Oman

Postcard showing a view of the Omani capital of Muscat. With archaeological dating as far back as 6,000 BC, the city has always been an important trading post between East and West. Controlled by a number of regional powers through its history, by the nineteenth century Muscat and Oman had itself become a regional power, spreading its control over much of the Persian Gulf, southern Arabia, and the east coast of Africa. The capital of Oman was even moved to Zanzibar, in modern-day Tanzania, at one point, but was moved back to Muscat following a split in the royal family in 1856.

Many thanks for this card to Yoann who was in Oman on holiday.

Sadly, the card was not sent from Oman but France and features the French permanent rate, self adhesive stamp. The hunt for a stamped card sent from Oman continues!

Grenada

Postcard of Bathway Beach in the Saint Patrick Parish of northeastern Grenada. The beach is a very popular spot to relax during holidays, when a carnival-like atmosphere reigns. The other days of the year, it's likely to be as you see here, very quiet.

Stamp featuring Tithorea pinthias, or cream-spotted tigerwing, an uncommon butterfly living in the forest lowlands of Central America.

Kyrgyzstan

Postcard showing decorated ceiling and mihrab showing the direction to Mecca in Usup Mosque in Osh, the second largest city and capital of the Kyrgyz South. Osh was an important stop on the Silk Route and is still home to the largest outdoor market in Central Asia. 

Many thanks to Guzel for helping cross this country off my list!

Stamp on the left features an Ilyushin Il-76, a popular plane in the 1970s and 1980s, developed in the Soviet Union for service to remote areas. Stamp on the right commemorates the 2002 United Nations International Year of Mountains, proclaimed to ensure the well-being of mountain and lowland communities by promoting the conservation and sustainable development of mountain regions.

Angola

Postcard showing Angolan children. Angola is certainly one of the harder countries to come by as it is often purported to not have a functioning postal system, mail should be sent by DHL, etcetera, but this one got here without any drama in less than two weeks! Many heartfelt thanks to Émilie for helping strike this tough cookie off the list.

Stamp from a 1994 set of four featuring traditional ceramics, in this case an earthenware water jug.

Latvia

Postcrossing postcard from the Latvian capital, Riga, home to more than one third of the country's population. Seen here is part of the Historic Centre of Riga World Heritage site with Riga Cathedral, built in 1211, Riga Castle, built in 1330, and Daugava River in the background.

Stamp on the left from definitive series municipal coats-of-arms, in this case Staicele near the border with Estonia. Stamp on the right commemorates the 500th anniversary of Cēsis Castle, once the most important castle in the Baltics as official residence for the head of the Livonian Order of crusading knights.