Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Our second tender port.
We went ashore with no clear idea of what to do. Our friends were going to the Royal Palace so we were on our own.
The first thing that we noticed was the obvious wealth. It surely is the playground of the rich and famous! An enormous luxurious yacht was moored near our tender dock. On the top deck a helicopter in matching colours was anchored!
Other similarly large yachts, launches and craft of all kinds were moored nearby. By the dock luxury cars were parked - Mercedes (5L, nothing less), Rolls Royces, Maseratis, Ferraris. You name it, they were there.
We strolled past slowly, eyes agog. For a car or boat enthusiast it was Christmas on a stick.
We came down to Earth as we looked for transport more suitable to our lowly status. There was a bus stop nearby. We passed the street sculpture of Fangio and his car on the way and having inspected the timetable stuck on the wall of the bus shelter, decided to take the first bus. We like riding on local transport whenever we can. Its cheap and you usually meet locals who are happy to chat.
The bus came along and we hopped on. We were taken around the city and up to the Gardens near the Palace. The city strangely was decked out in the red and white flags of Monaco and some South African flags. Being away from news programmes and newspapers, I had no idea what it was all about. Later, I found out that Prince Albert had, just in the last few days, married his South African fiancée and Monaco was still celebrating.
We changed buses and headed off to the beach. It was the usual pebbly affair covered with rows of umbrellas bearing hotel logos. Further down was a public section which was crowded with families.
At a beachside café we ordered a crepe au sucre and a coffee (it was very mediocre - can't beat those Italians!) and afterwards took another bus. This time we passed the famous casino outside which were parked more of those cars.
Monte Carlo is a very attractive city and much larger than when we visited it last.
We walked slowly back to the dock, again ogling the beautiful craft. There were boats there that I'm sure could have been used in "To Catch a Thief". You know the sort - timber speed boats with perfectly polished sides and decks. I could just picture Grace Kelly and Cary Grant heading out to sea in one.
It was such an enjoyable and relaxing day ashore.
Tomorrow, Barcelona.
- comments