b'BOND, JAMES BONDBeautiful beaches grace the Mediterranean coast.MonacobecameknowntotheNorth Americanscene when, in 1956, American movie actress Grace Kelly, married Prince Rainier III, the ruler of a tiny Principality, somewhere in Europe. Sadly the sweetheart of Hollywood perished in an automobile crash in 1982, but by then, the country of Monaco, had become a major tourist destination.JONATHAN VAN BILSEN The ruling family, the Grimaldis, have been running the country since the middle ages and today, Prince Albert II, is He sat at the roulette wheel, adjusting the bowtie of his tux- still in charge of the government. Originally, the country was edo, and with a hint of a smile, said, My name is Bond, James25 square kilometres in size, but today it occupies only a mere Bond. The famous line from Dr. No, all happened inside, what2 square kilometres.Its only city, Monte Carlo, covers the is arguably the most well-known gambling den in the world,entire country, and is a haven for the rich and famous.the Monte Carlo Casino. Unfortunately, the lavishness that exists also brings with I am actually penning this article at 30,000 feet, on aightit a hefty price for goods and services, especially in the tour-home from Monaco, the worlds second smallest country (nextist industry. Eight Euros ($12) for a small bottle of water in a to the Vatican). Although I was only there for four days, I musthotel, is quite normal and do not expect to leave a dining table admit it is a fairy tale-like experience, where wealth and opu-lence seem to be the norm. Please turn to page 63FOCUS - NOVEMBER 201961'