European Escapade Page 10 of 12

	From PISA, it was then on to the Principality of MONACO [SEE MAP]. Of the ten countries we visited, Monaco was without a doubt the nicest and, definitely, the CLEANEST we visited. We had been somewhat dismayed to see extensive...		...graffiti throughout the other countries, but NOT in Monaco. This photo shows MONTE CARLO'S harbor along with a few of its expensive yachts. The casino and main area of Monte Carlo is located across this harbor on the left side of the photo.
	This telephoto shot...and thumbnail image...better shows the major CASINO (with the green dome roof) in Monte Carlo. One could only dream about living in one of those beautiful condos in the foreground which overlook the harbor!		This is a another harbor area in Monte Carl which is also breathtakingly beautiful.
	Like many tourist areas in Europe, there are miniature trains on which people can be hauled around to see the sights. Monaco, of course, had its own little Red Engine.		This small "Yellow Submarine" is one of the actual deep sea submersibles used by Jacques Cousteau, a Frenchman, who pioneered many of the early undersea research and exploration efforts.
	Monte Carlo has a 'thing' about cows and there are numerous brightly colored (and downright WEIRD) artistic statues of cows around the main Casino (which is the building in the background of this photo).		And, a close-up of the entrance to the major CASINO (the one with the green dome roof).
	Another interesting example of an artistic rendition of a cow...		...and, then, there are these downright WEIRD cows! These statues, beautiful fountains, and lovely gardens are all located in a huge park-like area on a hillside in front of the main Monte Carlo casino.
	From Monaco, we headed towards the FRENCH RIVIERA and NICE [SEE MAP], France. One of the first places we visited was the medieval town of ST. PAUL DE VENCE (located near Nice) which was originally built in the 13th century.		Saint Paul de Vence is a charming hilltop fortified village in Provence, filled with art galleries, boutiques, and sidewalk cafes. A walk through its winding, narrow streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls, and statues tucked into nooks in the walls.
	The only downside is that during the height of the tourist season, Saint Paul de Vence is "wall-to-wall" tourists and it is almost impossible to get through these narrow walkways and streets.		We were very fortunate to have arrived very early in the morning before the throngs of tourists and to have had the place pretty much to ourselves.
	*Steve remembered that 'POTABLE' means that it not supposed* to poison you, so he tried this very unique medieval drinking fountain.**		While there were countless art galleries featuring or specializing in many, MANY types of art located throughout this quaint old town...
	...the PRICES were simply incredibly expensive and totally out of the range which we were wiling to pay for any work of art.		A good example are these ceramic cats, dogs, and other little critters which a woman was actually painting and oven-firing right there in her shop. We might have been interested in buying a cat, but a very small 4-inch statue by this 'unknown' artist cost about $150. By comparison, we had only paid...
	...$150 for the MUCH larger GOEBEL (name brand) cat we purchased in Rome! By the time we exited Saint Paul de Vence, the cobblestone steps had taken their toll on Steve's back and he was ready for a REST.		As we were walking back to the bus, we watched a group of older Frenchmen outside a cafe who were playing some kind of game in the dirt with metal balls.
	After visiting Saint Paul de Vence, we continued our drive along the Riviera and saw many scenic and beautiful harbor areas such as this one.		A telephoto shot reveals more of the incredible beauty of this particular little harbor and seaside complex.
	Only a few miles further down the coast we stopped to see this harbor that was crowded with many anchored boats and yachts.		Finally, as we returned to NICE, we stopped on a hill overlooking the harbor of NICE.
	Another outing near Nice was a visit to the FRAGONARG Perfumery, home of French perfume. This is one of the antique brass distillers which had been used to boil and extract the perfume from the plants.		And, in this photo, Lena gives a number of samples the SNIFF TEST. As far as Lena was concerned (and as we had already discovered when we visited France in 2000), it is definitely possible to buy French perfume in the US at prices well BELOW those being charged in France.
	We had a great meal in this quaint restaurant located high on a hill near the perfume factory which overlooked the ocean far below. Steve, of course, chose ESCARGOT as his appetizer, and, when Lena gave him her escargot, he ended up enjoying TWO DOZEN snails!		Not only did we have wonderful French food, for those who enjoyed DRINKING a large part of their lunch, there was all the FREE wine, beer, and after-dinner liquor people wanted. A number of the tour...
	....group were well 'lubricated' when they departed the restaurant. Some of the people had tried this very potent GRAPPA (which had onions and peppers in the bottle) that supposedly kicked like a mule. Lena stuck to beer and wine.		This is the balcony of the restaurant which overlooked the ocean...and the perfume factory...far below. (See next page #11 and 1st photo for the 'scenic view' below.)