Monaco, Monaco

2nd stop Monaco! It's just not right not to visit Monaco if you are traveling to south of France, which it's only 1hour + from Nice by bus, which cost only 2 Euro/ round trip. The bus stop is near to the Massena Place's fountain.

due to the winding road for almost the whole 1 hour journey, it's wise to take some medication if you get nausea easily. tip: it's also wise to board the bus from the main stop because the chances you get a seat are higher..hehehe. trust me, you don't want to be standing 1 hour straight

but the view for the whole journey was just spectacular

we wasn't quite sure which stop to get down, so we took the safest choice, get down when everyone does...hehe. 1st thing we did was to find a tourist information to get a map and got few suggestions on where to visit

me and my Benz

Port Hercule, you might remember this place if your are a fan of James Bond. The harbor was used in one of James Bond film, Golden Eye.

 on the way up to the Prince's Palace

 even better view of the Port Hercule

shops and cafes @ the Prince's Palace square

this sculpture is about the story of Francesco Grimaldi, "la Malizia".

On the evening of jan 8, 1297, Francesco Grimaldi resorted to trickery to capture the Genoan fortress built on the 'Rock' of Monaco :  disguised as a monk, he managed to overpower the guards having the gate opened for him. He was the first of the Grimaldis to reign over Monaco. This exploit earned him the nickname 'Malizia' (the wily or cunning)

 the palace guard. Every day at 11.55am precisely, on the square in front of the Palace, the traditional ritual of the Changing of the Guard take place

 overall view of the Prince's Palace
the Prince's apartment is a must visit. You can also buy a combo ticket which include the Napolean museum(which is just beside the Prince's apartment) and also the Musee Oceanographic. Cost only 9Euro/pax (student) sooo worth it!

this was once the site of a fortress constructed by the Genoese in 1215

:)

i'm gonna buy me an apartment and a yacht here :P

not sure what is this building for but i do like the details

Palais de Justice built in 1924

the Monaco Cathedral, built with stark white stones from La Turbie in 1875

the front facade

interior

cool!

interior in black and white

here is the burial place of past sovereigns, including Prince Rainier

and Princess Grace

not too far away from the cathedral it's the Museum Oceanographic

here is the sneak preview of the Museum Oceanographic. This museum is AWESOME!!

Stay tune for a post of the Museum!

next, to the famous Monte Carlo

entrance to the building is Free but no camera :S but if you wish to go in the casino you'll have to pay 10Euro and jacket and tie are compulsory. We of course didn't go in the casino but caught a glimpse from the door inside.

very classy!

lots of luxury car infront of the casino

just in-front of the casino, a beautiful garden...nice spot of escape from the heat during summer

Me @ Monte Carlo baby!! woo hoo

view from Ni Box

the back part of the Monte Carlo casino

the building was reconstructed in 1878 by Charles Garnier. An Opera House similar to the one in Paris was added

not sure what this building is for....service apartment for the rich or hotel??

^^

more yachts

lallalala ><

to the beach

somehow the beach here the normal sand type...hmm

a nice spot for sun tan ;)

Boon and Princess Grace's statue

there is also a small Japanese garden which is Free...like i said...small

Monaco!

shopping street...not much people though. The people are so rich that their kids wear Dior

I want Dior too :~(

Saint Charles church. A Renaissance style building! me likey

some random building

i kind of liking the red and white motif

last but not least Sainte Devote church, It's a tiny little church located just underneath an overhead bridge. It was built in the hollow of the "Vallon des Gaumates". where, during the 4th century a small boat carrying sainte Devote's remains ran aground at its entrance. Every year on 26th January, a boat is burnt at nightfall as part of the traditional ceremony. We didn't get to look inside as there was a wedding going on.

The distance from one place to another isn't really that wide, which is walk able but if you prefer to take the bus to travel around Monaco it's possible also with only 3Euro for 1 day ticket.

If you are not staying in Monaco like me make sure you checked the time of the last bus back to Nice. You can just asked from the tourist information or check the time table @ the bus stop but the bus isn't always on time so it's safer to wait there earlier

~ au revoir ~