Monte Carlo Tennis - Ready to go!

The first shot shows some of the hospitality tents and the smaller courts with the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel and Restaurant La Vigie in the background.

Below (click to enlarge) you can see the Centre Court with its rows of tiered seating, with the Monte Carlo Bay Resort Hotel in the background.

These photos were taken on the 5th April - a very grey day. Today, happily the sun shines on the players.

Tomorrow - back to the Jardin Exotique. For more Monte Carlo tennis, turn on the television!

The Tennis Ball Flower

In the centre of the roundabout that forms the eastern boundary of Monaco and France, is a display of Tennis Ball Flowers - the tournament itself is just a few yards from here.

Yesterday, Nadal and Murray hit a few balls for the crowd in front of the Palais Princier on le Rocher. Click on the link to see the photograph from NIce-Matin this morning.

The Tennis Players and the Cyclist

It's tennis, big time, in Monaco with the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters which started yesterday. Nadal has won the Masters in Monte Carlo every year since 2005 - will he win again?

The cyclist riding past is a reminder that the Tour de France comes to Monaco in early July - the first time since 1964.

Note: We have left the Jardin Exotique for a day or so only.

Jardin Exotique - Succulents

A pocket of soil in a rock is home to this beautiful succulent.

Tomorrow we will leave the Jardin Exotique, but only for a few days. We are off to visit the Monte Carlo Tennis.

Jardin Exotique - Rock

One of the many archways dug through the rock to make a pathway for visitors. No wonder the creation of this garden took over twenty years. The work started in 1913 with the garden being opened to the public in 1933 and still there was another 5 years work to complete it. The garden covers a surface of 11,500 square metres, most of it clinging to the sides of the mountain.

Jardin Exotique - Le Rocher and Fontvieille

We are looking out from the Jardin Exotique, looking at le Rocher (the Rock) on the left. Le Rocher is also known as Monaco-Ville and is the oldest part of Monaco - here you find the Palace, the Cathedral and the Oceanographic museum.

On the right, you see part of Fontvieille and its small port. Fontvieille with its modern buildings is on land reclaimed from the sea. The main port - Port Hercule - is on the other side of Le Rocher.

Jardin Exotique - the Visitor

The Jardin Exotique celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2008. It welcomes over a million visitors each year and here is just one of them filming some of the wonders around her.

Jardin Exotique - Agave Attenuata

Here's a close up of the hanging plant we saw yesterday. The Latin name is Agave Attenuata - commonly called Swan's Neck or Foxtail.

The plant originates in Mexico but, as you see, is more than happy in Monaco's Jardin Exotique. I've had a small version of this plant in a pot for several years and every winter it almost kicks the bucket and then in spring it miraculously recovers when the weather gets warmer but frankly never makes any progress. Gorbio is doubtless just a little too high and not warm enough in winter. They flourish though in Menton gardens.

Jardin Exotique - the Hanging Flower

Everywhere you look in the gardens, there is a view. Here we see part of Fontvieille, which is the part of Monaco reclaimed from the sea and ot the right, the port of Cap d'Ail. We'll see a clear shot of this another day but how about this amazing flower? It's Agave Attenuata and tomorrow, it will be 'ready for my close-up, Mr. De Mille.'

Jardin Exotique - History

This photograph shows you how the various walkways and bridges work - we are walking down from the upper level which is where we entered the garden. These paths go around and downwards, with small paths leading off the main paths. And everywhere the views are spectacular. The building in the photograph is a display room and also where the young plants are propagated.

On the right and below is a succulent called Nolina or Beaucarnea. These are often sold in pots as 'Elephant's Foot' or 'Pony Tail' - here we see how big they can grow.

The Exotic Garden was created at the beginning of the 20th century by the 'Prince Savant' Albert I of Monaco. He was also the founder of the Oceanographic Museum. Designed by Louis Notario, then Head Engineer of public works, the garden has remained practically unchanged since it was opened in 1933 after 20 years of work.

A large number of the plants come from a collection that was started at the beginning of the 19th century in Monaco, hence the enormous size of some of the plants here.

Jardin Exotique - the Semi-Desert Flora

The Exotic Garden cascades down and around a steep rock face at an altitude of more than a hundred metres. It has a micro climate favourable to cacti and other succulents and so the plants have grown to the size which is normal in their native countries, some as high as 10 metres. There are 7,000 varieties of semi-desert flora in this amazing garden spread over an area reached by steep paths and foot bridges.

Tomorrow we'll learn a little of the history of this garden.

Jardin Exotique - Chorisia Insignis

Monaco has many beautiful gardens with perhaps the most stunning being the Jardin Exotique, high up in Monaco with spectacular views over the Principality.

Today, we start our visit, so do come along and enjoy.

We've entered the gardens and immediately we see this extraordinary tree. It originates from Argentina and Brazil and displays cream coloured flowers in Autumn.

Monte Carlo Lady - The Coat

A stroll towards the port.

Theme Day: Yellow

It's Theme Day again and this month the subject is 'yellow.' Here you see a side view of part of the beautiful Hôtel Hermitage, perhaps the most beautiful Belle Epoque hotel in Monte Carlo. Built in 1890, when the Romanovs dominated Monte Carlo's social scene, it is no surprise the hotel was called the Hermitage after St. Petersburg's fashionable establishment.

The hotel's elegant piano bar used to be Maria Callas' ground floor suite. This was accessed via a private tunnel by her lover, Aristotle Onassis. These days, it's a good place for a glass of champagne.

The south of France and Monaco has a tradition of beautiful friezes - this one quite spectacular.

Over a hundred photographers will be posting their interpretation of today's Theme - you'll find so many different and imaginative responses to the word 'yellow.' Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Street Scene

We are in Avenue des Beaux-Arts. The Louis Vuitton shop is on the left. At the end of the street is the Hôtel Hermitage. Behind us is Casino Square. If you want to spend a lot of money in Monaco, this street would be a good place to start.

Monte Carlo Ladies - waiting for the bus

The bus services are really good in Monaco. It's not a question of whether or not you have a car- often it's quicker and easier to take a bus.

Why doesn't my bum look like this?

Shaped on a Thigh

Old roof tiles on a small garden shack on Boulevard de Jardin Exotique - the Virginia creeper letting us know spring is really here. Original roof tiles, such as these, were made by shaping the clay around a curved surface, such as a log or often the maker's own thigh.

We'll be visiting Monaco's famous Jardin Exotique soon.

Reflection

The pond in the casino gardens.

A good place to lose yourself in a reflection...or perhaps, if you are lucky, to find yourself.

This is for Nathalie of Avignon in Photos who taught me to see shadows and reflections. I took this photograph when we were together in the gardens. Take a look at her posts for today and yesterday to see what I mean.

The Open Air Casino!

That's not a very interesting photo, I hear you say! And you'd be right. Today tho, I'm your Roving Reporter for Monaco and have to tell you that the reason for all this mess is the 'loi anti-tabac' - the new law where you may not smoke indoors in public places.

The Director General of the SBM reports a drop of 13% in takings in the area of the slot-machines (separate to the casino and a big money maker in Monte Carlo). So what are these guys doing? They are renovating, at a cost of between 600,000 and 800,000 euros what used to be 'la rotonde' of the Café de Paris. The Café de Paris is to the left and the building to the right sells Monaco souvenirs. I've had some fabulous lunches in this area - pretty tables, palms in pots, beautiful people, delicious food - and now it will become an open air casino. Whilst it will be open to the air, it will have controlled heating in winter, so that gamblers may continue to play in comfort - and smoke.

Huh!

The Casino Doorman

The doorman at the Casino has the incredibly difficult job of helping pretty blonde ladies into snappy sports cars.

Update today on Mia and Mistral - Postcards from 'Pension Milou.'

The Test - 2

Here we see the examiner, setting off to score the rowers. Let's hope they all passed.

The Test - 1

We at the Port of Monaco. The small photograph shows two boats and not a soul. Suddenly the boats were overrun with kids who were about to set off and take some sort of test or exam. Tomorrow - the examiner.

Brass Palm

The brass plate of the Conseil National on le rocher. This was taken during Nathalie's visit and I was intrigued watching her photograph reflections - so I copied. You may recall Nathalie's Bentley which was taken only a few minutes later.

Rosemary

Large sacks used by the Principality's gardeners. This small public terrace, overlooking the port, is used as a temporary holding place. Each sack is filled with prunings of rosemary.

"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember; and there is pansies, that's for thoughts. "

Hamlet - William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

Victor Vasarély

Victor Vasarély (1906 - 1997) was a French Hungarian-born artist often acclaimed as the father of Op-art.

This is the roof of the Congress Centre on Avenue Princesse Grace and is part of what was once known as Loew's Hotel. (Some hotels have a habit of changing names - and presumably owners - in Monaco). The work is called Hexagrace - Le Ciel, la Mer, la Terre.' (Sky, Sea and Earth) The Fondation Vasarély in Aix-en-Provence was responsible for its execution.

Monte Carlo Gentleman - Individuality

In contrast to yesterday's conventionally dressed gentleman, today we see another - perhaps of a similar age but rather differently dressed: long hair, long cuffs, short trousers, green boots, a leather shoulder bag. This Monte Carlo Gentleman has his own individual style.

Monte Carlo Gentleman - a Certain Style

Copyright 2009 Monte Carlo Daily Photo. All rights reserved.

A Monte Carlo gentleman, deep in thought and smoking a cigarette in the Casino Gardens. Note the cashmere coat, smart tie, those fine socks, the hat. Conventional, yet stylish and expensive clothes, such as one would expect to see on an older gentleman in Monaco.

The Chandelier

The Metropole Shopping Centre is a great place to shop or just to have a cup of coffee in total luxury. It's all marble and prestige shops and has three of these massive chandeliers. Climb the steps you see outside (or take the escalator which is out of view) and, at the top, you'll see the Casino Gardens.

To see the other chandeliers and to get more of an idea of this centre, please click on the link.

Gas

Part of the wall of a house on le rocher (the oldest part of Monaco). Was this tiny door opened and gas fed into the building via a pipe?

Does anyone know?

A Pizza by the Port

A meal in Monaco doesn't have to be expensive. How about a pizza by the port?

The nice guy in the main photo offered me a piece but as I'd already lunched, I had to say no. Looks good tho!

Bamboo

The Principality of Monaco is tiny - only 1.95 square kilometres (0.75 square miles) - yet, amongst the hustle and bustle, there are pockets of tranquility in the many beautiful gardens and of course there is always the Mediterranean. This was taken from the Japanese Gardens on Avenue Princesse Grace.

The White Glove

Meet Maurice. He's the Captain of Parking at the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo - he's the one to see when you drive up in your Rolls Royce Corniche.

I asked if I could take his photograph and he immediately went into an 'I'm being photographed' mode. I took one - the smaller photograph - and showed it to him, saying, 'It's good.' 'It's for me to say if it's good,' he said and took a look. 'Take another,' he said and put on one white glove. We both laughed. I took another - and then a third.

Great guy, Maurice.

In the reflection you can see the beautiful roof of the hotel's atrium and in the small photograph, one the chandeliers.

Louis Chiron - the Monegasque Gentleman Driver

Born in Monaco in 1899 and dying here in 1979, aged 80, this is Louis Chiron. As you've probably surmised by the goggles around his neck and car, he was a racing driver - one of the great pre-war Formula One racing drivers and one of the main contributors to the Bugatti legend. You can read more by clicking on the link.

This sculpture stands by the port of Monaco, not far from the famous swimming pool and so facing the track he loved so much. He is the only Monegasque driver ever to win the Monaco Grand Prix and one of the curves is named in his honour. Bugatti also named one of their cars the Bugatti 18/3 Chiron.

In 1929, Louis Chiron created quite a commotion at the German Grand Prix in Nürburgring. Competing were several Mercedes SSK cars but the first Mercedes came in more than 14 minutes after Chiron won the race. People say that Adolf Hitler was on his way to the circuit in a sedan equipped with radio and was listening to the race broadcast. He was convinced that a German with a Mercedes would triumph and wanted to be there to congratulate the winner. Once he realised that Chiron would prevail with his Bugatti, he ordered his chauffeur to make a U-turn.

Apparently he was so popular in Czechoslovakia, where he won the Grand Prix three consecutive times, that there is still lives a popular saying 'He drives like Chiron.'

Colour Coordinated

A snooze on a bench - but first choose your background. Clever girl!