MALTA

MALTA

Malta is an archipelago consisting of main island Malta, Gozo and Comino. Though the land area is small Malta is historic and Maltese culture is really significant. 

The people in Malta are mostly Catholic. Imagine 365 churches on an island? Yeah but that's true for Malta. Malta is a famous filming location especially for historic films and Game of Thrones!!! Valleta, the capital of Malta is a city with alot to speak. Malta is home to 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Glass blowing and Maltese lace are centuries old Maltese crafts.

Malta's megalithic temples are some of the oldest free-standing rock formations in the world. There's a lot to experience in Malta and it's a country worth a visit.

I have a card my friend sent me on his visit to Malta. It shows Historical landmarks in Malta and Gozo. Unfortunately it lacks a postmark.

Another friend sent me the beautiful FOTW Malta with a beautiful postmark

ZIMBABWE

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Africa which is home to a lot of paradoxes. Once upon a time it was a very rich country and is believed to be the biblical land of Ophir from where King Solomon received gifts of gold and platinum.

Zimbabwe is home the world's largest waterfalls, Victoria Falls also shared by Zambia. The country has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa but the lowest life expectancy in the world. Hunger is a major problem here.

Shona tribe consists of 70% of Zimbabwe's population. Zimbabwe has 16 official languagew, the most for a country in the world. The people here believe that men with a big stomach are wealthy. The land is also home to Vadoma people who are 'the two-toed tribe' which is for the reader to find out why.

My friend Beverly sent me a postcrossing meetup card from Bulawayo which is the first ever postcrossing meetup in the country on the day of the meetup. The postmark is not that clear though. However I love it.

Postcrossing meetup on 11/10/2019

Postmarked on 11/10/2019

SAO TOMÉ AND PRINCIPE

SAO TOMÉ AND PRINCIPE

The islands of Sao Tomé and Principe are situated of the coast of Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. 90% of the population here live in the bigger island of Sao Tomé. Sao Tome city is the capital where you can see a Portuguese touch to the town.

African aboriginals originally inhabited the small island but the Portuguese after discovering the island named it Sao Tomé after Saint Thomas whose feast day was on the day of discovery. Thereafter it became a Portuguese colony and gained independence in 1975.

The islands where the first African nation to adopt Democratic principles in 1991 and thereafter there have been free and fair elections here without violence unlike mainland Africa. The beaches here are quite unique. The flora and fauna is enchanting. 

A good friend sent me a postcard showing Danço Congo which is one of the most popular musical styles and dance of Sao Tomé and Principe. Since most slaves were from Angola on the island during the colonial period, the dance conveys Angolan Bantu culture.

Danço Congo

Postmarked in Sao Tomé on 29/11/2019

MAURITIUS

MAURITIUS

Mauritius is an island nation in Indian Ocean which is quite related to India in mamy aspects. Mauritius has disputed islands with Réunion. Just like Indian Rupee, the currency in Mauritius is Mauritian Rupee. The majority religion is Hinduism here. Bhojpuri is a major spoken language besides English and French. Also Bhojpuri music and dance is gettting mire and more popular.

Years ago when slavery was abolished, the British brought in a million Indian labourers in ships to work on the plantations. That's what became the majority population of Indians in Mauritius after Independence. What Mahatma Gandhi is to India is Sir Seewosagur Ramgoolam to Mauritians and he is referred to as Chacha.

Mauritius is home to 2 UNESCO WHS which was significant in the era of slavery. Mauritius was the last known habitat of Dod which became wiped out in a century after the arrival of careless,greedy humans.

My first card from Mauritius is from Huying Chen who send me a map card on his visit there. 

Map showing Mauritius

Postmarked 13/12/2019 Port Louis 

My sweet friend Tasneem sent me a beautiful multiview card of Port Louis which is the capital of Mauritius.

Postmarked 19/12/2019 at Vacoas-Phoenix

SERBIA

SERBIA

Serbia is a naturally beautiful landlocked nation in Europe and is a small country. Most of the names in Serbia end with 'ic' like Novak Djokovic who is Serbian. Serbian history has bright and really dark aspects. Bosnian War from 1992-1995 was a really recent war where Serbia was accused of ethnic cleansing. People have to move on and thus peace has settled among the nations.

But Serbia is a major contributor to world history. This includes famous scientists. The Serbian clock-making industry started making clocks 200 years before the Swiss clocks were born. Nature has many unsolved mysteries over here. Mount Rtanj is shaped like a pyramid, blooming of the Tisza River and the dance of Palingenia Longicuda and the Devil's Town to name a few. 95% of the world's raspberries are from Serbia.

The capital Belgrade is a city with one of the vest nightlife. Serbia are really friendly and hospitable to guests. Once there was a French Queen in Serbia for whom the Serbian king planted Lilacs in a valley which came to be known as Valley of Lilacs. The Prerasts of Vratna are Europe's tallest stone gates.  The stone village of Gostuša is another wonder in the modern world and is protected. 30% of Serbia's land area are rainforests.

My friend Slavisa sent me a beautiful card which shows pictures of Kraljevo known as 'The King's City' where 7 medieval kings were crowned.   

Kraljevo, the King's City

Postmarked in Mataruška Banja on 23/12/2019

MONGOLIA

MONGOLIA

Mongolia is a country which is really mysterious to me. In Asian history, the word Mongol is very popular but in the modern world al that we see is a country with the least population density and barren landscapes which most people don't even know to exist. But Mongolia has more to it than what we see today.

Mughals in India are believed to have originated from Mongols but Mughals are just one of the Mongol tribes I guess. Mughal Emperor Babar was born in present day Uzbekistan. Genghis Khan, the first Great Khan was born in a town close to Ulaanbaatar and his empire became one of the largest empires ever in the world. What the Romans conquered in 4 centuries was conquered by Genghis Khan in 25 years. Genghis Khan was defeated by Aladdin Khalji on attempting to conquer India and that is believed to be one of his major setbacks.

Mongol history is more than what I can say over here. Yuan dynasty in China was also Mongol in origin with Peking as capital. Gobi Desert, the largest desert in Asia lies mostly in Mongolia. Mongolia is home to two humped Bacterian camel and the only surving wild horse species in the world. Animals like horses and sheep outnumber humans by 10s and 30s in Mongolia. Mongolian horsemen travelling through Gobi desert are believed to be inventors of ice cream. 

 One third of the world's snow leopards live here. Ulaanbaatar is the world's coldest capital and Mongolia is the world's second largest landlocked country. Naadam festival is the biggest sporting event in Mongolia which involves archery, wrestling and horse racing. What is present day Mongolia is just outer Mongolia. Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region in China. 

Regarding mail, Mongolia is believed to be the first country to practice something similar to pony postal service. Mail was carried on horseback to long distances. This was practiced till the previous century. My good friend Robert (Bob) sent me the postcard I have showing Bogd Khairkhan Mountain, Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar is the only place where modernism is seen in the country. The yellow roof building seen is the circus in the capital city.

Bogd Khairkhan mountain, Ulaanbaatar

Postmarked at Ulaanbaatar on 13/09/2019

ARGENTINA

ARGENTINA

Argentina is a country we Keralites and football fans all over the world like. Since India never plays in the world cup, the football loving fraternity in Kerala are mostly fans of Brazil or Argentina and the fan support is awesome with flags of Brazil and Argentina rolling all over Kerala along with gigantic cut-outs of players. Argentina has always had some of the world's best football players and the legacy continues.

But Argentina is the land of famous cliches. The beef steak there is the best in the world and proof of being Argentine is that you tango. Tango is a famous dance in Argentina and you can see people tangoing in restaurants in Buenos Aires. It is the 2nd largest country in South America but the largest Spanish speaking nation in the world. Argentina boasts the highest literacy rate in South America and is known for its Spanish film industry. Although Football is the popular game, Pato (a combination of polo and basketball) is the national game just like India where Cricket is the popular game and national game is hockey.

Radio broadcasting and Finger print identification was first done in Argentina which is a lesser known fact. Also Walt Disney was inspired to produce Bambi after the first full length animation film was created in Argentina. Uchaia is the southernmost city in the world and has a special postmarks in a small post office over there which is a dream for me on a postcard. Argentina has one of the costliest postal services in the world. 

My friend Ruben sent me the card  from Buenos Aires, one of the most colourful capitals in the world with varying neighbourhoods. The city is a contrast of social environments where we can find peace, elation, excitement, adventure and what else?

Buenos Aires 

Postmarked in Neuquén on 05/10/2019