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.

Eze

Today we went to Eze an amazing hilltop village located between Nice and Monaco. The site has been occupied since the bronze age although settlement records only date back to the 11th century. There is one building in Eze that dates back to 1306 it is the Chapelle de la Sainte Croix to think it has stood there for 700 years is amazing!

The bus dropped us at the Eze village, we started the climb the kids are so over stairs and tend to whinge and become grumpy....who brought them along may have to post kids back to Oz any takers to look after them let me know! It was rather hot I will give them that and it was about 2 hours after we should of climbed up the hilltop thanks to the bus not turning up sitting waiting for a bus for 2 hours was not fun.

Anyway we climbed to the top paid the 10 euros to access the garden at the top worth every cent the view was amazing. It was rather hot up there in the cactus garden thankfully there was some shade. We then had lunch at the highest resturant on the hill. M is so adventurous with her food and will try anything today it was escargot (snails), she did give me one to try which I did...thank goodness for garlic and parsley! I thought it was a bit crunchy for my liking.

It was time to explore the labyrinth of tiny passages ways with cobbled alleys that were filled with little shops containing crafts, paintings, clothing and cafes. There is even 2 hotels, I think it would be very special to stay up there.

On the way down to the Eze village we stopped at two perfumeries Fragonard and Galimard. Galimard is the oldest perfumery in France and makes its perfumes in Grasse were the micro-climate is perfect for perfume production. We were lucky enough to be invited along on a tour to explain how they produce perfume...it was fascinating. To become a nose (the people who create the perfume) you basically have to study for 6-7 years, not allowed to swim in salt water or chlorine, not allowed rich foods with spices and they work little hours for big money. There are only 200 noses in the world 40 in France.

We purchased some perfume for hubby and I and then caught the bus home exhausted.

Festival of Saint Pierre -25th June 2011

Celebrating Saint Pierre! The festivities begin in the Gesu Catholic Church in the Le Port followed by a procession to Les Ponchettes beach and the burning of a wooden boat to honor the patron saint.

We started our Saturday night by walking the dreaded Castle Hill where we stumbled upon another festival of some sort, not sure what type of festival as it was all in French. Hubby thought it may have to do with politics but he was not to sure. All we could see were lots of food and drink stalls no food regulations were in place as they were smoking as they served and one could see no gloves or hand washing...we had already eaten thankfully! Basically everyone was getting plastered and having a great time. This festival went all weekend as when I ran the hill and yes I said RAN from top to bottom with out stopping (Mark & Chris did you here what i just said) on Monday morning the site at the top was one of complete mess and I think they did have a good time going by the amount of empty condom packets I saw...so glad I left Russ with the kids at home.

Anyway back to St Pierre we then ventured down the other side of the hill to the St Pierre festival, at the Gesu Church the mass was in French but I was able to get the gist of things. The church was beautiful inside and I really enjoyed sitting listening even though I couldn't understand. At the conclusion of the mass they carried a statue of St Pierre out of the church through a guard of honour. The guard of honour comprised of sailors dressed in blue and white striped tops and white pants holding red oars. The statue was carried down to the waters edge at the Le Port where it was placed on a boat and was taken out to sea (we are not sure what happened to the statue once out of the Port) although it was escorted by little sailing boats which had large bouquets of flowers on their decks. While waiting for the boats to return there was music and dancing. Daughter no. 2 was lucky to receive a flower from one of the sailors....her sister was so not happy! Once the sailing boats had returned the priest came down to the water and stood next to the wooden boat they were about to set fire to, he said a prayer and the boat was lit. It burned rapidly and was a great delight to all watching.

We then made our way home walking along The Promenade des Anglais which was alive with people walking and there were hundreds on the beach having picnics and enjoying the evening.

Warmly,
The Harpers :)
Ps photos to follow later don't have access to down load any at the moment