Lunch in Monaco

I've mentioned before that I have a Fifty by Fifty goal.  I started 2013 at 23 countries visited and ended the year at 33.  I started 2015 at 37 which is pretty good.  But now I have only 18 months to get 13 more countries.  I might just have to adjust it to Fifty-five by Fifty-five.  But that's okay.  I'm certainly having a wonderful time and savoring every single new place.  

When we went to Nice for a weekend break, it was just too easy to get that #38.  We hopped on the 100 bus and paid 3 euros to go to Monaco for lunch.  If only they were all that easy and inexpensive.  The 20 minute bus ride along the coast is absolutely gorgeous.  I had to stop myself from yelling out to the bus driver "Stop!  I NEED to take this picture!"

The Principality of Monaco is a City-State located along the French Riviera bordered on all three sides by France.  Nestled snugly on the Mediterranean Sea, it has an area of less than one square mile and a population of 36,000.  This makes it the second smallest and most densely populated sovereign nation in the world.

Monaco is also known as the playground of the rich and famous, "champagne wishes and caviar dreams."  The famous casinos of Monte Carlo bring in so much income for the country that they don't even need to collect income tax.  That's one reason that the citizens have money, the other is that they're forbidden from actually gambling in the casinos.  We did pop into one and quickly lost twenty in a slot machine before making a hasty retreat.

We spent some time just walking, people watching and window shopping before finding a nice place for lunch overlooking the harbor.  I have to admit it was one of my favorite afternoons, full of pinch-me moments.  Sipping wine in the Mediterranean sun while deciding which yacht we would choose, if only. 

While I spent my time people watching and window shopping, Matt spent his time dreaming of fast cars.  Monaco is the home of Formula One Monaco Grand Prix.  Matthew grew up watching the race every year.  The route winds right through the middle of the city-state and is known for the narrow streets, hills and hairpin turns. 

Each year it takes six weeks to get the streets ready and three weeks to take down the course.  We found the finish line and watched the expensive cars drive over that famous checked line.  Matt was pretty excited. 

As the day was ending we strolled up a pedestrian street lined with orange trees near bursting with fruit to catch our bus back to Nice.  Both of us thinking "Yeah, We could live here."  If only.

Where's your most favorite lunch spot?

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