MONTE CARLO, MONACO (June 1, 2, 2012)

If Geiranger was the highlight of our first voyage, then Monte Carlo so far is highlighting this voyage.  As lovely as Bordeaux was, Monte Carlo is a completely different kind of beautiful.  Having seen only glimpses of this city in James Bond and other movies, what we saw was not what we expected.  On our first day we were docked at the pier and had the most perfect view of this beautiful city built on the side of a mountain.  I did not expect high rises and hotels all built on top of each other and yet still be incredibly beautiful.  We didn’t see much sun so my photos will not do this port justice.  Our ship was completely surrounded with yachts of every size.  Each more beautiful than the other.  The yacht owned by the crown prince of Saudi was docked next to us.  Our american dollars at work!  I’m having trouble wrapping my brain around how there could be so much money  in one three mile stretch of coastline!  The entire country can fit into half of Central Park.    We sat and watched yachts sail in and out of the harbor for a couple of hours and we were mesmerized!  Jetsetters and glitterati surrounded us and we felt as though we were in some sort of fantasyland.  We also strolled around the streets today, people watched, checked our the rolls, jaguars, mercedes and lamborginies, (sp?) on the streets.  There are no Toyotas or Fords in this town.   We then browsed the windows of the designer shops.  It seemed most of these shops required an appointment to go in and buy something.  Designer jewelry shops and boutiques were everywhere with the most fantastic gems in their windows.  (Maybe they weren’t real but I would imagine in this city,  they were!)

On day 2 we visited the casino.  We were too early to enter the Casino Royal as it did not open until 2:00pm so we had to go into a somewhat lesser casino.  It didn’t matter, we still lost our money but it’s just fun to know we gambled in Monte Carlo.  We had planned to go to the Casino Royal the evening before but our group was just too tired by the time dinner was over and coats, ties and cocktail dresses are required after 8:00 p.m. This is no place to be seen in baggy jeans and a hometown t-shirt!  Even today we had to show our passports to get into the casino.  Apparently, locals are not permitted in any casino in Monaco.  I have no idea why.  

An incredible two days that we will never forget.  Another very lovely sail-away this afternoon and we are now off to Livorno and will spend the day in Florence tomorrow.