The Gondolas of Venice

Thanks to postcrossing user -  Dall'Acqua Sergio from Italy for this nice card showing the famous Gondolas of Venice.

The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public transport in the city, serving as traghetti (ferries) over the Grand Canal. They are also used in special regattas (rowing races) held amongst gondoliers. The gondola is propelled like punting, except an oar is used instead of a pole. Their primary role today, however, is to carry tourists on rides at fixed rates.

CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent

Date of Issue: January 16, 2012

Many thanks for my friends, Emilia Moon De-Kemp for the postage paid card and Mr. Jack Dawn for the miniature sheet on First Day Cover.

Canada Post introduced set of five new definitive stamps on theme - Canadian Pride. On one stamp is depicted Canadian Coast Guard Ship and icebreaker - Louis S. St.Laurent. The year 2012 also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard, which was formed on January 26, 1962.

Named after the 12th Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honorable Louis St. Laurent, PC CC QC LLD DCL LLL BA. The vessel is classed a "Heavy Arctic Icebreaker" and is the largest icebreaker and flagship of the CCG.

Built in 1969 by Canadian Vickers Limited in Montreal, Quebec, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent underwent an extensive and costly modernization at Halifax Shipyard Ltd. in Halifax, Nova Scotia between 1988-1993.

She was based at CCG Base Dartmouth in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for a large majority of her career, but has recently been transferred to St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador.

On August 22, 1994, Louis S. St-Laurent and USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB-11) became the first North American surface vessels to reach the North Pole.

The vessel was originally scheduled to be decommissioned in 2000 however a refit extended the decommissioning date to 2017.

Source: Wikipedia

Tin Hau Festival - Prepaid Postcard

Date of Issue: May 22, 2012

Thanks to my Facebook friend - Tracy Chen from Hong Kong sent me this postage-paid postcard issued by Hong Kong Post on May 22, 2012, posted on issue date with special postmark.

This card design shows one from the set of four stamps issued on title 'Hong Kong Festivals'.

A predominantly Chinese community, Hong Kong maintains many of the customs of traditional Chinese festivals. Hongkong Post issues “Hong Kong Festivals” special stamps to present five traditional festivals and the way people celebrate them, highlighting the distinctive culture and social customs of the city. Tin Hau Festival ($1.40) – Tin Hau Festival falls on the 23rd day of the third month in the lunar calendar. Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea, is regarded by fishermen and seafarers as their protector. Every year, festive celebrations such as parades and lion dance performances are held in various districts in Hong Kong. The stamp shows a statue of Tin Hau and the fishing boats on parade to pay homage to Tin Hau.

Source: ShopThruPost.hk

Sailing Dhow on Yemen, P.D.R. Coin

Year of Issue: 1979
KM#: 6
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Diameter: 27.8 mm
Denomination: 50 Fils
Reverse: Sailing Dhow

Kolkata Port Trust

Date of Issue: October 17, 2003

This cover was recent addition to my collection.

The cover was issued on occasion of 133 years of the Kolkata Port Trust, in 2003. (1870 - 2003). The concept for this special cover was by Mr. Dipok Dey, and designed by Mr. Sankhajit Jana.

Port of Kolkata:  The Port of Kolkata is a riverine port in the city of Kolkata, India. It is the oldest operating port in India, having originally been constructed by the British East India Company, after the company received trading rights from the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb.

Following the shift of power from the company to the British crown, a port commission was set up in 1870. Though the port was conceived to be a commercial port and gateway of eastern India, the port played a very important role in the Second World War. It was bombed twice by the Japanese forces. After the independence, the Commissioners for the Port of Kolkata was in responsibility of the port till January 1975 when Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, came into force.

The Port has two distinct dock systems - Kolkata Docks at Kolkata and a deep water dock at Haldia Dock Complex, Haldia.

In the 19th century, Kolkata Port was the premier port in British India. After independence its importance decreased because of factors including the Partition of Bengal (1947), reduction in size of the port hinterland and economic stagnation in eastern India. In the 21st century due to the east Indian economic recovery and infrastructure improvements, the port grew swiftly to become the nation's third largest container port. It was one of India's fastest growing ports in 2004-05.

Text Source: Wikipedia

Paquete Funchal

Date of Issue: May 09, 2012

Maxi card with stamp issued by Azores on Europa 2012 theme - "Visit...", postmarked at Ponta Delgada - one of the Capital cities and an autonomous region of Portugal.

Paquete Funchal:  a Portuguese steam ship built in 1961 and is considered one of the most iconic ships of the merchant marine of the country, and one of the few ships that since its inception to the present day, retaining the same name. Repaired in 1995, was completely rebuilt and put back to service.

Text Source: Wikipedia

Paquete Santa Maria

Date of Issue: May 09, 2012

Maxi Card with stamp issued by Madeira on Europa 2012 theme - "Visit...", postmarked at Funchal - Capital of Madeira.

Paquete Santa Maria:  Built between 1952 - 1953 in the shipyards of the Societe Anonyme John Cockerill, in Belgium. Its maiden voyage took place in November 1953, linking Portugal to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. It was the only Portuguese liner with regular connections to ports of the United States. In 1973, though still relatively new, it was sold to be dismantled in the Republic of China.

Text Source: Wikipedia.

SS Principe Perfeito

Date of Issue: May 09, 2012

Thanks to my friend from Silves in Portugal, Manuel Inacio Felicia Moreira for sending me this Maxi card as well as Maxi cards of Azores and Madeira, and the First Day Cover comprising all three stamps.

These stamps were issued on Europa - CEPT theme of 2012, "Visit..."

SS Principe Perfeito:  was a passenger ship built in 1961 by Swan Hunter on the River Tyne. She first entered service for the Companhia Nacional de Navegacao, often abbreviated as CNN.

The first voyage of Principe Perfeito, which began in Lisbon to Africa with calls at nine different ports and then ended at Beira Harbour in Mozambique, was a run that would become her usual voyage.

Due to political instability in the Portuguese African colonies, Principe Perfeito was laid up at Lisbon in 1976. That April she was sold and then changed owners at various intervals and by 2001 she was scraped at Alang, India.

Text Source: Wikipedia