Playground of the Wealthy

We didn't have a set agenda for today, so we started it off with a scavenger hunt.  Laundry detergent, deodorant, and toothpaste, in order of importance (the deodarant was for Beth).  The last two were easy finds, though very expensive (we saw prices up to 18 dollars for a stick of deodorant, for example).  However, we located a local store with reasonable prices.  We returned home to battle and curse at our washing machine, for which the controls had no semblance of meaning, order, or reason.  Eventually we got it started, but in the process of trying to get it unlocked as well as fully dry our clothes, we ended up running the same load 3 times!

Fortunately, our day did extend beyond laundry.  We did some shopping in old town, walked the Promenade de Anglais, had yet more quiche, and then caught a bus to a hilltop town called Eze about 20 minutes away.  What a neat little town!  It is a popular tourist destination as it is up in the clouds and has an amazing view of the Mediterranean and beach cities.  They have somehow managed to keep the town fairly quaint despite the touristy environment and uber rich locals (while waiting at the bus stop we saw a Rolls Royce, Audi R8, and several other high priced cars.  The middle class seemed to favor the Range Rovers).

View from the top of Eze

The next bus took us to the tiny nation of Monaco.  Home to about 5,000 residents, it was truly a treat for the eyes.  While descending down into the town, we saw decadent high rises, the marina packed with yachts that rival small cruise ships (sorry I snapped no good pics), and of course the famous casino.  Since we didn't have a lot of time to mill around, we basically spent our time around the casino.  They are hosting the Rolex Tennis Masters tournament in a few days, so the area was appropriately decorated, and the casino was hosting a large black tie reception.  Thus, we were pleasantly surprised when they allowed us in, despite our jeans.  We didn't see any tennis pros or famous people, but I'm sure some were there.

I don't have any photos inside as they prohibit cameras, but it was really something else.  Pure opulence -- gold leaf everywhere, priceless artwork, huge chandeliers, and a crystal bar.  It is definitely a casino for the world's wealthiest.  Still, it surprised me that that it was a much more pleasant gambling experience than I have ever had.  The slot machines were spread out and had comfortable chairs, the noise level was very modest, and perhaps most surprisingly -- NO SMOKE. 

People here smoke all over the place so to not smoke in a casino just blew us away.  We played the Star Wars slot machine, but the force was not with us and we left after an hour of entertainment, a cosmopolitan for Beth, and a Johnny Walker on the rocks for me.  I'm sorry I have no pics, but below are a few of the pictures I was able to take out front.

The casino

HUGE tulips in the casino gardens

Casino at night

One of the Ferraris in front of the casino

Hard to see the hood ornament, but this is a Rolls Royce.  We saw three today.

Another Ferrari.  Yawn.

After a brief fiasco at the train station in Monaco, we made it back to Nice, grabbed a sandwich at "Pinnochio" and hit the hay early 'cause we were exhausted.  Regarding our fiasco, here's a tip: some ticket machines don't take credit cards without a microchip, and some don't take bills.  The evil machines fall into both categories.

Tomorrow (Wednesday morning) we catch a plane to Barcelona.  As some of you know, I've been studying French a little bit over the past few months, and it has been very handy.  Beth has been asking lots of questions, speaking a little French here and there, and accidentally sprinkling in some Spanish to some confused looking French folk  :).  I am really looking forward to handing the speaking reigns back to Beth!