Hong Kong: Weather Phenomena [天氣現象] (FDC)

Weather Phenomena - Official First Day Cover 2014-03-27 [Hongkong Post]

$5 -Typhoon (Miniature Sheet)
A typhoon is a classification of tropical cyclone with wind speeds near its centre reaching hurricane force. The stamp sheetlet showcases the satellite image of Typhoon Vicente when it approached Hong Kong in July 2012 and the Hurricane Signal No. 10 was issued by the Hong Kong Observatory.


Source: Back of Envelop
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/06/10 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malaysia: 2017 Southeast Asian Games

The 2017 Southeast Asian Games (Malay: Sukan Asia Tenggara 2017), officially known as the 29th Southeast Asian Games was a Southeast Asian multi-sport event that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The was the sixth time that Malaysia hosted the games. The games were held from 19 to 30 August 2017. Around 4646 athletes participated at the event, which featured 404 events in 38 sports. It was opened by the King of Malaysia, Muhammad V at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.


Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Southeast_Asian_Games
Direct Swap [walkaround99]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/06/06 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hong Kong: Weather Phenomena [天氣現象] (FDC)

Weather Phenomena - Official First Day Cover 2014-03-27 [Hongkong Post]

Situated in the subtropical zone, Hong Kong has a humid climate with fog and drizzle in spring. Summer, also a typhoon season, is hot with occasional showers and thunderstorms. Autumn normally brings pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Winter becomes cloudier, with occasional cold fronts crossing the territory, bringing frost at times. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Observatory, Hongkong Post introduces seven common weather phenomena in Hong Kong under the theme of "Weather phenomena" to help the public understand the changes in our weather.

$ 1.7 Rainbow
It is an optical phenomenon.The stamp illustrates a double rainbow in the sky over the urban area of Hong Kong. When sunlight passes trough water droplets and gets reflected twice, two rainbows are developed.

$2.2 Frost
It forms when water vapor freezes into ice crystals. The stamp portrays frost formed on the surface of a plant in cold weather in Hong Kong

$2.9 Cloud
It is formed when water vapor rises through the atmosphere and cools. The stamp shows lenticular clouds in the sky over an urban area of Hong Kong. As air rises on the lee side of a mountain, water vapor condenses into water droplets, which accumulate and develop into lenticular clouds, taking the shape of a lens

$3.1 Lightning
It is an atmospheric electric discharge phenomenon. In an unstable and moist atmosphere, water droplets and ice pellets in clouds will become electrically charged in a convective motion. When the building up of charges reaches a certain threshold, discharges take place between clouds or between clouds and the earth's surface.

$3.7 Fog
It refers to tiny suspended water droplets near the ground. Under light wind, stable and humid conditions, when the air near the ground cools down sufficiently, the water vapor in the air condenses into tiny water droplets and fog is formed.

$5 Rain
It is a natural phenomenon of precipitation. Water droplets in the clouds will come down as rain when they accumulate to a certain weight. The stamp features Chek Lap Kok Airport in the rain.


Source: Back of envelop
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/06/03 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Germany: Market Church St. Nicolai

Market Church St. Nicolai is located in Hamelin, Germany. It is the second oldest church in Hamelin.

Hamelin is a town on the river Weser in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Hamelin-Pyrmont and has a population of about 56,000. Hamelin is best known for the tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marktkirche_(Hameln)
Postcrossing Forum - 2018 February 50 RR [cateye]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/05/30 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hong Kong: Festive Customs [節慶民間習俗] (FDC)

Festive Customs - Official First Day Cover 2018-02-27 [Hongkong Post]

Despite being a fast-paced, modern city that constantly keeps abreast of the times, Hong Kong attaches great importance to its traditional culture and preserves many unique folk customs. The city celebrates an array of colorful traditional festivals, with many festive customs and traditions deeply rooted in the heart of the community. Hongkong Post issues a set of six special stamps on the theme of "Festive Customs" to showcase these customs and traditions with their strong local flavors.

$2  - Putting Up Spring Festival Scrolls 貼揮春
It has been identified as one of the intangible cultural heritages of Hong Kong. It has became a tradition for people to decorate their homes and shops during Chinese New Year with Spring Festival scrolls that are inscribed with auspicious phrases such as "Wishing you safety wherever you go" so as to pray for blessings and fortune in the coming year.

$2.6 - Throwing Wishing Placards 拋寶碟
It is a time-honored custom which is considered to have originated in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po. People write down their name and wishes on wising placards and toss them onto the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees. It is believed that the higher the wishing placards land on the tree, the greater the chance the wish will come true.

$3.4 - Offering First Incense in Chinese New Year 上頭炷香
It refers to worshippers making their first offerings of joss sticks to the deities immediately upon the arrival of the Lunar New Year.

$3.7 - Spinning Wheels of Fortune 轉風車
It is a popular custom practiced on the third day of the Lunar New Year. This day is known as "chi kou", literally "red mouth", and it is said that arguments are more susceptible to arise on the day. So instead of visiting friends and family, people normally prefer to wish for luck by spinning the wheels of fortune in Che King temples. By tradition, spinning these wheels of fortune will bring good luck in the coming year.

$4.9 - Drawing Chinese Fortune Sticks 求籤
It is a common ritual in local Chinese temples. In performing this ritual, people have to kneel in prater in a designated area of the temple and shake a fortune stick holder until a stick falls out. they can then collect the corresponding oracle in verse from a stall outside the temple or ask the fortune-teller in the temple for an interpretation.

$5 - Unicorn Dance 舞麒麟
It is a form of traditional folk performing art usually practiced during festivals and celebratory occasions. It is listed as part of Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage. The unicorn dance is performed by two dancers who move the head and body of the unicorn respectively to the rhythm of the music, and is believed to bestow blessings and ward off evil.

FDC of the stamps version is also available:
http://walagemini.blogspot.hk/2018/04/hong-kong-festive-customs.html

Source: Back of FDC
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/05/27 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malaysia: Animals With Various Special Roles - Working Dogs (FDC)

Animals With Various Special Roles - Working Dogs - Official First Day Cover 2018-01-18 [POS Malaysia]

Left: General Purpose Dog
Dogs are often used in crime prevention efforts. It is one of the initiatives and efforts of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) team. PDRM usually uses two dog breeds for this work, the German Shepherd and Labrador breeds because of their intelligence, strength and obedient nature. these crime prevention dogs carry out various tasks such as tracking people or things, finding criminals, controlling crowd and helping other PDRM units.

Right: Drug Detection Dog
in 1979, PDRM established a drug detection dog unit to empower the fight against drug crimes. Dogs in this unit sniff out and detect any drugs that criminals try to conceal. In addition, PDRM also has a specialized unit of dogs to detect firearms and explosives, This unit is often deployed to monitor and detect harmful substances in an area of place, especially where important events will be held.


Direct Swap [walkaround99]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/05/20 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malaysia: Animal With Various Special Roles - Working Dogs (FDC)

Animals With Various Special Roles - Working Dogs - Official First Day Cover 2018-01-18 [POS Malaysia]

There are animals that are tamed and trained by humans to help perform certain tasks. Among them are animals such as buffaloes, elephants, horses, monkeys and dogs. Dogs are one of the common animals to be trained and help people. They are a good suitable choice because they have a very sharp sense of smell, their loyalty and obedience and easy to train. They are used in work such as guiding the blind, tracking and rescue, controlling crowds and others. Certain dog creeds have their own suitability in performing a specific task.

From left to right: (Click link to read more details about the dogs)

Guide Dogs (Golden Retriever)
http://walagemini.blogspot.hk/2018/03/malaysia-guide-dog-golden-retriever.html

Protection Dogs (Belgian Shepherd)
http://walagemini.blogspot.hk/2018/03/malaysia-protection-dog-belgian-shepherd_29.html

Detection Dogs (Border Collie)
http://walagemini.blogspot.hk/2018/03/malaysia-search-and-rescue-dog-border.html

Direct Swap [walkaround99]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/05/13 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hong Kong: Hong Kong International Airport

Postcrossing Forum - 2018 February 50 RR [vinchm]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/04/17 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Australia: Koala

Koala is an arboreal herbivorous native to Australia. Its closest living relatives are the wombats. The koala is found in coastal areas of the mainland's eastern and southern regions, inhabiting Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Koalas from the northern populations are typically smaller and lighter in color than their counterparts down south.

This very cute koala maxicard came in the beautiful envelop below. I cannot thank Cindy enough for both the maxicard and the First Day Cover of Year of the Dog 2018.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koala
Postcrossing Forum - 2018 February 50 RR [quickbrownfoxph]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/04/17 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hong Kong: Festive Customs [節慶民間習俗] (FDC)

Festive Customs - Official First Day Cover 2018-02-27 [Hongkong Post]

Despite being a fast-paced, modern city that constantly keeps abreast of the times, Hong Kong attaches great importance to its traditional culture and preserves many unique folk customs. The city celebrates an array of colorful traditional festivals, with many festive customs and traditions deeply rooted in the heart of the community. Hongkong Post issues a set of six special stamps on the theme of "Festive Customs" to showcase these customs and traditions with their strong local flavors.

$2  - Putting Up Spring Festival Scrolls 貼揮春
It has been identified as one of the intangible cultural heritages of Hong Kong. It has became a tradition for people to decorate their homes and shops during Chinese New Year with Spring Festival scrolls that are inscribed with auspicious phrases such as "Wishing you safety wherever you go" so as to pray for blessings and fortune in the coming year.

$2.6 - Throwing Wishing Placards 拋寶碟
It is a time-honored custom which is considered to have originated in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po. People write down their name and wishes on wising placards and toss them onto the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees. It is believed that the higher the wishing placards land on the tree, the greater the chance the wish will come true.

$3.4 - Offering First Incense in Chinese New Year 上頭炷香
It refers to worshippers making their first offerings of joss sticks to the deities immediately upon the arrival of the Lunar New Year.

$3.7 - Spinning Wheels of Fortune 轉風車
It is a popular custom practiced on the third day of the Lunar New Year. This day is known as "chi kou", literally "red mouth", and it is said that arguments are more susceptible to arise on the day. So instead of visiting friends and family, people normally prefer to wish for luck by spinning the wheels of fortune in Che King temples. By tradition, spinning these wheels of fortune will bring good luck in the coming year.

$4.9 - Drawing Chinese Fortune Sticks 求籤
It is a common ritual in local Chinese temples. In performing this ritual, people have to kneel in prater in a designated area of the temple and shake a fortune stick holder until a stick falls out. they can then collect the corresponding oracle in verse from a stall outside the temple or ask the fortune-teller in the temple for an interpretation.

$5 - Unicorn Dance 舞麒麟
It is a form of traditional folk performing art usually practiced during festivals and celebratory occasions. It is listed as part of Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage. The unicorn dance is performed by two dancers who move the head and body of the unicorn respectively to the rhythm of the music, and is believed to bestow blessings and ward off evil.

Source: Back of FDC
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/04/15 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hong Kong: Hong Kong by Night II [香港之夜 II] (FDC)

Hong Kong by Night II - Official First Day Cover 2018-03-22 [Hongkong Post]

Hong Kong, Asia's world city, has long been hailed as the "Pearl of the Orient" that boasts a bustling and vibrant cityscape, and magnificent and breathtaking night views. To promote Hong Kong's stunning beauty at night, Hongkong Post issues a set of four special stamps entitled "Hong Kong by Night II", which captures charming night scenes of the city from different perspectives.

$2 Stamp - Apliu Street and Kweilin Street in Sham Shui Po. The district is characterized by its busy trading activities and bustling bazaars that brim with a strong local flavor.

$3.7 Stamp - Central glowing in the dark, adorned by magical and surreal light trails for added vibrancy

$4.9 Stamp - "Monster Building", a housing complex in Quarry Bay comprised of five conjoined old building. These composite buildings, commonly found in the olden days, house both shops and residential flats. After nightfall, household lights dot the buildings to paint a deeply nostalgic picture of Hong Kong

$5 Stamp - Tian Tan Buddha, commonly known as the Big Buddha, sitting peacefully at night. It provides an oasis of tranquility and serenity amid the hustle and bustle of this popular tourist attraction in the daytime.

FDC of the miniature sheet is also available here:
http://walagemini.blogspot.hk/2018/04/hong-kong-hong-kong-by-night-ii-ii.html

Source: Back of envelop
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/04/08 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hong Kong: Hong Kong by Night II [香港之夜 II] (FDC)

Hong Kong by Night II - Official First Day Cover 2018-03-22 [Hongkong Post]

Hong Kong, Asia's world city, has long been hailed as the "Pearl of the Orient" that boasts a bustling and vibrant cityscape, and magnificent and breathtaking night views. To promote Hong Kong's stunning beauty at night, Hongkong Post issues a set of four special stamps entitled "Hong Kong by Night II", which captures charming night scenes of the city from different perspectives.

$2 Stamp - Apliu Street and Kweilin Street in Sham Shui Po. The district is characterized by its busy trading activities and bustling bazaars that brim with a strong local flavor.

$3.7 Stamp - Central glowing in the dark, adorned by magical and surreal light trails for added vibrancy

$4.9 Stamp - "Monster Building", a housing complex in Quarry Bay comprised of five conjoined old building. These composite buildings, commonly found in the olden days, house both shops and residential flats. After nightfall, household lights dot the buildings to paint a deeply nostalgic picture of Hong Kong

$5 Stamp - Tian Tan Buddha, commonly known as the Big Buddha, sitting peacefully at night. It provides an oasis of tranquility and serenity amid the hustle and bustle of this popular tourist attraction in the daytime.

FDC of the stamp version is also available:
http://walagemini.blogspot.hk/2018/04/hong-kong-hong-kong-by-night-ii-ii_8.html

Source: Back of Envelop
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/04/08 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hong Kong: Year of the Dog [歲次戊戌] (FDC)

Year of the Dog - Official First Day Cover 2018-01-27 [Hongkong Post]

The stamp sheetlet highlights a polychrome glazed porcelain dog sculpture against a background full of elegant polychrome glazed porcelain apricot flowers, expressing wishes for a flourishing and fruitful year ahead. Polychrome glazed porcelain figurines are noted for their vibrant colors, lustre, gracefulness and versatility. As their production is complicated and requires exquisite craftsmanship, polychrome glazed porcelain figurines are extremely precious and valuable.


----- :: WalaGemini 2018/04/01 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malaysia: Guide Dog (Golden Retriever)

The guide dogs are trained to help the blind or visually impaired to avoid obstacles. Although dogs can be trained to navigate various obstacles, many are color blind and unable to interpret road signs. The guardians need to direct the dog based on skills and past experiences. The dog owners need to know how to go from one place to another ad dogs will help them reach the destinations safely.

Direct Swap [walkaround99]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/03/30 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malaysia: Detection Dog (Border Collie)

Detection dogs are selected because of the sharpness of its sense of smell to help the work of tracking. It is used in various works such as detecting hidden substances, fire investigation, disaster recovery and others. It is widely used by the police as well as fire and rescue teams. These dogs are able to help in fire investigations by detecting the cause of fire by the substances or chemicals at the site of the fire or arson.

Direct Swap [walkaround99]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/03/30 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malaysia: Protection Dog (Belgian Shepherd)

Protection dogs are used to monitor and guard against unwanted people or animals. These dogs are trained to differentiate between their opponents and friends so as to simply scare or attack targets. There dogs bark loudly to inform their guardians of the presence of offenders or intruders and to scare off intruders. A guard dog is also trained to attack or obstruct offenders. Among the best breed of guard dogs are German Shepherd and Belgian Shepherd. In prison, guard dogs are used to help control the prisoners.

Direct Swap [walkaround99]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/03/29 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japan: Nara

The five-storied pagoda of Kofuku-ji temple in Nara.

The original pagoda was burnt down by fire, and the present pagoda was reconstructed in the 33rd year of the Oei Era. It is the second in height in Japan only to the five-storied pagoda at To-ji Temple in Kyoto.

----- :: WalaGemini 2018/03/29 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Australia: Pink Diamond

Pink diamond is a type of diamond which has all the same elements as more commonly known diamonds except that they also exhibit pink color. The source of their pink color is greatly debated in the gemological world but it is most attributed to enormous additional pressure that these diamonds undergo during their formation.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_diamond
Postcrossing Forum - 2018 January 50 RR [quickbrownfoxph]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/03/28 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

India: Grey-headed Starling

The grey-headed starling is a member of the starling family of perching birds. It is a resident or partially migratory species found in wooded habitats in India and Southeast Asia.

Postcrossing Forum - 2018 January 50 RR [theArgon]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/03/18 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Macau: Lunar Year of Dog

The Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau adopted the "Heavenly Stems" calculation method to figure out the nature of the "five Elements" in the eleventh issue of the third series of Chinese Zodiac stamps "Lunar Year of the Dog". This year, the dog's nature from the "Five Elements" is "Earth", so it becomes the main character of the five stamps.

"Water Dog" - The Water Dog belongs to the "loving" category. He has a very independent personality with a high self-esteem. He fulfills his obligations stringently and conscientiously.

















Source: https://www.hongkongpoststamps.hk/eng/newsletter/2018/02/20180201d.htm
Direct Swap [PhoebeWai]
----- :: WalaGemini 2018/03/13 :: -------------------------------------------------------------------------