We have been in three countries today. One of which is the 2nd smallest country in the world, Monaco. In fact, on this trip, we have been in both the smallest (the Vatican) and the 2nd smallest countries. We were also in France for a brief period and we find ourselves now in Genoa, Italy. Birth place of Christopher Columbus.
As we left Turin this morning, we pointed the GPS toward Monaco. The thought was that since we were so close to where the Grand Prix du Monaco is held, we would go there so I could drive the streets where the actual race takes place.
Our GPS wanted us to take the A10 tollway. I forced our electronic travel guide to selected a different route that had us traveling the country roads, through the Mediterranean Alps, to the coast and finally to Monte Carlo. It was an awesome drive. Switchbacks twisting back and forth, sending us up and over the mountains and through numerous villages carved into the hillsides. Some Italian, some French. All with their own distinct personality. Some of the most beautiful countryside you'll ever see.
Monte Carlo is an absolute zoo! Some of the heaviest traffic I have ever seen, on the narrowest streets you could imagine, all in the windiest hillside with intersections coming at you from every direction. Many even look as though you're about to turn down a sidewalk the in fact is a street. Beautiful and all high end however.
The GPS insisted we turn down a street that was closed due to construction, but we did manage to work our way down to where the streets of the GP are, in spite of it.
I turned onto about the middle of the main and headed in the proper direction. As we approached the first turn, I made sure I was in a lane close enough to the curb to turn. Up the hill towards the casino, I took the wrong fork and soon realized we would have to add another couple of hours to our visit to Monaco if we were to try it again. We had already spent far too much time, stuck in traffic, getting as far as we did.
We decided to head back up the hill and head toward Genova. We had a flavor of the experience I was after and it was good enough to give us a good memory.
It was early afternoon, well, almost mid afternoon by the time we hit the A10 to Genoa and found ourselves a little hungry. We took a detour down to a town on the Mediterranean in search of a snack on the beach.
San Ramo was perfect. A well kept town with a classic beachfront area. Not hard to find a place serving good seafood and a little refreshment. Finished satisfying our appetites, we head to tonight's destination.
Genova appears to have a history as old as anywhere we have been so far. A noticeable amount of litter however. Everywhere else had been surprisingly clean. In spite of that, so far a nice place. Traffic as bad as, no, worse than you can possibly imagine, but not any different than any other Italian town.
Driving in it, gives you a sense of why Italians are an excitable bunch. Lines marking lanes are merely a suggestions and otherwise meaningless. Scooters and motorcycles by the millions dash here and there, between lanes and anywhere else that their mirrors just might squeeze by. Cars parked, or double parked. Doesn't seem to matter. As long as traffic can soon flow, weaving around obstacles, it seems to work. Just be sure you know where you are going because there is no time to look…just go!
Once checked in we headed to the old part of town. The piazza de Ferrari. We hopped on the Metro Bus after find a little about how it works. We bought 100 minutes of tickets each. Now, whether that's one day or until we use the time is not clear (yet). We found a Metro bus stop and through our dumbfounded looks and stupid questions, soon saw the appropriate bus approaching from the correct direction. In no time we were surprised to be where we had intended to be.
Piazza de Ferrari is hugh with stunning buildings surrounding a lovely fountain. Just beyond the Piazza we discovered a maze of the tiniest alleyways teaming with small shops, interrupted by a church every so often. We had a good wander around, getting a flavor of the area. Seems to be a large mixture of ethnic groups.
Down one alleyway we heard cheering and gaiety that only a World Cup soccer match could muster. Behold! We found a nice little bar with throngs of patrons cheering on Chile (against the Netherlands). What could we do but join in and help cheer while Chile lost 0-2. Good sports, all. In good spirits in spite of the defeat.
After a bit, back on the bus, headed back to the hotel. Tomorrow we'll try to get to La Spezia and Cinque Terra.
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