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.