Winter Break_ Nice & Monaco

.2.17.2008. _ .Day 3.

Last day in Nice.

I woke up pretty early to catch my train to Monaco and visit the old port.

I accidentally booked the wrong train station (it was still in Nice just further away from the center), so I had to walk for about 30 mins, but it wasn't bad at all.

As I was walking, I passed by this little gathering where people were buying/selling stamps. It was quite a nice scene and it reminded me of my grand father and his stamp collection that I inherited (mostly old Japanese and Korean stamps..with some European stamps).

Most of the people at this stamp exchange market were pretty old too. My grand father would have loved it.

Then I stopped by old town, where the market is every morning. I saw the flower market the night before, and I really wanted to stop by during the morning when it's more lively.

The market was definitely bigger than the ones in Aix, but it felt less home-y. Still, something that I will very much miss once I go back to the states.

I crossed the street and walked along the Mediterranean.

The light was stunning, but my camera didn't capture it that well.

People walking, jogging, fishing, sun bathing...It was very calm and tranquil.

Matisse once said that he paints in the morning when the "lumiere" is the best. When he can capture all of the vibrant colors that Nice has to offer.

I think it was this morning, when I was walking along the sea, early in the morning, that I first kind of sort of understood the meaning of "lumiere."

Not only Nice, but the south of France, really, had amazing light. Now that it's almost been 2 months here, I am really starting to see and understand the meaning of light.
(I think my painting classes are helping too! It's bringing the inner artist out. lol.)

The old port was beautiful. It smelled a bit fish-y, but it was so colorful!

I don't think I've ever liked how ports (generally) look so messy. Different sized boats with so many strings and polls sticking out. Too many boats.

Cathedral in the center facing the port:

Au Revoir, Nice.

Monaco.

No one told me that Monaco was mad hilly. And by hilly, I mean, a MOUNTAIN.

From the station (that was way up a mountain) I headed downwards, then had to hike another mountain to go to the old ville where the castle was.

Umm. Fun.

I stopped from time to time to look at the view and eat pieces of chocolate that I had.
good source of energy! lol.

I headed over to the palace to see the changing of the guards.

The changing of the guards is (I think everyday) at 11 am. I was glad that I made it just in time!
It was rather small and not that fancy, but hey, I got to see it :P

The little port (not the main one) that I could see from the old ville was really cute.
I actually liked it. hehe.

Then I visited the Napoleon museum that was right next to the palace. The collection was quite impressive. I would definitely visit this museum again! Too bad I don't have any photos :(

I also visited the cathedral where Grace Kelly got married to Rainier. It was really nice.

This church is also where Grace Kelly and Rainier rest side by side.

One thing that was kind of a turn off in Monaco, was the role that Princess Grace Kelly was playing, in terms of tourism.
Every other street there would be sign with a picture of her passing the area or something like that.
It was just way too focused on her. It was interesting, but I wasn't a huge fan.

After visiting the Cathedral, I had lunch (was not that great!) and went to the aquarium/museum. It was okay. I don't think I would really re-visit though, especially the aquarium, because it was pretty small and there wasn't that much.
So far, the aquarium in Singapore was really nice. The one in Hong Kong was nice too!

But, it's on a cliff, and the view from the museum was quite fantastic!

Where I watched a documentary:



Museum part:

Funny/cute bird:

Pretty fish, cute fish, pink fish, nemo fish:



I really really really like seahorses :



booooop:



Another port (the main one) :

I didn't check out the casino area. Maybe I should have? I don't know. lol.

It's funny how such a tiny place can be a country. Nice day trip, but there wasn't too much to do.

From Monte Carlo, I took a train to Firenze :D Fun Fun Fun.

Winter Break_ Nice (Cont..)

.2.16.2008. _ .Day 2.

MAMAC.

I really like modern museums.

The MAMAC wasn't that impressive, but the Yves Klein collection (mostly IKB!) was fabulous as well as the temporary exhibition.

Some IKB hotness:

I've never heard of Niki de Saint Phalle, but her stuff was def. interesting, and I actually really loved some of her stuff. These were some of my favorites:

*my favorite favorite*


*I thought this was actually kinda cute. lol.*


*cool*


*supercute*

POP ART:



*reminded me of NYC*


Ecole de Nice:



Sometimes how I feel:



But I still really like hearts:



trumpets, like, a lot of them:



super happy staircase that I wanted to take to my future house:

AMAZING temp. exhibition..!
I wasn't allowed to take pictures, but when I didn't know that, I took two. lol.

So when you are walking to the old town of Nice from the train station, you see this huge statue-type things with a man (that kinda of reminded me of Buddha is sitting. There were like 8-12 of them, in different bright colors. It's kinda bizarre but cool at the same time.)

so the artist who does this whole sitting-man thing, Jaume Plensa, had a temp exhibition at MAMAC. It was a very small collection, but the quality of his collection was superb.

There was a room with 8 or 10 gong-type things, and the theme was like religion v. sin or sth like that. So on one side you would have lust, sex, etc and on the other you would have the direct opposite words.. (like hate-love)

The entire space and layout was fab and lighting was very appropriate.

This artist is def interesting. I've added him to one of my favs..(well sort of..lol)

Carnival.

After the modern art museum, I met up with Alex, Amy, and Devan. They were in Aix to see the carnival with the Students-in-Aix day trip group.

It was impossible to get into the carnival, and it didn't seem all that special to blow 15 euros on, so I just hopped on a tree and watched the day parade. (I'm so glad I did this because the night parade was x100000 better!!! and it was free too!)

The day parade was a floral theme. It reminded be of the Rose Parade, but the floats were so much smaller. Some of the costumes that the people were wearing were a bit odd too.

Some of the cuter (very colorful) floats:

This cat was pretty cool. It would hold the mouse up and down, turn its face, and move its eyes sideways! I don't know how I feel about the kids in the cage though..

Pretty intense dragon...lots of smoke and a super dramatic man on top of the dragon's head.
Hold on, it is even a dragon? Maybe it's a dinosaur. hmm. not sure.

Some "interesting" costumes.. The French are definitely more artsy and creative in mon avis.

Having a good time:

Super adorable french baby with some attitude:

blue confetti in the sky. It was actually really pretty.

After the carnival, Alex and I walked along the beach. It was really cold and the weather was kind of gross... *sad face*
I bet this place is beautiful in the summer though!

After a short nap back at the hotel, I met up with the girls and went to the night carnival..or should I call it confetti carnival.

There was confetti everywhere and people would just throw it in your mouth, dump it on your hair, etc. It was pretty bad. I still find confetti in my room sometimes..

ze carnival of lightssss:

confetti man:

Everyone eating confetti:

cat at night. super evil looking:



more interesting costumes:



ManBOOBS:



Pretty costumes:

money$$$ (in euros!) washing (not sure how this related to the theme):



Dragon at night:

Dinosaur for reals:



Me and pretty lady :D Yup, I'm excited.

I'm super glad that I went to the night carnival. I was pretty disappointed from the afternoon one, and was thinking about not going to the night one.

SO glad I went. It was totally worth it.

It was super amazing and super magical.

fantastic, indeed.