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Published: July 18th 2006
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...(continued from the last entry) My brother had driven to Cannes, so I took the helm. The highway was great as we made our way to Monaco. It was late afternoon, and the only thing that pissed us off, was the fact that there are tolls every 5km--good thing they accept credit cards. The climb and descent into Monaco was terrific. It gets your blood pumping, as you want to take the car a bit faster around the bends, but not knowing the roads, slow it down. The streets are perfect, clean, and beautified to presicion. Trees, shrubs, and flowers are cut in excellent manner. We get out of the parking structure--underground, so as not nt clash with the high rises around--and marvel at the beauty that is Monaco. Despite all the money behind these apartment buildings and businesses, Monaco is a beautiful and elegant city, that really allured me. We walk west on Ave. de Grand-Bretagne, and into the small park that is north of Place du Casino. It is beautiful, and I am already enjoying the aestheics of the city. The buildings looks as if they are part of the mountain. We pose for pictures in the park, so
as to get the Monte Carlo in the background.
From there we make our way to the casino. All the tourists are standing out front, I don't know if it is to admire all the cars that are parked outside, or any celebreties that might come in. We did not come to Monaco just to stand, so we make our way to the entrance. It was a hot day, we had gone to the beach, and had walked around Nice and Cannes, so we were wearing shorts. The two out front deny us entry, "pantalons s'il vous plait". In my best French, I ask if that is all you need to enter, and apparently so. Even jeans would have done. Well, if they didn't want our ten euros, it's their loss.
We walk out to explore the rest of the 1.9 km squared that is the principality of Monaco. Being a somewhat of a Formula 1 fan, thanks in part to our "paisa" JPM--who happens to live in Monaco--I lead the way through the street course when Monaco holds the famous race every May. We follow Ave. de Spellugues towards the water, around the famous hairpain turn, marvel at the
beauty that sorrounds us--though now it is getting late and the water is a bit choppy and the skies are grey. Still on the street course, under the hotel, another famous part of the race course--well, every part of the race course is famous, so I'll stop. Out on the side, and wow. The majestic city that is Monaco opens up. The mountain is halfway covered due to the builldings, one on top of the other, and the Port de Monaco is crammed with yachts, bigger than you can imagine.
I have to admit, I was a bit delighted to be walking on the street course of Monaco. We go around the port, pointing at yachts that are just ridiculously extravagent. The travel guide suggests the aquarium, so we head that way, but already late we know it is going to be closed. The walk shows us more of the city, atleast what looks out to sea, very beautiful. At the end of Chemin de Pecheurs, we climg up towards Ville Monaco, and of course the Musee is closed, and head towards the Palace. Nothing spectacular to it, though beautifully lighted at night, it has its draws. There are however,
some great views from here, and the city at night is simply stunning. We walk more through Ville Monaco, which to me is a tiny French styled Sevilla. Head back toward the car, manage to get back on the street course, through Blvd. Albert Premier, and up the Ave. D'Ostende. As you begin the small, but decievingly long climb, the beautiful St. Devote is tucked away, illuminated at night. It's beautiful, and I'm glad I saw it, since on the broadcast of races, you can't see it. Walking up the incline, the city calls you, and I couldn't help but enjoy the views that it presented.
More expensive cars are parked out front of the Monte Carlo, and we get our car. To head back to Nice, I have to drive throgh half of the street course, yeah, and I push that tiny Hyundai as fast as it can go, through the hairpin and the tunnel. Out and down the descent, and around the piscine. I had to slow down here because there were kids playing--a small fair had been set up. We get into Nice around 10, and head to bed, as we have to get the TGV early
the next morning.
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