Oceanographic Museum - the Octopus

We are outside the main entrance of the Oceanographic Museum - we've bought our tickets and will soon walk up the steps...

But first... let's take a look at this 1981 sculpture by Emma de Sigaldi. It's called - no surprise - the Octopus.

Emma de Sigaldi was born in Germany in 1910. She trained and later performed as a classical dancer and then, in 1954, she married Monegasque Count de Sigaldi and from then on lived in the Principality. You'll find many sculptures by her in Monaco, including the famous 'Plongeur' that stands, arms outstretched and ready to dive, in front of the swimming pool on Port Hercule.

Emma de Sigaldi died in 2010, just before her 100th birthday.

Oceanographic Museum

These photos of the Oceanographic Museum on le rocher are by way of introduction to a series that starts on Monday.

Founded by Prince Albert 1, it was inaugurated in 1910. The building rises majestically from the sea to a height of 279 feet and took 11 years to build, using 100,000 tons of white limestone from La Turbie, a village high above Monte Carlo. It houses a fabulous museum of marine sciences.

We've a treat ahead so do come along for the ride.

Arman's Melodie

Can't you just hear the music! This sculpture - Melody by Arman - stands on le rocher just above Port Hercule.

Lunch at La Rose des Vents

Lunch in the sunshine on Larvotto - somewhat different to yesterday's restaurant...

Tripe and Steamed Spuds

It's not all caviar and champagne in Monaco...

How about tripe with steamed potatoes for 10 euros and all within a stone's throw of the Palace on le rocher?

The plastic, of course, allows outside eating even in winter.

Audrey's Toe

The shadow of this little girl caught my attention on Larvotto Beach but it wasn't until I got home and enlarged the photo that I realised I knew her and later learned that she wasn't playing but had badly hurt her big toe. She was hopping on one foot and in a lot of pain.

My new camera doesn't have a long zoom but is a full sensor camera and often I don't see the detail until the photo is on the screen and I enlarge it.

I hope you get better soon, dear Audrey.