.. mid July with our batteries fully charged :) Although we will have very limited internet access, do continue to send us messages or email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Have a great summer and see you guys soon!

Recently I had a virus in my computer. If you have thousands of photos sitting on your hard disk, it can be quite a scary experience. Luckily, all my photos are double backed up externally on two hard drives.

If you are unfortunate enough to get a virus in your system, there are 3 very highly effective programs that should clean out your system and they are all completely free.

1. Spybot - Search & Destroy

2. Malwarebytes

3. Spyware Doctor

Install these programs on your computer and make sure they are updated. If you ever get a virus, reboot your PC and keep pressing F8. Then select boot up in Safe Mode. Once you're in, start running each of these programs one after another.

These should clean up most viruses in your computer.

We didn't specifically go out to take these photos for the photo competition. Instead we rummaged around in our hard disk and found some images that were suitable for the competition.

This was taken at Parc Bertrand, Geneva during the annual Hot Air Balloon festival. We could ride in one of the balloons for free but it was tied down. Well better than nothing.

This is a night shot of the Batiment des Forces-Motrices, Geneva. It used to be a factory back in 1886 but since 1997 it is an opera house open to the public for festive, promotional or cultural events.

This was not taken in Japan but at the World Health Organization (WHO) Japanese garden. The color of the leaves turn bright red every autumn.

This is another shot of Geneva's many parks right in the heart of the city.

A night shot taken near Geneva's airport just after dusk.

And finally, another night shot of Geneva taken from the roof of an apartment building. Incidentally, this photo won a prize.

So in this trip, we decided to do something totally different. Since it was autumn, we created a series of autumn leaves around the parisien streets.

[via  Carlos Caetano @ www.ccaetano.com)

[via lifehacker.nl]

First get yourself either a Lisbon card (from the tourist office) or a day travel pass (from the Post Office or gaming shops or the metro station). The latter is much cheaper but doesn't get you free or discounted entries to tourist sites.

Get a bird's eye view of Lisbon on top of Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift)

This iron lift is 45 metres tall and is decorated in neogothic style. There are two lift cages with a wooden interior and accommodates around 20 passengers. The top storey is reached by a spiral staircase and has a terrace that offers views of Lisbon Castle, Rossio Square and Baixa.

Taste the delicious Pastéis de Belém (Portuguese egg tarts)

Created before the 18th century by Catholic Monks at the Jerónimos Monastery, you can still get these mouth watering egg tarts from one of the most famous bakeries in Lisbon. Since 1837, locals and tourists have gone to Casa Pastéis de Belém to get these warm-out-of-the-oven egg tarts. They are also eaten with sprinkles of cinnamon and sugar powder. Each costs 0.90 EUR and there is always a long queue.

Walk along the shores of Belém during sunset

Take a long walk from the Jerónimos Monastery to the Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) alongside the Tejo river where you will get a good view of the Ponte 25 de Abril (April 25 Bridge) which is often often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Take a ride on Tram 28

Tram 28 takes you through many of Lisbon's most famous sites and it only costs Euro 1.40 per journey (free if you have the Lisbon card or day pass). Tickets can be purchased on-board. The trip is hilly, noisy and hectic but gives a beautiful glimpse of the city as it winds its way from Campo Orique to Martim-Moniz through many neighbourhoods and past several interesting sights including churches and gardens. From start to finish the ride takes 30 minutes.

Get a panoramic view of Lisbon at Castelo de São Jorge (São Jorge Castle)

The castle is one of the main historical and touristic sites that overlooks the city of Lisbon. The fortified medieval castle is located on the highest hill in the historic center of the city which gives you an excellent panoramic view of the entire city. If you exit the castle following the path that leads you back to the tram stop, there is a small restaurant that serves the best grilled sardines ever.

Get lost along the narrow streets in Alfama

Alfama is the oldest district in Lisbon. You can literally use up all your CF cards photographing the architecture. Definitely worth the visit to soak up the sounds and smells of old Lisbon.

Have lunch in Café Nicola

Overlooking Praça de Dom Pedro, this charming cafe with its beautiful wood and steel architecture is the work of famous architect Norte Júnior. Café Nicola was opened in 1929 and started immediately Lisbon’s long tradition of the café as a place of literary and political meeting point. They serve good Bacalhau (cod fish) and porto (port wine).

Day trip to Sintra

If you have some time to spare, take a day trip to Sintra. The train ride is about 40 minutes. Because of its 19th century Romantic architecture, Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lisbon being situated 2.5 hours flight from Geneva, it is definitely a great place to spend the weekend especially if you're a photographer.