I somehow managed to get the public transport right again! Found the bus stop this morning and caught the public bus to the medieval hilltop village of Eze. There was not another soul there and the shops were closed but it was actually a good thing! It was so peaceful and we had the beautiful view of the sun peaking out beneath the clouds over the ocean all to ourselves! We had a look at the narrow streets that wound their way up the hill and went to the Jardin Exotique at the top. I never dreamed when I was planning the few days here that the weather would be this great! I was googling photos and I remember thinking it would never look like it did in those sunny photos, but it did!!
We got back on another bus and went to Monaco, the 2nd smallest country in the world. Billy wouldn't believe me that it's another country but I eventually convinced him that it counts as the 2nd country he's visited here! So now I've been to the smallest and 2nd smallest countries on this holiday! The weather was AMAZING!!! Who needs summer?!? We started off at the casino and opera area but they weren't open to the public yet so we decided to come back later. We went for a walk in this area though and saw the grand prix circuit including the tunnel they zoom through (there was a guy in a red Alfa Romeo zooming through about 3 times while we were there!). Then we went to the port and had a look around. Some of the most expensive yachts in the world are docked here. Lots of people were taking their yachts out on the water today because the weather was so lovely! We walked up the hill on the other side of the port and saw the changing of the guard at the royal palace. Then we headed back down the hill and had lunch at the port. A beautiful backdrop to lunch! There were people ice skating on the Olympic sized swimming pool and people playing tennis on a mock court that had been set up. We shared some pasta and a baguette and then a crepe with sugar. Yum!!
Next we headed back up the hill and enjoyed the beautiful view of the port. Still can't believe our luck with the weather! We had a look at the cathedral where Princess Grace Kelly is buried. Then we went to the Institut Oceanographique, the world famous aquarium started by Prince Albert 1er of Monaco. He went on 28 expeditions between 1885-1915 and collected many different sea creatures and plants and opened the aquarium in 1910. It was really good going to an aquarium and seeing fish from this side of the world! We don't have too many of them in the one at home. No penguins though!!
Then we headed back to the casino and went in and had a look. Didn't gamble at all (you have to pay an entrance fee to do so) but we watched and admired the beautiful building! On the way out all the rich people were pulling up in their Maseratis, Bentleys etc! Very stereotypical, even saw two women get out of a limo in huge fur coats with little dogs in their handbags!
We caught the train back to Nice and just ate some groceries we had bought for dinner. We were pretty full from lunch.
Off to Barcelona tomorrow. I don't know any Spanish!!!! Haha. Hola, adios, gracias. That's it!
Love to all,
Claire
Xoxoxox
Ps: Nan - very glad you liked the watch! And no, you're not paying us back, it's a gift! :) love you
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