 |
| Stuart at Monaco |
An early call today as we headed towards Nice via Avignon and Monaco. Passing through the Rhone Alps and Provence. Lunch was taken at Avignon and again featured baguettes. Avignon has a population of 90,000 and has at its heart a walled Palais des Pape built in 1377. It has heavy fortification which provided defence against rogue bands of mercaneries of the time. Today large town squares with coloured pavement provide a stunning backdrop for artists and entertainers.
Late afternoon we entered Monaco. The roads are steep and windy particularly around the coast to get to Monaco which has an area of 1.9kms. It occupies an area smaller than Central Park. Monaco's residents have the benefit of paying no tax and for this reason 50 billionairres and 250 millionairres call Monaco home. We visited the romanesque cathedral that houses the tombs of Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier III.
 |
| Monaco Harbour |
The quaint alleyways are somewhat corrupted by the commercialisation brought here to feed the tourist industry. The harbour was filled with enormous yachts, one 250million [the toys of the rich and famous]. The reputation of the Riviera outpasses the reality and in my opinion does not compare to the natural beauty of Australian beaches.
Tonight we are staying in central Nice. A beautiful town contrasted by old and new. We dined at a restaurant Gustophe Cinque with the other members of the group. Tomorrow we are off to the old town via a train ride and then onto a Perfumery and out for tea again - thank goodness for Metalicus clothes!
 |
| Avignon theatre |
 |
| Avignon street theatre |
 |
| Avignon - Palais des Papes |
 |
| Avignon - Palais des Papes |
 |
| Beautiful Avignon and fabulous street theatre |
 |
| Avignon - Pont St Benezet |
No comments:
Post a Comment