Adventures of a Storyteller: Monaco

I'm behind on my blogging mainly because of all the traveling I did this past year. One of my recent trips was to Monaco where my screenplay was a finalist in the Angel Film Awards- The Monaco International Film Festival.

Monaco is a principality bordered by France on three sides and by the Mediterranean Sea.

This was my first trip to Europe, so I was excited to see all that Monaco had to offer. Monaco definitely lived up to the glitz and glam people associate with it.

The Mediterranean Sea

The city of Monaco

Some of Monaco's legendary yachts that dock here.

A street in Old Town Monaco

I stayed at the Hotel Metropole. The place was amazing. The staff was friendly and catered to your every need.

The front of Hotel Metropole.

One of the first nights there, I went to the Grand Casino. Inaugurated on February 18th, 1863, it is one of the oldest casinos in the world. Stepping through the casino doors, you feel as if you walked on to the set of a James Bond movie. They even have the James Bond Martini for you to drink while you gamble.

The Grand Casino. I was there during Christmas so decorations were on display.

Other points of interest in Monaco include the changing of the guard at the palace, Prince Rainier III's cars museum, and the oceanography museum.

The Changing of the Guard occurs at 11:55 am every day rain or shine.

Created by Prince Albert 1, the Oceanography Museum combines science with art.

The Bushnell Tortoise (1776). Created by David Busnell, it was the first submarine.

Ceiling of the conference room

One of the chandeliers in the conference room.

A seahorse swimming around.

Still love taking pictures of jellyfish. They're just so pretty.

Prince Rainier III had a huge car, race car, and motorcycle collection that was turned into a museum. I loved seeing the different cars. Here a a couple of pictures of the collection.

A 1940 Indian

A 1986 Lamborghini

A BMW Williams FW 22

A 1954 Sunbeam Alpine. This was the car in To Catch a Thief that Grace Kelly rode in.

I even had the chance to explore a European Christmas Market.

The Christmas Market

Another view with the Christmas Tree

One of the vendors.

Since Monaco borders Southern France, I took a day trip to see some of the medieval towns in France. On my day adventure, I was able to see St. Paul de Vence and Eze.

One of the main streets in St. Paul de Vence

One of the alleys in St. Paul de Vence

St. Paul de Vence

One of the streets in Eze.

Another View of Eze.

Looking up on Eze.

On the way to Eze, I drove through Nice, France.

Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France.

A View of the French Riveria.

I loved seeing these old villages. I felt as if I had stepped back in time to the medieval ages.

As for the festival itself, it was a fun and fascinating experience. Movies premiered from all over the world, including a Chinese Opera. Each night ended with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. One after party was located on the French Riviera.