It would have been difficult to avoid the stunning views in this place. Villefrance was built on a hilly, rocky terrain that overlooked the glimmering ocean. The surrounding area is packed with exciting things to do and see such as watching the Monaco Grand Prix to the east and Cannes film festival to the west. Unfortunately they are both on at the same time and as usual being bound to the ship I couldn’t be in two places at once, I haven’t learnt that trick yet.
The first stop was Eze Sur Mer, only two train stops from Villefrance where the Ship waited patiently some way out in the harbour. Eze loomed over us as we walked away from the train station, but after a few misguided attempts to find the right path we were climbing the steep slope. The sun beat down on my head as I led the four of us to the top, but my pace was fast to disperse all my pent up energy. The path wound it’s way through the hillside and with every glance back over my shoulder my memory captured a view to die for. Forty-five minutes later at the top was Eze Castle, a walled in fortress that boasted picturesque winding streets featuring restaurants and hotels built in and around the 12th century. Being in Eze was like taking a walk through time and although my tired legs were begging for a rest my spirit felt free and I trekked on taking in every moment.
The decision to climb back down to the train station had been forced upon us as we missed the bus. When we arrived at the train station we discovered the next train to Monaco would leave at 4.30, an hour away. The local Office De Tourisme told us to wait at the bus stop directly opposite so we sat under the shelter and hid from the sun. Within a minute the first bus came, and hurtled right past us!? I have no idea why because the sign on the front said “100 Monaco” and that was the bus we were told to take - so what sort of dance does one have to do to stop a bus around here? Apparently the bus driver seems to select the passengers he wants to pick up because the next bus that said “100 Monaco” on the front stopped and picked us up, and later on our journey he drove past a group of people desperately trying to stop the bus.
Monaco itself was in Grand Prix mode, I have never been to a grand prix before I was amazed at the amount of noise the cars produced. We were there late in the day as the grand prix was winding down with the setting sun. More staggering views, beautiful cars and beautiful women dressed for the occasion caught my eye. The distinct red and yellow Ferrari colours were prominent along side the many other advertisements that littered the streets in the downtown area. The steps up to the Royal Palace should have boasted fantastic views of the race track, but for the grand prix period it strictly pay to view and they had erected scaffolding to prevent and freeloaders. The palace and the surrounding area are a testament to the beauty of France and offer unobstructed views over the other side of the city. It looked like the city was set to go into party mode when we were making our way to the train station back to Villefrance where I managed to get a pint of Stella for the first time in two years.
TRAVELLERS JOURNAL - BORACAY - Music to travel to...
www.cdbaby.com/cd/travellersjournal
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