Day 2 - Monte Carlo ...

I got into WiFi in 1.5 MINUTES tonight. Hehe.

Well, Day 2 was upon us and according to my *bossy* itinerary, visiting Monaco was the order of the day. Luckily for us, the bus stop to MC is a hop and a skip away, only Rafan can sometimes feel a bit queasy on buses, so she packed her trusty Tesco's bag ... just in case. Readers, the views along the coastal route to Monaco are stunning, and a real sight to behold.

We stayed on the bus through Monaco and got off at the stop for the tennis club, just to get our bearings and stuff. We went down to the entrance, just for a look, see and frankly, we could have left Rafan there as if there is a sniff of a tennis player about ... she's there. So we dragged her away, found a good place for sandwiches and stuff for our days at the tennis, and a supermarket for our apartment shopping. And oh ... something to ease my crisis. Guess who forgot to bring her hair serum to help avoid holiday hair and keep it straight from heat and precipitation?

Rafan then made us schlep down the hills into the town, first point of call was supposed to be the Palace *checks itinerary*, but once we sorted which bus we needed for that, we were near the gardens that take you to the Casino, so we went there for a look. Stunning buildings, all from the Belle Epoque period and wonderful to see. Walking round the Casino takes you to the views over the Bay ... and its all marvellous.


Have I told you about the weather? Well, its marvellous too. Beautiful, very warm Spring sunshine. Enough to leave me with a lovely red t-shirt mark anyway. We then had some lunch and took the bus up to the Palace. I have to say, it was lovely up there. There were some really cool streets, cool, not cool as in , but cool as in "not hot". And the buildings are all in those lovely chocolate box colours ... *dreamy*.


Denzy and I then walked the roped off area to the Palace gates as only a Lady and a Dame ought ... but then got chased out of the way by some Palace guard. Did he know who we were??? We then did a tour of the Palace in some of the grand rooms that they allow. All good for the history and experience.

We then went and took some photographs, as again, the views across Monaco were just out of this world. Wouldn't have missed that for anything. We then took the walk round to the Cathedral, and I must say I had a *gasp* moment walking up the same steps that Grace Kelly did to go and get married. *sigh*


Have to say, that before we came here and I said we were going to the Cathedral, if my Dad told me this tale once, he told me a 1,000 times and that was you were not allowed to take pictures of Princess Grace's grave, as the locals didn't like it and also ... that Prince Rainier used to leave fresh flowers on her grave every day. I regaled this to Rafan with , to which she said, "Does he [Rainier] still do that?". To which I answered, "No. And that is because ... he is dead."

The plan had always been to end our day in Monte Carlo, with tea at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel ... and this where I finally bring some tennis into this report. We took the bus back down to the terminus, and looked down on the Hotel. I say down, because we were still pretty high up the cliff and were a bit flummexed as to how to get down. Now the reason for going to the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel is because ... *cough* ... the players stay there.

Now looking down from the cliff and Rafan once again being able to smell tennis players in the air, she was getting rather restless. And it took all mine and Denzy's self control to stop her taking out that Tesco's carrier bag, her hanging on to the two handles and her throwing herself over the cliff with the idea of her using it as a parachute!!!

Anyhow ... we saw the sign "To La Plage" ... so then started the long journey OF STEPS!! Down to the hotel.


As we were going into the hotel, Milos Raonic was arriving. He's a very tall, very slim boy ... and he waxes his legs, for the record!! We then went to this salon and sat down for afternoon tea. The thing is, guests have to walk past this salon to go to the lift to get to their rooms.

So we saw Xavier Malise, then Toxic Tomic who came into the salon to join some others and eat a Club Sandwich and chips. I can't stand him ... so gave him a toxic stare. Hehe.

Then Gael Monfils (looking like a 14 year old) went past ... and then ... lo and behold ...

... Rafael Maymo also went walking past.

Queue many gasps, heart palpitations and wonderings. Surely, surely where Maymo goes ... Rafa is sure to follow? So we waited a little while ..........................................................................

... and then there he was.

Rafa walking along without a care in the world in the company of someone with a ponytail but we were too struck to notice who he was at first (turns out it was FELI !!!!). Lovely Rafa was bouncing along in white shorts and a sky blue top, which showed his tan off to its best and his hair was lovely and fluffy. He looked great everyone.

And how lucky are we??

Although we are total *fangirls* we kind of go by the premise that when Rafa is at the tennis stadium, then he's fair game, but not in his personal time, so we just let him go on his way ... it was lovely.

So after that ... it was time to go, and face the ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SIX steps back up the cliff face. Which Rafan skipped and gamboled up like a lamb. I wonder why?

So we had dinner in the apartment tonight as we are bushed ... but what a day Rafateers ... what a super, sensational day.

More tomorrow .... xxxxxxx.