Parlez-vous anglais?

The "official" winter break began on quite an eventful note. I woke up super early..and eagerly. It has been quite a while since I last met him. BUT..despite waking up HOURS early, I was still late!!!!! Thank God the pick-up to the airport arrived late too! First of all, M's luggage bag had a wheel dislocated and subsequently detached. Then, we took a wrong turning!..*gosh* what a bad way to start off a trip..and to see him in such a panicky messed-up situation. *_* sorry...

Ok, take off was good. Being together again was like a puzzle piece fitting and completing the picture, like it never lost it's image. Ah, and after all said, I have yet to actually say where I arrived to! It was to Nice, France. =) We walked around the more tourist-y Old Town area. In almost all tourist places, there will be an Old Town where all the historical stuff will be at eg castles and palaces; and the New Town, where the Main train station -the Gare-is located. We snacked on local pizza and SOCCA, a local dish consisting of egg, pepper and something else. I found it ok-ok. It was...amusing on how we walked about finding for a place to eat it and eventually finding one. =P Ah, and then it was time for proper dinner when we got back to the New Town, where we stayed. Had the local stuff - Starters: bouillabaisse, a Mediterranean-style fish soup & jambon, cured meat. Mains included confit de canard (preserved duck) and veal, Desserts - the unavoidable glace, i.e ice cream!!!!...and he ordered (some yucky) creme caramel. =P

And thus began a gastronomic excursion...*YUM*

The next day was absolutely wonderful. Personally, the best and the highlight of the term break. Monaca is a MUST-GO if you're around the region. It was simply breathtaking!..with the magic begining even BEFORE I arrived! Absolutely gorgeous and wonderful..right from the moment you step out of the train. The sun, the sea, the air, the sounds, the yachts, ..all spectacular. We walked about town for the whole day from the 'highlands' to the 'lowlands' to the christmas markets and then the docks, walked where tyres of F1 cars burned, lazed around the Japonais Jardin before heading towards THE Monte Carlo casino around sunset and then to the palace located on a hilltop overlooking the city all lit in it's splendor..

I damn envy those rich fellas who have a private yacht! and Prince Rainier who had the whole MUSEUM to showcase his private cars collection!...and on a softer note, the love towards princess Grace

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Before we said bye-bye to Nice, we bittered the blistering cold at 5.30AM to marvel at.....sunrise.