A Monte Carlo Summer - the Funfair - Pride

Each summer, on the esplanade in front of Port Hercule, you'll find all the fun of the fair.

In the main photograph, the little boy has just finished swinging from one platform to another. He's so proud of himself. I watched him for a while whilst he was waiting his turn - very serious, watching those in front of him, obviously rather daunted. The small photo shows him before the adventure - just as he's about to move off the platform.

There's a competition today on Menton Daily Photo. Do take a look and see if you know the answer. A postcard of Menton will go to the winner.

A Monte Carlo Summer - the Clean-up Man

Not the sharpest photograph in the world, but I wanted you to meet one of the men who clean up Larvotto Beach. It's just gone 8 in the morning and he whizzes along the jellyfish nets, checking for any damage. He also picks up any flotsam and jetsam in the sea.

Larvotto Beach has had its publicity problems lately. Analyses of the water have shown a toxic algae called 'Ostreopsis Ovata' which has been menacing Larvotto Beach in particular. In fact all the beaches in Monaco are now under high surveillance.

This algae, which has colonized parts the northern edge of the Mediterranean during the last few years, is a one-cell microscopic organism. Because it contains chlorophyll it's called an algae, but it's also a sort of plancton. Its natural habitat is on underwater rocks where it attaches itself to the rocks in the form of a brown mousse. The problem arises when this mousse detaches from the rocks and floats to the surface. In contact with the sun it gives off a toxic gas.

Two years ago, in Italy - at Genoa - 200 people were intoxicated and hospitalised with respiratory problems.

At the moment, the authorities say there is no danger in Monaco but the problem is being continually observed and tested by the zoological station in Villefranche, a laboratory at the University of Nice and the biology department attached to the Office of the Environment in Monaco.

They say, 'We are not in a situation of alert, but we are in a siuation of enforced vigilance.'

Meanwhile, as you see, people swim.

A Monte Carlo Summer - the Jellyfish Net

Larvotto Beach is protected from jellyfish by this net - well two nets in fact, one either side of the central breakwater. In total there are 320 metres of protection.

And what do you do if you are stung by jellyfish? I remember when I lived in Cairns in Queensland, Australia, there were always bottles of vinegar available on the beach.

Nice-Matin, the other day, tells us that if you can't find immediate help from the Lifeguards (and you will in Monaco) - this is what you must do:

1. Don't move the affected limb or limbs and whatever you do don't rub the skin. It will make it worse.

2. Remove the tentacles with tweezers or with gloved hands (in fact two sets of gloves, it says).

3. Then cover with dry sand or flour or talcum powder or even shaving mousse - which will trap the remaining cells that cause the rash.

4. Then you can then gently rub the affected area with a rigid piece of cardboard or a plastic credit card to remove these remaining cells - unusual use of a credit card!

5. Next you must wash the affected area with hot water (the heat apparently destroys the jellyfish poison).

6. Then you put salt on for 30 minutes.

7. Finally, you must take an aspirin.

A Monte Carlo Summer - Jellyfish!

Jellyfish! Lots of jellyfish! This sign is to be seen on Larvotto Beach. Tomorrow, we'll find out what they do about them.

Prince Rainier III

This sculpture stands outside the chapiteau (the circus tent) in Fontvieille. It was sculpted by Marcus Marin in 2006 and needs to be seen from a distance to properly see the face of the late Prince Rainier of Monaco.

Black

Shiny, immaculate yacht. Smart fenders. This boat is moored in the port of Fontvieille.

Parc Sacha Guitry - 2

Parc Sacha Guitry is a beautiful and peaceful park in Cap d'Ail - the town bordering Monaco - with its many stunning Belle Epoque buildings and wondrous views. It's a place too with a real village/community feel to it.

Rampoldi's

Rampoldi's is a trendy restaurant just around the corner from the Café de Paris in the Place de Casino. This is what a recent Frommer's review had to say about it:

"More than any other restaurant in Monte Carlo, Rampoldi is linked to the charming but somewhat dated interpretation of La Dolce Vita. Opened in the 1950s at the edge of the Casino Gardens and staffed with a mix of old and new, it's more Italian than French in spirit. It also serves some of the best cuisine in Monte Carlo. Menu items include an array pastas, such as tortelloni with cream and white truffle sauce; sea bass roasted in a salt crust; ravioli stuffed with crayfish; and veal kidneys in Madeira sauce. Crêpes suzette makes a spectacular finish."

I'd go along with that. I've been lucky enough to eat here a few times in the past, but happily when someone else was paying. It's not cheap but it's very good. Great place to watch the 'beautiful people' if you can tear your eyes away from the food, that is.

Water falling

I don't know the name of this sculpture/fountain - Falling Water would seem to be a good name but then Fallingwater is the name of the famous house in Pennsylvania, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, so I've called this post Water Falling.

It stands in front of an apartment block in the smaller port in Monaco - in Fontvieille. Perhaps I simply missed the name plate and someone seeing this will tell us. There's something very peaceful about watching the water fall, fall, fall.

Adam and Eve

Meet Adam and Eve - one of my favourites of the many sculptures in Monaco. By Fernando Botero and sculpted in 1981. It's a sculpture that people love being photographed with - the lady usually clutching a certain part of Adam's anatomy and giggling. Adam and Eve stand in the gardens below the Casino.

Porshe on Fire! - Guest photographer

One of the nice things about having a blog like this is that friends phone when something is happening. 'Oh you must photograph this or that,' they say. For instance, my friend from Gorbio village called to say, 'There's a wedding in the village. Come on up.' But for her, we'd not have had the Village Wedding series.

My friend Gill, who lives in Monaco, went one better. She actually took the photographs. Gill lives on Avenue Princesse Grace overlooking Larvotto Beach and yesterday, there was much excitement when a lovingly restored tan coloured antique Porsche caught fire. She told me there was a loud bang and a puff of smoke. The couple in the car got out very quickly and then wham, the car was engulfed in flames and the windscreen blew out. The force was so strong the car actually mounted the pavement. Waiters from the new Avenue 31 restaurant rushed out with a fire extinguisher but it was not enough. The pompiers were needed. Gill said they arrived looking magnificent. I tell you - all policemen, firemen, gardeners, etc in Monaco - they are all gorgeous.

The car was a classic car - an antique Porsche that had competed in a rally in Scotland the week before. Apparently all this was caused by an electrical fault and was reported today in Nice-Matin - a full page in the Monaco section.

Gill took this photograph, from her balcony on her cell phone. Nice-Matin only showed the burned out car. Wotta friend! Thankyou, Gill.

Fort Antoine

Fort Antoine is an early XVIIIth century fortress, built on the north-eastern tip of le rocher . It's now used as an open air theatre seating 350 spectators in a semi-circle. Click on the link to see the theatre from above. It's a magical setting for summer performances.

Below Fort Antoine is the prestigious Monaco Yacht Club.

Monte Carlo Gentlemen - 7

This was taken in Casino Square. The traffic was snarled up and this man was chatting to the doorman of the Casino - they obviously knew each other. This Monte Carlo Gentleman is a gardener - as per the sign on his small truck.

Even the gardeners in Monaco are good looking. Sigh...

The town in the church

The interior of the beautiful Eglise Saint Nicolas in Fontvielle. I'm not always a fan of new churches but like this one, love the interior with the mural representing the buildings you see in Fontvieille - the area of Monaco reclaimed from the sea. You can read the history of this church and see the the exterior by clicking on the link.

The old olive oil mill we've been looking at during the last few days is located on the opposite side of the place to this church. The smaller photo will give more detail of the mural - please click to enlarge.

Torso Desperacion

This sculpture sits in one of the gardens of Fontvieille. It was sculpted by Victor Ochoa between 1981 - 1992. You can see more of this artist's powerful work by clicking on the link.

Le Vieux Moulin de Monte Carlo - 3

Here you see the double olive press, which produced the première pression of olive oil. This relic from Roman times is now displayed in Fontvieille. See the last two postings for more on the olive oil mill of Monte Carlo.

Recommended reading: The Olive Route by Carol Drinkwater.

Actress Carol Drinkwater is probably best known for her role as Helen Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small. Also an accomplished novelist she has achieved best-selling status with her trilogy of life on her olive farm in Provence. The Olive Route is her fourth book. Click on the link to read more.

Le Vieux Moulin de Monte Carlo - 2

Here you see the double millstone. See yesterday's post for more on this relic from Roman times - the olive oil mill of Monte Carlo.

The smaller photograph shows the millstone from a different angle, looking down on the square. On the far side is the church and on the left - the police station. You can just see the fountain in the centre. A better view of the fountain is seen by clicking on the link.

Le Vieux Moulin de Monte Carlo - 1

Fragments of an olive oil mill from Roman times are displayed here in Fontvieille - the part of Monaco reclaimed from the sea. The original mill was in the area of Monaco known, unsurprisingly, as Moulins.

What you see here are the remains of vats and millstones.

More tomorrow.

La Grande Laveuse doing her washing

You've seen this sculpture of a Washerwoman before - please click on the link. I couldn't resist photographing her again tho when I saw her amidst soapsuds or something worse. Today she really does look as if she's doing the washing. She sits in a small lake in the gardens of Fontvieille. Normally the water is cleaner than this - albeit rather green - not so on this day. And not good for the ducks - one would think...

This bronze sculpture was made jointly by Pierre Auguste Renoir and Richard Guino - both Impressionist artists.

Boys' toys

How many toys does one guy need? The yacht, two different styles of car, as you see. I don't see a helicopter on this yacht. Don't have a go at me for the excess - I'm just the photographer.

Tucked away

Another interesting facade in Monte Carlo - just up from the port. Yes, Monaco has some ugly apartment buildings, but amongst them you'll find gems.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 17

Of course, how do I know if my Monte Carlo ladies are from Monte Carlo. These two are surely visitors. Snapped just down from the casino, they are looking across the harbour to le Rocher and the Prince's Palace.

Monte Carlo Gentlemen - 6

A policeman outside the Hôtel de Paris. Not sure what that squint is about.

Squares, squares

Tiles on the outside wall of a restaurant at the end of Larvotto Beach.

Theme Day: a 'NO' sign

Today's Theme Day is a sign saying NO. This sign fairly well typifies what you'll find if you walk alongside the super yachts in the harbour in Monte Carlo.

And as I'm currently in America, I've added the smaller photograph. Taken outside Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, it shocked me. Just that such a sign is even necessary horrifies. Ohio recently passed a Concealed Carry Law, and seemingly if you have a CCL permit, you can carry a gun - concealed on your person - but not where you see this sign.

There are 171 cities throughout the world taking part in today's Theme. Do click here to view thumbnails and see how others have interpreted the theme.

I'm flying from Columbus, Ohio to St. George, Utah (three flights) today so am really sorry but commenting will not be possible. I'll catch up over the next day or so and meanwhile thank everyone who has left a comment.

Illusion

Is Monaco an illusion? You can see another photo of this yacht by clicking on the link.

A decorated house

A decorated house in Cap d'Ail. Cap d'Ail, which adjoins Monaco, has so many beautiful houses. Here's just one.

Just look up...

Wander around Monaco and just look up... this decorated building is just up from the port.

Echelle a Bras Attelée

Fireman's ladder from the 1890's on display in Fontvieille just outside the police station.

Monte Carlo Lady - 16

Shopping is obviously hard work - a Monte Carlo lady takes a rest.

Miami Plage, Larvotto Beach

Early morning. Most of Monaco is asleep. Soon the day will burst into life but for a few precious moments, the beach is ours.

The lunch break

The barriers put up for the Monaco Grand Prix are still being dismantled. Here we see a group of tourists taking a break and sitting on a barrier - the start finish line of the Grand Prix, full of normal cars today, is almost behind them. A rather noisy lunch venue I'd have thought although they are looking out at the yachts in the port - behind me. So lunch with a view.

The eagle has landed

Eagle - or maybe a vulture? - on a roof in Cap d'Ail. In fact, there is an eagle on each corner of this lovely house.

Behind the curtain

There's always something interesting to look at. This lady peers from behind her curtain in a first floor apartment on the pedestrian street that runs up from the port.

The Sports Clinic

You probably don't need to be told that this is Monaco's medical clinic for sports injuries. Just look at the people outside. It's on the road that goes down from the casino to the port - hence the slope.

Moods

Here you see the mirror above Moods, the new nightclub in Monaco. These photographs were taken the day after it opened - still workers around doing last minute touch ups. At night, cascades of water fall each side of the steps.

You can read more by clicking on the link.

(I'm in the USA at the moment - Westerville, near Columbus, Ohio - later I'll be in Utah - so big apologies for lack of comments over the last week and thanks so much to everyone who is commenting on my blogs. I really appreciate them. I hope, from today, to slowly start commenting again provided Internet access allows it).

Monte Carlo Gentleman - 5

The photographer photographed. He's standing outside Moods, a great new music bar at the back of the Cafe de Paris - where he'll be videoing, I believe. Tomorrow I'll show you more - no ladies, not of this gorgeous creature, but Moods.

Monte Carlo Lady - 15

An older lady today - walking her little Chihuahua in the gardens at the back of the casino.

Water wings

The pool on the yacht you saw yesterday. The boy is about to take a swim. Perhaps he can't swim which is why he has the water wings.

Pool aboard

Seems you can get most things on yachts these days. Here you see a swimming pool on one and games table on the yacht alongside. Come back tomorrow to see who is about to take a swim.