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Published: June 23rd 2013
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Today I explore the principality of Monaco. The second smallest country next to the Vatican, which Ive also been to. Im excited to see Monaco and Monte Carlo, and all the yachts I imagine. It did not disappoint. I hopped off the train and looked at my directions I had received from a client about an amazing walk On the far side of the cliff. Im in a church square that opens up to the harbor where, as you can imagine, a ton of big yachts, bobbing slowly in the marina. To my left is a long hill that goes up towards Monte Carlo. To my right I can see a cliff around the other side of the harbor, and a stone castle tucked away on top. I walk over to that direction and get lost a bit, staring at the yachts. It sucks me in, i cant help but go over and stare at some of them. They're like mini cruise ships. The staff and crew are busy cleaning and preparing. i wonder who owns them and what it would be like to take a trip around the coast in a floating mansion.
I take a look at my
directions again and make my way over to the cliff. I spot a winding stone stairway going, Im not sure where. But I decide I should find out. I walk up and it takes me to the old monaco, which really wasnt old at all. Manicured lawns and perfectly planted flower beds, and rows of neat newer buildings,all leading to the Prices Palace. In front of the palace is a gaurd in a white uniform. The clock strikes and they have a changing of the gaurd ceremony. Its a small ceremony of one guard walking out in a detailed fashion and walking over to the other guard and exchanging different motions and precise movements. Everyone clicked away and watched as they performed a traditional ritual in a choreographed manner. It was short so afterwards I wandered over to where the Musee oceangraphique is. Beautiful building , it looks more like a cathedrale than a museum. I notice a tourist train tour getting ready to depart over to the side of the museum. My feet are a bit tired and its hot so I figure, why not. Its only €8. I typically dont like these kinds of tours I think they're
cheesy, but I figured what a great way to get your bearings in a city and then kinda have an idea where your going. I sit and relax in my seat and look around. I am the only person under 60 i swear. i laugh to myself a little. The tour is short and not great, but I like that it showed my around town in a quick manner and I now have a better mental picture when im walking around. After the tour I head back down the hill and wander over to Monte Carlo. After taking an elevator up to the higher end of the street( so handy I thought I would have had to walk around and up hills) I end up at the Monte Carlo casino. Its a grande building, like other buildings Ive seen. I think I just assumed it to look different. Beside it is Hotel de Paris. I know this hotel because I had researched a restaurant by Alain Ducasse that resides there. The restaurant is amazing in decor and food. and you pay for it. It is extremely expensive, and I would have made that my " big" meal, but making reservations
were not that user friendly. I peek at the terrace and there are white gloved waiters carrying silver trays with domed lids. Le sigh, next time.
Ok so now Ive seen around the principality, its time to attempt that walk. I ask at tourist info about it and they tell me its very far to walk, making it seem impossible ir not to be done. I am almost deterred, but she says in a negative fashion, " oh that is too far. It would take you 40 minutes". At first my shoulders slumped. Then I thought, wait, 40 minutes is not that far to walk. Thats why I came here after all. Ive been walking a lot more than that throughout my days. Against their advice, i took my map and started making my own way there. I have come prepared And have cached my map. If you dont know whAt that is, let me tell you. Its the best tool a traveler could have. If you take your iphone and while your connected to wifi, and go over the map of where you'll be traveling to, and zoom in and out, the maps remember it so when your
offline you can get the satellite to find you and your location and use it to see where yourvgoing. Its awesome. So I use my maps on my phone and navigate myself to somehow get to sentier de littoral. Its a scenic train that is on the coast line, hugging the rocks, with I guess amazing scenery. Using my phone like the old school water stick, or dowsing rod, I come across plage marquet. Over in the far side i see a trail and a opened gate door. It says " sentier de littoral" succsess! I have found it! I walked this trail, and it was incredible. The whole journet from there to Cap d'ail is about 45 minutes. But it is amazing scenery. Its calm and breathtaking, beautiful ocean views, and greenery. This would have to be a highlight for me for sure. And not something typically advertised to tourists. I just happened upon it by luck of a client who had lived here for a bit. It seriously was an amazing walk. It ended at Cap d'ail at plage Mala, a cove nestled among high cliffs and green turqioisey waters. Incroyable! I finished off my journey walking thru
resisential streets of Cap d'ail ( and all the amazing villas) and headed back to the train. Amazing day!
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