Sunday, November 2, 2014

The French Riviera- Monaco & Monte Carlo

It sounds so funny to me to say we've spent the last week in the French Riviera. No big deal.  We laid out on the beach, gambled at Monte Carlo (well, Nick bought a €5 euro chip. That counts) googled many a mega yatch (most are owned by Saudi princes, in case you're wondering) and ogled many a sport car.  Life styles of the rich and famous, y'all.  I could get used to this. 

On Monday, after spending the morning at the beautiful San Frutosso Abbey, we boarded a train and hopped skipped and jumped across the boarder into France.  It was kind of a game to figure out when we actually left Italy and arrived in France.  No border patrol, no passport stamps (disappointing).  We simply got on the train in Italy and got off the train in France.  This still seems strange to me. Our base for three nights was Nice, which is situated a few train stops from both Monaco and Cannes.  

Monaco, while located on the French Riviera, is it's own nation controlled by a monarchy.  They are not French and are not France, and apparently don't want to be either.  Contemplating the net worth of the country is kind of mind boggling.  A morning stroll around the harbor took us past some of the largest and more luxurious mega yachts in the world.  I felt like I should be in a ball gown, or something.


The opulence and extravagance isn't just contained in the harbor, though.  The whole place has this permeating air of class and luxury.  It's like everyone is snorting gold dust, or something.  It kind of felt like being dropped down a rabbit hole into an adult Disneyland where the princes designed every corner.

Monaco is probably one of the most beautiful city scapes I've seen.  


After wandering the docks with mouths agape for a bit, we made amends with the fact that no one was going to invite us aboard, and we headed up a beautiful walk to the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium. 


While the aquarium was neat (Montereys is better), my favorite part was the museum, which houses the world's largest "Cabinet of Curiosities."  Not even kidding, that's exactly what the sign said.  And it was awesome. 



Inside said cabinet were indeed many curiosities, including the taxidermied polar bear and seagull above, as well as a leatherback turtle and array of old school diving suits.  I must say, I'm stoked Wes and I got our scuba certifications without having to wear those space suits.

It only got better.  The next two rooms were home to preserved sharks and an impressive exhibit of whale skeletons


Man, the ocean is cool.  I remember being a little girl and reading a book on the "shark lady." I'm not sure her actual name, but she studied and dove with sharks, and made shark conservation her life mission.  I thought, at one point, I'd grow up to be a marine biologist and save the worlds shark populations, following in the shark ladies harrowing footsteps.  Then I saw a movie on smoke jumping and had similar ideas about that, and the story moves along.  But, my point being, I think I missed my calling. 

After the aquarium and museum, we made our way over to the Monte Carlo casino.  It's interesting that this famous landmark is tucked right into a corner of Monaco, overlooking the same marina, but not looming or imposing.  For whatever reson I was expecting this massive structure and a ton of buzzing energy.  For one thing, there was construction on some of the roads leading into the casino area, and we are here in the off season.  But, while beautiful, Monte Carlo wasnt quite what I had imagined it to be.  Maybe I was thinking huge like Vegas, but the casino is tasteful and extravagant, yes, but without feeling weirdly showy.  


I wish that guys bald head would have moved on through...

Anyways, Nick went in and got a €5 chip, and Ericka and I used the facities.  Classy. Swanky.  Pretty cool to be there.  After checking out the casino, Ericka and I walked through Chanel, Cartier and some other shops, casually picking out our next pieces, while our imaginary billionaire boyfriends picked up the bill.  Just kidding, I was afraid to touch anything. 


As you can imagine, I was able to maybe afford a piece of bread on this side of Monaco. So we trekked back into the poor side of town where water costs €3 instead of €12 and a cocktail is a measly €10 instead of €22. We had drinks and dinner in a bar overlooking the marina, and it was lovely.

And no, I didn't order a vodka martini, shaken not stirred.  Mainly because every mariti I've had this side of the world, including at La Meridian and other nice establishments, has been a crock.  Love you all!






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