03 Feb

Day 4 – The Beauty That is Monaco!

 

Oh my word, I love Monaco.  It is stunningly beautiful to me.  Today my in-laws and brother-in-law were going on a Disney sightseeing excursion.  We docked in Villefranche and were just planning on taking the train to Monte Carlo and Nice afterwards. 

It was Father’s Day today!  Stephen woke up early to go run and dropped off cards in the Dad’s fish extenders.

We had ordered room service the night before.  I woke up fairly early too, so I was ready in plenty of time.  I decided I should probably get some Euros since I was down to about 10.  About two weeks before we left our United card sent us something saying they were no longer charging foreign transaction fees.  I can’t tell you how convenient that was!  I didn’t worry about charging anything from a $2 coke to a whole meal.  So we didn’t need that much foreign currency.  I exchanged $100 cash at guest services for Euros. 

The neat thing about exchanging Euros on the ship is that if you end up with extra at the end, they’ll change it back at the same rate you originally got it.  You just have to keep your receipt.

Then I walked out on deck 4 to see the sights:

Tenders are here!

I met up with everyone outside the Buena Vista theater and we went in to wait for our tender.

And we waited. And waited. Here’s Sheree waiting to call the next group.

Sheree was there to entertain us and she did a very good job! But…

I was trying to live up to my new goal of not complaining, but it was hard in this room. We waited an hour and 15 minutes for our turn and we were among the first 100 or so people in the room. Considering the tenders held 250 and they were running multiple tenders, there was really no reason for this. After they called 10 -20 people at a time, it dawned on us what was taking so long. They were filling the tenders with people on Disney excursions. We were just filling in the left over seats.

So. Not. Cool. Not cool, Disney.

There, I’ve got my complaining out.

But we’re finally out! Yay!

On the tender! Cruise director Peter is looking a little stressed at the tender situation. He knew he was going to have some unhappy passengers:

Mom still looks pretty good here!

Tenders always offer unique views of the ship. Too bad the sky was so overcast:

I love Villefranche. It’s so picturesque.

See you later, Magic!

I wish I had stopped for some more pictures but I knew everyone was anxious by this time. I thought I’d stop at the end of the day and get some.

That didn’t really happen.

The train is a short walk from the port terminal. You basically come out and hug the water to the right. The train is across the street from the beach and up the hill.

When we got there we realized we’d missed the earlier trains (curse you tenders!!) and the next one wasn’t for 45 minutes.

We decided we would probably have to forgo Nice if we wanted didn’t want to feel rushed in Monte Carlo, so we just bought roundtrip tickets for Monte Carlo. We had a good 30 plus minutes to kill, so we explored the beautiful streets of Villefranche.

Back to the train station:

And we’re back at the train station! We weren’t the only ones this time!

We could see the Magic from the train station:

There is a lot of graffiti at train stations btw.

So the train came and we were finally on our way! The train was fairly crowded, but it was only about a 20 minute train ride. Stephen had to stand:

Last time we were in Monte Carlo, we came out of the train station and were basically at the top of the city and we worked our way down. That was pretty neat and there were elevators all over the sidewalks to help, but it did take a while.

This time I had found some directions to come out at the bottom of the city. Somehow that didn’t seem possible but it was worth a try!

When we got off about 600 people went the other direction. Someone even asked me which way to go and I said we were going the other way but I wasn’t sure if it was right. We were going deeper into the tunnel instead of towards daylight. There were a few people doing what we were.

Hey, what do you know? There were stairs going under the tracks and into the tunnel on the left. This was promising! The tunnel:

There were incredibly long moving walkways.

And then, at the end of a good 10 minutes of walking, we found the doors and we were out!

Oh my word it worked! We were at the bottom of the city! Here’s a look back at the door we came out of. It’s on the left at the end of the moving walkway:

We came out in a little alley way and made our way out to the main street. We took a left at the street and we were at a little market at the base of the hill the castle was on. Perfect!

Looking back up another side street:

Here’s the market:

There were restrooms across the street and while we waited for everyone to go in, We found Wi-Fi!!!

Let me tell you what happened every time we found free Wi-Fi. There’s Wi-Fi onboard, but my word is it expensive. You don’t want to get on just for fun. So while we were walking in ports, we would periodically take out our phones (keeping them safely in airplane mode to avoid any crazy bills) and search for a network. When someone would find one, they’d let out some kind of triumphant cry and we’d all stop!

Everyone did something different. Kids checked email, Stephen checked…I’m not sure what Stephen checked!, and I posted photos on Instagram and Facebook like a madwoman.

After 5-10 minutes of that, we’d carry on with our touring.

So here, outside the public restrooms at the base of the hill to the castle, we found free Wi-Fi. Glorious.

I got them to look up for a picture:

Is everyone done? Well let’s carry on then! We started up the hill and saw this sign. I’m guessing you’re not allowed to walk up the hill in your underwear? Or speedos?

Here’s the hill:

This could have been a good picture if I didn’t look like I’m hiding behind Stephen and there wasn’t a pole growing out of my head.

And why didn’t we take it with this in the background? Feast your eyes on Monte Carlo!

Looking back down the steps after we curved to the right:

We made it! But we were starving and didn’t stop for pictures yet! Well except for a giant gelato picture:

Right across from the castle are some little walking streets full of shops and cafes. We went in search of lunch. We decided on this adorable little café. The first time we passed it, we saw a table with some amazing looking bread and we were sold:

See the bread?

What did they have here you ask? Well they had ice cold cokes (and afore mentioned bread), so what else matters? Okay, here’s a menu:

This was a hit at our table:

I took quite a few pictures while we waited.

I think I would like to live up here. With the hustle and bustle below, and the smell of hot pizza drifting up through my window.

We noticed a family behind us with Disney excursion stickers on. At one point a CM came and found them. They apologized for being late and said they were paying right then! The CM said that was fine and then asked, “Have you seen anyone else?” Oops.

And now I present you – the pizza:

Lunch hit the spot and we were back up and walking! Actually we didn’t get far, Mom got gelato across the way.

Now we’re walking!

Hey! Pinocchio!

The streets were so peaceful and pretty.

Family Photo op!

And we’re back out at the castle! Here it is!

To the left of the castle are some walkways with views of the other side of the city. There’s a lovely garden and playground.

Chase made out a soccer pitch and stadium among the buildings. Can you see it? It took me forever to see what he was talking about.

The public restrooms up here were packed!

We walked back up to the castle and took pictures from the same buildings from a different angle.

Look at how many roofs have a pool!

After admiring the view for a while, we crossed back in front of the castle and started to make our way down.

We tried a different way down but that didn’t work so we did backtrack at some point.

It was here that we had another near brush with royalty in a car. While we were walking down the narrow street, two cars zoomed by and went right into the castle. This time it was Prince Albert!

Woo hoo! I tried to snap a picture but I was a little slow.

I present you with Prince Albert’s jaw:

I was also almost struck by a Ferrari zipping down that street a few minutes later. So that happened.

The ‘rents!

We couldn’t pass up one more shot at Wi-Fi! After all, we had more pictures to post!

These cool trains kept passing us:

Aren’t they cute?

Remember how excited I was to find the way out of the train station that led to the bottom of the city? Well it was even more exciting on the way back! No walking to the top of the city!

Here’s the little sign towards the very obscure doors you enter from this direction.

And we’re back! On the train.

Here’s our tickets:

33.6 Euros roundtrip for 6 of us. Not bad! After we got off the train we walked back to the port.

The ship is still there!

There was a soccer highlight that Chase wanted to watch I believe, so he was hunting for Wi-fi. When we got in the terminal we found some so I stayed with him and everyone else went on ahead. Is there a better place to sit and check Wi-Fi with your son?

I wasn’t quite done posting pictures when we realized the next tender was about to leave. We didn’t want to sit for another one, so we jumped up and ran! Made it!

We went back to the room and decided it was a good time to get some laundry done. I tend to avoid laundry (or anything that remotely resembles housework) on vacation, but laundry on this long of a cruise is essential. Unfortunately, it is for everyone else also, so it can be a pain finding open washers.

When many people are still in port is a good time, and we did find some. We dropped ours off and went up top for a snack! I’m a sandwich and wrap person. I like them so much, I like them even when they’re full of stuff I don’t like! It makes no sense. So here’s my ham sandwich/snack.

Seriously, what’s that red stuff? And I think there’s a tomato on there! I don’t eat tomatoes!!

Doesn’t matter, it was delicious. Stephen got ice cream.

When our timer went off to go move our clothes, we found two of the dryers about to finish. There was another guy in there waiting also. He asked what the etiquette was if the dryer stopped and no one was here. We decided we could take them out and put them on the table. I’d hate to do that to someone’s wet clothes, but dry seemed okay. And the washer and dryers tell you exactly how much time you have left in the cycle so it’s not hard to be on time.

Luckily for us, someone came in with one minute to spare and we didn’t have worry after all. I walked around and took pictures for a while after that.

We could see people water skiing near the ship. Now that would be a fun excursion!

The ship was pretty quiet.

I’m pretty sure I take this picture on Every. Single. Cruise.

And this one, of course.

And this one of course:

Deck 4!

Tenders are still coming:

We still had a little time before dinner so I Photoshopped a little and we relaxed in the room. We watched a movie too, Pitch Perfect maybe?

We had sent some pressing out the day before and it came back in time for dinner. Not having to wait in line for irons on a cruise is a luxury I will gladly pay for.

Dinner was in Animators tonight. I like Animators on the Magic and Wonder, but I LOVE it on the Dream and Fantasy. I can’t wait to see the newly imagineered version on the Magic.

Even the menus are adorable!

Chernabog!! And Mom’s head.

Animators has my favorite appetizer – mushroom risotto! Yum!

This was a shrimp cheesecake type thing.

We caught up with the in-laws while we ate. They liked their excursion, but didn’t like how much free time they had. I was tickled at that because I love free time on excursions! That means more time to take pictures!

We also laughed at my brother-in-law when my in-laws told us he said he knew a little Spanish, but the only words he could actually remember how to say were, “I know a little Spanish.”

My mom entertained herself:

My dinner!

My family was very good about not eating until I took pictures, but they weren’t above photo-bombing them:

This was Chase’s choice for the night. Better than pizza?

Look at our scrumptious dessert options tonight!

We had three sampler plates, plus our own desserts, and if that wasn’t enough, Plamen brought out special Father’s Day desserts!

And then they brought out a “Congratulations for graduating from high school cake for Chase!!” Good grief!

After dinner we went out on deck to watch as we sailed by Monaco.

Ah look! Stephen must have gone downstairs to get my other lens for me because he’s holding the other one!

Mirror (window) shot!

The show tonight was Villains Tonight. Some jokes fell flat but I still like it. I think everyone did.

We went back to the room and found this little beauty:

Chase, brother-in-law and I decided to go to the adult only show in Rockin’ Bar D. We ran up top for some pizza and cokes on our way. Why, you ask? Didn’t we just eat dinner? No, silly! That was like 2 hours ago!

Brother-in-law got a plate of nachos from Diversions next door. Adult only shows were a first for Chase since he just turned 18! I was a little worried about some of the humor, but it wasn’t over the top. It is Disney after all.

Chase went for a run after the show, Ally watched Downton Abbey, and we went to sleep!

Oh, but before I do! Here’s my door hanger. Some people have asked what we use them for, so I thought I’d take a picture and show you.

It’s just so nice not to have all these little things sitting around. We put our sunglasses in there, sun lotion, scissors, lipstick, a Tottenham Hotspur hat, all the essentials.

It’s great when you forget something and one person runs back to the room to get it. It makes things easy to find! Now Disney did just put a statement out about these messing up the doors. They warned that guests will be charged if they chip the paint and they will be asked to take them down. So I took the over the door hooks on mine and wrapped them in duct-tape. I knew this would stop them from scratching if they were going to, but I was prepared I may not be able to use it. It worked out great!

Up next, La Spezia!

 

Our 19-Day Mediterranean Adventure – Greece, Turkey and the Search for Free Wifi

Day 0 – Crazy Days Before Departure! 
Day 1 – On Our Way! 
Day 2 – London Layover 
Day 3 – Embarkation!  
Day 4 – The Beauty That is Monaco 
Day 5 – La Spezia aka the Road to Pisa or Florence 
Day 6 – Rome Baby!
Day 7 – Sea Day Fun! 
Day 8 – Introducing The Pneumonia 
Day 9 – Athens and the Inside of the Hospital Onboard!
Day 10 – Turkey 
Day 11 – Mykonos and the Start of a Countdown to Get Back to Mykonos 
Day 12 – Sea Day and Palo Dinner 
Day 13 – Segways in Malta! 
Day 14 – Last Day Onboard 
Day 15 – Disembark and Barcelona 
Day 16 – Travel to London
Day 17 – London Baby! 
Day 18 – Harry Potter Heaven