Rating:
 (5.0) (2 votes)
Monaco, Nice, Paris, France
April 10th, 2002
Pros: Ferraris, trophy wives, luxury yachts, the whole enchilada.
Cons: None
There's nothing quite like lying on a beach getting a tan in early
April to make you appreciate the joys of NOT being in Calgary in
winter. Great little trip!
Flew into Nice on the 3rd, which has that wonderful airport feature
of ocean surrounding the runway - as you come in at 8000 km/h, you
can't see the airstrip, just water on all sides!! We were bumped
from our hostel to another one just down the street, which will
never win awards for interior decor. Or cleanliness. Nice little
balcony though, and less than 10 mins to the beach or Veille Ville
(Old Town). Spent the rest of that day and the next touring Nice;
Promenade de Anglais, Chagall Museum, the old Roman baths, picturesque
little markets, narrow alleyways, terracota houses and churches,
and tons of dogs everywhere! Erin was in 7th heaven (Lots of dogs,
AND croissants for breakfast!).
Also made a little day trip to Monaco, and instantly fell in love.
This is extravagant and classy in a way that Las Vegas barely hints
at. Ferraris, trophy wives, luxury yachts, the whole enchilada.
We sat on the beach all day, watching the paragliders and relaxing.
We couldn't really afford to eat there, or dressed well enough to
play a couple of hands at Monte Carlo, so we grabbed the train with
the other non-billionaires and heading back to Nice.
Saturday we caught the TGV to Paris - what a difference from British
trains! Quick, quiet and didn't have to stop for 4 hours due to
'signal failure'. Got into Paris just after midnight and called
it a night.
Now....Paris. You could fill pages here on Paris - what a city!
From the musical acompanyment on every Metro ride, to the simple
majesty of the Eiffel Tower, to the night lights covering Champs
Des Elysee, it's a living postcard. We did all the touristy stuff
- Notre Dame, Versailles (every house needs a Hall of Mirrors!),
the Louvre, dinner in the Latin Quarter.
More will be added, especially as we get pictures developed!! |
