France 2010 - French Riviera including
Monarco
Italy was not easy to leave after spending so much of our past
summers in Italy but after a while it was time to go so we set sail for
France, however we first had to drop into Monarco to see Monte Carlo
and the glitz, glammer and visual wealth of the rich and famous plus
all the wanabees.
High Rollers, Rolls and Roar of the engine
Monaco or Monte Carlo is the place for high rollers, Rolls, the roar
of Ferrari engines and other forms of visible wealth. We on the other
had
sat outside the Casino and had a drink to watch the world go by
expecting to see a high roller or someone famous. Not a chance just the
wanna bees and the people who stood and watched. We did sit beside a
fellow who was greeted by two rather wealthy old gentlemen one of which
stated that he was closing the branch down because it was loosing
money. Where I know not but it didn't sound as if he was a high roller
or getting into one of the many super sports cars parked in front of
the Casino.
We did not roll the car out the back of Malua when we moored stern too
at Fontvielle but purchased a day pass on the bus and rode the three
line from end to end. Monaco is much smaller then I expected. The
marina does have a number of large super motorboats but does not have
the number of sailing boats one expects. The number of shots far
exceeds anyones expectations and the goods in show are just over the
top. The window of Cartier was filled with diamonds and more diamonds
in lovely settings. Unfortunately the bracelet Denny liked would have
had to be enlarged and would not be ready for this evenings dinner date
so we let it pass. Another time perhaps.
The Aquarium is out of this world with two floors of fish tanks ranging
from schools of fish right down to the smallest sand worm. They draw
the water from far out to sea into the tanks so each creature get fresh
water however some tanks have to be heated to suit their natural
environment.
The Princesses Grace rose garden was good and very well designed and
set out and compares well with the Australian old Parlement house
garden. The Hughes house garden comes in third.
After two days, two cocktails sessions at the Hotel de Paris, a great
meal overlooking the Marina and a number of bus rides we decided to
move along. To a bay north of Monaco within sight of Italy so our phone
connection can pick up the Internet and we can follow the Australian
general election. No clear result.
We left Italy and entred France, actually Monarco but still
the Riviera.
The Riviera actually doent end in any dramatic way but melts
into the Cote D'Azure. You can follow Malua ...
France
Cote D'Azur
