Holy Moly – That’s a Big Yacht!

We’re in Monaco now, with side trips to Eze and Nice.  After 28 days without rain, we hit one of my favorite places - and it rains.  Of course, that didn’t stop me from exploring.  Bill is still fighting a cough, so he stayed on the ship and I headed out on my own.

We docked at Monte Carlo and the town was setting up for the F1 Grand Prix in a few weeks.  That means the BIG boats are coming in.  One of the most unusual is known as motor yacht “A”.  The owner is a Russian billionaire – Andrey Melnichenko.  It’s quite stunning to see.  It cost him $190 million Euros a while back (about $228 million):

Real estate is costly, too.  The penthouse for this new building is $450 million Euros. 

Everyone knows the story of the Grimaldis and the marriage of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier, so I won’t bore you with history.  What I found interesting was the density of the population.  There are 38,000 people in 0.75 square miles.  Traffic is crazy.

I also went to the medieval village of Eze.  It was small and charming, with cobblestone streets and small shops.

A final visit in this area was Nice/Cannes.  We rode on the Promenade des Anglais, the site of the 2016 Bastille Day terrorist attack by the driver of a large truck plowing into the pedestrians. Such a tragic event in a joyful place.

This pic is of the Negresco Hotel, owned by Mme Augier – the last private owner of a Riviera palace.  It is over 100 years old (Mme Augier is 94).  The pink dome at the top was allegedly inspired by the breasts of the architect’s mistress (although I’m sure I’ve heard that before about another French building, which says something about either the French or architects).  Singer James Brown spent a night chasing his wife at the hotel in a jealous rage, and guests have included a who’s who of the rich and famous.  Bill Gates wanted to buy the place and Mme Augier told him, “You’re not rich enough!”

I had a charming guide who is a horticulturalist and also kept up on celebrity residences.  We drove by the homes of Elton John, Bono, Tina Turner and David and Victoria Beckham.  The guide’s conversation would go like this:  “See these charming yellow flowers (using the Latin name) – I planted rows of those at the Rothschild gardens – and look up there!  It’s Sir Elton’s home.  I just love Sir Elton.”  Entertaining day.