MONTE CARLO
Let me tell you there is some pretty serious money floating in the harbour at Monte Carlo. Oprah’s yacht is there as well as Dodi’s. Just a stroll past these beauties is interesting. Crews are out cleaning, polishing, putting out cushions and fresh flowers in anticipation of the arrival of “the owner”. Each luxury yacht has a macho looking guard standing there in a suit and wearing an ear piece. I’m telling you – this is like living Oceans Eleven. Monte Carlo is fascinating, exotic, expensive and the best way to see it is on a small cruise ship like Regent Seven Seas. We sailed right into the harbour and moored just a short walk from the old town of Monte Carlo (another fascinating place). Pity the poor 3000 souls on one of the well known main stream cruise lines who had to tender their passengers in. By 1 pm when the tours had ended a line up had formed and doubled back on itself. I hate to think how long they might have stood there in the sun – and trust me I am not being smug here. I really think there could have been a bit more planning on the other cruise line’s part. And no I am not going to tell you who they were but there are logistical problems with cruise ships getting bigger and bigger and transporting thousands of passengers at ports of call.
In the old town of Monte Carlo there was obviously something going on as black limos swished by and men in suits were saluted by the guards on duty. Talking about guards did you know they are not supposed to have their photos taken with tourists? So my sister and I hit the guy head on – “Oh go on! Pleeeeeze! Just one photo.” Well of course he could not resist (hope he didn’t get fired). He just nodded his head fiercely and said “Quick”. Aaaah – makes you wonder what we could have got him to do when we wore a younger girls’ clothes!
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