Port of Monte Carlo

Carolina's Notes

Before I begin, it has been a bit of a challenge coordinating everyones posting but I have managed to now get everyones writings posted and up to date so if you back through previous days you can find everyone else's postings have been added. Today we pulled into port in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The whole country is half the size of central park. The city is preparing for the world's most lavish yacht show that begins on Wednesday. This was Jimi's heaven as far as "toys" are concerned. The yachts were beyond impressive and hundreds of feet long (one was the 11th largest in the world) and one was even entirely gold encrusted. Jimi came close to a heart attack when we saw someone driving a chrome encrusted Bugatti Veyron, a $2 million car. We took a walking tour and it was serious. It was 6 miles and it was more of a jogging tour. Our tour guide must have been in a hurry. Jimi and I were having a hard time keeping up and it looked like the old people were about to revolt and throw her over the Monte of Monte Carlo. Another entertaining aspect if our tour was a woman, about my age, who decided to wear heels on the walking tour. It was an extensive walk on cobblestone streets up and down steep steps. The name of the tour was "walking tour". She was also the victim of many jokes among our group. We saw the church that Grace Kelly and Prince Rainer were married in, the famous oceanic museum, the palace and changing of the guards, the F1 racing track, and the casino. But all I heard about were the yachts and cars.... I thought a lot about Nick today, he would have LOVED this place and been just as enamored with the toys as Jimi.

We made it back to the ship and took a wonderful 2 hour nap before dinner at the French Bistro. I had 3 desserts; profiteroles, ice cream, and chocolate fondue. My place setting at the end of my dessert looked like a chocolate massacre had occurred. A good night indeed.

Susan's Notes

I leapt over three people to get a table at the Garden Cafe. We went to the breakfast buffet in shifts. The food was good and Zoe ate a substantial breakfast, exactly what we were hoping for.

Off to our walking tour of Monaco. Our tour was number 3, which you had to remember very carefully because the tour guide was so far in front of you that the only time you saw here is when she held up the number 3 placard. What made everything alright is that the country is beautiful. Who has all that money? I would have loved to take a car and drove thru some of the winding streets to the top of the rock. The last stretch of the tour involved climbing a hill that must have gone straight up to God. The natives don't sweat but the Americans do. I have determined this is a natural cooling mechanism as when the warm ocean breezes blow over the perspiration, it cools the body. I am glad we did this tour. We all had fun. Carolina and Jimi stayed in Monte Carlo. Zoe, Sarah, John G, and I enjoyed ourselves in the saltwater pool, the big slide, and the hot tub. John Skelly took a nap.

The evening ended with a wonderful meal at a French bistro. Once again, it ended with multiple desserts (there were more today than yesterday). So far I have won $20 on the ships casino and John has broken even.

Sarah's Notes:


We’re here and it is GORGEOUS! So gorgeous in fact it almost takes your breath away. I have never been anywhere in my life like that except the Grand Canyon. There are mountains and yachts and Gucci, Hermes, Prada, they spoke French and a Royal Family. What more could you ask for???

We departed the boat for our walking tour excursion around 10:15. Our guide was so so. We spent a good portion of the tour listening to static from her headset. Once again Zoe participated and insisted she see the Prince. We walked up a path to the Cathedral de Monaco where Grace Kelly has a tomb. We saw Princess Stephanie’s home, the home of the Prince and the changing of the guards. Well sort of. Carolina and I are short so all we saw were 1000’s of people holding up cameras to take pictures.

Side note: Did you know its 50 Euro cents to use the bathroom in Monaco
and Italy?

Now you do. So hold it if you can. Anyhow….

We finished that part of the tour, walked passed where they are setting up the Monaco Yacht Show (Sept. 22 – 25th), the Grand Prix and then up this gigantic hill which puts the Naval Academy Bridge that John I run over with our running group to shame. The grade is literally probably 3-5 times more. Did I mention we both had run over 3 miles earlier in the morning? He last two places we saw was the Opera House of Monaco and the Casino which we were not able to go in unless we were dressed up…really dressed up. I hear its high rollers only. I swear I saw 3 Lamborghinis and I cannot even tell you how many yachts. One even had a helicopter attached to it.

We headed back to the boat because Zoe was getting antsy and it was hot. By the time we got to the bottom of the hill we climbed up she was fast asleep.

John's Notes:

Was able to get up fairly early hit the gym and run a few miles. It helped get the day started. Today we visited Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Without a doubt as our ship headed towards the port it is easy to see why Monte Carlo is so popular, simply beautiful. What I found most amazing was the not necessarily the architecture but how the buildings and homes were constructed.

We took a walking tour that covered approximately five miles. We climbed to
the top of one of the hills and would visit the palace where the prince resides. Everything about this place is great. The weather, the land, the port, and the feeling here is special.

The toys here are pretty special as well, the yachts, the cars, and the bikes we had a chance to view were mind blowing. Ducatis, Lamborghinis, and multi million dollar yachts around every corner had my head on a swivel the entire time.

Once we got back on the ship it was business as usual. We headed to the pool and hit the slide, over and over and over. Have I mentioned Zoe loves the slide?

So to sum it up Day 3 was a great success. I had a chance to visit a place that I have only seen in the pictures of magazines. I had the chance to walk up a steep hill with people that I care about, and experience a moment that only happens every once in a while. It was certainly an opportunity that I am grateful for, and a memory that will stick with me forever.

Zoe's Notes:

Guess what?!?! I saw a Princess house today and the changing of the guards and the Princes house. I also got to go down the big slide at the pool AND got room service for dinner; I also was in a Prince and Princess Parade at the Kids Club!