Monday, 2 July 2006. Wonderful Julio drove Sumi and I to Monaco and glamorous Monte Carlo the capital. (I took this picture at the top of the road leading down to the principality). Monaco is truly a beautiful place. We had so little time, so I requested the Japanese Garden, the changing of the guards and the Basilica to visit the grave site of Princess Grace and Prince Rainer. (on the right, Julio and me on the beach in Monte Carol taken by Sumi and her disposible French camera).

Sandwiched between the built-up quarters of Monte Carolo, Larvotto and the Mediterranean, the Japanese garden is a piece of paradise. It was blessed by a Shinto high priest; it is quite and cool in the tropical humidity experienced at this time of the year. Driving through the town on the way the Palace we noticed that the orange trees (in the main town) on the sidewalks had oranges on them. By the way, citrus fruit groves flourish in this part of the world. (Sumi took another great shot of the yachts in the Monte Carlo harbor). At the top is the Basillica where Princess Grace was married to Prince Ranier and where they have their graves. Her tombstone is on the western side of the catherdral choir. It is inscribed with the Latin words Gratia Patricia Principis Rainerii II and is heavily adorned with flowers. The remains of other members of the royal family buired in the church crypt since 1885, today rest behind Princess 'grace's grave. I noticed a banner above one of the pews that honored Martin Luther King. It was very moving.