Europe Holiday 2013: Day 4 Saturday 1 June

Today we caught an earlyish flight (9am!) from Dubai to Nice arriving at 3pm and found our private transfer for the short trip to Monaco. Our lady driver took us by the coastal road which is slower but very scenic, catching glimpses of the beautiful little coves and bays where only the super rich live.

Well we left Dubai and we think it was good to see but no need to go there again - that's for sure! Very hot and very new and sterile but not really that interesting. They have tried to build the biggest/best/tallest/etc but probably too much wealth there and it is the type of money that's off putting. But it is good to see where our petrol dollars are going!!

By contrast what a place we have in Monte Carlo!!! I half expected to be stopped at the border to check my bank balance but they let us in OK! Pure money wall to wall and so much on display - people, cars, clothes, boats, etc. Even the air just feels rich. I didn't know Bentley made so many cars! Plus untold Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati - must be near Italy!
Apartments off the main strip for 3.6 million Euros!! We bought a nice unit overlooking the beach for the family to use whenever!!!

I just love the place as it seems to be clinging on to the cliff face and rocks are just popping out of the ground everywhere. To go from one street to another you have to go up or down a continuous stair case or catch a lift!! Very good for the legs.

The French are very keen on their dogs and we have seen dogs everywhere from the lobby of our Hotel to Restaurants and everywhere in between. We spoke to one nice lady with a Schnauzer - well spoken and perfect English accent but Beryl had to ask her "where are you from because you speak good English" to which the indignant lady replied I am English!!!
Another faux par for Bez was, in her usual style she spotted some "mints" in the hotel and proceeded to eat 3 of them before we decided that they were the sugar cubes for tea and coffee.
She said they were a bit sweet!

Our Hotel is fabulous - it is built out over the water and is the "tunnel" the formula 1 cars go thru in the Formula 1 race. (last week end) They are still working on pulling down all the grandstands and arm-co railings around the track and all the temporary buildings.
Yes I have walked almost every inch of the track and pits.
Fabulous buildings scattered around including the Casino which is beside our hotel - and yes I played the pokies with Beryl watching - she let me put E10 (WOW) in and I promptly made that into E100 (about 132 Aussie dollars) before I finally buckled to pressure to quit.
So I get another visit when we have time!

We have walked all over and will again tomorrow - you don't go far but it is all uphill!