach resorts. The steam – hauled train is passenger friendly to stop on request for guests to photograph scenic spots. Some even opt to take a ride in the engine driver’s cabin. 

Would be nice to take a ride.
You can watch above a video about the 25th Aniversary, though it is not in English :)
For Viridian´s theme I couldn´t resist and I had to add two nice covers, one with round-shaped stamps from Russia and one with hexagonal shaped stamps from Switzerland:

Title: Sri Lanka Viceroy Special Lokomotive


Date of Issue: February 2011
Country: Sri Lanka

Source: http://www.slpost.gov.lk
Denominations: 4x5 and 45

Romania - Russia Joint Issue: Churches

After the proclamation of the Independence of Romania on May 9, 1877 and following its official recognition as one of the important powers of the time – events that propelled the Romanian nation among the modern European nations – on October 15, 1878 were established diplomatic relations with Russia. Occasioned by the celebration of 130 years since the enforcement of the diplomatic relations between Romania and the Russian Federation, Romfilatelia released a joint stamp issue in 2008, illustrating monuments included in the UNESCO’s world heritage list.

This sheet I have bought myself some time ago, and recently I have received it´s pair, thanks to Irina.

The stamp with the face value of RON 3.00 presents the image of the Sf. Gheorghe church of the Voronet Monastery.
Built in only 4 and a half months, starting from the spring to the autumn of 1488, the Sf. Gheorghe church of the Voronet Monastery is one of the most valuable establishments built by Stefan cel Mare.The architecture of the monument is a twinship of aboriginal, Gothic, and Byzantine elements. In 1547, the exterior of the church was painted under the close supervision of the Metropolitan Bishop Grigorie Rosca. Grace to the great fresco adornishing the Western façade (Final Judgment), the Voronet Monastery is considered to be the „Sixtin Chapel of the Orient“ whereas the „Voronet Blue“ knows no counterpart anywhere in the world.

See more pictures about it here.

The stamp with the face value of RON 4.30 shows the Sf. Demetrius Cathedral in Vladimir.
Rightfully considered as one of the splendors of the city of Vladimir, the Sf. Dimitrie church was built by Prince Vsevolod III.
The exotic ornaments, the bas reliefs representing lions, centaurs, and white leopards cover the white walls of the church. The sculpted interior decorations cover biblical themes and equally Greek mythology. The central part of the church façade envisages the repeated image of King David associated, during the Middle Ages, with the celebration of beauty and harmony of the world.
More information and pictures here.

Title: Romania-Russia Joint issue: UNESCO Churches
Date of Issue: 23 June 2008

Country: Romania and Russia
Source: http://www.romfilatelia.ro
Denominations: 3, 4L30 and 6x12p sheets

Traditional Festive Food Malaysia

Sunday Stamps #31 - click the link on the right sidebar to see more entries on Viridian´s blog (you can always find out something interesting here)


Malaysia Post released a stamp issue on August 10, 2010. The stamp issue on topic of traditional festive food consists of a block of 10 stamps (80s each stamp) from stamp sheet, a block of 10 stamps (60s each stamp) from stamp booklet and a miniature sheet (RM3). The design of stamps is in a format of mirror image - only for the drawing of food but the wordings are not mirror image.

Thanks to Tze Liang, I now have this wonderful booklet that I thought nice to share with you.

Malaysia is a country, comprising of various ethnic communities.These communities have their own traditional food prepared during festive season. For stamp collectors and gastronomes alike, the stamp collection and FDC feature culinary treasures served during festivities such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and festivals celebrated by the Sabah and Sarawak ethnic groups.One interesting thing that I found out on Ian´s blog is the secret code of these "mirror" stamps. It happens that the stamps depicting Malay, Sarawakian and Sabah food can be merged together to form a complete plate! Check this out here.

Title: Traditional Festive Food
Date of Issue: 10 August 2010
Country: Malaysia
Source:http://www.pos.com.my

Denominations: 10x60sen (booklet), 10x80sen, 3xRM1 (sheet)

TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE

 This post is for Viridian´s Sunday Stamps, Theme: anything you want.

"If bees disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.” (Albert Einstein)

I thought of writing about these stamps because of my son. He is almost 2 years old, and one of the other days he was looking so fascinated at these small creatures that I was really impressed and looked myself a bit closer. Since immemorial times, bees behaviour has inspired myths, legends, tales, poems and fables. At the same time the bee inspired love and was loved by both gods and human beings.

Bees have a vital role in the pollination (reproduction) of ­thousands of plants species. For 50 million years since they are present on the Earth, bees have contributed to the evolution of the vegetal kingdom, as it exists today.

minisheet of 4 stamps with illustrated attachment and gold foiling

Coming to all philatelists needs, Romfilatelia introduced into circulation the postage stamps issue “Honey Bees” in January 2010.

The European honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) is shown on the stamp having a face value of ­RON 0.50. This is a bee with a special resistance to winter’s cold and an increased tendency of defense against enemies. It collects a large volume of pollen and lives longer than other bees. It also has the capacity to fly long distances. This bee lives in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, North of Switzerland, North-West of Austria, Belarus, North of Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Russia.

The Italian honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) is shown on the stamp having a face value of RON 2.10. This bee spreads through North America, South America and Southern Europe. It is mild and ­produces honey in considerable amounts. It lives in large colonies needing more food resources to survive the winter.

The Slovenian honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica) is shown on the stamp having a face value of RON 3.10. It is a sub-species of the European honey bee ­originating from Slovenia but it may be found in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Romania.

The Caucasian honey bee (Apis mellifera caucasica) is shown on the stamp having a face value of RON 4.30. It is a larger bee than the average; it is mild and hard working. It is usually found in the Caucasus Mountains. 

Title: Honey bees

Date of Issue: 22 January 2010

Country: Romania

Source: http://www.romfilatelia.ro
Denominations: 50b, 2L10, 3L10, 4L30

RUSSIAN LILIES

Today´s surprise for me was a bunch of flowers on stamps, from a Russian friend, Alexei. You can see them below. Each flower has a greeting on it :)

Cinnabar Lily - "Our Congratulations!".
Thunderbolt Lily - "Happy Birthday!".
Stargazer Lily - "We Wish You Happiness!".
Gilded Lily - "From the Bottom of the Heart!".
Regal Lily - "We Wish You Love and Joy!".

Not much to say about flowers, but I think they are quite nice. If you want to read more about them, follow this link http://www.backyardgardener.com

I miss only their perfume...

the FDC

the Souvenir Sheet

Title: Lilies

Date of Issue: 20 February 2002

Country: Russia

Source: http://www.m-brella.be/stamps/RUSSIA/russia/2002/2002.html

Denominations: 5 x 2,50 (R)

BIRDS FROM BURKINA FASO

For these Sunday Viridian proposed us to write about bird stamps. 
Lately I have received a nice set and I was curious to find out more. The stamps are from Burkina Faso, formerly the French colony of Upper Volta. They achieved independence in 1960, and the name of the country was changed to Burkina Faso in 1984.


Burkina Faso is home to an impressive number of species of birds that vary from residents, that stay all year around, to breeding birds, that spend a good part of the growing season in Burkina Faso to raise their young, migrants who pass through Burkina Faso with the seasons, to wintering birds who like to spend a good part of the winter in Burkina Faso to escape colder conditions up north. 
Here are four stamps from 1996 (received from Haomin Zhu). On their tabs you can also see the area where each bird can be mostly found.

They illustrate as follows: 500f Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Peregrine Falcons catch medium-sized birds in the air with swift, spectacular dives, called stoops. In cities they are masterful at catching pigeons. Elsewhere they feed especially on shorebirds and ducks. They often sit on high perches, waiting for the right opportunity to make their aerial assault.

750f Brown Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) It is a large-size fowl genus, with a body length of about 96 centimeters. The body feathers are mainly deep brown. The head and neck are splendid black, with auriculars in white clusters and silicle-shaped. The remiges are light brown. The waist and the base portion of rectrices are white. Brown-eared Pheasant inhabits in bushes with much grass or arbor areas in the woods, and lodge on frondose twig during nights. It feeds on seeds, leaf buds and burgeons of pines, rubber trees, etc. It builds nests in sunken areas between pines, birches, or bushes. 1000f Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) It is a wild goose, which is native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, having a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brownish-gray body. Its nest is usually located in an elevated area near water such as streams, lakes, ponds and sometimes on a beaver lodge. Its eggs are laid in a shallow depression lined with plant material and down. It is a migratory bird. Canada Geese flying in V-shaped formation signal the transitions into spring and autumn. 1500f Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus cripus)

It breeds in swamps and shallow lakes. The nest is a crude heap of vegetation. This is the largest of the pelicans, averaging 170–190 cm in length, 11–15 kg in weight and just over 3 m in wingspan. This pelican migrates short distances. In flight, it is an elegant soaring bird, with the flock moving in synchronous. This pelican eats fish and small birds.


Oficial website of the Burkina Faso Post Office: http://ecommerce.sonapost.bf/

Don´t forget to check out the other posts about BIRDS here:

Title: Endangered Birds

Date of Issue: 25 June 1996

Country: Burkina Faso

Source: wikipedia

Denominations: 500f, 750f, 1000f, 1500f