Day 13- Fairy Tale

Monaco

The waters we sparkling, the homes perfectly kept, and at the tippy top of the mountain sat a castle with the currently reigning prince and his princess. –Wait did I just jump in to a fairy tail? Nothing looked real. I used to think that when something was breathtaking it meant that when you saw something you said wow, and stood speechless. On the many famous Beebe trips across the country I felt that feeling, which I now call the “wow feeling” breath taking is something so much more. It is when you see something, you gasp as you would if you were scared and every other sense goes dull. Breathtaking is so much more then the wow feeling, it is surreal.

Every inch of Monaco was breath taking.

Monaco

Palis du Justice 

 Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, and has a reigning Prince and princess. It is located right on the Mediterranean Sea. We arrived just before twelve to see the changing of the guards in front of the princes castle, the same one that Grace Kelly had lived in. there were so many people it was hard to see, but it was still interesting. For me it was so funny to think that a few hundred people gather every day at 12 just to watch a few men start their day of work. I know it is so much more than that, but to think of it simplistically left me walking away giggling slightly.

Half of the Princes' castle

A glimpse of some of the smaller yachts ( look at them compared to the street with cars)

For this excursion we were free to do what ever we desired. We walked up and down the streets taking in all of the beauty thinking to our selves “why didn’t we study HERE?” there were small paths and little gardens all over the place. Down in the water were giant yachts one after another. At these docks there wasn’t a single boat that would remind me of my Uncle Johns “yacht”, even the rescue boats that were attached to the yachts looked like they were a couple thousand dollars.

Monte Carlos famous hairpin

We made our way over to Monte Carlos, the capital of Monaco and instantly started looking for the casino. Unfortunately we could not take pictures inside the casino, even more unfortunately they were really strict about the rule. We went in and it looked like a palace, it almost reminded me of Le Louvre, except royal. I wanted to gamble for the first time on the roulette table but the minimum was 25 euro, not a chance. Instead I found the equivalent to penny slots and sat for a few minutes with my 5 Euros. I definitely take after my mother, because with 20 dollars and a beer I think I could have sat there ALL night.

Side of Monte Carlo Casino

Unfortunately we didn’t have all night, we only had an hour. Where did the time go? Who do I pay to make the time slow down?! When we finished up at the casino, we went to beautiful Japanese gardens that were on top of the parking garage, in the second smallest country in the world, you have to utilize every inch you have. We only were able to stay in the gardens for a few minutes before being rushed to the busses. In the blink of an eye our ritzy day in Monaco was over.

Japanese Garden

Provence is famous for its perfumes, so as a quick stop on our way home we stopped at their most well known perfumeries Le Fragonard. We got a tour of the factory and learned about the different flowers that go into the perfumes. For one kilo of perfume scent you need over 2000 kilos of flower, think about that next time you think your perfume costs too much. This was one time where I wish Phil was with me, they had so many contraptions to make the perfume and I am sure he could have told me what most of the different parts were. It was Sunday, so the factory workers we not working, it is always more fun for me to see everything in action.

Some of the perfume contraptions

We ended to tour quicker than I wanted too, and headed home.

Every thing that I do is over in a blink, in and out of a fairy tale book, in and out of the Grand Casino, and a tour that was over in just a few steps.