Sunday June 1st, 2014
Disembark MSC Splendida at Genoa & Train to Monte Carlo, Monaco
After a final dinner with our new friends last night (photos to follow), we said our goodbyes, had a last nightcap & then headed off to our cabin to finalise the packing of our large suitcases & place them outside our door for collection during the night.
Another calm night at sea & we were up early so we could grab some breakfast before vacating our cabin by 7.30am. We almost made the deadline (just 5 minutes late).
Just a few photos of our arrival in Genoa:
Next off to passenger services to drop off our signed account statement, then we were directed to the Aft Lounge to collect our passports, which they had taken a few few days earlier. Rumour has it that someone onboard was involved in an illegal activity so all non Europeans had their passports removed & screened by customs. Not sure if that's true but it was a real pain waiting for over an hour to get ours back. Then we had to go to another lounge at the opposite end of the ship to await our call to disembark. We were eventually off by about 9.30am.
After that it was just a short taxi ride to the Railway station at Genoa, finding somewhere to leave our luggage as we had a 3 hour wait before our train leaves. We then went for a walk to find a coffee & I took a couple of photos of the station (very old & lot's of repair work in progress- no escalators & 1 lift) & the Christopher Columbus monument outside the station.
No free WiFi to be found in the vicinity of the station, so we are suffering withdrawals at present :) We will certainly be using plenty of the hotels WiFi tonight!
I am sitting here at the station typing this & watching the board indicating which platform our train departs from. The language barrier can be an issue at times, however numbers are a help. I can see the time of departure & platform number, so assuming we will find it OK. The real problem could occur when we change at Ventimiglia for the short 20 min journey to Monte Carlo. I think the turnaround time is quite short.
Well the railway stations in Italy are certainly a challenge. No working escalators or elevators, so you have to carry your luggage down lot's of stairs, then back up the other side. No fun when you have as much luggage as we do. Our trip was OK & luckily we had another Aussie in our carriage on the first leg who showed us where to get off & change for Monte Carlo.
Finally arrived at our beautiful hotel (The Fairmont) around 3.30pm & have basically unpacked. Our room is beautiful, quite large with a balcony which overlooks the Mediterranean Ocean. See som pics here:
Views from balcony:
Time for a much deserved drink!
More later as we have 4 night here.
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