And it all came very spontaneously...a man came across me, and since among all my requests, I also had Tristan on the list, he kindly offered to help me since he said to have contacts on the island. And he did so! But i didnt expect that 4 cards would be coming my way, i was expecting one only...but of course, no way I would complain about this...just that I dont think i have the right means to show my excitement :D
The special thing about Tristan da Cunha is that it is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, having South Africa and South America as the nearest pieces of land, being away 2,816 kilometres and 3,360 kilometres from them, respectively. Can you imagine being somewhere so cut off from the rest of the world?
And another VERY special thing is that this island has no airport, so the only means of transport is by ship...one really has to have enough patience in order to arrive here or from the island to somewhere else.
The island has 264 inhabitants, with Edinburgh of the Seven Seas being its capital, is regarded as the most remote permanent settlement in the world, being over 2400 kilometres from the nearest human settlement, on Saint Helena. This is where the entire island population lives.
There are just so many fascinating facts and figures about this place on Earth...it is sooo amazing!
and here come 3 lovely stamps...the very right one and the one in the middle come from a set of 6 stamps issued in 2008, commemorating the 60 Years of Fisheries, while the other stamp comes from a set of 12 birds stamps issued in 2005. I have to say that Tristan issues some really lovely stamps, with great themes and picturesque images.
And something EXTRA special on this and the other cards I received, is the cancellation. Apart from being so clear, I cant believe it that the card was sent on my birthday!!!! What a coincidence!!! Out of 365 possible choices during the year, this one got cancelled on that very day! Sooo thrilling!!!
As a side note, the cards travelled 4 and a half months until they reached me.....which is understandable when you take in account the means of transport...and they arrived in an impeccable condition!!
Im just sooooooooooo happy!!! Happy happy happy!!
I dont think I could ever properly thank enough Chris, the man behind all this, as well as the postal clerks on the island. Thank you so much to all of you for one of the most special treats my mailbox could have ever had!!!