The French Riviera

About three weeks ago, Susan and I hopped on a bus and rode about 5 hours across the Italian/French border and into the city of Nice, France.

This was an overnight bus ride and we had several friends on the bus with us. We rolled into Nice (pronounced Neece, in case you didn't know!) around 0600 on Saturday. Most everyone else stayed on the bus to go take a tour of some perfume factory, but Susan and I were all about hitting the beach. So we jumped off the bus near the airport, and started walking down the street towards the center of town.

We didn't know how far it was, but we didn't really care. I think we ended up walking a good 2 miles along the beach.

The street along the beach was lined with lost of nice houses and apartment buildings.

This is where we spent most of that Saturday. It was 0900 when we got to this point and the day was already pretty warm. We decided to splurge and pay the 14 Euro for each chair.

14 Euro is about USD $18-20. Normally I'd say no way I'm paying that much for a beach chair. But I have to say they were worth every cent! These are the most comfortable beach chairs in the world!

I think I fell asleep within 20 minutes of laying down. I woke up about an hour later to notice that I was already starting to burn. And it wasn't even 1100 yet!

Saturday night we spent checking out the nightlife of Nice. I have to say it is a pretty cool place. Lots of diversity in food. Lots of little bars and cafes. A huge casino in the middle of town. And of course, the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Not a bad place to spend a Saturday.

Susan and I managed to eat sushi, Mexican food, Lebanese food, and then finally met up with our friends at a Thai place.

After dinner we walked found our way into a cool bar that had a live band playing. After several beers and a few shots, all I can say is that I think they were pretty good!

This is a view from a high point on the outskirts of Nice. This pic was taken on our way out of Nice on our way to Monte Carlo.

And here is another great shot ot a little town between Nice and Monte Carlo.

And this is Monte Carlo. One of the newer parts of town.

Here is the main harbor in the city of Monte Carlo. These were some of the most impressive yachts I'd ever seen. One yacht even had a helicopter sitting on it. I think everybody was driving a Benz. Where do these people get their money?

I don't even remember where this was.

Monte Carlo and Monaco were filled with these really nice houses. Lush gardens and vegetation everywhere.

And here is the ritzy area right in front of the casino in Monte Carlo. A few of our friends went in to gamble and one of them actually came out with an additional 250 Euro.

We spent the afternoon in Monaco, watched the overrated and unimpressive changing of the guard in front of the residence of the royal family. And had lunch at a cool little restaurant in the old part of town.

After lunch we walked around a bit more, then we got back on the bus that afternoon. We were back home in Sacile by 10pm Sunday night.

What a beautiful place the French Riviera is. I guess you can say you've made it in life if you can ever manage to live there!