What follows was actually composed in sunny Nice yesterday but I couldn't post because of the problems we had with the wireless network. One advantage of coming home!
Yesterday was the day when the blog title manifested itself; except we chose to travel by train. OK, so it was more expensive but did take half the time. However, the day didn't start well because I discovered that my 'expensive' TK Maxx sunglasses were broken. I suspect foul play because Mike and Lou had been telling me that they are the kind of sunglasses worn by 8 year-olds. Of course, Lou wasn't prepared to accept responsibility, even under interrogation but I know better
As planned we met up with Mike and Emily at Gare Nice Ville before 9.30 and did battle with the automatic ticket machine, which used a wheel to select options and didn't accept bank notes. Quoi?
Once the battle was won. I was left with a single small ticket for Rach, Lou and myself. Mike chose to use the ticket office instead, got a 25% student discount (for under 25s) and was provided with two proper tickets. His tickets had no problem with the ticket validation machine whilst my pathetic specimen was rejected at every attempt. And I wasn't the only traveller having this problem. Eventually a helpful gendarme ("Je pense que j'ai une probleme avec mon billet occifer") who happened to be standing by one of the machines sorted it out for me. The trick is to place the puny ticket to the far left hand side of the slot.
We then squeezed in to the 9.56 to Ventimiglia (standing room only) and 25 or so minutes later arrived in Monte Carlo. We stepped out into the sunny main harbour area and as soon as we did, a Bugatti Veyron passed us. We were also facing up the iconic hill towards Beau Rivage (a la Monaco Grand Prix). Some of the private boats were more like small cruise liners and many had crew who were cleaning and (I kid you not) plumping cushions. The scene with the backdrop of old Monaco sitting atop Le Rocher and the smart apartment blocks running up the hillside behind was classic Monte Carlo.
One thing I discovered from the guide book is that as well as being the name of the principality, 'Monoco' is also given to the old city whilst Monte Carlo is the area associated with the harbour, casino and all that celeb stuff.
It was then a case of following the Grand Prix course in reverse and via the tunnel until we wound our way up to the Casino, Hotel de Paris and Cafe de Paris. Inevitably, the cars on display were a 'little' on the expensive side although we did pass a Suzuki Wagon en route. We spent quite some time counting the Porsche, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin and Bentley.
We stopped for a bit of lunch before going back down the hill, around the harbour and then climbing up the side of Le Rocher to old Monaco perched on the top. This afforded a great view across to Monte Carlo and is where the royal palace is located as well as the cathedral (resting place of Grace Kelly) and some quaint and very narrow streets. Also, shops selling every kind of Monaco Grand Prix hat imaginable. But nowhere to purchase a replacement for my vandalised sunglasses. At least not at the price I was prepared to pay.
Once we'd seen enough, we headed back down to Monte Carlo and after a fuel stop in a (what else) Casino supermarket, squeezed on the next train back to Nice. Unfortunately, the train had no internal lighting which was a little inconvenient as we passed through the many tunnels scattered along the route. Almost inevitably, we had to stand again. It was a good day and we all returned tired and sunkissed (burnt in Mike's case - he hadn't used any sunblock).
Today was a bit of a shopping day however en route we tried to track down a restaurant we'd picked from more thsn 1300 listed on Trip Advisor. It wasn't easy and when we did eventually locate it, found it was closed due to holidays until 28th August. Choosing a restaurant in Nice is so, so difficult.
We (almost) travelled the length of the main shopping street, Rue Jean Medecin, before returning to the old town for a lunch of moules et frites (it had to be done) or salade ceasar (Lou). We're now back at the apartment having selected Cafe de Nice for our last supper. Before that, we're hoping to fit in our first and only dip in the Med (we did and it was great if a bit stony).
Well, I guess thst's it, at least for now. We're due to pick up the airport shuttle bus just after 9 tomorrow morning and should be back in the UK by 1. It's back to work on Thursday but at least we have the bank holiday weekend to soften the blow. Until next time then. ....ciao e/et a bientot.
No comments:
Post a Comment