On Wednesday, March 27th, Annie and I decided to take a €1 bus trip (€1, seriously) over to Monaco. Just in case you don't know, Monaco is a principality and independent city-state confined within France. It's the second smallest city-state in the world (next to the Vatican City) at 2 square kilometers. It's an extremely wealthy country (largest number of millionaires and billionaires per capita of any country in the world). You probably know Monaco because Grace Kelly became its princess in 1956 (and the current Prince of Monaco is her son).
Oh, and by the way? Our bus ride looked like this. I woulda paid a euro just for the views, for the love.
more bus ride
encore plus
When we got there, we got out in the Monte Carlo area. It didn't take long to realize that Monaco basically looks like some kind of little toyland. Everything is so perfect and well-kept, it's like a cartoon or a fairy tale or like DisneyLand or Duloc from Shrek. I mean seriously, look at the adorable little train.
the Monte Carlo casino
Porsche (Here's a little car stalking.)
We went in... to the lobby. That's it. Fan-cy.
I really love the terrain along the eastern side of France's Mediterranean coast - hills and cliffs all along the coast! It's beautiful.
with Annie!*
Théâtre Princesse Grace - apparently Grace Kelly did a lot for the arts in Monaco.
Port Hercule
waterslide in the port... pourquoi pas?
From here you can see the older part (above), Monaco Ville, or just le Rocher (the rock).
rue Princesse Caroline
backside of the palace up on le Rocher
So strict. Jeez.
along the ramp up to le Rocher
Prince's Palace
le Rocher wanderings
April 19, 1956: Grace Kelly's marriage to Prince Rainier III
St. Nicholas Cathedral (the Cathedral of Monaco), where the marriage took place
You can't really see, but through that door, you can see straight out to the Mediterranean. It's BEAUTIFUL.
Princess Grace's tomb inside the cathedral
some beautiful park that winds along the coast around le Rocher... If you look, you can see that it's right by the water.
As in, "We all live in a..."
And thus concludes our Monégasque** adventure! I had a great day playing tourist in the DisneyLand of the millionaires with my new friend Annie.*
*pictures stolen from Annie.... merci!
**That's the French demonym Monaco... did you know!? Yeah me neither.
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