Oh My, We're in Monte Carlo!, August 2000
On our trip to France, we stayed a couple of days in Nice. It was enough time for us to take a day excursion to the tiny independent Republic of Monaco. We just took the local train to go there. I can no longer recall how long the trip took although I do remember the train having some mechanical problems causing it to travel a bit slower than usual and making some local passengers both going to Monaco and then to Italy grumble and complain.
I remember going to the city's Tourist Information Office and having my passport stamped to commemorate my visit. Marc had his passport stamped as well.
While ambling in many of its streets, guess what we saw? The Embassy of the Philippines. I was no longer a Philippine citizen then but I took a picture of the place anyway. After all, though I may be a naturalized citizen of the USA and proud of it, I still remain a Filipino. I look it, speak the language, eat the delicious food, and socialize with the some Filipinos who now call California home.
In downtown Monte Carlo, on the way to the city's famous casino
We went inside the Monte Carlo Casino and played some slot machines in a side pavilion, not the main casino. We didn't win but one fellow traveler, another teacher from Maine, did. She went at night with a group on a guided tour of the city.
Taken at the gardens of the world famous Monte Carlo Casino
What a view!
A scene in the city of Monte Carlo right outside the train station
A view of the palace, the cathedral, and the Palais de Justice among the many sights sitting on the rock
Another view of the rock where the palace and the cathedral were located
We wondered how we could travel to the palace at one point. A tourist from England must have heard Marc and I talking about it and he suggested that we just walk it given the small size of Monte Carlo. A lady from a souvenir shop though suggested we took the bus that stopped right in the square where we were. We took the bus and in a matter of minutes, we reached our destination.
A view of the Monte Carlo harbor
At the Royal Palace called the Palais Princier in French
Marc in front of the Royal Palace also called the Palais Princier
The façade of the Cathedral of Monte Carlo. I first saw this cathedral on TV when I watched documentaries showing the wedding of the late Grace Kelly to the Prince of Monaco
A frontal view of the Cathedral of Monte Carlo
Marc in front of the cathedral
The nave of the Cathedral of Monte Carlo
The grave of Grace Kelly, the late Hollywood actress turned Princess of Monaco, inside the Monte Carlo Cathedral
A side view of the beautiful Cathedral of Monte Carlo
Marc in Monte Carlo!
A religious looking local statue in a square
The breathtaking harbor of Monte Carlo
I must say, we very happy indeed to be in Monaco! How beautiful and rich looking the city was!
In Monte Carlo with a view of the absolutely beautiful harbor of Monte Carlo in the background. If I am not mistaken this shot was taken in front of the Royal Palace
Marc on grounds of the Royal Palace with a view of the beautiful Monte Carlo harbor in the background
What a city!
A beautiful and rich looking building. Just One of the very many in the tiny republic.
There was no denying Monaco looked rich, very rich. Everywhere we went, the place oozed with class and luxury.
A last look at the world famous casino of Monte Carlo
Bye, Monaco!