We had an absolutely wonderful day in Monaco today. Though we’ve visited nearby cities on the French Riviera on previous travels, this was the first time we’d been to Monaco, and I’ve been excited about this port since we first booked this cruise on the Pacific Princess. Yesterday’s gloomy weather in Genoa had me worried, but I needn’t have been. I actually saw a beautiful sunrise from our cabin, and the whole day was warm and mostly sunny.
Today was extra-special because we were celebrating our 35th anniversary. I had wanted to wait until we were on the Pacific Princess to do that, and when I left the cabin to join G for breakfast in the Panorama Buffet, cabin steward Prem (from India) already had balloons and an anniversary poster on our door. Even better, G met me with a peach Bellini when I reached the buffet. He had already been off the ship to get some maps and brochures from the tourist info desk in the terminal.
Darling Carla from Mexico, serving up $3 Bellinis with a view of the multi-million dollar yachts of Monaco/Monte Carlo
Over oatmeal, fruit…and a Bellini (very rare for 99% abstemious me), we planned our day. Despite the fact that, at about one square mile, Monaco is the world’s second smallest country (first is Vatican City), it is divided into three municipalities: La Condamine, around the port area; Monte Carlo, the residential area where the Casino is located; and Monaco-Ville, the old city on a rocky promontory extending into the Mediterranean, known as the La Roche, or The Rock. This area was a short walk from the ship, and we decided to spend our day there.
Monaco-Ville is home to Le Palais du Princier (the Prince’s Palace, where Prince Albert and his family live), the Ministry of State Government Building, the Cathedral of Monaco where Prince Rainer and Grace Kelly were married, and the Cousteau Aquarium. The entire area looks so perfect it’s very Disney-esque. Not a speck of trash, no graffiti, frequent trash cans, all empty with new bags inside, and only a couple of hours’ worth of leaves under the trees. Oh, and a well-dressed police officer on every corner. In fact, Monaco has more police officers per capita than any other country.
Honestly, if I was a princess in such a beautiful principality, I think I’d smile a whole lot more than Monaco’s princesses appear to do. ;-)
Seaside walk in Monaco-ville called Le Rampe
Sea views from the Le Rampe and Monagesque life guards (even when there was no one in the water)
The back of the Cousteau aquarium
Steps up to Monaco-villeWe wandered the streets, and stepped into the Cathedral of Monaco. I recognized the front from photos I’ve seen of the Royal Wedding. It’s beautiful on the inside, with small but exquisite stained glass windows. Prince Ranier and Princess Grace are buried there, too, though visitors can’t get close to their graves.
Cathedral of Monaco, where Rainer and Grace were married and buried.
The nave in the Cathedral of Monaco
The Cathedral has many beautiful stained glass windows
We made our way just a bit further to the Prince’s Palace, where we watched the Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11:55am. I think the most impressive part of it was the bell song when the clock struck noon. It was beautiful and haunting and perfect for this fairy-tale setting. (I will upload a video from Hawaii).
Changing of the guard at the Prince’s palace
Changing of the guard
The flag means Prince Albert II was at home!
View of Monaco from the Place du Palais near the palace. You can just make out part of the Formula 1 Grand Prix course.
We next spent a couple of hours in the Cousteau Aquarium. I was thrilled at the prospect, and wasn’t disappointed. The €11 admission fee was a bargain; though the aquarium wasn’t large, it was very well done, with sea life from all over the world, freshwater and salt water, high altitude lakes and rivers. I am in heaven when I enter an aquarium, and this one had me at the first large display, with tropical fish and corals. We didn’t intend to stay as long as we did, and thought we’d eventually make our way over to Monte Carlo, but, no, this was too big a draw.
The Cousteau Aquarium
This is why I love having my head (and hips) underwater!
Jellyfish
Seahorses
Not rocks at the bottom, but deadly stonefish
Pure joy :-)
We returned to the ship before 4pm, and rested (and uploaded photos to this post, one at a time) until it was time to get ready for dinner. Several waiters sang us Happy Anniversary and we received a chocolate cake…and headwaiter Sorin was there to tell me I couldn’t have any. ;-) No matter; tonight’s dairy free dessert was a cream filled cake with strawberries (how do they do that?).
Anniversary cake
Lactose-free dessert (really!)
Sail away from Monaco after dark was stunning, and we watched it from our table. However, it soon became obvious that the ship was turning, as we were seeing lights we’d left behind an hour earlier. Captain Paul Slight made an announcement that there was a medical emergency on board, and a passenger needed to be taken to a local hospital. A police boat and a pilot boat came alongside the ship and the passenger (and their luggage, very sad) was taken off. I hope their recovery is swift.
We were on our way again then, and we went to the Cabaret Lounge to see comedian/vocalist Jo Little perform. We’ve seen her several times in the past. She was a huge hit on our Australia cruises last year, and was quite good tonight.
And then we crashed. I pointed out to G over dinner that we have had 11 port days in a row. “No!” Yes. Then he looked up our itineraries on his iPhone and countered, “And one sea day in 15 days”. We are so ready for our day at sea tomorrow. We are going to sleep, wake up to eat…and sleep some more.
I can’t wait.