Oh I do like to be beside the seaside
Sergeant Major 2
The equator
Nanyuki, in Kenya. On the equator and on route to one of our most spectacular holidays where we saw, for the first time, wild dogs. We stayed at Sosian Ranch in Laikipia before heading down to Mombassa for a chill by the coast. The airport at Laikipia is particularly cool. I flew there in the copilot seat of a Cessna Caravan from Wilson Airport Nairobi. Real bush flying with a picture postcard cafe at the airstrip.
High jinks and helium
I’ve just finished reading the excellent book Caesar's Last Breath: The Epic Story of The Air Around Us I was fascinated by the story about the Siege of Paris which took place in 1870 – 1871 and in particular the story of Pierre Janssen who was the only person allowed to leave the city, in a hot air balloon, to study the sun. He co-discovered helium on these risky ventures! That’s got to be worth a stamp or two.
High towers
Kuala Lumpar International Airport. Our first visit there was in October 1999. It was our first flight east. At the time Virgin Atlantic had a codeshare arrangement with Malaysian Airlines and we bought confirmed 'Mates' tickets. Loved flying on the MH 747 with its 70s style plush comfortable seats and heavy china crockery meal layouts. One thing I learned about Malaysia is they like to be in the record books. Head into town and you'll find the worlds tallest flagpole. Or just hang out at the airport and gaze in wonder at the world's tallest control tower.
The Bermuda Bathysphere
Diving, history and Bermuda, all in one gorgeous stamp. Read
the extraordinary story of the Bermuda Bathysphere here. On researching this
stamp I discovered that the bathysphere I saw at Bermuda Zoo when I was there
in the 80s is a replica. The real one is in a New York Museum. See stamp
collecting can be a downer. Still, a fantastic story.
Bill Beebe inside his bathysphere in Bermuda!
Hong Kong and a 130 year old virus plague
Here’s a virus themed post. Searching for a bit of Hong Kong history I chanced upon these fine Queen Victoria stamps, one of which was posted on December 19, 1894. Whilst sat at home on furlough from the horrible coronavirus outbreak I decided to find out what Hong Kong was like back when these stamps were used. Turns out they were going through a similar thing. This article explains and talks about how the plague can still be felt 130 years later.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/hong-kong-bubonic-plague-1894
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