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Photo time for this group in the port of Fontvieille.

Fontvieille from Cap d'Ail

We're in Cap d'Ail this morning looking towards Monaco and the heliport.  On our left is the Port of Cap d'Ail.  Ahead is Fontvieille and one of the luxury apartment buildings and behind it you can see the top of the Oceanographic Museum. 

The low white building is temporary - the circus is on and this is where the elephants sleep at night.

And in the distance, snow on the Alps.

Just a Duck ...

Parc Paysager de Fontvieille.   Just a duck on a rock ... but do look at the wonder of those feathers.

Reflecting on St. Nicolas

The steeple of St. Nicolas' church in Fontvieille reflected in a puddle.

The Film Shoot

 

'24 Hours on the Cote d'Azur'

This is a scene being shot outside the circus tent a couple of days ago.  Perhaps it's a television interview,  perhaps a scene from a film.  Perhaps someone knows ...?

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It is a great honour for me that 14 photos from Menton Daily Photo and Monte Carlo Daily Photo were featured on Carla Coulson's beautiful website, Carla Loves Photography.  Carla is an incredibly talented photographer who has been an inspiration to me so you can imagine how much it meant when she invited me to contribute to her website in the series '24 hours on the Cote d'Azur' - do clink on the link to see the post and and to browse and see Carla's stunning work.  Australian-born Carla has published several books, including Italian Joy, Paris Tango and Chasing a Dream, chronicling her move to Europe, first to Italy and then to France - filled with mouth-watering photographs and inspirational words on how she made a new and fabulous life for herself - in love and in photography.  Thankyou, Carla x

Circus - the Lions are in Town

If it's January and there's a lioness in town, then it must be time for Monaco's famous Festival of Circus. 

We'd probably all rather see beautiful animals like this roaming the wilds of Africa but I have to say the lionesses were rolling around playing like kittens.  When I arrived, three were outside in an enormous run and the rest were being organised to go into the circus tent for a rehearsal - maybe half a dozen lionesses, a lion and a tiger.  Whilst they were gone, the three in the run were jumping up and down every time they heard their owner's voice.

You have to be patient when taking their photo.  Mostly they turn their backs on you - can't blame them. But I waited and waited and eventually this beauty came up and said Hello and rubbed her gorgeous face against the bars.

If you want to see wonderful photos of lions in the wild, see my friend Maggie Calkins' Facebook photo.

Lodola's Ballerina

Marco Lodola's sculpture of a ballerina is seen here with the rear of the casino building as a back drop. If you look carefully you can see the wires inside her - they light up at night.  Most often though, she is photographed from the other side and against the sea.

The Opera House

We're looking at the back of the beautiful casino building in which you'll find the Monte Carlo Opera.  To the left is the Hotel de Paris.  On the right, in the foreground, is Botero's bronze sculpture - Adam and Eve.

The Audi RS 5

This car, the Audi RS 5 cabriolet, was on display in the small area of garden in front of the Hotel Hermitage before Christmas. I wonder why it was on display here and not in a car showroom?

Before and After

I'm not sure if this silver foot is a sculpture on display or publicity for a restaurant on Port Hercule.

Perhaps it simply says 'before and after...'

In fact, it's outside a restaurant called 'Before.' 

Drunken Lamps

Even in in their drunken state these beautiful lamps, reflected in a window, look beautiful.  And below the lamps?  Are they loudspeakers or surveillance cameras?

The new Yacht Club of Monaco

Here's a look at what will be Monaco's new yacht club.  Yes, the red rimmed structure in the foreground looks like a yacht, doesn't it?  Indeed it has been designed to be as 'slender as the liners which used to cruise between England and America in the early 20th century.' The architect is Lord Norman Foster.

The new Yacht Club de Monaco is on the opposite side of the port to the current yacht club.  Building work will be completed by the end of 2013, with a grand opening planned at the traditional summer cocktail for YCM members in 2014.

Dismantling Chistmas

Time to dismantle the Christmas decorations and lights, after which the trees will be taken away.

Reflecting on Coffee

This is a reflection in a brass plant pot.  We are in the café on the lowest level of the Metropole Centre.

Pools and Reflections at Dawn

Another dawn photo.  This time we are looking at a corner of the forecourt of the Grimaldi Forum with its pools and reflections.

Casino

The Casino seen from the rear - perhaps the more beautiful side of the building

The Lifesaver's Lookout

This is the lifesaver's lookout on Larvotto Beach at dawn.

Balustrades

Bulustrades near the Hotel de Paris reflected in a puddle.

Illusion

Things aren't always what they seem in Monaco ...

Winter Mode

A Monte Carlo lady, in her winter gear, crossing Casino Square.