Monaco Yacht Show - Planet Solar

Around the world on solar energy.

Three days ago this catamaran, with motors powered by solar energy, left Monaco on the first solar boat expedition around the world. Valued at 14 million euros, the boat is owned by German billionaire, Immo Ströher who made his fortune from solar energy.

Energy is stored in the batteries by day and the catamaran can continue sailing on stored energy without sunlight for about three days. She will follow an equatorial route in order to take advantage of the most sunshine. Her first port of call will be in the Canaries - she'll travel across the Atlantic, the Panama Canal, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean on a cruise that is scheduled to last 160 days. You can follow this record-breaking voyage day by day on the Planet Solar website which is available in English, French and German.

To quote from the website: 'PlanetSolar aims in a nutshell:

• Demonstrate the potential for renewable energies and photovoltaic
• To show that today we have the technology required for sustainability
• To take part in the technological development of renewable energy and advance scientific research
• To inform and make the public aware of the importance of renewable energy
• To make the best use of energy efficiency
• To show that the economy and ecology can and must work together.'
  

Monaco Yacht Show - Nero

Reflections through a window and on the side of the classic motor yacht, Nero.

And below you see this beautiful yacht, all decked out in flags for the occasion. I snapped her from one of the shuttle boats that whizz you from one part of the port to another. The speedboat was quite bumpy so good for the stabiliser on my camera.

Nero is 90 metres (295ft) long and is one of the largest classic motor yachts ever to be built. She has a distinctive 1920s funnel, and retro styling throughout the interior. She can accommodate 10 guests in 5 cabins, supported by 20 crew. Click on the link to read more.

Monaco Yacht Show - The Boat within a Boat!

This yacht had more boys' toys on it than you could imagine. A boat within a boat as you see. Apparently it launches at the touch of a button. On top a plane. On the side are several other smaller craft.

This yacht is called 'Senses' and is 59.20 m long. Click on the link to read more and to see photos of this yacht at sea.

Asking price: 35 million euros.

Monaco Yacht Show - Jammed In

How many yachts can you cram into one harbour?

I can tell you their estimated value was two billion euros.

To see Stoppit, a Lurcher who made the trip to Monaco from the UK on his owner's boat, please click on Riviera Dogs - he's gorgeous.

Monaco Yacht Show - Dawn over the Principality

Dawn over Monaco with many boats, including a visiting cruise ship, outside the harbour. Those that have a regular berth in Port Hercule have to vacate their places for the period of the show. Others have come from elsewhere as they are for sale and serious buyers always attend the Monaco Yacht Show.

Monaco Yacht Show - the Goldfish 36pi Supersport

This sexy 11.22 m power boat is a Goldfish 36pi Supersport.


Fancy buying her? If you've 350,000 pounds sterling to spare, click on Parton Yachting.

Monaco Yacht Show - The Pretty Girls

Boats and pretty girls with long legs seems to go together!

Monaco Yacht Show - Saving your Feet!

The Monaco Yacht Show! Nothing quite like it in the world. It will go on for four days, with 28,000 visitors expected. There are 500 companies displaying their wares and of the many boats in Port Hercule, 100 are super yachts up to 90 metres long.

The centre of the port has several floating pontoons and it's easy to walk several kilometres getting from one area to another. Happily there are small speedboats that whizz you from one part of the port to another. You can see two of these in the main photo. These are free and it's the best fun in the world hopping on and off and whizzing about amongst the mega yachts.

More tomorrow!

The Street Sign

Even the street signs in Monaco are beautiful. Rue Princesse Florestine is just off the pedestrian street that runs up from Port Hercule, where the Monaco Yacht Show starts today.

Look up!

You find beauty everywhere in Monaco. And don't forget to look up - this is part of the Casino building.

Lady Moura

The Monaco Yacht Show starts on Wednesday with many of the world's famous yachts making an appearance. The Lady Moura, however, with her crew of 60, is based in Port Hercule and is actually the permanent home of her owner, Saudi billionaire, Nasser Al Rashid.

The Lady Moura has long been admired for her beautiful lines - all 105 metres - and was for a long time the largest yacht in Monaco. Those days are long gone but she remains a must-see for any visitor to Monaco.

What you won't see is her interior of which not much is known, or her large pool with retractable roof, a private helicopter or her onboard beach resort with sand and palm trees.

Like the Monaco Yacht Show, the Lady Moura celebrates her 20th birthday this year. You can read more about Lady Moura by clicking on the link.

Cleaning the Ropes

Inch by slow inch, this rope is being subjected to high-speed water pressure.

Life around the port has been getting busy for a while now. The famous Monaco Yacht Show starts on Wednesday and of course we'll be going.

Hands

It's always fascinating to watch the way people use their hands so expressively in conversation.

This wonderful lady was sitting with friends drinking her morning orange juice at a bar in Monaco's market on Place d'Armes.

Reflections in the Japanese Garden

This is an upsidedown reflection in one of the pools of the beautiful Japanese Garden on Avenue Princesse Grace. Look carefully and you see the white painted balconies of an apartment building.

This peaceful garden is a great place to relax in Monaco.

Candy Land in Monaco

The Avenue des Beaux-Arts, which leads off Casino Square, is the most expensive shopping street in Monaco. Here you find Yves St. Laurent, Dior, Bulgari and so on.

So it was quite surprising to find a load of bonbons making an appearance along this little street, much to the delight of any children that came along.

The bonbons are the work of Laurence Jenkell and are called 'Colours of Monaco.' The exhibition finished at the end of August but a visit to her website and her world of 'Candy Land' is great fun.

A Day on the Med

The yacht is being brought alongside. In a moment, this lady will be on board and ready for a day on the water with friends and family.

The Balcony

Place d'Armes - beautiful ironwork, faded shutters, the silhouette of a cigarette inside - and young eyes glued to the world beyond the balcony.

The Waiter, the Accordion Player and the Kiss

Mid-morning. Time for an espresso at Monaco's market on Place d'Armes.

'Hymn to Life' by Mornar

This summer we saw an exhibition of art by the Croatian sculptor Mateo Mornar. This is called L'Hymne à La Vie - Hymn to Life. It stood on the corner of Casino Square near to the Café de Paris.

Now summer is almost over and this monumental sculpture has gone. I found the relationship between the two so moving.

Sensible Shoes at Monaco's Market

Just to prove that not all Monte Carlo ladies wear high heels - see yesterday's post.

These two are in Place d'Armes, walking towards the market.