ELEMENTRY? It's taken me 50 years to get this far, however it is country number 123 and ever onward is what I say!
As Rimini was for San Marino, Genova was ideally placed to visit Monaco the second smallest country in the world. Number 123 on my personal list I had a preconceived idea that it would be 'wall to wall' decadence, but like Las Vegas not to be missed! A 2 and a half hour train ride for 16 euros was a bargin indeed, and while the Italian trains (in my experience) are clean and on time I was in for a treat reaching the French borded. There the police were out 'mob handed' but even before that 4 men were detained by them for not holding the correct documentation. Changing to what is a French train, but exclusively plying the route to the Principality, everything suddenly became sparkling clean and new looking. There was only one down side that I noticed as some 'idiot' had taken a diamond or glass-cutter to a number of the windows.
In addition the Train Station was also pristine and throughout the country there was not one sign of litter, grafitti, dog s**t, chewing gum or criminal damage - oh that Weymouth and Portland were like that!
It had been a great day, worthy of a second visit and being in no hurry whatsoever this is likely to be where I am tomorrow?
Monaco
Monaco officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Italy. Its area is 1.98 km2 (0.76 sq mi) with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the second most densely populated country in the world. Monaco boasts the world's highest GDP nominal per capita at $151,630 and has the highest HDI (Human Development Index) at 0.946. Monaco also has the world's highest life expectancy at almost 90 years (CIA estimate, 2011), and the lowest unemployment rate at 0%, with about 40,000 workers who commute from France and Italy each day. After a recent expansion of Port Hercule, Monaco's total area is 2.05 km2 (0.79 sq mi), with new plans to extend the district of Fontvieille, with land reclaimed from the Mediterranean Sea.
Little time for narrative again but feel sure you will be able to muddle through with these pictures of 'day one' - back again tomorrow I guess!
Looking towards Monte Carlo.
Now then! What do we have here?
Doubt there's much call for this kind of service hereabouts. Lucky then that I just ambled past and thought oh yea my Wealth is just about to meet overload, so I popped in! Lucky really, as my appearance saved all their jobs, but lucky I hadn't take out that 20 years mortgage on a 'hot dog'!
Monaco Opera House
"Oh Mummy look it's 'Jim the Medic'"! "No, no dear not unless he's been on a diet"
"Mummy, mummy, why are those 3 people all 'brown' but that man on the right has a 'gold' bit"?
The clear blue Mediterranean Sea - here at least!
Golden HandPerhaps the following 2 captions sould be reversed, The Hand of God an' all that!
Golden Boot
Ma neems Georgie Best - There's one thing for sure he always will be BEST!