Monaco Yacht Show - The Instant Photographer, Nairi

It's the first of the month and so it's Theme Day - the subject: Mystery Object.

Meet Nairi (you can see this lovely lady properly in the last photo). She is working for one of the yacht companies, Jongert, taking photos of visitors at the Monaco Yacht Show. An interesting promotional gimmick and all great fun. All those bags and boxes strapped to her body are part of what produces a printed photo out of the lower right-hand receptacle. It took about a minute.

That's Nairi's photo of me in the smaller pic!

To see how others around the world have interpreted today's theme 'Mystery Object' please click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Monaco Yacht Show - Crew

I never did crew on a yacht when I was younger but often thought of doing it.

Did you?

Monaco Yacht Show - Still your Mind...

So many yachts, so much luxury - sometimes you can still your mind by looking at a reflection...and it all becomes a dream.

Note: the reflection was taken in THIS.

Monaco Yacht Show - Where's Johnny Depp?

On the way to the far side of the port to photograph Steven Spielberg's yacht, I noticed this pirate ship called Sadko.

Of course, she's not part of the Monaco Yacht Show and she's not even a genuine pirate ship. Perhaps there aren't any of those left?

She's a 30 metre authentic replica of a pirate schooner from the XVIth century.

So, where's Johnny Depp?

Monaco Yacht Show - Hats Off!

It was incredibly hot for the four days of the Monaco Yacht Show yet surprisingly very few ladies wore hats. Other that this lady in pink, the only hats I saw were of the baseball variety and worn by crew on the yachts.

Monaco Yacht Show - Boats on Boats

Boats on boats. In some cases, a model of a yacht, in others (see below) a toy for fun on the water.

Monaco Yacht Show - E.T.Come Home...

Steven Spielberg's yacht, the US$200 million Seven Seas, was on display this year.

She was moored way over the other side of the port near the Harbour Master. After fighting the crowds and heat to get there, I decided to take a boat back across the harbour. There are free shuttles all day to several pontoons around the show. The last photo was taken from the water.

Seven Seas is 86 metres long. She has an infinity pool with a 15-ft. glass wall that can also be used as a movie screen which means Mr. Spielberg can watch a movie and take a dip at the same time. There's also a helipad, a fully equiped gym, a spa, a massage room and an indoor cinema. The yacht accomodates 12 guests and 26 crew.

'E.T. come home...'

Monaco Yacht Show - the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé

This is a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé which was on display amongst the Burgess yachts.

The round building is the Hotel de Paris and the two steeple-like structures to the right, are part of the beautiful casino building.

Monaco Yacht Show - the Girls

Have you noticed how pretty girls, especially those with great legs, seem to go with Super Yachts...?

Monaco Yacht Show

The Monaco Yacht Show started yesterday - wall to wall luxury yachts, thousands of people, a perfect sunny day.

Some of the yachts are so big they reflect several smaller ones.

Dreadlocks

This is one of the servers at a restaurant at the Monaco Yacht Show.  I've always adored dreadlocks.

The Whizzing World

This was taken at the Monaco Yacht Show. It was extraordinary to walk into this section and suddenly see this enormous 'world' whizzing around on the gigantic screen. All very high tech and that seems to be what Imtech Marine is about.

Moonaco!

At the recent Monaco Yacht Show, the company called Moonen Yachts drew attention to themselves with this sign - and it worked!

The Yike Bike

We're back at the Monaco Yacht Show where a guy was walking around with this brilliant electric bike that folds to almost nothing. It was named by Time Magazine as one of the top inventions of 2009. Take a look at the YikeBike website or click on the video below to see this little wonder in action. It will cost you approximately 2,635 euros or $3425. The YikeBike is designed and assembled in New Zealand.

The Sandals

We're back at the Monaco Yacht Show where these sandals intrigued me. How long would they take to get off - and on?

But look carefully - is that a zip that runs all the way down the back?

Monaco Yacht Show - and then it rained

Rain at the Monaco Yacht Show. Fortunately it didn't last long.

Monaco Yacht Show - the Coffee Table Boat

This display is on a low table inside one of the tents. The boat doesn't move but the wake does (or appears to) - you get the feeling though that it is the boat that really is moving through water.

The illusion is fascinating.

Monaco Yacht Show - How About Your Own Submarine?

No self-respecting super yacht owner can manage without its own submersible. These attracted a lot of attention at the Monaco Yacht Show. They are made by a company called U-Boat Warx in a variety of sizes from a one-man submersible to those carrying five people. Take a look at website or click on the video below.

Monaco Yacht Show - Ohana

This month's Theme Day is 'graffiti' and whilst this isn't graffiti (but a child's drawing) it sort of fits the bill. The young daughter of the owner of this beautiful yacht at the Monaco Yacht Show drew this design - Ohana means 'family' in Hawaiian. Later, as you see, he had her drawing painted onto the yacht.

Ohana is 43 metres long and is for charter in the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. She's also for sale at $24 million.

To see how others around the world have interpreted today's theme please click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Monaco Yacht Show - Planet Solar

Around the world on solar energy.

Three days ago this catamaran, with motors powered by solar energy, left Monaco on the first solar boat expedition around the world. Valued at 14 million euros, the boat is owned by German billionaire, Immo Ströher who made his fortune from solar energy.

Energy is stored in the batteries by day and the catamaran can continue sailing on stored energy without sunlight for about three days. She will follow an equatorial route in order to take advantage of the most sunshine. Her first port of call will be in the Canaries - she'll travel across the Atlantic, the Panama Canal, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean on a cruise that is scheduled to last 160 days. You can follow this record-breaking voyage day by day on the Planet Solar website which is available in English, French and German.

To quote from the website: 'PlanetSolar aims in a nutshell:

• Demonstrate the potential for renewable energies and photovoltaic
• To show that today we have the technology required for sustainability
• To take part in the technological development of renewable energy and advance scientific research
• To inform and make the public aware of the importance of renewable energy
• To make the best use of energy efficiency
• To show that the economy and ecology can and must work together.'