La Vigneraie French Riviera - Cote d'Azur

ok, it was more "collecting a new country" than being really interested in Monaco. Strange, when you go there from Nice airport by bus it costs you 18 € one way, when you go from Nice bus terminal it costs 1 € one way. Monaco is a very clean city. I have never seen so many big and expensive cars. I saw the casino and the castle. Nice, but not spectacular.

I know I always write the same...great weather, such a nice city, good food....but I have to say that Nice was a (very) big surprise for me, I can say that it is my favourite city in Europe (ok, number 2 after Lisbon). You have the mountains, the Cote dŽAzur (when you see the water you know why the name is Cote dŽAzur), the market with fresh vegetables, fruits, honey, oil, soap, you have great restaurants ...

... gesture. We can't change the world but we can change the way these children start off in life and who knows where that will lead....

It is less than 4 weeks now until I leave. There is much to do. I am trying to prepare myself for "teaching" 20 - 25 children. A bit of a challenge that. Much as I have known that I have always wanted to do something like this, now that it ...

... for 2 showers each and dish washing water. In France filling up the water tank was pretty easy and cheap (2-3 Euro) via staying in an Aire d'service. In Italy, it was not immediately obvious where we could fill up the water - a lot less signs than in France... but we have found fill up points on the highways and managed a lot more free/wild camping in Italy then we did in France... in fact we have not stayed in a designated campsite at all in Italy. Need to talk to a ...

... curly so it really isn't surprising that accidents are a regular occurrence.

Monaco is the world's second smallest country (after Vatican City) less than 2 square km, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in decadence! Streets are manicured, lavish hotels and casinos line the waterfront, and the harbour is chock a block with gigantic, plush boats.

Once we arrived we visited the Palais du Prince (or ...

... was just pebbles, and has now decided that the women of Nice must be covered in cellulite from all the pebbles! Les sun-roasted locals did not seem to mind the lack of sand one bit and glared at Dani's lily-white arms and legs which were sooo pale they are almost see through (she bought some tanning lotion the next day... feeling very self conscious!). Dee balked when she saw boobs hanging out for all to see on a woman many times her age (sooooo not right!!!).

Despite the pebbles ...

... front slowly turning the poultry over heat. At the bottom they normally place whole baby potatoes where they are basted in the poultry juices pouring down from above. At this particular deli the diced potatoes wallowed in the warm, herbed poultry grease and the results were mouth wateringly ridiculous. We were addicted at first bite. We’ve had them since at other delis, but none of them were as decadent as this. Pure potato crack.

French Riviera, France shawhans

Made a side trip to Monaco tonight, it was a stunning drive to get here, the French Med is absolutely beautiful, the water has to be THE bluest water I have ever seen. Monaco wasn't exactly that exciting, unless of course, you're a millionaire but it was cool to see the beautiful Casino and the ridiculous amount of expensive cars that zip around here!

... had a blast. we went to that Irish Disco place Taylore and I had been to 2 nights before and had a beer/cider and then went to dinner in the Vieux Nice part of town. great last dinner and last evening in France. this morning the trains are running thank goodness and today we head to Italy. if i had to pick only 1 country in the whole world to visit it would be Italy, so as you can imagine, i have been most excited for this part of the trip.

... the Ville exit from the train station. It was a very long walk, the length of a super-long platform, followed by a long walk out a tunnel (requiring three moving walkways). We emerged on the back side of the Rock. Nearby was a hotel with restaurant. While we ate (pasta and Chianti), we left our bags in the lobby. Very convenient. A few minutes before our train was scheduled to arrive, we returned to the gare. The plan of the train showed us in 2nd class - no, mon! - I paid for ...