Last weekend in France

So this was my last full weekend in France. On Friday night, we went to see Cirque de Soliel. After some drama with people being late and then forgetting the ticket (and having to go back to get them), we got in, only missing the first 20 minutes. Still they were amazing. But there are some things the human body should just not be able to do. Like put your bum on your head. And for once, I enjoyed the clowns. Definitely worth all the stress and money. A great evening!
On Saturday I went into town and went to the crafts and antiques markets. They have some great things. I was very tempted by the rings with have cakes on them. But they would make me want cake all the time so I got an amazing necklace (Thanks Dad!) with a 20's French actress holding a pair of pistols.
I then went and sat on the beach for a while. The weather has beautiful and I started my tan. So I sat there and read my book with a snack.

Me and my book on the beach

My seaside snack! So nice!

On the evening I went to Eze Old Town with Gerry and one of his visiting students, Anthony. The Old Town is a medieval fort on a hill. Everything was shut but the lighting gave some spooky photos.

Spooky lighting in Eze old town

Steps up to the top

We then headed briefly into Monte-Carlo. Gerry was very impressed by the car he parked next to.

Gerry and Anthony next to Gerry's car. Guess which one?

Sunday was spent sleeping and working. 

Monte-Carlo

On Monday, we took the train into Monte-Carlo. The first challenge was getting out of the train station. The station is set into the hill so there are a number of lifts and escalators to a number of different exits. The first attempt took us to the top of the hill which was not where we wanted to be. (The arrows tend to point in roughly direction you want but not always.) However, the view from the top was great.

View from the top of Monte-Carlo train station

After a bit of trial and error (and wondering around), we made it to the port. I thought the boats in Nice were big. These were disgustingly huge. They had multiple boats on some yachts.

One of the enormous yachts

This one has multiple boats on the yacht!

Monaco Port

We then went to the Casino, again finding the subway though trial and error. The subway was marble and gold. This was to get to the elevator to go up the hill. Again, this was very James Bond. I expected the doors to open and Jaws or Dr. No to be on the other side. :-)The Casino was massive and very posh. We were not allowed in. So we sat in the outdoor café next to the Casino and had an expensive hot chocolate while watching the Bentleys, Mercedes, and BMWs past by. One guy got out of his car passed his keys to the valet outside the Casino and walked off with his wife. He didn't even shut the door, which then stayed open for the next 20 mins.
It was great sitting people watching. Dad brought a wine opener in the shop next to the Casino (one of the few affordable things).

Monte-Carlo Casino

Outside the Casino

Random (melting) chocolate car parked outside the Casino

We then took the shuttle boat across the harbour and went to the Oceanography Museum. Again, it took a series of hillside lifts and hidden elevators to find it. The Museum is right on the cliff side and has an amazing aquarium inside. We spent a few hours looking around.

Back of the Oceanography museum

Sad looking ray

Sea Turtle having lunch

"Give us a kiss, love ..."

The corals were amazing

On the way back to the train station, we went past the royal Palace. Unfortunately the Palace Apartments are not open until May so we couldn't go inside. But they are very pretty from the outside.

Monte-Carlo royal Palaces

We also stopped at a bakery and I had a really nice Chocolate eclair. All over Monte-Carlo there are pictures of Princess Grace. On the streets, there are plaques with pictures of her and in the shops there are photos of when she visited the area as well as photos of the current King and his new wife. They really do love their royal family.