Monaco & Monte Carlo

Our second day in Monte Carlo we did our own thing which was perfect.  We went to the Prince’s Palace and just as we came up from the path to the palace they were doing the changing of the guard.  We couldn’t have asked for better timing.  The palace was absolutely beautiful.  They wouldn’t allow us to take any photos but it was amazing. 

This is the coat of arms for Monaco.  Kind of a cool story the Grimaldi family years and years ago lead in an attack to take over the country.  They were all disquised as monks and then went in and took off their disquises and killed everyone and took over the country.   Kind of a gory story but interesting.

After the palace we went to the Aquarium.  The Prince of Monaco had just gotten married so they had all of the wedding photos on display at the Aquarium as well as a replica of what they wore.  They had some fantastic murals on the ceiling.  I took some pictures of those so you could see them.  On our walk into town we noticed a little beach so we decided it would be fun to go for a swim.  We came back had lunch grabbed our swimsuits and went for a swim in the Mediterranean.  The water was so warm and it is so clear and blue.  I can see why they call it the Blue Coast.  Char had to prepare for her class the next day so after we had dinner I ditched her and went into Monte Carlo.  I had to go in and see the Grand Casino.  I didn’t go inside but I walked around outside.  It was really hot and muggy that night.  Interesting note if you want to gamble at the Grand Casino it costs 10 euro just to go in also you can’t be a resident of Monaco to gamble they don’t let the residents gamble who knew….obviously not me.

Our next day was a day at sea so not to much to report there.  I was having a hard time staying awake in Char’s class so I felt a nap was needed.  I ended up having two.  All those excursions have been wearing me out. 

Today we were in Palma De Mallorca Spain.  This is a beautiful island.  We got suckered into doing another excursion but it was once a gain fabulous.  One of the nice things about the excursions is sometimes we don’t know exactly what we are doing.  Today we went to some caves.  I took a few pictures I wasn’t supposed to so I was trying to be sneaky and they didn’t turn out   so great.  If you got caught taking a photo they would shine a flashlight at you and say no photos no photos.  I only got caught once.  The cave was huge it’s 1200 meters long and has an underground lake that is 9 meters deep.  We walked down into the cave and there was this huge opening with these benches it seats about 500.  There were between 200 and 300 people in there today.  We get seated and a recording comes on and talks a little bit about the cave and then tells us to be quiet and that there was going to be a concert.  They turn out all the lights and we start hearing music and coming across the lake we see these lighted boats and on one of the boats is a string quartet and an organ playing beautifully.  They played for about 15 minutes.  I can’t say that I’ve ever heard a concert in a cave before but now I have.  We then went to a glass factory and museum and watched them make glass and we then of course went to the gift shop and bought a few things.

These are some of the molds used to make some of the glass items.  This was up in the museum so I am sure that they are pretty old.

We only had one day here and the boat was leaving at 5 we wanted to see this amazing Cathedral in town so we had to hustle.  The monk that brought Catholicism to California came from Palma De Mallorca.  As we approached the cathedral we came across this cowboy painted bronze we of course had to get our photo taken.  We ventured around the Cathedral and took a few photos.  The building is huge and just magnificent.

Tomorrow we are headed to Valencia.  Char is doing a 4 hour bike tour and I’m doing another tour.  We then have a sea day and then end our first cruise in Barcelona.  I’m doing a bike tour that day in the afternoon.  I’m not sure what I was thinking with that one as I’m sure it will be hot and humid that day.  Oh well no big deal I’m sure I will survive.  Until I blog again.  Adios!