Cicada Lane

A stone wall, tumbling jasmine and a carved marble street sign. Cigale is French for cicada, by the way - the sound of summer.

See another type of jasmine on Menton Daily Photo today.

Connecting People

Put the phone down, Mister, and connect with the lady in front of you!

The Video

The other day we saw a young girl taking her self-portrait. Today we've advanced to a video.

He places the camera on the plinth. She poses whilst he sets the self-timer and focuses. He runs across and stands with her. Then it's back to the camera to make sure it has worked.

It has.

The sculpture is by Sophia Vari - you can see another and read more about this artist by clicking on the link.

Wonder

Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.

John Betjeman

A fountain in the Casino Gardens.

Monte Carlo Gentlemen - 9

Whilst Monsieur Benaut was snapping ladies the other day, I snapped this gentleman. I hadn't realised his face would be lit from underneath - from the bar. Do you like it or not?

He and the gentleman next to him - so deep in thought, aren't they? - their faces almost blank. Wonder what they are thinking as they sit at this lunch counter at the Metropole Centre?

The Self Portrait

Alone in the Casino Gardens in Monte Carlo - no one to take your photograph?

First choose your position. Prepare the camera (see smaller photo). Walk quickly to position and SMILE FOR THE CAMERA....

Monte Carlo Ladies - 22

Readers of Menton Daily Photo will know that the Benauts from Adelaide Daily Photo have been staying with me in Gorbio - and what a delight they are. Yesterday, we spent the day exploring Monaco - and surprise, surprise, M. Benaut found an endless supply of gorgeous Monte Carlo ladies to photograph - this is one of his photographs - thankyou, Monsieur Benaut: Guest Photographer.

Madame Benaut, on the other hand, was noticed going in and out of some rather nice shops.

We lunched in the restaurant on the lower level of the luxurious Metropole shopping centre. This photograph shows two Monte Carlo Ladies chatting on one of the levels above us. In fact, these are just two of an ever-changing series of ladies who appeared to be on a non-stop cigarette break from the shops they work in.

Monsieur Benaut and I have the same camera - a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18. It's that long zoom that allows photos like this. It's been educational and inspiring for both of us to compare shots, discuss settings and so on.

Today they left for Sestri Levante on the Ligurian coast of Italy and already the house is empty without their energy and enthusiam and kindness.

Dressed in Green

It doesn't take much to make a fairly plain building interesting - a Virginia creeper on the walls and the obligatory washing hanging over the balcony. This block of apartments is in Beausoleil, a stone's throw from Monaco.

Maxim's

Maxim's, the legendary Paris restaurant had a branch in Monaco. Now it's closed. Gone. Peer in and all you see is the reflection from across the street. No more beautiful Art Nouveau interior, wondrous food, perfect waiters. I was lucky enough to eat here one evening and was surprised there were so few guests. A few tables of couples. A large table filled with exotic and noisy Russian 'ladies of the night.'

If you click on the link - then on 'restaurants' - you'll find that if you move your mouse over Monte Carlo there is no address or phone number.

Sad.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 21

A beautiful lady, with a demure smile, crosses the Casino gardens.

Lantana

A yellow Lantana brightens a rather plain modern building not far from the main post office in Monaco. Lantana is often used in public gardens in the south of France but I believe in parts of Australia, it's considered too invasive and is a noxious weed. I find the so-called 'common' or 'wild' lantana ( two or three colours within one plant) is somewhat rampant but the single colour varieties, like this, are manageable - indeed rather nice.

The Terrace of Stars 'n' Bars

The terrace of the trendy American sports bar Stars 'n' Bars on the port of Monaco. Shade from the midday sun - a wonderful view over the harbour. If you are an American in Monaco and need a hamburger fix, this is the place to go. Personally, I recommend the Eggs Benedict - they come with great chips (French fries in America) too.

Monte Carlo Gentleman - 8

Walk through the beautiful Casino gardens. Find a bench. Read a newspaper. I couldn't resist photographing this good looking guy.

Fashion Statement?

A rebel in the making? - or a fashionista to be? This little girl was crossing Boulevard Albert 1er - the main road by Port Hercule.

'Fortune befriends the bold' - Emily Dickinson

A House with a View

Monaco has so many beautiful houses - not just the blocks of apartments we see in the postcards. This house, on Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, has wonderful views - from the left, it looks down on the Church of Saint Devote - and ahead and to the right is the Port Hercule. You can see a little more detail in the smaller photograph.

A friend told me that Radio Monte Carlo used to occupy this building. I really don't know who owns it now. It would seem building work is going on. Someone reading this may know?

The Chess Board Car?

Not all cars in Monaco are Ferraris or Rollers - here's a Mini (I think) - I'm not quite sure what the squares on the roof are all about though. Looks a bit like something I see on racetracks - or perhaps if the owner gets bored he climbs onto the roof and plays chess?

I'm sure someone will tell me.

This is for you - Gail's Man at Nottingham Daily Photo - who always welcomes car pics on this blog. Sorry it's not from British Motors yesterday - but yes, come to think of it, this is a British car, isn't it?

It's parked outside the Metropole Centre, the owner chatting on the phone - although you can barely see that.

British Motors

When your Jaguar needs a service, this is where you go. And other British cars too, of course. You'll find it in Boulevard Princesse Charlotte.

Princess Charlotte was the mother of Prince Rainier and therefore the grandmother of Prince Albert. Prince Albert's sister, Princess Caroline, named her daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, in her memory. You can read about Charlotte Casiraghi on her My Space profile. It seems even princesses have a My Space page. Charlotte is a beautiful young lady - hardly suprising with her genes - and a very talented horsewoman.

The Hat

September but still very much summer here. No rain for months - don't tell the visitors but we need it for our gardens. Of course when it eventually arrives and doesn't stop, then we'll complain again.

We are in the Casino gardens. He's reading the Financial Times. The lady - no longer young - dresses smartly, conservatively even as befits her age - but don't you just adore the hat? Go girl...

Theme Day: Sister Cities

Monte Carlo doesn't have a sister city - but it does have a piece of another city within the Principality. Outside the new railway station is this large piece of the Berlin Wall depicting the dove of peace. You see this moving piece of history, behind glass, below.

There are 148 City Daily Photo bloggers from all around the world taking part in today's theme. Why not pay some of them a visit and view their sister city or see how they have interpreted the subject.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Curves

Sometimes in Monaco or Beausoleil, you'll find that one side of the road is Monaco and the other side is Beausoleil, in France. There are so many beautiful buildings in this part of Monaco and Beausoleil. Here you see a balcony and in the smaller photograph, the whole building. (click to enlarge). Note the tall windows opening onto balconies, so typical - and how pretty are those lovely curves at each end.

The building is called Palais du Midi and is now mostly apartments with commercial enterprises at street level.

Cheap Eats

As you see, you don't have to be rich to eat in Monaco. This little restaurant is right on the corner of the port - across from Saint Devote.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 20

Remember the jeans-clad lady the other day - well here's another. This time in cut-offs and standing just along from the entrance to the Café de Paris and somewhat smarter than the people behind her in flipflops and trainers.

What would you wear if you visited Monaco? And if you are a visitor - what DO you wear in Monte Carlo?

Sophia Vari - exhibition

Each summer an exhibition of sculptures is presented in the Casino gardens. Last year it was on the subject of the environment and around 30 artists were represented. This year, the exhibition is devoted to the work on one artist, Sophia Vari.

To see a short video of this Greek sculptor - she speaks briefly - and to see many more of her monumental bronze polychrome sculptures in the gardens this year please click on the link below.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 19

A Monte Carlo lady - chic, in jeans, I think. Many think jeans cannot be chic. What do you think?

She's standing at the entrance to the Metropole Shopping Centre which is opposite the Casino Gardens.

La Porte Rouge

The Red Gateway is named for its ochre colour. You can see an alternative view in the smaller photo. It's situated between Boulevard Suisse and Avenue de la Costa, which is an area very near to the Hôtel Hermitage. Originally it was the entrance to an enormous private domain called Roqueville. The gate was built in 1819 by the son of the owner.

Nowadays, no domain - all is urbanisation - but the Porte Rouge remains.

The Headless Horse

A pretty niche above a gate (see the smaller photograph) - with a sculpture that has known better days.

This was taken on the Boulevard du Jardin Exotique. Walk up the steps to the left and you are in Beausoleil, France.

Petite Pool

A small pool for a large block of apartments. The setting is gorgeous - look over the edge and you see the beautiful church of Sainte Devote - and ahead the harbour of Monaco, where there is an enormous pool if you want to do lengths.

A Monte Carlo Summer - the Fireworks Competition

Each year Monaco holds its Concours International de Feux d'Artifice Pyromélodiques. 4 or 5 'firework and music nights' are held throughout the summer and for each one, Monte Carlo is packed to the gills. You can't park, you can't get a meal in a restaurant unless you've booked well in advance. The festival has been running since 1966 and a win in Monaco is enormously prestigious. The five judges consider the style of the display, the quality of the colours, the quantity and effects and also that the fireworks synchonise with the music.

This year the contestents were Great Britain, Poland, Austria and Denmark - you see part of their presentation in these photo. Notice the lady's hand in the lower photograph.

When the fireworks start, all the lights around the harbour are extinquished - there's quiet and then suddenly - it all begins -it really is exciting.

And the winner? Austria who presented their display on the 11th August. They take away a cheque for 100,000 euros although the displays probably cost not much less than that.

You can see the photograph from last year's competition by clicking on the link.

A Monte Carlo Summer - the Bathrobe

No, you don't often see a gentleman walking about Monte Carlo in a bathrobe. He's probably been to the Thermes Marin de Monte Carlo - the Monte Carlo Spa - which is a fabulous gym/pool/everything for health and well-being - and is connected to the Hotel Hermitage, and I think, to the Hotel de Paris too, by an underground tunnel. He is about to cross the road at the level crossing you see to his left - this would lead to the Hermitage. So doubtless he decided to take the above-street route today.

A Monte Carlo Summer - August

Monte Carlo in August - A Ferrari, yachts and lots of visitors. Not that you don't see Ferraris and yachts all the year round - you do. More tourists though in July and August.

A Monte Carlo Summer - Black and White

For one second, I thought these three were real. They sit on a wall above the Park Palace shopping centre which is opposite the Casino Gardens.

A Monte Carlo Summer - la Gare

Monaco has a fairly new railway station. You can enter from various levels. Here is the view as you come down the escalator from the highest level - we are looking at the harbour from the St. Devote corner.

To get up or down involves escalators and lifts and happily, views like this. I look this standing on the moving escalator so am surprised the view remained pretty much in focus.

A Monte Carlo Summer - Le Louis XV

One day I'm going to rob a bank and eat here...

Alain Ducasse's Le Louis XV restaurant in the Hôtel de Paris on Casino Square is Monaco's most famous restaurant - 3 Michelin Stars. Mortgage your house to eat there. Drool, drool....

Click on the link and take the virtual tour. Don't forget the ceiling.

I'm told they have a camera hidden in the ceiling above each table so the waiters can see (from afar) when service is needed and the chefs know when to start preparing the next course. And anyway, don't you just hate a hovering waiter?

A Monte Carlo Summer - Silver

Take a stroll around the port - yes, it's opulent, big yachts, speedboats, trendy restaurants, you get the feel of wealth - but there is wonder just in the reflections on the water.

This silver sea took my breath away.

A Monte Carlo Summer - Hot Dogs

The young man had been carrying the girl around on his shoulders - he lowered her onto a plant stand by the port. She jumped off and immediately threw her arms around him - a flower above their heads.

Hot dogs in front of a hot dog stand!

To see The Barack Obama Dog please click on the live link to Riviera Dogs.

A Monte Carlo Summer - the Beach Cleaner

Monaco's beaches are not pristine by luck. Here you see one of the clean-up guys. It's early morning, already people are taking a dip but for this man, it's a working day on Larvotto Beach.

A Monte Carlo Summer - the Palm Fronds

If you tire of the beaches, you can always find peace and beauty in one of the many gardens in the Principality. Here we are in the Casino Gardens. These palm fronds entranced me. (Click on the small photo to see the palm)

I believe this is called Erythea Armata, a palm from California and sometimes known as the Blue Palm. If not, I hope the knowledgeable-on-all-things-horticultural, Tog of Coral Gables Daily Photo will correct me.