Monaco 2010 – Stampin Up Incentive Trip Part Two…..

Good morning ladies, I do hope you enjoyed the first installment of the photo's and I have loads more to show you so make sure you have a few minutes….

We met for breakfast at 8am and chose from the fantastic selection of breads on offer

 

The lovely Amanda, looking very bright and fresh first thing in the morning…

The terrace we were sitting on was a little wet and when Monica went to sit down she hesitated about putting her bag down on the damp floor, before we could think the gracious staff rushed over with a stool fit to perch Monica's bag on – now I have never seen that before!!   

A small group of us decided to take the train from Monaco to Italy as there was an Italian market on Friday mornings.  Myself, Dave, Paula, Dawn and Monica took the train a short half hour ride to Ventimiglia.  We were so lucky to have Paula with us as she speaks fluent Italian and it was so lovely to see her in what is obviously a very natural environment for her.  She is also a great cook too so was showing us all the beautiful ingredients and how we should cook it.  I was happy to take in the sights and smells.  Why aren't our own markets like that I wonder?  They were beautifully displayed, fresh, mis-shapen and with the leaves still attached in a variety of shapes and sizes.

We spent at least one and half hours walking around here, I bought a kilo of cherries and between us all we had enough fruit to reach our 10 a day let alone 5!!

 

 

OMG, look how huge this swordfish is!! 
 

We walked through the market and bought our lunch and made our way a short distance to eat our lunch on the beach.  The view from the beach was stunning

 

Monica taught us how to pose for a photo 🙂

Me and Monica, she is SO funny and had us in stitches most of the time, the train ride was particularly funny and she had the young italian girl next to her crying with laughter whilst she was eaves dropping our conversation.
 

Whilst we were on the train, I text my husband to saw we were off to Italy shopping and what was he up to on his day off from work? (He had taken a few days off to take care of the kids whilst I was away), this is the message he sent me –

 

 

Funny!

Dave could not resist a Gelato whilst in Italy….

  
 

My glamarous travelling companions, dont they all look lovely (note Dawn's handbag, she always had matching handbags for her outfits and looked stunning all the time).  Paula's bag matched her dress too!
 

At the train station, not quite British Rail….

 

When we arrived back in Monaco after lunch, Paula, Dave and I decided to take a bus to the Palace and Cathedral, this was the view of the harbour from the bus window.  Paula and I also enjoyed people watching and making up all the stories about who they were and what they were doing, great fun!

I think this is where the civil ceremony's are held and Paula and I thought we would make the most of the photo opportunity

By this time my feet were cut to shreds (how classy!) and I was wilting so we headed back to our hotel and for a quick dip in the pool.  On the way past reception this was the display for afternoon tea!  I was still stuffed for all our fruit and lunch so just enjoyed looking…..

 

We then had another quick turn around ready for our last nights dinner at a secret location.  We were to meet in the hotel lobby at 7.30pm prompt.  Everyone pushed the boat out and wore cocktail dresses.  It was so lovely to dress up and see everyone in their glad rags.  We we then led from the hotel to a beautiful spot with the view of the casino behind us.  We had a photo taken (see Shelli's blog) and then walked the short distance to the Hotel de Paris.  It is such a beautiful hotel and the lobby is very decadent with turtle shells in the ceiling.  We were then led up to the eigth floor which opened out onto the restaurant.  We then continued to walk and walk through the restaurant (thank goodnes I wore comfortable shoes) until we were led into a private room and balcony overlooking the harbour.  This was the view –

 

 

Whilst we ate canapes and drank punch we chatted and peered in to the beautifully intimate dining room which was Winston Churchill's own private dining room in the Hotel de Paris.  He also had a private apartment which adjoined the dining room but we did not get to take a look inside there.  The walls were lined in fabric and it was all very opulent.

 

Every last detail had been taken of and we even had a hand stamped note from Shelli – simply beautiful!

This is the 5 course meal we were served

 

Not a course of the meal but the lemons for our smoked salmon looked so pretty I could not resist taking a photo!

 

 

 

Memrobilia in the dining room of Winston Churchill

 

Shelli and I (we are practically twins :-))

This lady cracks me up, Silvia you are so funny!

Me and Jenni, love her blog and a very talented lady

 

This photo make me laugh as Monica was having her photo taken with the German demo's and was man-handling them with the correct poses and stances for the best photo, as you can see they thought she was very funny too!

And so that brings to an end the most fantastic few days.  I am so lucky to have been part of this first incentive trip and have the opportunity to get to know all these ladies.  Stampin Up treated us like royality and made sure that our every need was catered for.  Nothing was to much trouble and they were such gracious hosts.  To my fellows demos who made me laugh till I cried, I miss your company and cannot wait to see you in London at convention.

Oh and I bust a gut to earn the Prague incentive trip for next year as I wanted to earn it before I left for Monaco so that I could say 'See you next year'.  I earned it before I left and am so pleased and could not have done it withouy my lovely customers and downline to help me but Guess what??

I forgot to say it when I left – doh!!