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.