Gambling... Great food... and a first-class Monte Carlo Weekend.

Monte Carlo. Playground for the rich and famous. Lamborghinis, Bentleys, and Ferraris line the streets. The Grand Casino was a hot spot for James Bond. The famous Port has yachts belonging to Prince Albert, the British and Spanish Royal Families, and countless other celebrities. And for one weekend, the PHIL WORLD TOUR stormed in and made the city ROCK.
Vic and I flew into Nice late Friday, and took a bus into Monaco. We arrived at our hotel, the Columbus Hotel Monaco, and were immediately treated like royalty. We checked in and viewed our incredible room (pictures are at the end of the entry). It was the best shower I have ever taken. The showerhead was huge... abuot as big as a hubcap.
We asked the concierge for a good all-night place, and he called a cab (It was a brand new Audi) which took us to Casino Square. Yes folks, we ate at the Casino restaurant before heading in and doing some gambling. I had the steak, Vic had the duck. I ordered a vodka martini, shaken - not stirred - as a before-dinner drink. It was great, I felt like James Bond. Amazing meal.
We headed into the Casino and I played a little roulette. I ended the night on top by $25, so I thought it was a successful start to the weekend. We walked all around the city and finally got back to the hotel around 3. We passed out quickly.
We woke for breakfast around 10, and I have to admit... I was ready for a continental breakfast, like the Hampton Inn, but I was so wrong. It was a full breakfast... bacon, eggs, breads, everything. You could even get a Bloody Mary if you wanted. Amazing food.
We went to the pool that day, and what an experience it was. The lifeguard didn't let me take pictures, because some of the women were topless, and they take privacy extremely serious there. Instead, I went for a walk around the port that was next to our hotel, with huge yachts and a view of the Royal Palace on the Rock. Vic and I returned to the hotel and asked the concierge to make us reservations for a nice restaurant, and he booked us the "hottest restaurant in town", the Zebra Square.
Vic and I were pretty hungry, so we visited a little panini stand where we chowed on some crepes and milkshakes. We wanted to make sure our stomachs were nice and fresh for the dinner that awaited us that evening.
We went back and got changed into our suits for dinner. We made it to the Zebra around 8, and were seated right away in the best seat on the patio, overlooking the Mediterranean. We could see the cruise ships coming and going, and could view the entire sea from our seats.
Our seats were amazingly comfortable, as they were pretty much couches. I had the Veal Rib and Vic had the Tuna, and I enjoyed a nice Fuente cigar after dinner with a Kahlua and Milk. I had a great bottle of wine as a beverage, and the food was great.
The seats were so comfortable that Vic took a nice nap for about an hour after dinner. No one noticed, and they just let Vic sleep. It was hilarious.
We went to the Casino after dinner, where I proceeded to lose all the money I had won the night before and then some. I wasn't too unhappy... I had a blast doing it.
We went into the main Casino, which costs 10 Euro to get into, and it was gorgeous inside. I wish they would let you take pictures of Casinos there. Again, the privacy thing.
After a few hours of gambling, we were exhausted. We went back to the hotel around 230 and passed out again.
The next day, after breakfast, we went to Monte Carlo beach and sat for about 4 hours. The sun was great, and I actually swam in the Mediterranean Sea. The water was rejuvenating, and I took a nice little nap in the shade under a tree. It was delightful.
We had dinner and then proceeded back to the hotel, who were keeping our bags while we went to the beach (we had already checked out). Vic and I sat in the hotel lounge and smoked a nice Davidoff Cigar and had Bacardi and Cokes before the shuttle came to pick us up for the what I would consider the only way to leave Monte Carlo.
We go to the helipad around 830, and boarded the helicopter that would take us to Nice/Cote d'Azur Airport. It would take 7 minutes, but it was the best 7 minutes I can remember in a long time.
I won't use words to describe the beauty of the French Riviera at sunset in a helicopter, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Well fans, what a weekend. It was, quite possibly, the most beautiful place I have ever seen, and I truly can't wait to go back. The view of the mountains against the Mediterranean coast was just gorgeous, and I can't wait to go back.
Now, I realize people think that the French don't like Americans, but the people in Monaco are completely different. They absolutely love Americans, and are very welcoming people. Princess Grace de Monaco (formerly the actress Grace Kelly) was so loved and is still worshiped in Monaco, as there is a memorial to her on every block. The people understand how much they owe to America, and they love our people thanks to Princess Grace. Prince Ranier was more than crazy about her... he built her everything she ever wanted. It really is a great story, if you can learn about Prince Ranier and Grace Kelly, do it. It's awesome.

You want pictures, do ya? Oh, alright.....
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/share/view?i=EeAM2rluxcMXLo4&open=1&x=1&sm=1&sl=0

Until next time, I remain

Love to the U.S.,
Phil