pretty neat. The entire country was full of security and police and barriers to keep people from seeing the race unless they had purchased tickets. They must have taken a lot of time prior to the race to walk everywhere and determine where the "track" (road they were using) could be seen because we weren't able to see anything no matter where we went. We heard it though! It was so loud! We were able to walk around some areas where they were selling racing merchandise and even get really close to the road where they were racing because the sound was deafening...we had to walk around with our ears covered because it hurt not to...but we still couldn't see anything. So, after a somewhat disappointing day of site seeing, we decided to come back again. We really wanted to go to the aquarium, but the day we were there, was the only day of the year that it is closed...the last day of the Monaco Grand Prix.
Our second trip to Monaco was much better. While many of the barriers were still up, we were able to walk around everywhere and even on the streets they were using for the race. We could see tire tracks and some of the advertisements were still up.
So, some history of Monaco... Monaco has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1297, when François Grimaldi ("Malizia", "The Malicious") and his men captured the fortress protecting the famous Rock of Monaco while he was dressed as a Franciscan monk. He gave David some pointers on using a sword...
Then we ran into Prince Albert the 1st. HE gave David some pointers on how to steer a boat. Prince Albert the 2nd is currently living in the palace (Albert the 1st's grandson).
I'm pretty sure we walked around everywhere possible in Monaco. It is pretty small. But it was very pretty. There were boats everywhere - which David loved. And the scenery was just incredible. Most of the things we saw looked like they would be part of a resort or something and they also had a bunch of casinos...and those were very pretty buildings.
After our self guided walking tour we finally went back to the Aquarium. Of course it wasn't as large as our new one in Atlanta...or most other aquariums I've been too, but there were a bunch of neat things inside.
We even saw those eel things that are in the Little Mermaid movie - Flotsam and Jetsam. Well, we think that is what they are based off of...they can be 6 feet long and have those creepy looking faces. We also saw a lot of the characters from Finding Nemo. Nemo of course...Mr. Johansen (the flat fish with eyes on top of this body..the "kids" got into his yard before school one day)...I'm pretty sure I saw the fish that Gill was based off of...star fish (Peach)...and one fish that looked like Gurgle (the fish that hates being dirty). The Aquarium also included a Museum. Most of the things in the museum are from the travels of Prince Albert the 1st and they was also a section that Prince Albert the 2nd had contributed to. Albert the 2nd actually brought a chunk of ice from the North Pole back with him and they have it in a container that is keeping it frozen. They also had models of Albert the 1st's sail boats and equipment. 
And this model of a very old submarine that David tested out. I can't imagine trying to use this thing...there are so many knobs and handles and things to think about....and I wonder if it had a window so they could look out of it...I guess they would need one or what is the point huh? It was all pretty interesting and we were really glad that we were finally able to go.
So, David and I recommend visiting Monaco if you are ever in the south of France...just don't go on the last day of the Monaco Grand Prix.
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