Monte Carlo - Playground of the rich
Trip Start
Jul 20, 2008
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16
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Trip End
Aug 13, 2008
Today our ship arrived in Monte Carlo, Monaco after sailing all night. We docked in a port filled with the yachts of the rich and famous! There are some really big boats here, worth 600 million dollars or more. They definitely won't fit on any lakes in Western Kansas. Monaco is a principality, with its own government yet helped out by France. From an overlook we can see 3 separate countries: Monaco, France and Italy. Monaco is the second smallest country in the world (the Vatican is the smallest) and is only 2 square kilometers. But there is a lot of beauty packed into those kilometers. Americans know this area best for three reasons: One is the Monte Carlo Grand Prix road race, another is the high stakes gambling at the Monte Carlo casino, and the third is Princess Grace. Our bus tour took us along part of the Grand Prix, and what a curvy road race that must be. We also stopped at the Monte Carlo casino, where there were several nice Ferrari's and other cars parked outside. We did not see anyone famous that we know of! Our tour also took us to the castle of the Grimaldi ruling family, and by the church that Princess Grace was married in. Grace Kelly was an American that became part of the ruling family in 1956, and loved by both Monaco and America alike. We also saw the houses of her daughters, Stephanie and Caroline. Monaco is a very rich little nation. A house will cost you $42,000 per square meter. The rich come here to live because there is no income tax. Among the famous is one of the James Bond actors, Roger Moore.
