Monaco and it's luxurious lifestyle We headed into Monte Carlo after dinner to visit the Grand Casino and to see how the rich people lived. Knowing by now that Ali, our tour director enjoyed playing practical jokes on us (she told us the white cliffs of dover were painted every 7 years!), the majority of the bus still managed to fall for the trick she played on us that night. After explaining how difficult it was to get residency for Monaco, she proceeded to explain about the security measures they took and the technological surveillance equipment they had. She talked about this new technology where they could scan the bus and see how many people were in it, and also if we held open our passports, they could get that information too. Now it seemed possible that that kind of technology existed. The trick involved us all holding our passports up to the bus windows as we passed though a certain tunnel where they were able to scan them and determine who was entering the country. Of course it sounds silly but we fell for it and it was one more for Ali. I think she even took a photos of us all holding our passports and faces up to the windows. Anyway... it was a good joke. Before we even got to the joke part, we began the ascent up the windy cliff faced roads between Nice and Monaco. Halfway there, we stopped for some wine while we enjoyed the view of the bright lights over the water. There we convinced Mark, our very good looking bus driver, to drive into Monaco in his boxers as we'd all seen the sign at the campsite saying that bus drivers weren't allowed to enter Monaco wearing trousers. Being a good sport, Mark agreed and made many of the girls nights - my own included! We then continued on into Monaco, went through Ali's tunnel and then stopped at the Grimaldi Palace to see it from the outside and look at the view over the city. It was just spectacular. We then made our way into the city centre and spent a few hours in the casino, gambling or wandering around. While waiting outside the Grand Casino, it was interesting watching the men and women arrive in their BMWs, Mercedes and even a Lamborgini. Oh how the rich live.... If only.... Monaco was really phenomenal due to it's lights and the sheer luxury of the place. Am definitely glad that I had the chance to see it because it really has to be seen to be believed.