Monte-Carlo!

 

What a great couple of days they were.

 

It all started nicely with a taxi ride to Stanstead via Helens house to pick her up. At the airport we were treated to a few pastries and drinks before boarding our privately chartered boeing 737 filght bound for Nice airport. On arrival at Nice we got on coaches taking us to our hotel in Monte-Carlo. In the coach we were given a guide to the local area and it's inhabitants who include Elton John and Bono from U2. We arrived at the hotel where our bags were taken to our hotel rooms which were superb (see photos).

In the evening we were wined and dined at a local Mexican restaurant. Our meals included Melon and Parma ham (italian) followed by Tiramisu (another Mexican delicacy NOT!). After the meals we had some entertainment including dancers in Notting Hill Carnival-esque outfits and acrobats. From there a few of the croud headed into town where there was a Casino. Our hotel gave us gold card entry into the casino where I managed to lose 20€.

The second day was the highlight of the trip with 3 activities planned for the award winners including a helicopter ride around the bay and inland over the mountains. That was amazing. We also had a speedboat trip aound the bay and a ride around the famous grand prix track on the back of Harley Davidsons.

That evening we got dressed up (some more than others) and set off for our Gala dinner. The location was really splendid with painted walls and arches covered in gold leaf. The hall lead out into a balcony area to take in the sights and sounds of the city. Unfortunately for some, the only way out of the hall was through a glass door which was so well polished that the odd one or two of us tried to walk straight through it. The meal and drinks provided were the best I have had in a long time.

Our final day was packing and last minute photos of the area. I was nabbed to do an interview infront of a camera. That was fun. Apparently I was picked because I looked awake.. Little did they know I had got out of bed at 9.30 and had just enough time for breakfast. We stopped off on the way to the airport (stopping the traffic and pissing off the local police at the same time) for some drinks and nibbles before our journey home.

 

All in all a terrific journey that cost me absolutely nothing and the best hotel room I have ever stayed in.