July 19-21
It has been always fun if everything has realised as we plan them, but it wasn’t happening that way. I was shaking and feeling so scared that I couldn’t stop from thinking about what would probably happen in the midst of the dark night if we arrive at an unknown place. Despite the fact that thrilled me, I was so certain that we were coming to Nice at 3 in the morning by the same Euroline pass.
As far as we know that Nice is the only nearest city that has the connection to Vienna, so we were hoping to book a bus when we got there. Even we knew beforehand that we should book 2 days in advance. Just come what may (crossing our fingers that there would enough spot for us)! The unexpected or expected things happen, we couldn't even book for Vienna on 20th (fully booked), and so WE WERE literally STRANDED for two days. We were advised to catch the next one on Sunday same time. Imagine the frustration and disappointment we felt.
As we went down,we saw the small Chapel that led us to the train station / Access Gare. Later on, we have realised that the garden that we were looking for was really far than we expected. We just kept going and finally until we found the Jardin Exotique that led us to the mountain top hill.
The morning was so bright and cool. We went out after hiding in the green grasses and see Monaco with its beautiful scenery in the morning. We went down the mountain via elevator and stairs this time. The stairs took us to the Place d' Arms, where we stopped yesterday from Nice. We walked up and visited Palais Princier or the Prince's Palace of Monaco. It is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. Just within the same location of the mountain with palace, heading to the opposite direction, you can find the Musee oceanographique, Musee des Souvenirs Napoleoniens, Palace of Judges and it is good to stop and enjoy the Jardin Este Barbe. What I like the most is our visit to St. Nicholas Cathedral or Cathédrale Notre-Dame-Immaculée. It is free to get in and the inside and outside architecture is very immaculately beautiful. It is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monacoin Monaco-Ville, Monaco, where many of the Grimaldis were buried, including Grace Kelly and more recently, Rainier III.
As soon as we finished the Monaco escapade, we hopped on the bus at 10 a.m., hoping that we would be in Nice before noon time.
Even though the heat is increasing. I could feel that anger of the sun that penetrated beneath my skin. It is very hot, but still, Tibor and I were bathing under the sun and soaking in the beach when we felt being punished by its extreme hotness. The beach has larger rocks than in Monaco. It is very cold, but the weather is hot.
These are the major spots in the city where we visit.
Ø Avenue Jean Médecin is a street located in the center of Nice, one of the city's main north-south traffic arteries. In Niçard, it is officially named the "avenguda Jouan-Medecin, consòu de Nissa". It constitutes the city's main shopping street and is called "The Avenue" by residents. (WIKIPEDIA)
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| Plaza Massena |
It was really like we had to make a decision either to buy a train ticket or bus line ticket just to get there and not to get stranded for two days. Then and there, we had to carry our heavy baggage all the way from the Bus Stop (not exactly bus station because they don’t have one) to the city centre. However, as we walked down and looked around/for the train station, we found this local or regional train station that goes to Cannes but not to Vienna. Our mistake: we never dared to ask. We continued walking following our instincts. Despite this attempt, this time, we asked someone because we noticed that there was no way for us to walk through the centre. They said that we had to go through by train or bus no.10. Then, we hopped on the train to take us to Nice Ville. As soon as we got off, we asked how much would it cost to ride the train to Paris and we were surprised about the price. It was so expensive! How much more if you had to change trains. We made up our mind to go by bus. This is the first thing we did… we went to the Eurolines office in Nice. Thanks for the tourist information. They were helpful in giving us info on where Eurolines is. We bought the ticket and get ready to go to Vienna, Austria this same Sunday morning.
Now, what about the two nights being trapped in Nice? Would this be a disaster or fun? Yes… we were worried we won’t accomplish what’s on our itinerary, and we didn’t know where to start. Just one thing that popped up in Tibor’s head to kill the time is to go to Monaco, which was only 15 minutes away by train from Nice Ville. Hmmm, It looks like it is another expense. I don’t want him to spend money again. We spent so much with this trip back home. So, the agent suggested that we went by bus. It is the cheapest way that only cost us 1 Euro each person to get there. GOOD! So we started to explore Monaco with a great excitement. We looked for the BUS 100 and asked again. Then, we realised that it was so much fun when things work out even you don't know.
Of course, we weren't disappointed. Monte Carlo, Monaco is the land of richness and elite class. It is a million view paradises for me. It is a very good combination of the city and nature in one place. The city that is surrounded by the beautiful rocky mountain and the blue beach has been built with blending colour buildings and the sizes are just perfect match with the mountain. Though it is incomparable with the beaches in the Philippines, but here, the scenery is awesome and breathtaking when you are on the top. I like the scenery much and the park of course. I was amazed on how they maintain the nature despite its awesome development of the city. Though the beach is rocky and not sandy, we still enjoyed the cold and refreshing sea for free.
After the beach swimming, we explored the city and visit the beautiful buildings and palaces, avenue and theatre of Princess Grace. What makes Monaco is the
Casino. It is one of the world's first major casino is situated on the Place du Casino in Monte-Carlo.
The city is very beautiful at night. From there, we can see the Stade Louis -11 Stadium, where they had a sports events and awarding ceremony.We enjoyed as they ended it with a huge fireworks display that lasted for 5 minutes.
Next morning, I wake up to hear some noise clattered in the grass. Tibor woke up thinking that there was a dangerous animal attacking us. Fortunately, it was just a black dog, who was so curiously looking to us and trying to figure out of who we were. The owner had been calling his attention. I lied still for a moment, with a dizzy feeling that I had to stretch myself after keeping just in one position until I woke up.
Another Beach experience in Nice...
Ø Place Massena - Another site is the central Place Masséna, always crowded with tourists soaking in the Mediterranean atmosphere or watching a parade, show or other events which often take place in the square.
Ø Parc de la Colline du Chateau is my favourite place Nice. I witnessed this beautiful wedding here. You can also enjoy the panoramic view of the city. This is also called the CASTLE HILL. This park offers breathtaking views over the coast and the cities surrounding Nice. You can now see how unique that the city has grown on the hills that surround it and admire the port of Nice and the beautiful bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer .The original vegetation of the Parc de la Colline du Château consists of hardwoods and conifers. Many alien species have been added over the years up to get an interesting flora today. Read more in http://www.cote.azur.fr/tourisme-parc-de-la-colline-du-chateau-nice-2732_lang_en.htm
After enjoying these beach adventures in an unexpected and beautiful city of Nice and Monaco, we almost forgot the time that we have to leave and go to train station to get our luggage before 8 pm. For second time,Tibor had to walk as fast as he could to reach the train station before it shuts down. In the end, we stayed there and charged our batteries and laptop and phone. At 10 PM, we went back to the bus station, where we originally arrived and spent our night star gazing. The sky was so bright with the plenty of stars scattering all over. Thus, it makes me feel so assured that we can get home to Austria on time.
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