Japanese Garden - 9

This enchanting garden, designed by the landscape architect Yasuo Beppo was commissioned by the Prince Rainier for Princess Grace. It covers 23,000 square feet right next to the Mediterranean and has been blessed by a Shinto High Priest. The garden is an authentic work of art that unites stone, water and vegetation in the most marvelous harmony. The pine and olive trees are pruned in the pure tradition of the Land of the Rising Sun.

(Back home from Germany - thanks so much for comments).

Hanging flowers - 2

These hanging baskets are on the other side of rue Princesse Caroline to the ones you saw recently at THIS LINK.

Japanese Garden - 8

A traditional part of any Japanese garden.

Pilote

In contrast to yesterday's Riva, here is one of Monaco's pilot boats - very necessary to bring in some of the super yachts that visit the Principality.

Riva

A Riva - surely the best and most famous motorboat in the world. If you click on the link, and then go to archives, you'll see some of the older models, like this one.

(I'm in Germany to judge the Old English Sheepdogs at the Bundesseiger show so forgive me, but I won't be able to comment much before getting home on Monday evening. )

Japanese Garden - 7

You've seen the little boy before, but I hope you'll enjoy seeing him again, this time with his mother and sibling, watching the fish in the Japanese gardens.

Miss Moneypenny

Just over a week ago, Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny in 14 of the James Bond films died in Australia aged 80, so this is a small tribute to her. Lois Maxwell was the definitive Miss Moneypenny, secretary to M, who was 007's boss, of course.

Old Monaco

This old photograph was for sale in the Vide Grenier at the Fête de la Branda in Gorbio last Sunday. The seller told me it was taken in Avenue de Grande Bretagne in Monaco.

Doriana - 3

Life on a yacht - well, if you are one of the workers, there's scrubbing and polishing and sorting the ropes and goodness knows what else? Can't be bad, come to think of it! This is the beautiful Doriana - see and read more HERE and HERE.

Open Air Cinema

The Open Air Cinema on Le Rocher has now closed for the season. I took this photo in the summer. You can sit on the normal white chairs, or, if you don't mind paying just a little more you take one of the soft green loungers - well worth it except, with the wine you can buy, you could possibly fall asleep. Best of all, though, as you watch the film, glance up to your left and you see the Oceanographic Museum rising up in all its shadowy glory.

You can see a clearer view of the cinema, looking down from above, HERE.

Hanging flowers

Hanging baskets in rue Princesse Caroline, which is the pedestrian street running from the port to rue Grimaldi.

Eglantine

This shot probably shows reasonably well how the cemetery of Monaco is constructed on many different levels - in fact, many more than you see here. And each level is named after a plant or flower, making it easier for visitors to find a particular grave.

Josephine Baker 1906 - 1975

Above, you see part of the grave of the Josephine Baker, which she shares with her fourth husband, the orchestra director, Jo Bouillon. Singer, entertainer, civil rights activist, humanitarian, Josephine Baker was easily the most successful black woman of her time . Born Freda Carson into poverty in St. Louis, Missouri, her ticket out was her comedic and dance abilities, which powered her rise to early American fame on Broadway. Tiring of performing in demeaning minstrel reviews, she jumped at the chance of a career in Paris where the Jazz Age fuelled heady interest in the then sensual and exotic African-American culture. She was known as the girl 'who danced her way through the 20s and 30s dressed in bananas.' (Click on THIS LINK to see a YouTube performance).

Josephine Baker was very close to the Principality of Monaco. After she was bankrupted, following the badly handled management of her well-known estate in the Dordogne, where her 'Rainbow Tribe, the 12 multi-ethnic children she had adopted, used to live. She sought to prove that children of different ethnicities and religions could be brothers. She was helped by Princess Grace of Monaco, who offered her a life-long accommodation in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and invited her on several occasions to take part in charity performances. A moving anecdote from the artist's life in 1974: at the opening of the Sporting Monte Carlo, Josephine Baker stood in for Sammy Davis Junior, who'd been taken ill at the last minute. He should have been the star performer at the Monegasque Red Cross Gala. Retired from the stage, the artist rose to the challenge and made an unexpected comeback, amazing the audience who gave her an incredible ovation. The following year, during a final Parisian revue based on her life, she suffered a stroke following her final performance and died three days later. You can read more about this amazing woman at THIS LINK.

Sergeant Louis Prouven

Why this young man has a blackened face, I don't know. I noticed several statues in the cemetery suffering this affliction - pollution, perhaps?

Louis Prouven died in the Battle of Verdon, at Fleury in the Meuse in August 1916. I don't know why, but graves from the Great War, that terrible war (as if all wars aren't terrible) affect me greatly. You can see another at Menton Daily Photo HERE.

His Excellency, le Baron Edouard Imberty

Prepare for a few days more at the cemetery - I'm on a roll...

This imposing sepulchre is in honour of the Baron Edouard Imberty, who was born in Menton in 1806 and died in Monaco in 1874. He was the Governor General of the Principality of Monaco and the ex-President of the Tribunal and had many honours bestowed on him by Turkey and Tunisia, amongst others as well as the Legion of Honour. There is a Rue Imberty in Monaco, presumably named after him.

Daily Photo Theme Day: Cemeteries/Tombstones

Monaco's cemetery is situated just below the Princess Grace Hospital. Not the greatest placement of a hospital, I'd venture to say. Perhaps there was no choice - the Principality of Monaco, after all, is very small. So there you are, sick in your hospital bed - you look out of the window and there before you is the glorious Mediterranean, but look down and you realise you are staring at descending terraces of graves. Several famous people are buried in the graveyard: Josephine Baker, the entertainer and Leo Ferré, the designer amongst them. This grave belongs to the Famille Ange Giordino. I'll post more photos from this beautiful cemetery over the coming days.

Today, being the 1st of the month, is Daily Photo Theme Day. Do please take time to visit the other cities in the Daily Photo family taking part in today's theme:

St. Louis (MO), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Mainz, Germany - Hyde, UK - Arlington (VA), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Toulouse, France - Arradon, France - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Joplin (MO), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Seattle (WA), USA - Baziège, France - Baltimore (MD), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Greenville (SC), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Nashville (TN), USA - Tenerife, Spain - Manila, Philippines - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Jacksonville (FL), USA - River Falls (WI), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - Lubbock (TX), USA - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Moscow, Russia - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Minneapolis (MN), USA - New Orleans (LA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Toruń, Poland - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand - London, England - Paderborn, Germany - The Hague, Netherlands - Selma (AL), USA - Sunderland, UK - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Stavanger, Norway - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Weston (FL), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Forks (WA), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Wellington, New Zealand - Montpellier, France - Jackson (MS), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Evry, France - Saarbrücken, Germany - New York City (NY), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - North Bay (ON), Canada - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Cypress (TX), USA - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Paris, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Wichita (Ks), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Prague, Czech Republic - Zurich, Switzerland - Budapest, Hungary - Paris, France - Saigon, Vietnam

Japanese Garden - 6: Humidity

Somehow this reminds me of exotic climes, humidity, maybe a humming bird or a parrot will fly out of a bush. Perhaps we are in Naples, Florida with Isabella? But no, we are in the Japanese Garden on Avenue Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo.

Cathedral

The Cathedral of Monaco, situated on Le Rocher, was built in 1875 using white stone from La Turbie. It stands on the site of a 13th century church dedicated to Saint Nicolas and houses the tombs of the former Princes of Monaco. It is also the final resting place of Monaco's much-loved Princess Grace and her husband, Prince Rainier, who died in 2005.

Place d'Armes

This is the Place d'Armes in Monaco, where the market is held each day. Here you see it without the market stalls. The colour of the shutters, the decoration and the ironwork is typical of many buildings in Monaco and the south of France. So pretty, don't you think?

Monaco Yacht Show - 7

Beautiful girls and Big Boys' Toys seems to go together! At the Monaco Yacht Show, girls (and guys too) are employed to show potential buyers around the yachts. Note: I really don't know the status of this pretty lady.

The daughter of a friend of mine was working on one of the biggest of the massive super yachts and she explained that not 'anyone' can get aboard for a guided tour. Interested parties have first to make an appointment, at which time - presumably - their credentials are checked out.

Monaco Yacht Show - 6

Visitors are ferried from one side of the Monaco Yacht Show to another. There are several hop on and hop off points for this.

Monaco Yacht Show - 5

Champers, anyone?

Monaco Yacht Show - 4

Not the Monaco Yacht Show, as such, but a photo showing you many yachts who had to relinquish their regular moorings in Port Hercules for the duration of the show. This is a view of Monaco from Roquebrune, taken on my way to the show. You can see the port with its gleaming white yachts. Below you see the Lady Moura, also away from her regular berth.

Monaco Yacht Show - 3

Count the shoes and you know how many people are on board. Potential clients perhaps? All the yachts had baskets ready to receive footware - some looked like dog baskets to me but I didn't see any dogs sitting in them.

Monaco Yacht Show - 2

Boats, blue skies, crowds, colour, buzz - but most of all - money, money, money.

Monaco Yacht Show - 1

Monte Carlo is big-time busy at the moment. Not a car park place to be had in the whole of the Principality, everything centres around the main port, Port Hercule, for the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show. So prepare yourself for a few days of beautiful boats and beautiful people watching. Here you see, on the right, the Wind, all 193 feet (59 metres) of super yacht. Cost to enter the show is 50 euros, half of which goes to a Monaco charity.

This photo was taken from below the casino area looking out beyond the Princess Grace Theatre and overlooking the port. The vertical wires are from a massive crane. Tomorrow and tomorrow - come back, I've much to show you from the red carpet.

Japanese Garden - 5

The tea house. Trees. Rocks. Water. Peace.

Anyone for tennis?

Taken from just above the Monte Carlo Country Club (home of the Monte Carlo Masters Series) the Principality of Monaco lies to the right of the photograph. You can see Monaco's newest hotel, the Monte Carlo Bay Resort, standing on the small promontory.

Advertised as 'the most beautiful tennis club in the world,' I don't think they are far wrong, do you? Here you see a father playing tennis with his son, the Mediterranean in all its beauty, below.

Doriana - 2

Notice the little chap in the middle of the photo. He's the Doriana's dog, a wire-haired dachshund. Later I saw him out walking with one of the crew. Click HERE to see him stretching his sea legs by the port of Monaco. You can also click on yesterday's link for the Doriana - then on 'photos' and you will find a photo of him (last pic) curled up in the middle of some ropes.

Doriana - 1

The Doriana was tying up in the port of Monaco when I took a group of photographs. This beautiful boat was probably in Monte Carlo for Le Classic Week,which is organised by the Monaco Yacht Club. The Doriana would be entered in the Belle Classe. Come back tomorrow and I'll show you what else was on board...and cute...

Japanese Garden - 4

A good place to stop, sit on a bench and have a chat - don't you think? The Japanese garden is beautiful but put it in this setting, right by the Mediterranean and it's mind-blowingly gorgeous.

(Thank you so much to everyone who has kindly posted comments whilst I've been away in England. I hope to catch up with your blogs today and tomorrow.)

Almost there

A luxury yacht on its way to the main harbour of Monaco. This photo was taken from the beautiful Japanese garden on Avenue Princesse Grace.

Let's do lunch!

Let's do lunch!

Tebe in Costume - 1982

This sculpture stands on Avenue d'Ostende overlooking the main port of Monaco. The Palace on Le Rocher is opposite. The artist is the well-known Italian sculptor, Giacomo Manzu (1908 - 1991).

Port Palace

The photo says it all really - a sunny day, sun umbrellas, lunch overlooking the port of Monaco.

Japanese Garden - 3

The red bridge in the Japanese garden on Avenue Princesse Grace. You can glimpse the sea through the trees.

Wheeeeeeeeeeee...

Isn't this fun? Photo taken from the Japanese gardens.

(Am away for a few days but will still be posting each day. Really sorry tho I won't be able to Comment. Will catch up on your wonderful blogs on my return).

Cruise Ship

Friends arrived yesterday on a cruise ship. Their ship, Seabourne Legend, is the smaller one at the end and takes only 208 passengers. The monster boat in the foreground is called 7 Seas Navigator and has facilities for 490 guests. This is the first time I've visited the digue (floating dock) - security is tough - I had to pass two sets of police to collect my friends but at the same time they were really friendly.

We don't like Japanese gardens anyway!

As you can see, dogs are not allowed in the Japanese garden, so the husband waits outside with the dogs whilst the wife looks around the beautiful gardens. Later, I saw this couple walking - one Yorkie was in a basket, another on lead. You can see more photos of these little dogs at Riviera Dogs.

Three nuns

Three nuns out for a night stroll on Le Rocher. They are walking away from the Oceanographic Museum towards the Cathedral.

Iron Woman

Last Sunday there was an International Ironman contest in Monaco. Competitors came from all over the world to compete in this prestigious triathlon. The winners had already reached Casino Square by the time I took this photo of a competitor running towards the tunnel from Avenue Princesse Grace. Sadly, wickedly, between 12 and 14 bikes were stolen the night before the contest - bikes valued at between 5,000 and 7,000 euros, so some athletes were unable to compete, others borrowed a bike but their performance suffered. An enquiry is taking place.

How to light a palace

The Palais Princier at night. On the right, you can see the statue of 'Malizia' - François Grimaldi.

Japanese garden - 2

The Japanese garden is just along from the Grimaldi Forum on the Avenue Princesse Grace. A wonderfully peaceful place to lie face down on a rock and have a chat with the koi carp.

'The Grace Kelly Years, Princess of Monaco'

This is the view from the bar on the first floor of the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. It serves delicious sandwiches and is a great place to have a cool drink before visiting the amazing exhibition called 'The Grace Kelly Years, Princess of Monaco.' This wonderful exhibition, curated by Frédéric Mitterrand (nephew of the former President of France) took two glorious hours to walk around and to say it was moving is an understatement. If you happen to be in Monaco whilst it's still on, do visit.

The strange looking V shaped object to the right is part of a sculpture standing on a lower level of the building.

Have a drink in this bar - you can sit at a table, at the bar or relax on one of these sunbeds if you want.

Japanese garden - 1

A view from one side of the Japanese garden in Monaco. In the distance: Cap Martin. I'll show you more of the really Japanese part of this beautiful garden another time - today I was in the mood for sea in the background!

Daily Photo Theme Day: Street Signs/Street Lights

If you have to have a heart attack, then Monte Carlo is probably the place to be - you are never far from a defibrillator. You'll find this group of signs on Le Rocher.

There are over 100 City Daily Photo bloggers participating in today's theme of Street Lights or Street Signs. Do take time to enjoy them:

Seattle (WA), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - Boston (MA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Mainz, Germany - Evry, France - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Nottingham, UK - Toulouse, France - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Manila, Philippines - Mumbai, India - Montpellier, France - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - Moscow, Russia - Paris, France - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Lyon, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Hyde, UK - Hong Kong, China - Joplin (MO), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Chandler (AZ), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Arlington (VA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - San Diego (CA), USA - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Nelson, New Zealand - Quincy (MA), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Bend (OR), USA - Wellington, New Zealand - New Orleans (LA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Detroit (MI), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Selma (AL), USA - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Arradon, France - Sheki, Azerbaijan - New York City (NY), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - North Bay (ON), Canada - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Tenerife, Spain - Auckland, New Zealand - Forks (WA), USA - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Chateaubriant, France - Madison (WI), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Ajaccio, France - Baltimore (MD), USA - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Budapest, Hungary - Lyon, France - Saarbrücken, Germany - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Le Guilvinec, France - River Falls (WI), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Naples (FL), USA - London, UK - La Antigua, Guatemala - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Paris, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Trujillo, Peru - Haninge, Sweden - Prague, Czech Republic - Oslo, Norway - Grenoble, France - Shanghai, China - Toronto (ON), Canada - Durban, South Africa - Zurich, Switzerland