Monte Carlo, Monaco

Barney from New Zealand
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I get to Monte Carlo very excited!  I think its the James Bond movies.  The whole place is on a hill.  One gigantic hill.  I don't even know why this place exists?  With the Riviera on either side, why did someone stop here and say.... hmmm, maybe we'll put houses on that hill and have to walk up and down each day to the port.

Obviously I head over to the Casino my first night.  The only have one craps table and its not open yet.  The pit boss tells me it will open in 15 minutes.  So I wander around.  The Casino is without a doubt inside the most beautiful building Ive ever seen.  Everyone is dressed to the nines as well.  Its definitely a classy place - i'm not sure why they let me in!  The table opens and I head over.  25 Euro min, which is OK.  But they only offer 1x odds.  1x!  For those of you who know craps, this sucks!  No way to make money like this!  But whats a fellow to do?  So I play.  No one else is playing but me.  However there are about 25 people surrounding the table watching.  Even though they are speaking French I realize they are trying to figure out how to play.  I am losing right out of the gate.  Finally another fellow joins in and stands on top of me.  He rolls and we lose.  This continues for a long while.  Im down about 400 Euro when Vinny bagga potatoes rolls up with his entourage, Tony two tone shoes and Joey Roast Beef.  Vinny (seriously thats his name) rolls and he is on fire!  Wins me back all my moolah.  Then he leaves the table!  I wonder how much he won?  I figure the tables hot and its my roll so I pick up the dice and bet again. I roll a few times and keep placing bets as I do.  Then I crap out.  Roll a 7.  Ah well.  The guy next to me who has never rolled anything but craps since he got to the table and who is losing 500 Euro each bet, turns to me and says "you always roll a 7 when you make that bet!"  OK buddy, keep losing your parents fortune, Im outta here.  I leave down 60 Euros and am quite thankful to still have my shirt with me.

they only offer 1x odds. 1x! For those of you who know craps, this sucks!

The Casino
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Vinny bagga potatoes is very nice.  I went over to him to go buy him a drink for winning me my money back, but he'll have none of it.  He buys me a drink instead.  He's from Brooklyn and instantly takes a liking to me.  Im glad because Im sure these 3 could make me dissapear if they wanted.  You may wonder why he has to buy a drink?  Thats because in Monte Carlo - they dont offer free drinks while you play.  Next time, its Vegas for me.

I spend the next few days exploring Monte Carlo, laying by the pool and checking out the Yachts that are here for the annual Yacht show.  Damn there are some rich people here!  My last night I head over to Fusion Sushi and its yummy!  I hang at the bar afterwards where I meet one of the crews of a 168 ft sailboat!  In case you are interested they rent it out by the week for $200,000.  Karine, Rob, Michelle, Emma and Barney are the crew.  Karine cannot believe I am not working for the yacht show.  She is excited to chat with someone with stories other than those about boats.  She tells me stories when she worked on a large Yacht and Bill Gates showed up.  Says he was nice but doesnt make it a point of talking to hired help.  I wonder if he talks to his paid employees?