GENERAL INFO (Jump to Diary) The official name is Principality of Monaco, and this city state only covers 2.02 square kilometres. It is a principality governed under a form of constitutional monarchy. Here are around 39.000 citizens, of which 83% are Christian, 13% have no religion, 3% are Jews and 1% Muslims. The currency is Euro, worth 7,46 Danish Krone. The GDP is at an impressing $5.424 billion. The climate is a pleasant Mediterranean climate.
Being the second smallest country in the world, here are
not room for many larger mammals beside from humans, but the the least
weasel, the cross fox and the roe deer can still be seen. In the
Mediterranean, two species of dolphins are found.
DIARY Then I start walking back towards west, and suck-in the impressions I can. Here are some real nice, well maintained old houses along with some quite fancy new ones. The entire city/country is located on a mountainside: The Alps meet the sea - in the beach.
Here are
several real nice parks, some small, some large.
One of the bigger ones is the beautiful Japanese garden. Others are just a
few Gorgonians and other huge succulents along in the roadside.
I walk along the seaside at first, admiring the clear
waters and the huge boats. I have driven through the famous Hotel Tunnel,
but I walk it anyway. A lot of construction is going on. What appears to be
an undisturbed mountainside, with big plants on, is less than a one meter
thick wall, although it is over 20 metres high. I end up in the western end, and return a bit higher up the mountain side. I had actually expected it to be even more fancy, but despite everything is so well maintained and pretty, it is still a mellow atmosphere. I reach the botanical garden, but too late, it seems. Then I zigzag my way through town, and try to get the great motives in to my tiny camera. One gorge is amassing, with waterfall and a nice bridge. An relatively small house is more or less located under the bridge. I find a large park, which is maintained as well, as any botanical garden I have visited. I pass the central square, and pity those poor bastards, fighting to get room for their giant cars. Here are so many Royces, it must be a bit embarrassing to end up with same model and colour as your neighbour. And I see one clear problem with a Lamborghini: You can't sleep in it!
Eventually, I end up at the
eastern border, and start
looking for my car. It have been great to be here, but I guess being here
with someone, sipping lattes in the many cafés and relaxing at the marina,
is the right way to experience Monaco. A bit of gambling perhaps? Well, I'm
her by my self, and I have seen what I wanted to - except the botanical
garden. I have spend €4 on souvenirs and €4,5 on parking. The diesel for 9
kilometres is around €0,50. I guess most spend more.... All the photos are in one slideshow. |