Palace, Casino and Cars

I set out for my first venture out of the city of Nice today for a visit to Monaco.  One of my friends works up there and suggested I make the trip so I took his advice and headed to the train station.  Once at the train station getting the ticket was a bit confusing but eventually with the help of a kind German man I made it happen.  I will have you know that I was able to figure out what ticket to get while the whole system was completely in french.  Yes, it may have been a bit of luck and really good educated guessing but non the less I bought the right ticket and made it down to the correct train platform with out too much trouble.  The train was slightly delayed and while I was waitingI had a great interaction with a elderly couple....We were all  standing leaning against a railing waiting for the train.  I was about 90% sure I was in the right spot and this couple next to me must have been feeling the same because he turned to me and asked me something in really broken French with an English accent. A huge smile broke out across my face an I just said with my lovely american accent "Sorry, only English buddy"  He cracked up and said "Why didn't you stop me and where is the sign you should be wearing that says I speak English."  I told him he was putting so much effort into his French I couldn't cut him off and also that I was a bit jealous that he could at least speak a bit of french.  He said it really isn't as helpful as you would think.  It was such a funny interaction I just loved it!  Back to my travels...the train arrived and we all hopped on.  It was a quick 20 minute ride and the scenery was nice.  It was a good introduction to all the little villages that I will be able to visit along the way on my next train ride.  Once I arrived I walked out into the city and headed up the

Prince's Palace

hill to the Prince's Palace of Monaco.  The actual palace was nice but not as impressive as all the views you got from being up on this hill.  Unfortunately the day was really overcast so none of my photos are that great...I will definitely be going back on a more clear day.  I did walk through the palace rooms that were open and it was very french.  Frescos on all the ceilings and everything was very Rocco style and way overdone.  Not my style at all but absolutely beautiful.  They way they can make damask patterned silk wallpaper and floral tapestry curtains work together along with another style of damask on the furniture is simply awe inspiring.  Because this is a working palace and the current Prince does business here you aren't allowed to take photos and only a small part is open.  As I walked through I learned that many of the same ceremonies that took place hundreds of years ago still happen in the same place currently.  For instance signing of all important documents happen on a certain table and presenting of heirs to the thrown happen in a specific salon within the palace.  So interesting to hear that traditions we would never think still happen are occurring right here on a regular basis.  There also was the changing of the guard right outside the palace which is always fun to watch.  I love that it is like a choreographed dance. The foot and arm movements are so specific and the paces they take are so exact you can actually see the worn area of the pavement where it has been happening over and over each and every day for years and years.  In the same general area of the palace

St. Nicholas Cathedral

    is St. Nicholas Cathedral.  This gorgeous place was built in 1875 and is the resting place for many of the past royalty of Monaco including Princess Grace (Grace Kelly who was married to Prince Rainier).  The interior was quite impressive with its rich dark wood pews and high ceilings filled with stained glass windows.  It also had a elegant organ which I unfortunately didn't get to hear.  I have been told they do concerts which would be great to hear.  Upon exiting the cathedral I had a feeling of slight claustrophobia even though I was outdoors....so many tourists!  It is completely ok and expected I just needed a bit of space.  Just below this cathedral there was a great little area that was full of winding walkways and hidden benches.  This seemed like the perfect escape for a bit of a relaxation and hiding from the world.  Wandering through was heavenly.  All I could hear was the sound of birds chirping and the sea below.  The sun was trying to push it's way through the clouds a bit and the view was great so I found a bench, pulled out my book and settled in.   I couldn't have asked for a more lovely moment.  I was

View from the winding walkways

surprised more people didn't venture down but I wasn't complaining.  After my little break I started to walk down and away from the palace toward the other end of town and the Port Hercule.  While walking towards the port I ended up just walking past it and up the hill to Monte Carlo.  I ended up smack in front of the Monte Carlo Casino.  I suppose I had never really thought about it existing outside of Las Vegas (even though I knew it did) and then all of a sudden it was right in front of me.  This was one of the moments I have had over the course of the trip where I end up seeing something that I didn't even realize I was near enough to go and see.  I know that is partially because I am geographically challenged but it is also because I have just let this trip happen with minimal planning.  I would never have these amazing "smack me in the

Monte Carlo Casino

face" moments if I had planned to go and see everything that I am just ending up at.  This experience has been so much better then I could have ever planned out on my own.  I guess it is partially luck and partially just being open to allowing things to happen.  I have also had great advice and suggestions from the friends I have met along the way.
The Monte Carlo Casino is all you would imagine it to be from the outside.  Elegant, very french looking and high class all the way.  I didn't go inside because there is a dress code but I will be getting fancy and going back to see what it's like! Now lets take a moment and appreciate the serious car lust I was having walking by this place....Audi R8, Aston Martian, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Maserati and the list goes on.  I was dying...just the sound of all of them driving by.  So beautiful!  I will say that the one disappointing thing was they have started to "murder out"  some of these beautiful cars with the awful matte black paint.  So disappointing.  They were not meant to look like that.  Ok I will stop talking about the cars now but come on, it's Monaco home of the Formula 1 grand Prix.  What do you expect.  The grand prix had actually just happened the week before I visited so

Grand Prix tear down

I did get to see some of the race area being broken down while I was walking to meet a friend for a drink.  It was kinda cool to see where the race goes and that it is right through town.  I would love to have seen it,  maybe next year.  After all this walking I was ready to just sit and relax for a bit.  I met up with my friend and we headed to a little bar along the port.  He was telling me that once summer sets in a bit more it would look bit different but since they were still breaking down from the race it was not in it's full beauty...guess I will have to just go again to see it!  After an unfortunate incident with some flying things (bugs, dust not sure which) on the first attempt to sit down we found a spot on the second try, ordered some drinks and had a good relaxing chat.  We headed back to Nice on the train and then parted ways to walk home.  He had to get home to put the kiddos to bed so his wife could have a night out with her friends and I had a serious case of exhaustion setting in.   All in all it was a lovely day..a palace, beautiful views, beautiful cars and good company!  France is getting better with each day.