Bon jour, mes amies,
I'm back a bit later because it's a lovely, warm day, and I had some errands to do after my day trip. I don't know if it's Mondays in general or the Monday after Palm Sunday that is such a big travel day, but the stations and the trains were packed. I arrived at the station in what I thought was plenty of time, but the ticket office seemed really backed up. I missed the train I wanted by minutes. Oh well, another will come along. And it was packed! People were standing in the aisle, and the announcement that there were pickpockets on board did not help matters.
I took a different exit out of Monaco's train station and followed the signs. It was a fair walk to Le Rocher--the Rock of Monaco, and then I had to climb the thing, but fortunately my trip has put me in decent shape as most places in the Mediterranean are pretty vertical.
I walked through the charming old town to the Palace and got my ticket, which includes the audio guide. Most of the palace is closed to visitors as it is the official residence of the Grimaldi Family, and they actually do live there. The State Apartments are worth a visit. I've seen grander palaces, but I liked this one. It's very Italian in style of architecture and decoration, but the connection of the Principality with the French Crown is emphasized. The Grimaldis still being in charge of the place, you can't expect any dirt to be dished, so the commentary is mostly about the decor. The rooms are beautifully decorated with some rather marvelous furnishings.
After using one of the copious, clean, and free toilets I proceeded to the Oceanographic Museum. It's housed in a magnificent Nineteenth Century Building, but the real action is downstairs in the Aquarium. There's a reason it attracts such crowds. The fishy exhibits are amazing and quite beautiful. The Grimaldi Family has always sponsored oceanic research and has made environmental protection one of their causes.
By this time I'd had my fill of walking and climbing about, but I had provided myself with a bus ticket and rode the bus through the city to the station.
What? No visit to the famed Casino?
Apparently it's quite beautiful, but no. I have no comprehension of the pleasures of gambling. I respect money, and the effort it takes to get it, too much to treat the stuff like a toy.
The trip back home went smoothly, and I am enjoying my dinner of pasta with tomato sauce and rose.
I'm leaving tomorrow (sigh) just as the weather has turned spring like.
A demain
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