Oct 25.2009 - Monaco/Monte Carlo

DKP : Today was a day to remember for sure. We had our own personal tour guide in our friend Martina (Team Head Waitress), who had been here previously. She had traversed the area before and was happy to show us around. We walked straight from the ship, past one of the most bedazzled marinas in the world, to the stairs up to the Gardens and Castle. The views and the architecture were stunning, the cars were impressive, the fashion was fitted and beverly hills cool, however the food was dissappointing and the attitudes were typically "french." Apparently, tattoos are not very "Monaco" even though you know they all have them.

The principality of Monaco is a tiny sovereign city-state completely enclosed by France. Like Grand Cayman, it's a tax haven for the wealthy foreigners making up 84% of it's inhabitants. I was told by a friend, who Googles That Shit - GTS) that the letters for the Lady Moura super yacht, docked next to the Dream, were made of solid gold - not gold leaf. The name appears 3 times on the boat... that's a lot of cheddar. Would it suprise you to know that the owner is of Saudi descent?? We have our SUV's and he has the Lady Moura :-))

Monaco is a Constitutional Monarchy with Prince Albert II at the head, however it's defense is still the responsibility of France. Monaco is also the world's most densely populated sovereign country and the world's smallest French speaking country.

Founded in 1866, with a permanent population of about 3,000, Monte-Carlo, although the most known area in Monaco, is not the country's capital city, that would be Monaco-Ville, which covers all quarters of the territory. Monte-Carlo's reputation precedes itself for the high-roller glamorous casinos often populated by the famous. This was made abudantly clear by the top hat and tails wearing valets perched out front of the ostentacious staircases, organizing the parking for the Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley and Porche owners seen rumbling up to make their grand entrances.

Monte-Carlo is also known for the Circuit de Monaco, on which the Forumula One Monaco Grand Prix takes place. Also world championship boxing bouts, the Monte-Carlo Masters, European Poker Tour Grand Finale and the World Backgammon Championships as well as fashion shows and other high-profile events. All of this adds up to Monte-Carlo being one of Europe's leading tourist resorts including such attractions as Monaco Cathedral, Napolean Museum, the Oceanographic Museum and aquarium and the Prince's Palace,

As seductive a form of travel as cruising is, the daily port time schedules do not allow for an extensive view of a place. However, never having been to this part of the world, what we did see in and around the Marina made for memories that will always bring a smile to our faces.