The Mid-Cart Parentals: Cruising the Med

I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned what an incredible year Paul enjoyed in his business. Along with this success comes several "reward" trips. We enjoyed a little Mediterranean Cruise with a few hundred of our "good neighbors" from all over the western states. There are many factors that determine "travel points" & travel points determine "where" your room assignment is...Paul qualified for one of the suites...it was bigger than our apartment in San Jose! It had a nice little private veranda/deck & a double sink in the bathroom with both a tub & a separate shower! It was a pretty sweet suite!

We started the cruise in Barcelona, Spain. We love Barcelona! It was one of our favorite cities in Europe on one of our M&M Adventures with Mike & Vicky Macias. We dropped off our luggage & checked into the ship & then spent the afternoon strolling Las Ramblas...

This mosaic is widely photographed. It is the handiwork of Barcelona-born artist Joan Miro. He laid the tiles in 1976 when he was 83 years old near the spot where he was born. With all the foot traffic it gets it became rather worn so the city restored it in 2006 on its 30th anniversary.

I love to wander around the Mercat at St Josep's. They have beautiful displays of fresh fruits, produce, meats, etc...

We sailed away from Barcelona that evening & made our way to the French Riviera...our first stop was Villefranche-sur-Mer on the Cote d'Azur.

Although Villefranche is a beautiful little city hugging this gorgeous bay, it is also halfway between Nice & Monaco. We decided to take the pilgrimage back to Monaco for old times sake. Monte Carlo, Monaco was Paul's very first travel trip with State Farm so we were curious to see how things had changed in 35 years...

Prince Rainier & the royal Grimaldi family seem to be on a mission to build as many tall buildings as they can (since there isn't much available land). This is one of the richest countries in the world & one of the most expensive places to stay!

Saint Nicholas Cathedral is where Prince Rainier married American actress, Grace Kelly, in 1956. It is also their final resting place...

Although the Grimaldi's do have a palace, the royal family own these gorgeous homes that we happened to walk by on our little tour...Princess Caroline & Princess Stephanie (Rainier's & Grace's daughters) have been sighted many times coming & going about their business. I did not see either one.

There is a great little aquarium we would have LOVED to had time to visit, mainly because they have a Jacque Cousteau exhibit! Growing up, I used to watch this oceanic pioneer's TV specials allowing normal people like us to get a glimpse of the unknown realm of the sea! Here is one of his underwater subs...

Like many European cities, the narrow streets are lined with quaint shops & restaurants...Monaco is VERY clean.

And did I mention wealthy? Look at all those yachts in the harbor!

And how about these yachts on this side of the harbor? Again, the tall buildings tower above the streets below...

And one of the main attractions catering to an elite gambling clientele is THE Casino...

The Casino is surrounded by high end shops & restaurants to draw the rich & famous...AND the ever-present-curious-tourists. Many people will sit outside the Cafe de Paris & watch the parade of beautiful people & cars come & go...

Fancy cars are a BIG part of Monte Carlo! Home of the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix, wannabes will drive their cars through Casino Square & continue on to drive the official route of the Grand Prix. The plethora of Ferrari's & Lamborgini's make the BMW's & Mercede's seem insignificant...

Why yes, that is the engine on display in this Ferrari's rear window!

For old times sake...this is the old Loew's Hotel where Paul stayed with his fellow qualifiers 35 years ago. It is now the most expensive Fairmont Hotel in the world! State Farm did NOT offer to put us up in this fancy place this time around. Paul said that his room was right above that sign in the middle of the building & he recalls that he was disappointed that his room had a view of "the road" instead of the other side of the hotel that offers a view of the Mediterranian Sea. Uuummmm, he did not realize then what he knows now...his view was actually "the coveted view" - part of the Grand Prix course!

This would have been the view from Paul's room 35 years ago. This hairpin turn is part of the Grand Prix!

The Grand Prix is the other main attraction to Monte Carlo. There was evidence of this historic event throughout the city..."Monaco is the undisputed jewel in Formula 1's crown, the race every driver wants to win, a spectacular charge through the narrow, unforgiving streets of the glamours Mediterranean principality. From Casino Square, through the tunnel, past the luxurious yachts & La Rascasse, Monte Carlo is a circuit of legendary corners seeped in history, creating a challenging circuit that Nelson Piquet described as like 'riding a bicycle around your living room.' In a stunning setting between the mountains & the Med, it attracts the most beautiful people, the rich & the famous, exclusive parties, & an electric atmosphere."

Celebrating legends of Grand Prix's past.

Start Your Engines!

The Tunnel.

The yachts along the Med.

The closest we will ever get to "running" the course.

It was fun to hear Paul talk about his first trip & remember that experience. I am not cut out for such a fast pace place like Monte Carlo, but it sure was fun to visit & learn about it!

We got back to Villefranche by noon & decided to catch the train going the other way into Nice. We walked by the beach on our way to the station & the water looked so inviting...but I have to admit...I'm a little shy of European beaches!

Oops! I spy a topless sunbather...

Can I just say, French is not a tourist friendly language & the French are not tourist friendly people! The end.

Having someone else use your camera to take your photo is always so fun...here we are obscuring the view of the miles of beach I was hoping to capture. Thanks, random tourist, for trying.

We did a little city tour & toured Castle Hill where we saw the above view & this gorgeous waterfall. Other than this, Nice is just another nice big city.

We got back to the ship in time for a special 4th of July celebration...the entire lido deck was a giant BBQ! There was live music & games & cheesey decor...

We ate dinner, enjoyed the sunset, visited with friends, & then State Farm made arrangements for a fireworks show as we were anchored in the bay - it was quite an elaborate production! I wonder if the folks of Villefranche had any idea what we were celebrating?