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A Nice Experience: Day 2
Monday. Dry, clear sky, cold wind.
Following advice received in r.t.e., we betook ourselves to the gare routière to get the bus to Monaco. I had not thought, when asking for ideas for our visit, to mention that I am somewhat acrophobic. The bus route is indeed scenic, and Herself enjoyed it greatly. I settled for a few quick glances, an accelerated pulse, and an intensive study of the walls and buildings on the landward side. But on balance, the views were well worth the psychological discomfort. On arrival in Monaco, we headed first into the shopping area. It did not seem greatly different from the wealthy quartier of a French city except for the prominence given to Grand Prix souvenirs in a number of shops. As we strolled, there was an eruption of noise from a pizzeria, and a teenage boy shot out the door, pushed and pursued by a very angry woman. Had he attempted a robbery, or lit a cigarette in the espace non-fumeur? Then we saw the reason for the disturbance: a policeman was issuing a parking ticket for his moto, which was parked in a pedestrian area, and it appeared that maman was not pleased with her son. A parking ticket for a moto: no, this was not France. Coffee at a waterfront bar on the terrasse in the bright sunlight, but wearing coats as protection against the chill wind. Marvelling at the boats, which made the fleet we had seen at Nice seem quite ordinary. Not a boat was moving, and the only activity seemed to be that of crew members polishing chrome. People who can afford boats costing many millions can also afford to leave them unused, paying berthage that would bankrupt most of us. Next, we made our way up to the Casino Terrace and enjoyed the gardens and the view. Just in front of the Casino a young striking looking brunette strode past, talking into her mobile phone. Fade into earshot: "... if I ever have sex with another man ..."; fade out of earshot. I was tempted to turn and follow, to convert overhearing into eavesdropping, but my normally-quiescent sense of honour prevailed, and I was left intrigued. To the other side of the harbour, and up the mount to take in the gardens and see the mont. The gardens have much to recommend them. There is a rich variety of labelled plants for those who like that sort of thing (according to a plaque, Lamarck was inspired to become a biologist by his visits there -- is it any wonder that, inspired in such an odd place as Monte Carlo is, he promulgated an incorrect theory of evolution?). There are sculptures for those who prefer man's creations to those of nature (including a fine bronze presented by QVC, not an organisation which I immediately link with fine arts). One can also enjoy views of the coast and the old harbour. All in all, a good place to pass an hour. Then we made a quick visit to the not-very-impressive cathedral where generations of Grimaldis are entombed. There seemed to be only two remaining places, so we wondered about the long-term prospects for the regime. We rambled a little in the narrow streets, looked at the chateau, then went for a sandwich. Taking stock, we agreed that we were glad to have visited Monaco. It's a strange place, prosperous on the foot of tax avoidance or evasion, tourism, and gambling; an independent state which is in many ways also part of France. It is not high on the list for return visits. We returned to Nice by bus in mid-afternoon. Our feet were wrecked, so we decided on more sit-down tourism. The bus trip to Nice had been so good (and cheap) that we decided to try another excursion, and fixed on Antibes. Those who know the area are probably crying "Oh no! Bad idea." Suffice it to say that the only good things about the trip were the opportunity to rest our sore feet and the coffee we had in Antibes. The rest was simply a passage through bad French urban sprawl. Back in Nice in time for dinner, we ventured again into the vieux quartier. Resisting the blandishments of a Tunisian whose restaurant was worryingly empty, we found a restaurant which met many of our criteria: it looked lively; much of the clientele seemed local (always a good sign); the menu appealed to us; the prices were modest; the room seemed nice. There was a table available, and we settled in to what proved to be a very enjoyable, fairly typically French, meal. There was no option of cheese rather than dessert, but when I ordered cheese, there was no extra charge -- a nice detail, I thought. You want a good French meal for two with a reasonable wine for less than €50: La Tapenade, rue Ste. Réparate. And then we hobbled back to our hotel for a much-needed night's rest. -- PB The return address has been MUNGED |
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A Nice Experience: Day 2
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A Nice Experience: Day 2
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A Nice Experience: Day 2
"Padraig Breathnach" wrote in message ... (Oxygene2002) wrote: Here is a list of non-smoking restaurants in Nice http://smokefreeplaces.net/en/FR/06 You didn't give the right url. It appears that there are three smoke-free restaurants in Nice. Too late; I'm home now, and I didn't visit any of them. Don't suppose they were any fun! |
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A Nice Experience: Day 2
Mike O'sullivan wrote:
"Padraig Breathnach" wrote in message ... (Oxygene2002) wrote: Here is a list of non-smoking restaurants in Nice http://smokefreeplaces.net/en/FR/06 You didn't give the right url. It appears that there are three smoke-free restaurants in Nice. Too late; I'm home now, and I didn't visit any of them. Don't suppose they were any fun! Well, I don't think breathing second-hand smoke is fun, but YMMV. Indeed, having to breath people's smoke is one of the major drawbacks of dining in much of France and many other countries. Often ruins the taste of the meal for me, really. David -- David Horne- (website under reconstruction) davidhorne (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk |
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A Nice Experience: Day 2
"Mike O'sullivan" wrote:
"Padraig Breathnach" wrote in message .. . (Oxygene2002) wrote: Here is a list of non-smoking restaurants in Nice http://smokefreeplaces.net/en/FR/06 You didn't give the right url. It appears that there are three smoke-free restaurants in Nice. Too late; I'm home now, and I didn't visit any of them. Don't suppose they were any fun! Of course not: I wasn't in them. -- PB The return address has been MUNGED |
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A Nice Experience: Day 2
Has anyone noticed that oxygene is just a smalltime spammer? bill
In article , Padraig Breathnach wrote: "Mike O'sullivan" wrote: "Padraig Breathnach" wrote in message .. . (Oxygene2002) wrote: Here is a list of non-smoking restaurants in Nice http://smokefreeplaces.net/en/FR/06 You didn't give the right url. It appears that there are three smoke-free restaurants in Nice. Too late; I'm home now, and I didn't visit any of them. Don't suppose they were any fun! Of course not: I wasn't in them. |
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A Nice Experience: Day 2
"Padraig Breathnach" wrote in message ... Taking stock, we agreed that we were glad to have visited Monaco. It's a strange place, prosperous on the foot of tax avoidance or evasion, tourism, and gambling; an independent state which is in many ways also part of France. It is not high on the list for return visits. There is a very nice aquarium in Monaco which is worth seeing. Lana |
#9
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A Nice Experience: Day 2
"szozu" hoppbunny at hotmail com wrote:
"Padraig Breathnach" wrote in message .. . Taking stock, we agreed that we were glad to have visited Monaco. It's a strange place, prosperous on the foot of tax avoidance or evasion, tourism, and gambling; an independent state which is in many ways also part of France. It is not high on the list for return visits. There is a very nice aquarium in Monaco which is worth seeing. Every time I visit an aquarium, I want to eat the exhibits. -- PB The return address has been MUNGED |
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A Nice Experience: Day 2
"David Horne" wrote in message news:1ga86or.haav2t1fu76gvN%this_address_is_for_sp ... Mike O'sullivan wrote: Indeed, having to breath people's smoke is one of the major drawbacks of dining in much of France and many other countries. Often ruins the taste of the meal for me, really. But smokers generally are much more convivial company than those pursed-lipped disapproving "Mrs Grundys" |
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