Just Add Water: Monaco

The second to the last day, we traveled by bus along the coast to Monaco. It was only one Euro each way...what a bargain! The bus was packed and we ended up sitting across from a couple of girls in their early twenties, who were taking a bunch of weeks to travel Europe with their backpacks. I thought that was a great adventure for them to be on at such a young age!! It was great to talk with some Americans as well. They had a surprisingly mature outlook on life for being so young. I guess you would have to, to be doing what they were doing. As it turned out they were also Christians. We had a really fun conversation on the way to Monaco with them.

The bus traveled along the coast, so here are some photos of the great villages we passed on the way to Monaco.

Now we are in Monaco...and the yachts became a lot larger!

It was a couple of days before the famous Monaco Grand Prix, so the whole city/country was preparing for it. It made for an interesting visit as many things were walled off for the race.

Of course we saw the famous Monte Carlo Casino (yes, this is the one in the James Bond movies)...we found out ahead of time that you cannot go in unless you can prove you have at least $5000 to play with and are dressed to the nines. ( I am not really sure how one would prove that you have $5000, but that is what we were told.) Having neither, we did not even try to go in.

The back of the casino that overlooks the water

The hotel across from the casino

I have never ...ever ... seen so many expensive cars in one place in my life...many of the ones parked outside the casino were being dusted or cleaned by a "man-servant" while the owner was inside gambling :)

Had to get this shot: alongside all the Lamborghinis and Bentleys is this wonderful eco-friendly Prius :) (for those of you who don't know, we own a silver one just like this). So we may not have had enough money to even step inside the casino, nor expensive enough clothing, but our car fits right in....well kind of.....

Monaco is built into the side of steep hills, so throughout the city there are indoor elevators that take you from one street to another that is lower or higher on the hill.

Much of the architecture looks like it is from the 1950's -1970's....which is very different from every other place we visited.

We went to visit the castle, where the royal family still lives. It is on a hill overlooking the city. The area around the castle is much older and more classic. Many of the buildings are hues of pink!

Here is the castle....it is so plain compared to the other castles we had seen. Maybe this is why the people of Monaco never killed off their Kings and Queens!

More pink buildings in the courtyard surrounding the castle

The so very intimidating castle guard!!

Old cannons facing into the Mediterranean. These cannon balls are all welded together. We wondered if they were concerned that people would try to use them :)

This kids playground was just beneath the castle, almost like it was part of the castle's yard area...I guess the royal children need a place to play!

Nearby the castle on a cliff overlooking the water is the famous Institute of Oceanography, this was home to Jacques Cousteau

Throughout the city are photographs of Princess Grace. It seems she is idolized by her people. For those of you who don't know Princess Grace was Grace Kelly and she married Prince Rainier of Monaco and became quite the icon ...Hollywood and royalty!!

So not only did Monaco have the most expensive cars I have ever seen, but also the most expensive shopping....the amount of money that exists here is crazy....