One of the best places in the world to experience these mini art galleries is the Monaco Yacht Show, which is held annually in Sept in the sovereign principality.
Fringed along the Cote D’azure coast line, the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) is worth the annual pilgrimage for the incredible boats, latest in marine toys (single person underwater subs etc), art works and anything nautilus.
The Monaco Yacht Show is a fanciful array of beauty.
Beautiful people (seriously – good looking, incredibly dressed people), beautiful scenery (Porte de Monaco is special) and beautiful art works.
These are some of the amazing art pieces on some of the luxury yachts. Baring in mind many of these yachts house some of the world’s richest art collections.
When you mention Monte Carlo and Monaco to people, images of flashy designs, rich and famous and fast cars come to mind. But for me it is different. Of course those elements are there but for me, Monte Carlo (the main part of the province on Monaco) is a gate way to the Cote D’azure and many fun night clubs!
This is my forth visit to town and each visit it feels like home as the surrounds become more familiar. I find the locals very friendly and very accommodating for my high school French.
I have never had a problem with people being rude or not trying to understand me. Quite the opposite, many go out of their way and are almost flirty in nature…
I am in town for the boat show and to network for my art works.
A friend is staying at the Monaco Beach Club and suggests “hanging by the pool” which in my sleep deprived, slightly hung over state sounds heavenly.
My first experience with the hotel is overwhelming. They treat me like a princes and attend to all my needs. The breakfast buffet is simple and adequate and can be consumed overlooking the water.
After breakfast we decide to relax on the terrace (verandah) and watch life go by. Which in this case is watching super yachts bob around on the horizon as helicopters come and go, bringing in guests and supplies.
A few swimmers come to the waters edge and swim out, laughing and giggling and enjoying the serene waters.
I muster a few water colours and the sun beams down on the alcove we find ourselves in.
Beside the hotel is a bluff that is rarely used. I go exploring.
Offering some of the best views of Monte Carlo I find the bluff a childhood delight. I scale up and down it’s little walk ways and lose myself in time day dreaming about making this location home.
All in all the Beach Club Monaco is a world class hotel, offering world class views, with easy access to the beach or the 50 meter pool. The rooms are stunning and clean, the staff exemplorary and the interiors very Monte Carlo and chic. I highly recommend staying here if you can afford it .
Great food is served, an awesome wine list and DJ music the club usually kicks off after 11pm.
Perched along the Avenue Princes Grace opposite the Grimaldi Forum.
Twiga Monaco
Sporting a wonderful club on the fringe of the Cote D’azure is Twiga. Hire a booth, hang out in the shisha bar, have a dance on the club’s dance floor, Twiga is an exclusive world class night club.
Buddha Bar
Everyone knows about the Monaco Buddha Bar. With a mix of locals, tourists and ” others” who offer paid services, you can have a pretty good time at Buddha Bar.
I seem to find myself here every visit – the outdoor area is good, the indoor club area fine and well, it’s just central and a good meeting place.
You will find it on the Italian side of the casino.
Le Meridien Beach Plaza
Underneath Le Meridien is the fun and accommodating Amber Summer. Open 24 hours, it is the place to go to late in the night. You can grab a cocktail, a dance or a warm blanket.
La Rascasse
Situated down on the docks in the lap of the palace is La Rascasse. I have had a few fun nights here but it can get very rowdy and isn’t as sophisticated as the other options. Great fun with a crowd.
Nikki Beach Monaco
This is a fun place and always great for a relaxing drink under the stars. You will find your way up to the salacious lounges through the casino. I have had a few BIG parties at Nikki Beach, with people jumping in the pool and very much like a scene out of a movie. Other nights it has been quiet. Definitely worth a look and drink.
The bus gives you a good lay out of the land, and takes you to key points.
The audio (in many different languages explains the history of the Monagese, the Monach, the grand prix and takes you to heaps of fun venues.
I have been to Monte Carlo a few times but this is the first time to the Musee l’ Oceanigraphy. You know thinking I had seen all the aquariums in the world!
This was amazing.
Patting sharks
Patting sharks.
Incredible coral reef fish.
A turtle called Rani.
The jelly fish display is wonderful.
You can visit the Musee and Palace by foot by simply walking up the hill, or stopping off on the on and off bus.
I love the walk up to the palace, it weaves along the dramatic coast line and brings you closer to the wonderful area that it really is.
Today I am keen to do one thing – give Prince Albert one of my paintings, but visiting the musee and palace become a wonderful distraction and experience.
The Palace (home of the Grimaldis) is a world famous landmark. For over 500 years the family have lived in the castle which is also a palace. You can take a tour through the palace and see where Louis the King lived and how they experienced life. I was quite overwhelmed with the grandeuse of the palace, the gifts other countries had given to the family over the years and the fact it is still functional today.
Still used for entertaining and formal ocassions you walk along the marble tiles where many world dignaturies have walked, brushing along the curtains as they do. It brings home to me that we are all one species, one people.
I am informed to contact the soldiers, to pass my modest gift to Prince Albert. They take me to his body guards who sign me in and then graciously take me gift. The assure me that Princes Charlene and Prince Albert will receive my paintings and note.A note that read simply as a piece of gratitude. Monaco is one of the safest places in the world, with CCTV on every corner, the whole town is under surveillance. As a women, I appreciate the safety it offers.
After visiting the palace I wander to the Oceanicgeographic not really expecting much to be honest. I few weeks ago I had been to Seaworld on the Gold Coast, which is somewhere I have been going to for years with the kids. Seaworld has a wonderful aquarium and interactive pools with animals that I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be impressed. Well, I didn’t have any expectations.I was blown away!
Turn out the musee is very interactive – you can pat sharks, get close to large tanks and the jelly fish display is surreal.
I discovered many fish I had never seen before, was excited by the jelly fish display and got to talk with Rani the turtle (yes I talk with turtles)!.
It is a wonderful aquarium and museum and I think any visit to Monaco, especially if you have 2 days should include a visit.
And to my painting for Prince Albert – I am waiting an email from him, saying he has received it. I would dearly love to draw the royal family, or draw one of their favorite scenes and have it hung in Monte Carlo. Or maybe i will be their naturopath if not artist.
