We took a quick trip by train from Nice to the principality of Monaco on another sunny day. From the station we climbed the stairs and stolled through the gardens taking in the vast views of the well-to-do harbour below and the mix of old and new buildings beyond towards Monte Carlo and the casino district. Here's where we first met up with the crush of cruise tourists on group outings, something we avoided through most of our tour.
(the idea of 'responsible travel' , utilizing a lower carbon footprint mentallity and getting to meet locals and shop and eat locally produced products is the philosophy behind our travel tour with Intrepid, and a great way to travel. I encourage you to visit the intrepidtravel.com website, I have it as a favourite link on the side bar of the blog to find out more).
The cruise groups are easily identified not only by their sheer size but by their large bright name stickers slapped on their shirts and the bullhorn speaking guide with a huge identifiable marker waving in the air from their outstretched arm steering their group around in a numb, coralling kind of way.
Guess you can tell, I'm not much for that kind of sightseeing and travel!
Anyways, our leader Giuseppe, always the quick thinker, managed to find other routes to get to the Palace for the changing of the guards as our walking route was pretty well blocked, we also discovered some gems of architecture and history along the way. Giuseppe also noted to us, if we ever caught him doing that kind of tour, bullhorn and all, to shoot him and put him out of his misery. Too funny.
Bert and I found the best spot to see the Guard Change. A little pub directly by the square where we had a cold beer, some nuts and olives and watched the procession unfold.
I thought it hilarious when the new shift of guards drove up the hill packed in this van complete with Palace emblem sticker on the door panal. They all had on their the big hats and full gear. The van parked beside the palace and the guards just kind of piled out, dusted themselves off and walked over to the side entrance to await the ceremonial bells for the changing of the guards to begin. . All while strains of Michael Jackson music and obscure disco songs could be heard in the background from noisy shops near us.
It just seemed so wierd, like an off-off-off broadway musical, I couldn't help but giggle.
But then again, I find humor in very bizare places.
Bert by the yacht harbour.
Man there were some oppulent vessels, all shiny, all pristine, all empty. This town is lined with money. All the taxis are Mercedes Benz. Surreal.
Here, Bert is checking out a Red Ferrari. Later we handed over, I mean gambled our 10 Euro at the casino. At one point we were up to 96 Euro. But alas, you know what happened. Out front a gaggle of Aston Martins and Lamborghinis decorated the street. We ate lunch at a foofoo restaurant adjacent to the casino. Cost alot, but the food was admitedly good and it was great fun people watching and piecing together my imaginary tales of who they were and where they came from.
Monte Carlo, great to see, but happy to move on once we fed our 10euro to the casino slots.
