Playing tourist...

For my birthday, my sister came to Geneva. Before the birthday celebrations at home, I played the guide for her. I took her for a long walk around the city. We stopped for a few refreshments, a bit of gorgeous shopping and a lot of talking and laughing... It was very nice to play the tourist in my own town, it made me aware of all the beauty of this city, so much appreciated by travellers from all over the world.

Geneva City Centre... Geneva’s main street on a busy Saturday afternoon...

The Vanity by Capi Ombre (Place du Molard 9) is a nice bar to taste traditional beers and it is also a wonderful people watching spot. We ordered a blanche and an ambrée beer to enjoy as we discussed my sister’s upcoming trip... 

Parc des Bastions... On Sunday morning, after breakfast, a lovely walk around Parc des Bastions which is full of beautiful statues, buildings and colourful flowers.

A very beautiful park with colourful flowers and plants.

The Naked Woman is a Sculpture of a woman crouching on a block of stone.

Lion at the Eynard Palace. This charming building was built in 1817 for a Swiss banker by a Florentine architect.

The Reformation Wall

... Another piece of the wall - it is so big and impressive...

Wallace Fountain

The University of Geneva

The giant chess and draught sets are available for free

Eaux-Vives... It is in Eaux-Vives that the Jet d’eau is located

A beautiful walk around the Promenade du Lac and the Quai Fleuri where we saw the Genève which is the oldest “Belle Epoque” boat still existing on Lake Geneva.

Along the edge of the lake, further on we arrive at the English Garden park with its Floral Clock.

Vieille Ville... Geneva’s Old Town, is an ancient maze of small streets and picturesque squares, filled with homey cafés, restaurants, galleries, museums and historical sights, lined by historical buildings adorned with beautiful masonry facades.

The famous St. Peter’s Cathedral

The Old Arsenal, is a former military arsenal. This beautiful historical building now serves as the state archives. Under its arcades stand five period cannons and on its walls one can admire three valuable frescoes and mosaics.

Around the corner of Bourg-de-Four Square

Oh, Happy Day!!

Readers who have been following my blog regularly know that I absolutely love birthdays; they are a sort of small personal holiday celebration.

A couple of months ago it was my birthday and I wanted to celebrate by doing something special. No huge plans, just spoil myself along with a glass of bubbles, delicious tapas and a glorious cake! And be in good company.

In the evening, we went out for one last drink at Le Verre à Monique, a speakeasy cocktail bar.

I had a marvellous time and feel grateful to have such wonderful people around me. This was such a fun small party and I had a blast, so that is all that matters!

As for my look, I wore an azure dress for my party, which I had fallen in love with at first sight in the shop window. I paired it with these red sandals and my favourite bracelets...

Sweetheart’s birthday card. The first one I opened was from him, just before his trip.

Gifts...books, beauty products, home décor items, clothes...and this stunning bouquet of flowers from my lovely sister...

For the table decoration, I used a white table cloth and napkins; I picked some Evelyne Dahlias, Daisies and a Fittonia plant in the market. Then I added some candles…

For the food, I kept it simple and tasty. We had a variety of “summer appetisers”

Skewers of melon with Serrano ham

Cherry tomato, mozzarella, olive and basil skewers

Salmon, avocado grapefruit and St-Môret rolls

Tuna fish empanadas

Duck mousse toasts (walnut bread)

For drinks - the day was very warm so cold bubbles were welcome - we had sparkling wine (Freixenet Ice and Café de Paris) and fruity chilled rosé…

I was very specific on what I wanted my cake to look like. I wanted a chocolate and berry cake with a chocolate ganache. I made one from “The Australian Women’s Weekly” cookbook - awesome cakes! I adapted it by completely covering the cake with a thick chocolate ganache, then I decorated it with blackberries, currants and strawberries. I must admit that I was truly proud of this cake, which was extraordinarily delicious. Probably the most delicious chocolate cake I had tasted in ages.