Adventures of the three in 2015
June 6th-8th, 2015 - Stage 2 towards Italy
June 6th
Looking at our route before we left the hotel in France, Jayne and Lourdes were thrilled to realise that we'd be passing Monaco en route to our next destination, Florence. We decided to 'pop in' and have a look at the place from a vantage point and not actually stop. The best laid plans................!
However, before we reached that particular milestone, we had a 7+ hour journey in front of us.
We left the hotel in France quickly after feeling chastened by the breakfast debacle (see http://junemcneilphotography.weebly.com/camargue.html for details) and were on our way before 9am.
The drive was fairly easy and there were some magnificent views of the coastline as well as mountains, especially as we diverted towards Monaco. We also kept watching the outside temperature as it rose to over 40 degrees the closer to Monaco we came.
Along the way we found ourselves surrounded by a group of motor cyclists on their Harley Davidsons. The sound was incredible and it felt as if we had our own escort for a while.
We followed the road towards the principality looking for a vantage point. The roads were narrow and there was nowhere to stop. Seeing signs for a car park we went in, parked the car and began to walk. Not knowing where we were we started to head down. Well in truth there was nowhere else to go as we were still so high. Walking down steep steps we kept catching glimpses of massive cruise ships in and adjacent to the harbour. Down and down we went wondering how on earth we'd make it back up. A quick conference and we resolved to make it down to the port and get a taxi back up to the car.
We made it to the port. Well, a port! It turned out to be just a small offering and we were on the wrong side of a rock on which a castle sat. It was energy sapping, even the pigeons just flaked out and the huge gulls simply stood and watched as we walked close by. After a few purchases and a short wander as well as a sit down in McDonalds (in Monaco!!) we started to look for a taxi. Of course, there were none in sight and after half an hour looking for evidence they even existed we began to despair.
Not being knowledgeable about how the principality functioned we were beginning to reconcile ourselves to a walk back up on high when we spotted a phone booth marked 'taxi'. There then followed a debate as to what language we needed to speak and how to explain where we were. I tell you, naveity didn't begin to describe us! I eventually went for it as Nell was beginning to suffer in the heat. Lifting the receiver and ready to use my limited French, I asked if English was understood. The response came back in perfect English "of course"! So funny!
The taxi arrived and I was told Nell couldn't get in! As I'd specifically said I had a dog I wasn't going to accept that directive! The taxi driver said she thought I'd only have a small dog! Is that what happens in Monaco? All the rich people only have small dogs? I jumped in to the taxi and put Nell on my lap and nothing further was said. We made it back to the car and headed out of this playground for the rich! Later we learnt that the principality has numerous lifts to transport people up and down. The place literally clings to the side of the rock face and I guess there aren't too many level roads.
Looking at our route before we left the hotel in France, Jayne and Lourdes were thrilled to realise that we'd be passing Monaco en route to our next destination, Florence. We decided to 'pop in' and have a look at the place from a vantage point and not actually stop. The best laid plans................!
However, before we reached that particular milestone, we had a 7+ hour journey in front of us.
We left the hotel in France quickly after feeling chastened by the breakfast debacle (see http://junemcneilphotography.weebly.com/camargue.html for details) and were on our way before 9am.
The drive was fairly easy and there were some magnificent views of the coastline as well as mountains, especially as we diverted towards Monaco. We also kept watching the outside temperature as it rose to over 40 degrees the closer to Monaco we came.
Along the way we found ourselves surrounded by a group of motor cyclists on their Harley Davidsons. The sound was incredible and it felt as if we had our own escort for a while.
We followed the road towards the principality looking for a vantage point. The roads were narrow and there was nowhere to stop. Seeing signs for a car park we went in, parked the car and began to walk. Not knowing where we were we started to head down. Well in truth there was nowhere else to go as we were still so high. Walking down steep steps we kept catching glimpses of massive cruise ships in and adjacent to the harbour. Down and down we went wondering how on earth we'd make it back up. A quick conference and we resolved to make it down to the port and get a taxi back up to the car.
We made it to the port. Well, a port! It turned out to be just a small offering and we were on the wrong side of a rock on which a castle sat. It was energy sapping, even the pigeons just flaked out and the huge gulls simply stood and watched as we walked close by. After a few purchases and a short wander as well as a sit down in McDonalds (in Monaco!!) we started to look for a taxi. Of course, there were none in sight and after half an hour looking for evidence they even existed we began to despair.
Not being knowledgeable about how the principality functioned we were beginning to reconcile ourselves to a walk back up on high when we spotted a phone booth marked 'taxi'. There then followed a debate as to what language we needed to speak and how to explain where we were. I tell you, naveity didn't begin to describe us! I eventually went for it as Nell was beginning to suffer in the heat. Lifting the receiver and ready to use my limited French, I asked if English was understood. The response came back in perfect English "of course"! So funny!
The taxi arrived and I was told Nell couldn't get in! As I'd specifically said I had a dog I wasn't going to accept that directive! The taxi driver said she thought I'd only have a small dog! Is that what happens in Monaco? All the rich people only have small dogs? I jumped in to the taxi and put Nell on my lap and nothing further was said. We made it back to the car and headed out of this playground for the rich! Later we learnt that the principality has numerous lifts to transport people up and down. The place literally clings to the side of the rock face and I guess there aren't too many level roads.
Moving on from Monaco we arrived in Florence and I kept my fingers crossed that the satnav would take us directly to the hotel. We had to enter a restricted area to drop off our luggage and the satnav didn't fail! We soon were checked in and delivered the car to a private garage space where it would stay until we left the city. The hotel was conveniently situated for the centre and we were going to walk everywhere.
One of the first things I spotted when we were shown our room was that there were bunk beds. I had always wanted to have a go at creating an image from something I saw on the tv at some stage. It needed someone above with hand draped down and another below reaching out upwards. Jayne and Lourdes agreed to have a go at creating my vision. I thought Jayne had fallen asleep at one stage, she was concentrating on relaxing herself to give the right feel to her hand!
As it began to get dark we ventured out. First stop was at a Plaza and the feeling I first had when entering this city began to grow. I really loved the ambience of the place. We sat down, ostensibly for a drink, however when we were shown to a table, decided to have something to eat. It was so enjoyable, lots of people but without a sense being overwhelmed.
A delicious meal was followed by a walk to the river and my first glimpse of the famous Ponte Vecchio. It was most definitely a "wow" moment and one that we stayed and absorbed for quite a while before making our way actually on to it to enjoy the activities taking place. Eventually, tiredness overtook us and it was back to the hotel.
One of the first things I spotted when we were shown our room was that there were bunk beds. I had always wanted to have a go at creating an image from something I saw on the tv at some stage. It needed someone above with hand draped down and another below reaching out upwards. Jayne and Lourdes agreed to have a go at creating my vision. I thought Jayne had fallen asleep at one stage, she was concentrating on relaxing herself to give the right feel to her hand!
As it began to get dark we ventured out. First stop was at a Plaza and the feeling I first had when entering this city began to grow. I really loved the ambience of the place. We sat down, ostensibly for a drink, however when we were shown to a table, decided to have something to eat. It was so enjoyable, lots of people but without a sense being overwhelmed.
A delicious meal was followed by a walk to the river and my first glimpse of the famous Ponte Vecchio. It was most definitely a "wow" moment and one that we stayed and absorbed for quite a while before making our way actually on to it to enjoy the activities taking place. Eventually, tiredness overtook us and it was back to the hotel.
Next morning I was, as usual first awake and took Nell for a walk to the Plaza and see what it was like in daylight. The rising sun was striking a water fountain and creating lovely reflections. There were one or two people around, however it was still and quiet.
After breakfast we headed out to explore. Walking back to the Ponte Vecchio again, we could see long queues and learnt that entrance to all the museums and palaces were free as it was Sunday. We wandered and found places to sit to watch the Sunday activities unfolding. It was fun to see negotiations going on with vendors as well as watch tour groups trying hard to concentrate in the heat. We reached the steps of a church Lourdes wanted to visit and sat in the shade just watching people. Numerous tourist groups were assembled and we could hear the same stories being delivered in various languages.
Joining the throngs we made our way through the streets enjoying the hustle and bustle and variety of happenings. Some people wandered, others strode purposefully and others just sat. The main areas became more and more crowded and the streets outside the iconic cathedral of Santa Maria de Flores were jammed packed. It was still possible to find the side streets empty however, and after a while that was to where we headed.
In the cool of the evening we again came out to sample the special atmosphere I felt in this lovely city. We weren't disappointed. An amazing sunset took place as we stood on one of the bridges over the River Arno. It seemed a fitting end to my first stay in this lovely city.
After breakfast we headed out to explore. Walking back to the Ponte Vecchio again, we could see long queues and learnt that entrance to all the museums and palaces were free as it was Sunday. We wandered and found places to sit to watch the Sunday activities unfolding. It was fun to see negotiations going on with vendors as well as watch tour groups trying hard to concentrate in the heat. We reached the steps of a church Lourdes wanted to visit and sat in the shade just watching people. Numerous tourist groups were assembled and we could hear the same stories being delivered in various languages.
Joining the throngs we made our way through the streets enjoying the hustle and bustle and variety of happenings. Some people wandered, others strode purposefully and others just sat. The main areas became more and more crowded and the streets outside the iconic cathedral of Santa Maria de Flores were jammed packed. It was still possible to find the side streets empty however, and after a while that was to where we headed.
In the cool of the evening we again came out to sample the special atmosphere I felt in this lovely city. We weren't disappointed. An amazing sunset took place as we stood on one of the bridges over the River Arno. It seemed a fitting end to my first stay in this lovely city.