As I mentioned the other day, it was reported in Nice-Matin that takings for balconies was down around 50% this year due to the financial crisis. As many balconies are rented privately, not via agents tho, I'm not sure how they can be sure of their percentage.
02 June 2009
Watching the Grand Prix: 5 - from a Balcony or a Rooftop
As I mentioned the other day, it was reported in Nice-Matin that takings for balconies was down around 50% this year due to the financial crisis. As many balconies are rented privately, not via agents tho, I'm not sure how they can be sure of their percentage.
01 June 2009
Theme Day: Feet
Today's theme is 'feet' and here you see the feet on a beautiful sculpture you'll find at the lower entrance to Monaco's railway station. It's called 'Fraternita' and was given to the late Prince Rainier in 1999 on the 50th anniversary of his reign by GLI Italiani di Monaco. The sculptor is Sauro Cavallini. (Please click on the smaller photo to see the sculpture enlarged).
To see how others have interpreted this Theme do click here to view thumbnails for all participants. You will find many great images to delight you.
31 May 2009
Watching the Grand Prix: 4 - from the Hillside
Once again, apologies for lack of good photographs - it was a muggy ol' day and this was taken from a great distance.
30 May 2009
Watching the Grand Prix: 3 - from the ACM Extension - again
29 May 2009
Watching the Grand Prix: 2 - from the ACM Extension
We'll see a little more of this tomorrow.
28 May 2009
Watching the Grand Prix: 1 - from the Stands
27 May 2009
Grand Prix - the Crowds
Crowds - you can't avoid them in Monaco at Grand Prix time. This was taken on Thursday practice day so you can be sure by Sunday - race day - you'd hardly be able to move. All part of the fun as the excitement builds. Here we are in the pedestrian street, Rue Princesse Caroline, looking towards Port Hercule.
26 May 2009
Grand Prix - Lewis Hamilton & the Pit Lane
In the smaller photo you see the Pit Lane, bottom right with people walking on it. Opposite is one of the stands with an enormous screen at the end showing the race. Behind some of the smaller boats. (This photograph was taken on Thursday during the Practice session).
25 May 2009
Grand Prix - the Indispensable
The salesman of the Race Radio headphones told me that it's mandatory to have hearing protection at 110 decibels and that the noise of Formula One cars is 130 decibels. A gun shot is 140. Believe me, he's right, I had no protection on Practice Day on Thursday and suffered for it.
24 May 2009
Grand Prix - Button on Pole and WINNER!
There are 33 kilometres of safety barriers in place, 20,000 sq. metres of wire fencing, 5000 protection tyres, 500 fire extinquishers (1 every 15 metres), 32 surveillance cameras + 7 mobile ones. And then there are 1100 tons of stands, 900 tons of Boxes.
There are 650 marshals, 120 professional firefighters, 30 reanimation doctors, 40 doctors (30 on the circuit and 10 for the spectators) 46 nurses (30 on the circuit and 16 for the spectators) 250 paramedics (80 on the track and 170 for the spectators).
There are 7 rapid-response fire engines, 3 vehicles for extraction and extrication, 3 service vehicles, 40 ambulances, 2 boats, 2 helicopters, 60 race organisation vehicles.
23 May 2009
Grand Prix - the T-shirt Seller
In the smaller photo, you see a Ferrari. I don't know if it's driven by Felipe Massa or Kimi Raikkonen but I think it's the latter - and if so, then Pasi from Finland will be pleased!
An event - the Amber Fashion Show - was held last night in Monaco at the Meridien Beach Plaza hotel - around the swimming pool. The models? Why some of the Formula One drivers, of course. David Coulthard in a redingcote, Lewis Hamilton in leather, Jenson Button looking rather dashing, but then he does, doesn't he? The designer was Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Bernie Ecclestone. It was presided over by Liz Hurley and is in aid of Elton John's AIDS foundation. The catwalk, of course, was black - ie bitumen? In the audience - Prince Albert and his girlfriend, Charlene Wittstock, Richard Branson, Boris Becker etc etc. There was a prize offered of a run of the circuit with Jenson Button - now that would be something, wouldn't it? It all happens in Monaco...
22 May 2009
Grand Prix - Getting In
Now we are up on the 11th floor and this is the view directly ahead showing the part of the track that goes around the swimming pool. A hazy day and very humid.
If we look to the left we see the hill going up to Casino Square and the track coming back thru the tunnel. To the right, the pit lane. (We'll see all this another day).
Nice-Matin reports there is a 50% drop in bookings for the Monaco Grand Prix this year. Many people who have an apartment overlooking the track rent out their balconies for a goodly sum. This year bookings are drastically reduced due, of course, to the world's recession. The same is true of tickets for the many stands around the track - I gather prices are being reduced to encourage more visitors.
Each year in Monaco, just before the four days of Grand Prix activities, the Principality holds a football match in aid of charity. One team is made up of a group of well-known personalities in the world of sport (Star Team) and one team consists of Formula One drivers. Prince Albert, who is a keen sportsman, captained the Star Team. The result: 5-2 to the Formula One drivers.
More tomorrow...
21 May 2009
Grand Prix - Locked out!
During the four days of the Monaco Grand Prix: Thursday's Practice session, Qualifying on Saturday and of course the Grand Prix itself on Sunday - if you live anywhere with access to the track then you need a pass to enter your apartment building.
Perhaps you are a visitor and will be watching the race from a balcony overlooking the track, well you need one of these passes else you won't get onto that balcony. Every apartment building around the track is locked down and bolted and you'd better believe it. You would normally enter from the rear and give your name and hand over your pass before you are allowed in. Your name must match that on the official list. The pass shows not just the name of the building but also the name of the owner of the particular apartment you are visiting and that person's phone number. In this case, it's the Palais Heracles on the Port of Monaco. (I've masked the name and telephone number)
Trains and buses are the only sensible ways to get into Monaco on race days. Today the track will be closed from 07.00h to 18.30h and in Monaco, when the Grand Prix track is closed, Monaco is closed.
Lucky me has a friend whose mother lives on the 11th floor of the Palais Heracles which is bang over the Start/Finish line of the Grand Prix track - in front of Port Hercule - and today I'm invited onto the balcony for lunch and to take photographs. Come back tomorrow and see if I got a shot of Jensen Button. Don't count on it - I think he might be going too fast!
20 May 2009
The Salle Empire at the HĂŽtel de Paris
I think these guests were rather enjoying being looked at and photographed by the crowd outside. Perhaps a British gathering as I thought I heard a few Brit accents.
19 May 2009
Chuckeroon's Monte Carlo - the Porsche
A older Porsche outside the HĂŽtel de Paris, photographed by Chuckeroon. It's great fun to come to Casino Square, any time of the day or evening and look at the cars.
This is the last in this particular 'Guest Photographer' series on Monte Carlo Daily Photo - after all, we were only in Monaco for one evening and most of that was spent eating and drinking! - but it continues on Menton Daily Photo. Thanks so much to Nathalie, Peter, Richard and Chuckeroon for sharing their favourite photographs.
I learned so much watching these talented photographers at work but I learned even more when their photographs arrived. Just fascinating to see how differently each sees a particular scene. All so different, all so brilliant. Thanks, guys. Come back soon!
This is the last in this particular 'Guest Photographer' series on Monte Carlo Daily Photo - after all, we were only in Monaco for one evening and most of that was spent eating and drinking! - but it continues on Menton Daily Photo. Thanks so much to Nathalie, Peter, Richard and Chuckeroon for sharing their favourite photographs.
I learned so much watching these talented photographers at work but I learned even more when their photographs arrived. Just fascinating to see how differently each sees a particular scene. All so different, all so brilliant. Thanks, guys. Come back soon!
18 May 2009
Peter's Monte Carlo - Champagne & Chandeliers
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuNwCKPjxmOj1aDCrJ0V8mkkUYkJXKZ7H0ivmzUZl5CBq1MphalLbMeu2ryzlS_P_5poJVnWOZr1hwnp6pVKZvr7Jr9mYTXJ5AkVerMmWGr-zNxBjDZ6D1MWxG-Zkl8eerjSQUA/s320/IMG_8079+pour+Jilly.jpg)
We saw Richard's B & W version a few days ago. (Please click on the link) Again, it's so fascinating to see how different photographers approach the same subject. Personally, I'm happy to see champagne photographed ad infinitum - so long as I'm there to drink it!
In the smaller photographer you see Peter's shot of the ceiling in the foyer and its beautiful chandelier.
Labels:
Casino area,
Guest Photographer,
Hotels,
Restaurants and bars
17 May 2009
Richard's Monte Carlo - the Casino
It's been fascinating to see how each photographer sees this iconic building. Look back a few days at Nathalie's reflection - and also her lamps yesterday, Chuckeroon's buzz of life and today, Richard's glimpse through the palms - all different, all wonderful. Tomorrow Peter has something rather wonderful for us...
16 May 2009
Nathalie's Monte Carlo - Ornate
Nathalie took this photograph on an earlier trip to Menton and Monte Carlo - in February. Dark skies show off the beautiful wrought-iron lamps of the Casino.
15 May 2009
Chuckeroon's Monte Carlo - the Casino
Crowds, lights, cameras - the Casino at night by Chuckeroon.
To enter the Casino you must produce your passport - a photocopy is taken. However, if you are a Monaco citizen, you are never ever allowed to enter the casino. A Monaco resident - yes. A Monegasque citizen - no.
To enter the Casino you must produce your passport - a photocopy is taken. However, if you are a Monaco citizen, you are never ever allowed to enter the casino. A Monaco resident - yes. A Monegasque citizen - no.
14 May 2009
Peter's Monte Carlo - the Café de Paris
The Café de Paris is on the opposite side of Casino Square to the HÎtel de Paris that we saw yesterday. In this photograph by Peter of Paris, we are looking at the entrance - straight ahead are slot machines but we turned right and dined in the beautiful restaurant decorated in the Art Nouveau style. You can see one of the beautiful screens by clicking on the link.
Peter has created a wonderful montage and reportage of his time in Menton - do click on his link to take a look.
Peter has created a wonderful montage and reportage of his time in Menton - do click on his link to take a look.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)