Alpine Oasis

Summer night falls over an alpine meadow stippled with wildflowers in Italy’s Gran Paradiso National Park. In a busy country on a crowded continent, Gran Paradiso’s unspoiled landscape is an arcadian oasis.

See more pictures from the February 2015 feature story “Paradise Found.”

Expo BD : Hermann à Versailles

Last weekend, VDP took her Dad, who is a great amateur of historical comics, to this year's comics exibition at the town hall. It is devoted to Hermann, one of the greatest! VDP will show you some of his works tomorrow so that you can be judges of how fantastic an artist he is!

Le weekend dernier, VDP a emmené son père, grand amateur de BD historiques, à l'expo BD 2015 à l'hôtel de ville. Elle est dévouée à Hermann, l'un des maîtres du genre ! Demain, VDP vous montrera certaines de ces œuvres.

A short film allowed to watch the artist at work, absolutely fascinating to see the ink wash painting and watercolour techniques!

Un film permet de voir l'artiste au travail, c'était absolument fascinant de voir les techniques de lavis et d'aquarelle !

8. What wouldn't I miss? Our ignorance of historical significance ...

The top image was taken from the far-eastern end of the Cahill Walk, as soon as I alighted the lift from the quay. I am facing west. The bottom image was taken during 1931. The bridge itself has been constructed - now for the fit-out and approaches. It is one of the images displayed in The Pylon Museum, which is worth your attention. There are 200 steps, and walking is the only option. As a Senior, it cost me $8.50. But only bother if there are NO cruise ships at the Overseas Terminal! So, why do I feel a need to whinge about our collective ignorance of historical significance? Sydney Cove is the birthplace of European civilisation in this city, nay, this nation. And LOOK how we honour it! (Must remember not to overdo the exclamation mark in this little rant.) Sure, Sydney has always been a working harbour, and I respect the history of our harbour, and the people who have worked it. But really what we have here is a developmental pig-sty. Once the Cahill Expressway cut across the head of the cove in the mid-'50s, the die was cast. The First Fleet anchored out there. Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack 50m behind me. The convicts pitched their tents on the left. The soldiers, and military bureaucrats, pitched theirs on the right. And today we have el-cheapo eats, not-so-el-cheapo eats, buskers, convenience stores, ice-creameries, and assorted stores purporting to flog mementos to gullible tourists! If I had to, or chose to, leave Sydney, I would not miss our attitude to the past. But this attitude, is a national characteristic, I am afraid.

The Freight Shed, Yorktwon, Virginia

The Freight Shed provides a picture-perfect view of the York River and Yorktown through its massive glass windows. It is a popular site for weddings and other events.

Spiritual Revival

Best friends Ha‘a Keaulana, at right, and Maili Makana dive under a wave on their way to a surfing spot near their hometown of Makaha on Oahu, Hawaii. Like generations before them, they visit these waters almost every day to refresh both body and spirit.

See more pictures from the February 2015 feature story “Pure Hawaiian.”