Nice, Cap Ferrat and Monaco
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Nice, Cap Ferrat and Monaco
More super yachts, old market towns and Monaco Casino
Nice
We spent several nights in Nice with Katie, my Mother, Sister and then just the two of us.
We decided Nice in nice…. Here are some of my favourite parts:
- Having Brunch/ Petit Dejeuner with Katie in the old town and then checking out the food market (a theme of Katie’s sailing holiday). We went back to the market with my Mum and Martha as it turns into an antiques market on Mondays. It was great to look at all the antiques – especially the designer handbags and jewellery. Geoff and Martha were less interested so opted to sit in the bar with a cold beer and some shade instead
- Walking over the hill by the port and looking at the stunning views of the town
- Cooling off with a swim in the sea on Nice beach
Cap Ferrat and Ville Franche
I’d never heard of Cap Ferrat before we arrived. It’s a headland between Nice and Monaco (very near to Nice) where the rich and famous live. A few of the famous names include Bill Gates, Tina Turner and at one time the Rothchilds. We sailed past this headland a couple of times and anchored in Ville Franche with my Mum and Sister.
I think anchoring was probably Martha’s highlight of the holiday as we could jump into the sea off the back of the boat, sun bathe on deck and avoid the busy rushing around of Nice and Monaco.
Monaco
And then there was Monaco – a part of the trip I’d been looking forward to although I had no idea what to expect. We were mooring in Fontvielle marina just on the edge of the Principality so, after a quick lunch, a change into smarter clothes (you can’t go bear feet or bare-chested in Monaco) we headed off into town. After getting a little lost and wandering what all the fuss was about we stumbled across the Casino, Café De Paris and then the old town – this was much more what of what I expected.
- The casino: We came here twice, one in the day time and then all dressed up at night. The casino has both “slot machines” as well as the grander and more imposing card and roulette tables. I went armed with my coins for the one armed bandit only to discover that in Monaco the smallest amount of money you can put in a machine comes in note not coin form… It took about 20 mins for Geoff, my Mother and I to work out how the one armed bandit works (no more pulling the arm and seeing if the pictures match – here they have lines, bets and rows??) and after being 30 cents up we lost all of our 5 Euro bet. I don’t think gambling is the main attraction of the casino, instead I think it’s the people, watching the roulette games and staring in wander at the Feraris and Maseratis parked outside. Unfortunately Mum didn’t bump into George Clooney as she hoped so we consoled her with a glass of white wine instead
- The marina: Monaco Marina really isn’t all that amazing, but I have become a bit of a sad boat spotter and like looking to see whether we’ve seem any of the super boast elsewhere on our tour. W2, one of the most glamarous and beautifully designed boats we’ve seen so far was there – it is pretty cool. I should have taken a photo but failed to so you’ll have to take my word for it
- The old town: The old town is really pretty and I couldn’t help finding the fact that there’s a dress code for walking around the streets quite bizarre but nice. We made a special; effort to go and see the changing of the guard at 11am which I’m glad we saw although I’m not sure I’d rush to go and see it again
- The second hand private jet shop: Where else in the world would you find a shop selling second hand private jets just off the high street??
So all in all it was an interesting place to visit and I’m pretty sure I can say that everyone that came along with us enjoyed it too. Monaco had to be a location for this year but now I’ve done it I think I’ve seen enough glitz and glamour for a while.
So back to Nice for us to drop Martha and my Mum off, get the boat cleaned and stocked up before we head off the Tuscan Islands.
Once again there’s no book update – we’ve been too busy but, Mum did ;eave us with enough books to fill a small library so we’ll be reading a lot over the next month or so.
Uncategorized | Author: jholley | 1 Comment
Well I enjoyed the Nice and Monaco experience very much, especially the level of service and food on Tangaroa. I certainly wasn’t expecting tea and homemade Anzac biscuits in the afternoon!!
I love Nice and thought the Antique Market was fascinating. Am beginning to regret not buying one of the vintage handbags and perhaps a hat to add to my collection.
Was it really 6 in the afternoon and everyone was still on the beach and swimming in the sea. Must remember to take a cushion with me next time the stones are very uncomfortable.
Visited the Florian shop and factory which was right next to the Marina, where they make the lovely crystallised fruits such as Marrons Glace that you buy in Fortnums at Christmas. Very nice and I did buy some Violet and Rose Petal jams, much to the disgust of Jess and Geoff. Sadly forgot couldn’t take them home with me in my luggage, so if you are breakfasting on Tangaroa please help yourself, they are nicer than you think.
Leaving Nice on our way to Monaco I had my first sailing lesson: how complicated and looked like hard work to an old age pensioner like me so was very happy to sit back and leave all of that to Captain Geff and first Mate Jess. I did manage to tidy up some of the “ropes”, not sure if that’s the right term.
I was so excited coming into Monaco, ther were lots of helicopters flying in and out and I wondered who all these people were, certain we’d bump into some on our visit. Ther was the strancest sculpure at the entrance to the Marina – very anatomical portraying a giant pregnant woman. Couldn’t quite get why it was where it was, but they do like sculpture in Monaco.
Phew I was glad Geoff was parking the boat not much space, but he made it look easy, how the super yachts make it is amazing and I love the noise they make as they come in, they sound like spaceships. They are very big. Apparently where we were moored is the very exclusive area of Monaco, according to Piers Morgan on the TV the other night. It’s where the very rich and famous live. Had i known I would have made more effort to dress up when I went for a shower.
I really enjoyed looking arround, although it was much busier and touristy than I expected and so much traffic. Certainly never seen so many very expensive cars in my life. Loved the car museum and it did help to be air-conditioned as it was very hot. It was disappointing that I didn’t hook up with George in the Casino, I guess his PA must have got our dates muddled up. I could have done with his help, no-one told me gambling was so complicated. Sadly did not manage to make my fortune, better luck next time.
My next big adventure was anchoring off Ville Franche very pretty, didn’t realise what an art dropping and raising an anchor was. Once again I was very happy just to watch the Tangaroa crew in action rather than help. Everybody were jumping of the back of boats to cool off and having fun, I just couldn’t pluck up the courage. I wish I had now. There was one strange moment when I was in the cabin and looked up to see a super yacht towering over us. They were just letting us know that Jess’s bikini had fallen off the rail into the sea, how neighbourly was that? Too late though it had gone and no-one could find it.
That was my last night in the South of France on Tangaroa, and I made poor Geoff get up at 5am to drop martha and I back to Nice. Sorry Geoff I just can’t help it I always worry about being late, so can’t rest until I am at my destination 2 hours too early. Just be pleased that this gene isn’t one Jessica has inherited.
Thank you Tangaroa I had a great time and you looked after me so well. hope to do it again soon