Day 47 - Cannes

Day 47 – Cannes – Sunday 1/7/12

Weather – Fine and Sunny 25C - 27C

Sunrise – 5.55am

Sunset – 9.17pm

Time difference - minus 8 hours ex Sydney

Another lovely day, both literally and figuratively. Today we were greeted by a beautiful landscape welcome by Cannes. We had elected to do own own thing in Monaco and Monte Carlo, using Princess for our transportation.

Today was our first tender port of the cruise, and I think from memory the only one. Mykonos was to be, but of course we did not make it there. By the look of the tenders, it has been a while since Sun Princess has had need to use them, coz they looked pretty grotto. Although they were noticeably cleaner when we returned , so perhaps they used the opportunity to washdown whilst they were out?

After a smooth tender transfer we were away, admiring some sights of Cannes as we transited the city, and then out onto the motorway headed for Monaco, which was about an hours drive away. We skirted around Nice on the way, but did get to see a few places of note.

It was nice driving along the highway, in the French Riviera, with the Alps in the backdrop, lovely countryside I must say. After parking the bus our guide escorted us through the streets on Monaco up to the Palais Princier, where we were 'set free'.

As we were already there we took the opportunity to take a tour of what is still the Prince's residence, although of course we did not go anywhere near where the royal family lives. There is a wing of the palace that has been set up for tourist viewing. It was great to be able to discover the splendour of the Palace, with its Italian style gallery, Louis XV, Blue and Mazarin Salons, the Throne Room etc. A real treat, which we followed up with a visit to the attached Museum of Napoleniens collectables, archives, with over 1000 exhibits from the First French Empire on display.

We then walked through the stalls and shops to our next goal which was the Oceanographic Museum, which was once under the direction of Jacques-Yve Cousteau. Nathan – you would just love this place, I reckon every underwater diver would just salivate at the exhibits, and the aquarium that is housed there.

We also visited St Nicholas Cathedral, which is an elaborate 19th century Monte Carlo cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier have been laid to rest. What an absolutely splendid building.

We did some more wandering through shops as we worked our way back to our meeting point, then it was a short 10 minute bus ride to Monte Carlo, which included a transit of a small part of the Grand Prix track. The bus driver even stopped at the start/finish line and we did a 3, 2, 1, GO thingo which was a bit of fun, although all the traffic that we had banked up behind us did not think so :)

Wow, what a playground for the rich and famous this little piece of real estate is. One thing I can confirm is, that we will never ever be able to live, or even stay in Monte Carlo, example 6.5 Euro for a small coke sheez :)

Luxury is not the appropriate word to describe the cars parked outside the Monte Carlo Casino, and the Paris Hotel. I have never seen so many Bentleys and Roll Royces in one place at the same time. Seriously, how long has this caper been going on. We had been told that we would not be able to go into the Monte Carlo Casino as we were wearing shorts, which later turned out to be false , coz we did go in, and it was as nice as I expected, but much smaller.

We did go to another one close by, Le Casino Monte Carlo, and high roller Donna weaved her magic at the pokie machines, but then lost it all ! Some more window shopping (we could afford that) and strolling around and people watching until our meet up time and we were off back to the ship.

It does not sound like we did much, but we certainly filled the day up, and got back to the ship late, as did about 4 or 5 other tour buses, which made for a logjam on the return tenders. But is was a nice day, and warm, not hot, so it was not unpleasant waiting for our turn. Once on board, a quick transfer back to the ship and we were home. Thankfully it was a quick transfer as the guy sitting next to me on the tender was a close relative of Pepee le Phew..As Kenny would say, a smell that could outlast religion.

We were about a hour or so late away by the time we had weighed anchor and set a southerly course passing the island Les D'Hyeres a couple of hours later. We then altered to a south westerly heading through the Golfe Du Lion.

Our Cruise Director, Tim Donovan is now off the ship as he hurt his knee in an incident a few days ago. I believe he has some knee surgery coming up which is not good. This means we are expecting to have a new Cruise Director join us in Dover, next Sunday.

Sarah - those dates are fine, It will be great to see you all xxx