The Amazing Tesla

Last week H.S.H. Prince Albert II opened the Tesla showroom in the Boulevard des Moulins, just along from the Casino gardens.

Made in California, designed by Lotus, the Tesla Roadster is the latest and greatest in electric cars. At a rally organised by the Automobile Club of Monaco in April, the car outperformed every other vehicle, including a Porsche, and still had 38 miles of battery life left at the end of the 241-mile course from Valence to Monte Carlo.

The Tesla Roadster will run for 393 kilometres on a single charge, unique in the world. It goes from 0 to 90 km/h in 3.9 seconds and can reach a speed of 200 km/h. It's appropriate that Tesla should have opened a showroom in Monaco as the Principality with its protection of the environment policy, already has 484 electric cars registered.

Capital outlay is not cheap - vehicles retail at €99,000 - but the running costs are minimal. Refuelling from a normal household electric socket costs about €2.50 and takes 3.5 hours. There are only twelve moving parts - so no wear and tear to speak of. The car is virtually silent and with zero emissions. In addition, the Monaco government pays 9,000 euros to buyers as part of their environment policy. Tesla hope to sell 80 to 100 of these cars in their first year. I noticed one, with a British registration, parked just along the No Finish Line - see yesterday's post.

And to see this car in action, take a look at the video.

No Finish Line - the Prince

Some shots taken at the prize giving. I'm really not sure of who won what but the lady in the last photo, when she won her section was so emotional and happy about it - so me too.

Participants came from all over - Scotland, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland. The 24-hour run was won by an Irishman who covered 248 kilometres in 24 hours. The overall winner - over the 8 days - clocked up 922 kilometres - he was from Norway.

H.S.H.Prince Albert II was obviously having a great time, relaxed and thoroughly enjoying the event which as you know raised a lot of money for needy children around the world.

Theme Day: Waiting - the Waiter Waits

The terrace of the Café de Paris on Casino Square. A waiter is waiting for his order.

To see how others in the City Daily Photo community have interpreted today's theme please click here to view thumbnails for all participants

No Finish Line - Peg Friends

Remember the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides we met a couple of days ago? Several of them had pegs fixed to their scarves. Seems it's the way to display special friends' names - at least in the world of scouts and guides.

No Finish Line - the Singing Prince

If you wonder why H.S.H. Prince Albert's mouth is open it's because he's singing along with everyone else. He's doing one circuit of the course along with some of the children and volunteers, before handing out the prizes for those who walk, ran or jogged the most kilometres.

As well as a donation to the Cardio-Thoracic Center of Monaco for children with heart defects, the money raised from this year's No Finish Line will go towards work in developing countries, including funding for a sterile operating theatre at the Sheik Zayed hospital in Nouakchott in Mauritania; and support for the House of Life project for young people affected by AIDS (in conjunction with AIDS Fight Monaco, whose president is HSH Princess Stephanie).

Up till now projects supported by the charity include:

• installation of computer equipment in the paediatric unit of the University Hospital Centre at L’Archet II in Nice for children who are hospitalised 'long-term'
• reinstatement of the rural life and craftsmanship centre in Guiberoua, Ivory Coast
• renovation of the 'Virgen de Guadalupe' dispensary in Bale, Panama
• purchase of state-of-the-art monitoring equipment for the neonatal unit of the University Hospital Centre at L’Archet II in Nice
• saving young children with cardiac malformations by arranging for them to have operations at Monaco's Cardio-Thoracic Centre

No Finish Line - the Scouts and Guides

The Monaco Scouts and Guides are waiting for HSH Prince Albert to arrive when he and they will do one circuit of the course.

In the last photo you see they've been asked to 'smile for the camera.' Notice the magnificent Lady Moura in the background.

Cloud hangs low over the Principality.

No Finish Line - Tagged

For every kilometer walked, jogged or run, 1.10 euro was donated by the sponsor - Orange - and this, as you see below, included dogs.

You see here the electronic tags attached to shoes or in the case of this little dog - a Yorkie/Bichon mix called Mehanien - it's fixed on his collar.

Great way to walk the dog and earn money for a worthy cause at the same time.

No Finish Line - Run, Walk or Jog

No Finish Line is a charity 'run' in Monaco. It takes place over 8 days and the premise is simple - you pay 10 euros to enter and 10 euros for the hire of a microchip that is attached to your shoe. You grab a tee-shirt and then you walk, jog or run as often as you want over those 8 days. The course is back and forth around one side of the port and the new digue (floating pontoon) and it's all in aid of charities for children.

This year No Finish Line - which takes place under the patronage of Princess Stephanie - celebrated its tenth anniversary. In 1999, 700 participants covered 9000 km and raised €15,000. This year 5940 people took part, covered 147,684 kilometres and raised 162,452 euros in favour of Children & Future and other charities.

More tomorrow... ...and for today - Happy Thanksgiving to everyone across the pond!

One for the Girls!

Time for another dishy Monte Carlo gentleman for us females. He's standing outside the Chanel shop which is currently having its window displays changed.

And he's carrying a bag from FNAC which is where I yesterday bought my new camera...a Pansonic Lumix GH1 which is a 'micro four thirds' camera with a 14-140 lens. It looks dead sexy to me which must say something when I'm getting more excited about a camera than a Monte Carlo gentleman. Oh dear...

The Bugatti Veyron

Park a Bugatti Veyron bang outside the entrance to the casino and you are bound to have everyone and his mother wanting their photograph taken with it.

And if you want to see a $1.6 million Bugatti Veyron end up in a lake in Texas, take a look at this on YouTube:

Smoking Break

Girls who work in these luxury shops take a smoking break.

On CBS Radio the news of [Ed Murrow's] death, reportedly from lung cancer, was followed by a cigarette commercial.

~ Alexander Kendrick

National Day in Monaco

Last Thursday was National Day in Monaco, hence the red and white flags everywhere. Here we are just outside the casino.

The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

This visitor, seen outside the Casino, had obviously decided a coat of many colours was the way to go.

Where's the Chocolate?

Wot, no chocolate on my cappuccino?

This is Lou, the French bulldog who belongs to Mister Brian - owner of Monaco's best known delicatessen. They are taking a coffee by the port - or rather Lou is allowed to taste Mister Brian's cappuccino - and yes, she's already had the chocolate - off the spoon, of course. Not that Brian would mind sharing the cup with Lou - he's besotted.

Lou is celebrated in Monaco - she's appeared in a book about the Principality and if you saw Piers Morgan's television programme you will have seen him interview Mister Brian - and Lou.

And remember when Lou was stolen? If not, you can read about it by clicking on the link.

Parking Ticket for an Aston Martin

An Aston Martin Vantage gets a parking ticket - well you don't go parking on a zebra crossing outside Cartier, do you? This car seemed to attract attention - and not just from the police woman. I wasn't sure if it was the car itself that was of interest or that it is registered in Andorra.

Body Parts

This is the Lanvin shop in Casino Square. The casino itself and a couple crossing the square are reflected in the glass.

The smaller photo is the original - before cropping. Which do you prefer or do you not care for either? I won't be offended! I'm really not sure if this works or not.

Lights at Dusk

Dusk - and the lights have come on in the Casino Gardens.

In the smaller photo, the lights are set against the backdrop of a beautiful tree. I believe it's Chorisia Speciosa or more commonly, the Silk Floss Tree.

"Lady Nag Nag"

Let's hope the name of the boat isn't an omen for him.

No sun in Monaco yesterday - happily some people don't notice grey days...

Café de Paris - the Seafood Servery

Outside the Café de Paris. The waiter stands outside the window from which seafood is served - lobsters, langoustines, oysters, sea urchins, prawns etc. The people you see sitting are taking simply a coffee or a cold drink.

Lunch is served either inside the restaurant with its beautiful Art Nouveau panels or in an area along from here and much further back.

These are a few of the many good 'people-watching' tables - one of the pleasures of taking a coffee in Monaco.

Threesome

Three men and three women. Celine: a shop in Avenue des Beaux-Arts just off Casino Square. As you can see it's a grey and miserable day in Monaco. The sun doesn't always shine!