Cayman Islands

On this 31st day of the month, when we are about to bid farewell to August, I'd like to use my current good will and mood and post a few cards before we roll into September...seriously, ever since I've come back from the astronomy camp I've been doing nothing but idle, eat and sleep...and stare at some blank point in front of me...I don't remember when was the last time I felt so apathetic about stuff and life in general...but I think that this anxiety attack last night did get me sober, and got me back on track somewhat...well, the fact I've been all excited about writing and life today is an actual proof...and it does feel good to be back :)

I will give you more insight about the camp in some of the future posts...in a few words for now..it was FREAKING GOOD! They should definitely happen more than just once per year...but the prospects for now are that the next astronomy camp will happen one year from now...well, better something than nothing I guess...

and after a bit of rambling, as it usually goes, lets get down to business...and a great surprise card from the Cayman Islands, sent by Glenn last December..it arrived here in January though...ohh, now this reminded me I haven't really told you the latest stories about my new postman, but I think I've usurped enough of the chit-chat space for this post so, remind me next time :)

the card shows the so-called Seven Mile Beach in the Grand Cayman...I love it cos it is all soft and sandy...the beach at the astronomy camp wasn't sandy...and no, it wasn't seven miles long...but it was just perfect at 9 am when there was just me, myself and I there...and the waves...what more can you ask for?

don't you sometimes think that she is just omnipresent?! though at least these stamps are much much nicer than the ones issued in GB...issued in 2012 in a set of 4 stamps commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Accesion of her Majesty....

thanks a lot Glenn!!

Hell, Cayman Islands

Woohooooo wohoooooooo wohoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! New country new country new country!!! And WHAT a country!!! Not more, not less, but CAYMAN ISLANDS!!! Yippieee!!

And it is sent directly from Hell where Glenn decided to spend a part of this trip. Well, apart from the Hell we all know about, you know, the one you will go to if you havent been good on Earth :D, there are also two other Hells (third luck charm)...one is in Norway, which i had already posted about here, and the other one is in the Grand Cayman....which you can see here.
And I actually have both Hells thanks to Glenn since the other card was sent to me on his behalf by Sverre. In case there is a volunteer to send me the third Hell, let me tell you that im not really in an urge to complete my collection :)

Well, there is a nice description here on front of the card, so i will just write it down, instead looking for the info from wikipedia or so...

All about "Hell", Grand Cayman

In the early 1930's a Commissioner from England visited our district of West Bay and shot a bird amongst the large patch of pointy black rocks and missed and said "Oh Hell" and from that date onward this place has been known as Hell.
The rocks are a bed of limestones and dolomite that has undergone extreme erosion due to activities of small tropical organisms. Its more proper name is Phytokarst. "Phyto" meaning plant and "Karst" meaning eroded form that consists of formation of holes and pockets. Limestone forms due to the accumulation and consolidation of limey muds, calcium-carbonate rich sands and shell fragments. This usually occurs on the ocean floor. Similar to limestone is dolomite, which consists of the constituents but also contains magnesium. Dolomite can form in the same way as limestone and often forms along with it. Through the passage of time (thousands to millions of years), the ocean waters grow shallower exposing the limestone/dolomite. As this formation sets in shallow water it is covered with tiny sea organisms, better known as Algae which eat away at the limestone/dolomite and removes only the calcium. By the removal of the calcium, the formation is more dolomite than limestone. The result is Pock-marked pointy forms. The algae stains the rock thus the black colour. The actual rock is snow white in colour. Most of the algae need water to stay alive, so all of the areas of Phytokarst that sets above the water are no longer being eaten away by algae but you can see fossilized remains of the algae. Limestone can also be eaten away simply by the actions of the moving water. If you like to scuba-dive you might see the caverns and tunnels formed in limestone by the action of the tide.

The picture at the bottom shows the Devil's hangout gift-shop Hell, which is the coolest shop in Hell where you can find Hell T-shirts, caps, post-cards, spoons, mugs, wide selection of other Hell souvenirs and visit the rock formation.

And here is the stamp....the precious precious stamp to show this was directly postmarked from the Cayman Islands. It is a definitive from a set of 12 issued in 2006, representing birds.

Thank you Glenn!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!