From Russia ~ with Love

      My friend Irina came to visit Monaco for a 2 week visit in early October. She lives in Novosibirsk, Russia...Siberia. She had not visited the Cote d'Azure before and we visited all my favorites.  It's very nice to not only return to these places for me, but to show it to someone for the first time brings back the original excitement for me. We also had wonderful beach and swimming weather, which we both very much enjoy! After 2 weeks, she boarded her flight for her 16 hour trip back to Novosibirsk.  We  made plans for another trip next year!

      The weather..... the water....   couldn't have been nicer! In the mornings we would swim out to the raft that is anchored about 100 yards offshore and just lay there enjoying the morning sun.  Very pleasant indeed!

      

A look around Monaco.....

                                                             The Muse Oceanographic

                     I think Irina really liked the Hard Rock Tee Shirt I brought her from Budapest!   
                                                        I  certainly liked seeing her in it!

                                             We enjoyed a few gatherings with friends as well, much fun!  A wine tasting and The Irish Festival at McCarthys with musicians brought in from Dublin!
                                               

 Ventimiglia, Italy
 Stocking up on Ialian Wine from Jonnie, my favorite wine and Truffel merchant! He was kind enough to tell Irina all about Black and White truffels. He then directed  us to the best Pizza in Ventimiglia... When we arrived, there was a line out the door! After about a minute, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me into the restaurant.... It was Jonnie, who introduced us to the owner, who then took us upstairs, to a private dining room!  Friends are a good thing, a very good thing!

 I sent Irina into town to go to the Friday Flea Market since I could not find any parking!  I gave her the best directions I could, considering she has never been here and looked and looked and looked for parking!  Finally settled on this nice spot, right beneath the Tow Away sign! Ahhh, it's a rental!

 Then off to Eze....

     This was a wonderful two weeks which we both enjoyed a bunch!  Because of traffic and construction on the Corniche.... we were late and I had to drop Irina at the terminal and went looking for a parking place.  By the time I got parked and back into the terminal ~ she had already cleared security.....  Needed to, flight was only minutes away.  I felt pretty low, that I hadn't thought of all the road construction and was not able to see her off, at all.  :>(   She texted me as she boarded her flight to say she felt the same way, sending along a photo...  Well, next year we will put another big smile on that lovely face!  Thank You Irina for a wonderful two weeks!  I can't wait for our next adventure!