Nice
April/May 2005

A short trip to “Cote D’Azur”...  Exactly the correct place for an ugly April. Nearly we missed the flight to Nice. A traffic blocking on the interstate A2 brought us to sweating. We stood one hour and accurately 2 minutes before closing the counter were we at the airport.
Early in the morning we landed in Nice. We brought the bags to the hotel and started exploring the old part of town. On the way we passed the long beach-promenade “Promenade des Anglais”. I thought it would be more impressing to me. A six-lanes-street at a rough gravel beach... Hm... The old town was wonderful: small lanes invited to look around. We tried native meals, like “Socca”. It’s a kind pancake but not my taste. Then we hiked the small hill at the edge of the old town, with a great view over Nice and the port.
In the afternoon the sun came out and it became warm, as forecast. In different small bars we stopped and got used to the higher prices: 4,00 € for a beer. In the evening we went back to downtown. In Wayne’s pub was Ladies Night. Already an intro for all that would be there on the coming weekend. You should know, that this was a men’s vacation.: -)
The morning of the next day began early. We took the bus in neighbouring Monaco and we felt richly for a short moment. Monaco is not very nice, but very impressing. Many high houses are located in the mountain with surely very impressing appartments. But for us inconspicuously. The old town area with the Grimaldi palace is scenic. This means also small lanes with bars and nice shops. Cause of the different levels in Monaco, they installed escalators and elevators. Merrily. From the old town you had good view on the famous harbor with unbelievable boats. There was already a breath of formula 1 in city. The course was built and it looked very finished. We hiked the complete racing course. The Casino Monte Carlo is a kind “ice-cream shop”: The important thing is to be seen. Many expensive cars. I’ve never seen so many Lamborghinis and Ferrari. At the harbor we drank some beers, with regular prices. Then we strolled the harbor, before we left towards Nice.
In the evening we visited different bars and taverns. There we received a tip: Go to the Disco “Wash”.. At 1.30am we were the only guests. However it became full at 2am. Only the beer prices of 7,00 € were unbelievable. Never paid so much for a 0,33l beer before. A Tequila (Shooter) cost 10,00 €!!! The night ended at 5.30am, after they turned the light on in the Disco. We danced so much this night.

On the next day we drove to Cannes, but it did not inspire me in such a way. Again a promenade, this time with sand beach. Some nices houses at the beach and the absolutely ugly Casino, in which the “Golden Palm”-Award is presented every year. The old town is once again nice. Back in Nice we spent the evening in the Wayne’s pub. Here was party time and we became acquainted with many nice people. Now we know what Mexicans know about Germany: There our house maid was born..... Ok, now we know! :-) We wanted to end this evening in the “Wash” again, but Tobi entered the Disco, without talking to the door guard. So we had no chance to get in... This was the short trip to southern France with Dirk and Tobi. We had much fun.
At this time, I would like to say hello to my new American friends from Wisconsin, who unfortunately did come to Wayne’s pub. Good journey through Europe. And by the way: First class in the TGV means “travelling in style”!

Salut!

Nizza's old town	The roofs of Nizza	View over the harbor
Church in Nizza	Hotel Negresco	Promenade des Anglais
The 3 Tourists	Nizza's old town by night	Harbor of Monaco
Grimaldi Palace	Formel 1-Circuit needs help...	Monaco's Casino
My new car	View over Cannes	Movie-city Cannes

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