A couple of days ago a colleague shared one of those "infection tracker" maps about the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, which was quarantined shortly after. I have to admit, for a second it genuinely felt like early 2020 again — cruise ship, international passengers, severe respiratory illness, deaths. That COVID-era anxiety is still there, just under the surface.

But this is really not the same thing! Andes hantavirus is already well understood, and unlike COVID it doesn't spread easily — it usually requires close and prolonged contact. Authorities acted quickly once the ship arrived in Tenerife, passengers were monitored and repatriated, and the ECDC considers the risk to the general EU population to be very low. Something to keep an eye on, but not something to panic about.

The Morges is a river in Vaud that flows into the Rhône at Lake Geneva and passes through the town of Morges, which takes its name from the river. This is a fact I had no idea about! Nevertheless, last week in the evening, I was walking by the Independence Park and saw the lights in the horizon reflecting on the water with some tulips in the foreground, and I thought it would be a nice picture to share.

The weather was gorgeous yesterday, and I had some time to spare near Voltaplatz, so I took one of Basel’s little Rhine ferries once more. I remembered why this simple plan is something I enjoy every single time. It’s very interesting how this small wooden boat has no engine — it’s just a cable and the river current doing all the work, quietly carrying you from one bank to the other. No rush, no noise, just the water and the nice lady telling some stories in Basler Deutsch.

Now the history of those ferries is interesting as well: They have been around since the 19th century, back when they were actually needed and were part of the standard transport system, before more bridges went up complementing the Mittlere Brücke. Today they’re not really essential for getting around, but they’re still there as a reminder of what they once were. For a few minutes you’re not commuting, you’re not in a hurry, you’re just floating across the Rhine. Really nice!

Last weekend Hungary's parliament delivered a dramatic political shift, as Péter Magyar's centre-right Tisza Party swept Viktor Orbán from power in a landslide, ending sixteen years of uninterrupted Fidesz rule. Tisza secured 138 of the 199 parliamentary seats on over 53% of the vote, surpassing the two-thirds supermajority threshold required to amend the constitution. Orbán, who had styled himself as the architect of an "illiberal democracy" and cultivated close ties with both Putin and Trump, conceded defeat, calling the result "clear" and "painful."

Hungary’s election result has major international significance. EU leaders have welcomed it as a sign that the country is realigning with Europe and may restore democratic standards. Orbán’s loss is seen as a stunning setback for the European right and for the system he shaped. It is a badly-needed breath of fresh air in the current climate.

Today we had the opportunity to visit the Grottes de Vallorbe, and it turned out to be a really amazing experience. We started our journey by taking the train from Renens to Le Day, and from there it was super convenient to hop on a bus that brought us directly to the caves’ parking. From there, the entrance to the caves is about a 10-minute walk along the river.

The Grottes themselves were absolutely beautiful. Formed over millions of years by the underground flow of the Orbe River, the caves showcase incredible limestone formations that are really unique. As we walked through, the natural rock structures were beautifully highlighted, creating a magical atmosphere throughout.

All in all, it was a nice day trip into one of the most beautiful cave systems in Europe.

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