Stamp World Tour

Here's the challenge: post the following pair of items:

• A stamp or postal item that features a location or monument somewhere on planet Earth
• A photo from your own world travels of the same scene

Unofficial points are awarded for a photo that matches the view on the stamp as closely as possible! Stamps can be engraved, illustrated, or photographic. The location should be the main feature of the stamp. Accompanying maps are not required, but score equally unofficial bonus points

As an example, here's my effort:

My stamp
("Unseen Thailand" 3rd series, 28th September 2004):



My photo
Taken on a trip to Sukothai Historical Park, Thailand, in 2010, this is the Phra Atchana Buddha image at Wat Si Chum (temple):



Bonus point
Here's a map, of sorts:




So that's the idea, anyone want to join the Stamp World Tour?


Why I started this topic...
In 2003, Thailand launched a tourism campaign called "Unseen Thailand". Thailand is well known for its beaches, but this campaign was aimed at encouraging people to visit less well known places all over the country. In 2004, Thailand Post contributed to the campaign with an "Unseen Thailand" stamp series: one stamp for each of the 76 provinces, featuring a photographic image of a tourist destination off the beaten track.

It is a nice series of stamps, and a great way to learn about the country. This gave me the idea of visiting every location in the stamp series. This is a project in progress: I think I have managed about 3 out of 76 so far. To light a fire under the project, I thought I'd turn it into a topic here and open it up worldwide.

About your privacy...
Travel photos are great with family and friends in the view, but your privacy is paramount. Remember the forum rules:


So, only post suitable photos that you are happy for the world to see. I expect we would do that anyway, but maybe it helps here as a reminder.

What a great challenge!

Here's my contribution.

This is the stamp depicting the Golden Stairs section of the Chilkoot Pass in Alaska. It is an old gold rush route from the sea (Skagway at the north end of the Panhandle) over the mountains and into the Canadian river system that leads eventually to the Klondike, and all that it promised.
Prospectors would cross the pass in the winter months, then build boats on the Canadian side so that the spring meltwaters would carry them to the Klondike.
It was a harsh journey. Prospectors were required by the Canadian authorities to carry 1 ton of supplies with them to help ensure their survival, and this entailed many repeated climbs of this steep section as goods were carried piece by piece to be checked at the Canadian border at the top.



In 1996, almost 100 years after the original gold rush, I walked the trail, which is a popular 3-4 day hike. In summertime, not midwinter, although there was still snow at the top. I took this picture near the top of the Golden Stairs, and I believe it is very close to the spot depicted in the stamp.



The remains of abandoned equipment and personal belongings can be seen here, as at many spots along the trail, echoes of the past.

Scifi,
When I was in Thailand 1988-89, I spent one month travelling around North-East Thailand, at the time an area with little or no tourism and very few, if any, travellers. I had the time of my life, travelling atop local buses, pulled by mules and walking. I tried 4 different border crossings to enter Burma which was closed due to the terrible army crackdown on students.
But I soldiered on, on those long days and had an amazing time. To get back to Bangkok was like a huge letdown. And no one understood me because no other traveller I met had been there.

Below is a photo I took last October whilst In Haifa, Northern Israel. It is of the Bah'ai Temple.
Below that is an Israel stamp with similar view.




Londonbus1

Well, My contribution is not all that exiting.

Here is a picture of the Rainbow Row Homes from Charleston and the South Carolina stamp.
I try to get a picture of the beach with all these umbrellas.



These old row houses are very popular to Charleston. They represent the very first style of Charleston homes and are portrayed in the story of Porgie and Bess

Stampgal, Londonbus1, Fifia - three fantastic stops on the Tour!

Stampgal, that's a great photo and back story, a great tribute to those pioneers. The "Golden Stairs" is an evocative name for that section of the pass, must have been such a difficult journey with all that equipment.

Great to hear of your travels through Isaan, Londonbus1, I can only imagine how "unseen" it was then. I first went to the northeast in 2001, and even then it was still another world. My wife is from the northeast, we will move up there at some point. Great photo and stamp, I have never seen the Bah'ai Temple before.

Fifia, your contribution is great! Your photo shows the houses in the stamp just as the challenge asks. Great to see these places come to life.

That's three new places (and stamps) that I have learned about today. Where will the tour stop next?

You welcome skifi7. I have to check for some photos....

Interesting Topic. Glad you liked the Jägerschnitzel! I bet you are happy to be back home...

Good to see Londonbus1 to be alive

I am checking out!

A little closer to home this time, Blackpool Tower, depicted on this October 2011 GB issue as part of the A-Z of British landmarks series. Blackpool is a traditional seaside resort on the nw coast of England, famous for its pier, its tower, and winter "illuminations" of decorative lights.



...and here is my brother and I there circa 1978!



This is a great idea for a thread - even our Prime Minister seems to be getting in on the act!
http://gbstamp.co.uk/article/new-gb...-uk-201.html

Great stamp and wonderful photo Stampgal, great snapshot of the British seaside and congratulations on your 1000th post!

Thanks also for the link, that looks like a great series of stamps, I'll have to try and get hold of the set. Some great opportunities to add to the Stamp Tour there! I have been to Harlech Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Blackpool Tower.

Excellent thread.

Here is a link to Royal Mail's write up on the A-Z stamps:
http://www.royalmail.com/node/5247

Thanks for the link Puzzler, I think I might put in an order

Next stop on the Tour: Japan

This is a self-adhesive stamp, part of a commemorative sheet about Mount Fuji:



This is the view of Mount Fuji from the Chureito Peace Pagoda in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture. We have family in Tokyo, and in 2010 we went to visit. We spent a couple of days in Kawaguchiko and Fujiyoshida. I love Japan.



Where to next?

Great idea , & really a challenge, scifi7 ! Cant find anything to contribute at the moment.