Vanuatu's Underwater Post Office

This card is rather unique and sent from an unique post office. Off Hideaway Island in Vanuatu is possible to sent a waterproof card from an underwater post office. That's exactly what Tracey did. How cool is this?? 

Vanuatu Post has created an official Post Office with a difference. It is the world’s only Underwater Post Office..   

Situated within the Hideaway Island marine sanctuary, the Post Office sits in around three metres of water and both divers and snorkellers are able to post special “waterproof postcards”. If snorkellers cannot duck-dive down that far, Hideaway Island staff will be on the spot to help out.

Photo: Andy Belcher

During opening hours the cards will be cancelled/embossed by the postal staff in the Underwater Post Office. Instead of being stamped with ink to show that the card has been sent, the Post office has developed a new embossed cancellation device. 

Placed on site by Vanuatu Post, this official and currently unique postal location was approved by local Ni Vanuatu and opened for business in May 2003.

Opening hours are posted on the beach at Hideaway Island, and a special flag is raised on a float above the site when there are postal workers in the water. 

Out of hours the post cards can be posted in the underwater post box attached to the post office or taken to the main post office in town. All are guaranteed to receive the special cancellation from this unique underwater paradise before being delivered both locally and internationally. - in: http://www.vanuatupost.vu/index.php/en/underwater-post

Lelepa Island - Vanuatu

The cave on this card, sent by Miguel, is Fele's Cave on Lelepa Island, where Roy Mata was poisened by his brother during a great feast in 1265. This cave is one of the places associated with Roy Mata, classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2008, on the list under the name "Chief Roi Mata’s Domain".  

Photo by PhillipC

Roy Mata was a powerful 13th century Melanesian chief from what is now Vanuatu. His elaborate grave, containing the bodies of over 25 members of his retinue, was discovered by French archaeologist Jose Garranger in 1967 and inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008. Garranger was able to locate the grave on Retoka island by analyzing local folklore. According to legend, when Roy Mata conquered the land, his first goal was to unite the tribes. His reign is reputed to have been a peaceful one. Sadly, Roy Mata was poisoned to death by his brother, but his body was not buried on his homeland because the locals feared his spirit. To this date, the name Roy Mata is never used. - in: wikipedia