Monaco

On Thursday we caught the ferry to Monaco its a 45 min trip, very pleasant with a sea breeze and great views of the coast.  We could also appreciate Eze from the water that is one massive cliff it sits on.

On arriving in Monaco we purchased on off tickets to the bus tour which allows you to jump on and off as you please we have found this to be useful with the kids as they don't have to walk as far everyday. Grumpy kids on holiday is not so much fun.

We first stopped at the Japanese garden which was peaceful in an otherwise very high rise area busy area.  We then stopped at the casino Russ related it all back to the James bond movie and was in love with the cars driving past us never seen so many ferraris in one day...what colour would you like?  We ventured into the shopping centre and well I felt uncomfortable in my sun dress being all sweaty etc the elegance in the shopping center was beautiful.  Monaco has some seriously rich people.  

We found some lunch just baguettes and pastries and thought we could go to the park for a picnic to our amazement one was not allowed to sit on the grass...how bizarre I didn't like this rule.  All the seats were taken in the shade so we had to sit on the stone border around the edge of the grass see photo.  Anyway not the most comfortable of picnics...dont think people in Monaco do picnics.

Back on the bus we headed for the palace, old town, the cathedral and the justice building.  First the palace which was being prepared for Prince Alberts marriage to Charlene Wittstock from south Africa.  Every shop in Monaco had a photo of the couple in the window and many of the highrise apartments  had the white and red flag displayed.  The couple were married last night in a civil ceremony and will marry tonight in a religious ceremony.

We then ventured through old town which was quaint I didnt think it was as nice as Nices old town it was very touristy.  We ventured to the justice building which was decorated beautifully for the wedding.  Then to the cathedral which was very large and beautiful paid our respects to Princess Grace and Prince Rainer III and their forebares.

Then onto the oceanographic museum the kids enjoyed the aquarium and Russ and I enjoyed the air conditioning worth the 55 euros to get in just to walk in the cool air. After a cool drink or ice cream in the cafe up stairs we went to catch the bus it did not arrive so we walked thankfully just making it in time for the boat to depart back to Nice.

Overall a very enjoyable day although exhausting, the heat is really knocking us around.  Takeaway pizza for dinner from the coin which was really good.