Monday, June 18, 2012

Europe, 12 May 2012 - Monaco




Best view on TV screen
Would you believe the Grande Prix de Monte Carlo? Talk about timing. When we landed in Monaco we discovered we were there on the second day of the three-day Grande Prix, one of the most famous car races in the world. Not that we could see very much of it, as all the streets around the race course were closed unless you had tickets. But there were a couple of places where we could see a little of the course.

As small as Monaco is, there are at least three distinct towns, which of course all run together. And the race also meant the cruise terminal was closed and we needed to tender in from off shore. Near where we anchored was what may be the largest yacht we had ever seen, a very large white boat of three or four decks and a garage for smaller boats to get around a port in.

The tender dock was in a marina area which we walked through to get into town. There were mostly very large yachts, and they were from around the world.
at the Palace

Monaco Palace

We walked through town and climbed the hill up to the palace. Although we didn't tour the palace, it is on an interesting hill top with government offices, shops, cafés, and the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married. The hilltop has good views over the harbor.

best view we had of the Grand Prix
Walking down from the palace we got our best view of the race course. The policeman said we could go beyond that point only if we had tickets. So we watched a bit from above.

On a cliff above the water sits the Aquarium and museum. Word is Jaques Cousteu had something to do with the design of the display tanks. It was a very interesting aquarium with many colorful fish from around the world.

Night View as we left Monaco
We were told that the Casino was closed because of the race, so we didn't try to go there. Not that we would gamble much anyway. Waiting in line for the tender back to the ship we talked with some people who had gone to the casino, so it was open. Oh, well. And we were anchored there till about 11 pm. Not sure how many if any from the ship stayed that long. Late that evening we sailed south toward Spain.

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