Today we choose to visit the fabled principality of Monaco and the Monte Carlo Casino. Rather than take the main highway we decided to follow the coast to take in the French Rivera. Normally on the main highway it takes about a half hour from Cannes to Monaco as it turned out it took us over an hour and half but worth the time and effort.

The coastal road led us through Antibes, St Paul, Nice, Villefranche s Mer and finally Monaco. We wanted to explore Nice more but time only allowed us to pass along the broad boulevard along the beaches towards our destination. After Nice the road became exciting and dangerous. It was a mountain road half way up the mountain sides. One error and you would join Grace Kelly. Below the Mediterranean glistened in the sun with coves and harbours, small villages and boats at anchor. A little old lady from Pasadena would have difficulty driving this route. Finally we arrived at the Monte Carlo Casino and parked the car underground about five hundred yards from the main building.

We had lunch in the Cafe de Paris located to the left of the Casino. We had it on the patio and wanted to see and be seen. The food was so so, the service was so so, and the bill wasn’t so so! Above us was a glass canopy and every so often a mist was released to cool the air around us. A small drama was played out a few tables over when a couple was asked to relinquish their table since this was the lucky table of one of the gamblers and he always sat there. He probably had rabbit for lunch and kept the foot. The couple demurred and gave up their table without a protest. We all understand gambling is an important affair here and every effort must be made to placate those who drop a buck or two.

After lunch we decided to enter the Casino. Outside right at the red carpeted main entrance two red Ferrai cars with Kiwaiti plates were parked. It’s facade is the equal of any other monumental important building in France with angels trumpeting, horses reared up, stone garlands draped on the edge of the building and other decorations. Inside again impressive as you would expect. However as in most of the churches in Europe the lighting does not do the interior justice. It is low and dim. When you see the interior in a movie they light it up and can appreciate the cherub s and naked woman in the murals and the glistening gold paint on mouldings but normally it is an eye strain to see most of the interior decorations.

We wanted to gamble. Wee mousier that will be 10E to get in and let us see your passport please. We now entered but didn’t have to experience the airport screening and pat down we have experienced elsewhere in some other buildings. There were a dozen black jack tables in the main room but only two had players. There were only ill dressed Americans in Bermuda shorts playing not in tuxes with a sequined lady hanging on every move. Elizabeth wanted to gamble. No to card games but yes to the one armed bandits. With the loss of 40E in short order that brought the total cost for 20 minutes in the Casino to $70. No comment.  Off to the side was a hallway with a sign private gaming. That is where I knew James Bond was playing with his martini shackened not stirred.

We left and decided to walk to the old part of town along the coastal roadside. We got two blocks and the heat got to us and we said let us go back and drive there. We got the car and went some 15 blocks and tried to find the heart of the old town and the palace. Several turns around the block where we thought it was discouraged us and we decided we had had enough of Monte Carlo. Regrettable it left us flat.

We had been running around on our adventure too much and we simply wanted to have a snooze in our air conditioned room back at the hotel. Mr. Adventurer had played out his cards and was on the losing end. Time to cash in what chips I had left and head for bed. I wasn’t going to be the next guy to break the Bank of Monte Carlo.