Juan Convers

One of my favorite plans is to jump on a train and head to Geneva. I always walk along Quai Gustave-Ador to the Jet d'Eau, enjoying the nice path along Lake Geneva.

A couple of days ago, I did this again. After passing the Jet d'Eau, I looked back and noticed the setting sun creating a beautiful backlight behind the fountain. It was a view that I tought it was worth a picture, so I quickly captured the moment with my camera.

This unexpected photo turned out to be one of my favorites on that spot, so I'm sharing it here with you.

I have been fortunate enough to visit the Republic of Poland on several occasions, allowing me to explore fascinating cities such as Gdańsk, Warsaw, Poznań, and Kraków. On this particular trip, however, I had the opportunity to discover a new destination: Lublin, a city that is clearly underrated and boasts some truly remarkable sights.

One of the most impressive features is the beautiful castle perched atop a high hill, which can be clearly seen from the ruins at Plac Po Farze. This square, whose name translates to 'Former Parish Square,' contains the remnants of the old parish church. Although the church no longer stands in its entirety, the site provides a perfect vantage point to admire the panoramic view of the city and the castle. Reaching the hill where the castle sits is relatively easy, and we were are rewarded with a stunning view of the inner courtyard. There, one can find comfortable seating areas where you can replenish your energy with a small snack and some refreshing water. En route, we paused beneath the iconic Grodzka Gate, to get some amazing sorbets.

This castle holds great significance in Polish history, as it was here that the Union of Lublin treaty between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was signed in 1569. This momentous event led to the creation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, one of the largest and most influential states in 16th-century Europe.

Lublin's rich history, combined with its architectural beauty and cultural importance, makes it a city well worth exploring. After experiencing its charm, I'm determined to return if possible, to discover more of what this nice Polish city has to offer.

Last week we had the opportunity to spend a few days on Usedom Island, in the Polish city of Świnoujście. This is the third time I've visited this region, and this particular town has a fascinating history. It turns out that before World War II, Swinemünde, as it was known back then, was a popular seaside destination that attracted tourists from Germany and other parts of Europe. Its beautiful beaches and spa facilities made it an extremely attractive location.

However, the charm of this resort town was brutally interrupted at the end of the war. Świnoujście became a military target and was virtually obliterated during an intense bombing campaign on March 12, 1945. Among the few structures that survived this terrible event was the Christus König (Christ the King) church. Although damaged by the bombings, it was immediately repaired after the war.

Today the city is still a popular tourist destination in Poland, but the place looks very different than it did back then. During our visit, I had the opportunity to photograph this iconic church. It remains one of the remnants of what the city once was.

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the village just before the Vallorbe station, thanks to a kind invitation from a friend and former work colleague. He invited me for dinner at his house, which is conveniently located right next to the station 'Le Day'. Not only was it a very pleasant evening with excellent food and company, but it was equally interesting to get to know this region of Vaud.

Before heading to his place, he suggested that we take a walk near a meadow where we spotted some chamois grazing on the cliff near the viaduct. These animals are indeed very interesting. We then went through the tunnel under the viaduct, where I had the opportunity to take the photo above.

It’s a very nice region, and I will definitely come back again.

Last week, we were walking near Schützenmatt Park when we stumbled upon an unusual sight in the middle of the central meadow. One of the storks that typically wanders through the park in the early morning was having a confrontation with a bird of prey, which looked like a falcon. The scene unfolded over a few minutes, during which the stork protested with its distinctive "clack-clack-clack-clack." Finally, the falcon got fed up and flew off to a branch of a nearby tree, close to where we had parked our bikes.

I discussed with L. how unusual this situation was. It's rare to see such wildlife behaving this way in the middle of an urban park. It made me wonder if the argument had started earlier, perhaps in the sky, between these two fascinating birds.

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