Date Day

 Jeff came up with the great idea that on this trip, each of the couples would get a day to themselves, while the other couple entertained all 4 kids.  Today was our date day.

We left the villa and headed to Monaco.  Traffic was a bit crazy and finding parking once we arrived was a challenge in and of itself.  I do have to say that the drivers here are really crazy ~ especially the ones on motorcycles.  There are no rules.  They weave in and out of traffic like nobodys business and no one ever stops for pedestrians.  Rod is doing s great job, especially driving a standard which he hasn't done in probably 15 years.
Once we arrived in Monaco, we took the long walk up to Prince Albert's extravagant residence. Prince Albert still lives in the palace and Princess Stephanie and Princess Caroline live down the street.   I totally get why the French are so thin ~ there are nothing but hills here and everyone smokes a ridiculous amount!

From the top of Ville-Monaco, you could see down to the port where all the rich and famous dock there yachts.

Monaco cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Rainer where married and then later buried.

Also up in Ville-Monaco was Jacques Cousteau's museum.  Not sure why a big statue of a baby is right out front but it was neat to look at.

 Down at the port there were many huge yachts.  This one rents for a mere $320,000 per week.  We also took in the famous Monte-Carlo casino ~ the one in the James bond movies.  It was an amazing building, but no photos were allowed.

 We left Monaco and headed down to Menton.  It is only about 8km from the Italy boarder.  It is a much quieter village than Monaco and a lot less expensive.  In Monaco Rod enjoyed a $14 beer and my salad was $21.  YIKES!
There is a beautiful rocky beach and lots of (topless) sights to see.

 The streets in all of the villages and cities are very tight and narrow.  Makes for some very interesting driving.

 After Menton, we started back and stropped in Eze.  A small Medieval village above the Mediterranean.  Here is Rod walking up to the restaurant where we had our first official French crepe for dinner.  It was delicious.

 This is the entrance to the Chateau Eze ~ a hotel ~ which is part of the 14th Century village.

While we were gone on our 11 hour date (longest one yet for Rod and I),  Ang and Jeff took the kids to Nice by bus.  They had a great day on the beach looking for sea glass and even did a little shopping.  Once back at Villa Clara, they discovered many, many snails on the property.  Ang said it kept them busy for hours.  I have to say, another great day for all of us in the South of France.