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Early start from Alessandria. Today is quite a big, and a bit stressful day.

The first two-hour train takes me to Savona, on the Mediterrannean coast. I didn’t see much of it, as I can’t wake up today. It’s one of these days.

Next is an hour of train running along the coast eastward, to Ventimiglia. Ah this region is wonderful! Although the grey sky today doesn’t make it justice. There were still plenty of people on the beaches, and even a few in the water. Brrr!

At Ventimiglia, I just have time to jump on the next train. But I crack a smile. It’s been four months since I last saw a good old french TER.

Yes. I’m back in France today.

15 min pass and here comes the border. I’ve spent a whopping 10 nights in Italy, by three the most of any countries on this trip, and it was awesome. Sure, I stayed that long because I had to go near San Marino, Vatican City, and Malta, and I had a four-night lovely break with Duha in Venezia and Treviso, but I would have spent quite some time in this country anyway. There’s just so much to see!

Bonjour France!

It’s been a while, right? Four months and three days, to be exact, since I left from Lille with Kévin for Belgium, and 32 other countries. But it’s not over! Monaco, Andorra, Spain and Portugal still stand proudly between me and home. Well, not geographically, except for the first one: my goal for today.

I will get off this train in Monaco, but of course, I can’t cross France without setting foot on it, so at the first stop in Menton, I did literally that. Just a foot on the ground, a quick picture, and back in. Like in Višegrad in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bonjour Monaco!

Let’s see if you’ve changed since 2016.

The train station is, like most of the city actually, vertical. No, not in the sense that trains lift off like rockets. In the sense that you can exit it on three different levels, very high up from each other. It’s hard to describe this place. There are streets almost on top of each other everywhere, actually on top of each other a lot of time, were it be with bridges or tunnels. It’s just extremely condensed. And steep! There are tons of stairs and escalators and lifts everywhere for pedestrians. It took me a good while to understand how to leave the station where I wanted.

Bonjour France!

Again!? Don’t worry, I’m just putting my backpack away safe for tonight. Ah, yes, the prices of accomodations are (without exagerations!) about the equivalent of 10 nights elsewhere. Soooo, I will just find a quiet spot tonight, if I manage.

Bonjour Monaco!

Timer starts at 13:35. I quickly stumble upon a cheap restaurant, and had a brief chat with the owner. It’s been a while since I last had tap water at the restaurant!

I head directly to the Northernmost point of the country. Of course, I intend to cross the whole country from North to South, which coincendentally are the two farthest points. But this time, I will not rush straight. I aim to reach the South at the end of the afternoon, after doing many detours and visits.

I walked down to the seaside, passing by the Japanese gardens. From there, I walked all around the port and its money-stinking yachts. I did a bit of grocery and found a Monaco coin at a bar. I didn’t come for nothing!

I took a little break on the pier, looking out on the entire city-state, then reached the famous Oceanographic Museum by the seafront side. What a beauty! The entrance ticket being at 19 €, I let this one slip. Instead I wandered in the exotic gardens, and in front of the Principalty Palace.

Some more walk and another break in the rose garden, and finally I reach the Southernmost point, four hours after setting off. 20 left!

I spent time reading and chatting on the smaller port of Fontvieille. Ah, btw, Monte Carlo is not Monaco’s capital city. Monaco is, with Vatican City and Singapore, one of the only three city-states in the World. Meaning they are made up of only one city, and are their own capitals. Monte Carlo, like Fontvieille, is but a neighbourhood of Monaco.

At 21, I went to the McDonald’s. Not the best food, but free wifi (I don’t have any data left this month, until midnight tonight), and most importantly, no one will bat an eye for me to stay until closure, at half past midnight. I am indeed a bit worried to get kicked out of Monaco by the police if I am found sleeping somewhere. I can’t afford to fail the 24 h challenge now, for that am I not too far gone? So my strategy is to stay in McDonald’s, then a bar, until closure. Then walk around, taking some nice night pictures of the city, hopefully not getting bothered by the police, and then crumble on the beach at 6 AM.

It’s gonna be a long night…