Not as much time to mess around this morning as it was out last day in LV. So first order of the day way to pack up and check out!
We still had the car on hire, so we stuffed the bags into the back and headed north up the Strip to Freemont street. We had breakfast at Hennesseys (very nice too) then went for a short wander around the place.
Linda had read that the largest slot machine in the US (or perhaps the world) was in the Four Queens casino there. We fancied out chances on it's eight reels, but our luck was out as we didn't even find the thing!
We moved back south to the Stratosphere to visit that - 35 minute queue to get to the top but the view was awesome. Not really busy up there either, despite the long wait.
Time was getting on and Linda was flagging as a cold finally got the better of her. So we jumped back into the car and headed back to the airport. We thought we'd have ample time to get there, having checked in on-line in the hotel room before we left. However, we discovered that the car rental area was in a completely different part of the airport (unlike Orlando) so we ended up having to take a shuttle bus back to the main terminal. We still arrived in time, but just not as comfortable as we'd have liked.
Mind you, the flight was 30 minutes late anyway. Someone had dropped their luggage off then failed to turn up at the gate, so due to new air-regulations Virgin had to get the cases back off the aircraft. I can't understand how someone can get lost between bag drop and the main gate ???
Flight time was as scheduled - just a small amount of turbulence around Iceland (again). Since this was a night flight, we spent most of the time dozing (we'll I did - Linda was out for the count!)
Our car was still in it's parking spot at Gatwick! So a little over 12 hours since we'd left Las Vegas, we were home.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Day 4
We started our last full day in the Paris casino with a crepe breakfast. Very nice, shame we had to hunt down somewhere to sit to eat it!
Linda wanted to visit a couple of the strip-malls in-between the Paris and MGM Grand. She was looking for t-shirts and fridge magnets.
We walked back to the hotel to drop the stuff off and pick the car up. Firstly, we took a quick diversion down to the Las Vegas welcome sign for a couple of photos.
Then we moved on to one of the outlet malls for some more shopping.
Next move was to visit the Hilton for the Star Trek experience there.
Once out, it was straight back in the car and back to the hotel as we had dinner reservations at the rainforest restaurant in MGM Grand. Nice meal, especially the peanut ice-cream MMmmm!
We moved on to the KA theatre also in MGM Grand to see the Cirque du Soleil show. Awesone show - lots of wire work, running down walls on ropes, there were even characters swinging out over where we were sitting (we were in row C).
To finish off the evening, we decided to run down the $45-odd vouchers for the slots that we had run up. That took about 30 minutes to disapear, indeed we even added $40 cash. However, Linda saved the day with a $126 win. We cashed out soon after $125 in credit. We reckon that about makes us even for the 4 days!
Celebration Starbucks back in the hotel :)
This is our last night here in Las Vegas. Linda has already said she'd come back - I think it should wait a couple of years before returning.
Checked in on-line. Just got the packing to complete...
Linda wanted to visit a couple of the strip-malls in-between the Paris and MGM Grand. She was looking for t-shirts and fridge magnets.
We walked back to the hotel to drop the stuff off and pick the car up. Firstly, we took a quick diversion down to the Las Vegas welcome sign for a couple of photos.
Then we moved on to one of the outlet malls for some more shopping.
Next move was to visit the Hilton for the Star Trek experience there.
Once out, it was straight back in the car and back to the hotel as we had dinner reservations at the rainforest restaurant in MGM Grand. Nice meal, especially the peanut ice-cream MMmmm!
We moved on to the KA theatre also in MGM Grand to see the Cirque du Soleil show. Awesone show - lots of wire work, running down walls on ropes, there were even characters swinging out over where we were sitting (we were in row C).
To finish off the evening, we decided to run down the $45-odd vouchers for the slots that we had run up. That took about 30 minutes to disapear, indeed we even added $40 cash. However, Linda saved the day with a $126 win. We cashed out soon after $125 in credit. We reckon that about makes us even for the 4 days!
Celebration Starbucks back in the hotel :)
This is our last night here in Las Vegas. Linda has already said she'd come back - I think it should wait a couple of years before returning.
Checked in on-line. Just got the packing to complete...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Day 3 part 2
Back out during the evening to return to the Legends Show at the Imperial. We'd added the buffet option to the show tickets - it was only $8 each extra. Sadly the meal itself was probably worth half that!
The show, however, was much better. We had great seats, a booth this time, a few yards from the stage. 'Jay Leno' was the compare. He did some stand-up, then introduced 'Barry White'. This guy was very good - similar looking and a very good voice, so deep!
Dolly Parton was next - how does this woman keep standing!
The Temptations came on next and did a long medley of their hits.
Finally, Elvis took to the stage - his quick change actions allowed him to do moody leather Elvis, Jailhouse Rock Elvis and finally on to Las Vegas Elvis. Great singer and he had all the moves. Did he look like him, well... personally I was reminded of Guy of Gisborne with all the eye liner.
However, he excelled himself by performing American Trilogy to finish - great way to sign off!
After the show, Elvis and the Temptations were in the lobby for photos
We walked back down to the MGM Grand along the strip - the fountains at the Bellagio were working again now the wind is dying off.
Back at the MGM Grand we did some more slots - I increased my $22.50 dollar voucher up to $39.26. Not bad, although a guy won $26 odd on my machine 3 rolls after I'd finished my turn! Grrr...
The show, however, was much better. We had great seats, a booth this time, a few yards from the stage. 'Jay Leno' was the compare. He did some stand-up, then introduced 'Barry White'. This guy was very good - similar looking and a very good voice, so deep!
Dolly Parton was next - how does this woman keep standing!
The Temptations came on next and did a long medley of their hits.
Finally, Elvis took to the stage - his quick change actions allowed him to do moody leather Elvis, Jailhouse Rock Elvis and finally on to Las Vegas Elvis. Great singer and he had all the moves. Did he look like him, well... personally I was reminded of Guy of Gisborne with all the eye liner.
However, he excelled himself by performing American Trilogy to finish - great way to sign off!
After the show, Elvis and the Temptations were in the lobby for photos
We walked back down to the MGM Grand along the strip - the fountains at the Bellagio were working again now the wind is dying off.
Back at the MGM Grand we did some more slots - I increased my $22.50 dollar voucher up to $39.26. Not bad, although a guy won $26 odd on my machine 3 rolls after I'd finished my turn! Grrr...
Friday, February 15, 2008
Day 3 part 1
We had planned to take breakfast at the Paris this morning, but we were slow leaving the hotel room plus we had the added delay of having to pick up our hire car this morning. In the end, we skipped breakfast asn went straight to our second stop of the day, Red Rock Canyon this is about 30 minutes drive NW of Las Vegas and is a National Conservation area.
We took about 90 minutes to drive around the park. It was a glorious day for photos, not a cloud in the sky - although still a little blustery with the northerly (i.e. cold) wind.
Another first today too - Wednesday was the first time we'd ever seen a mountain, today was our first desert!
Once back in LV, we headed to one of the Malls so Linda could visit JCP. I sorted put my Wii game order ;)
Liking the Pacifica car we have at the moment - a big size, plenty of room for stuff in the boot and a good MPG for such a big car (25MPG according to the paperwork). Think we've found the car for our California trip later in the year!!
We're back in the room now, relaxing for a while before heading up the strip to the Legends show.
Had to rescue Linda from the clutches of an over aggresive bubble bath!
We took about 90 minutes to drive around the park. It was a glorious day for photos, not a cloud in the sky - although still a little blustery with the northerly (i.e. cold) wind.
Another first today too - Wednesday was the first time we'd ever seen a mountain, today was our first desert!
Once back in LV, we headed to one of the Malls so Linda could visit JCP. I sorted put my Wii game order ;)
Liking the Pacifica car we have at the moment - a big size, plenty of room for stuff in the boot and a good MPG for such a big car (25MPG according to the paperwork). Think we've found the car for our California trip later in the year!!
We're back in the room now, relaxing for a while before heading up the strip to the Legends show.
Had to rescue Linda from the clutches of an over aggresive bubble bath!
Day 2
Slept soundly even though the winds were still blowing throughout the night. I suppose its because we had been up for 27-odd hours.
This morning started with a buffet in the MGM-Grand, it's the closest and most convenient.
Food wasnt bad, but the queue to get in was quite long.
First stop after was on to Imperial hotel - this was so we can get the tickets for our show tomorrow night. We only had the vouchers up until then - plus it gave us a chance to scope the location.
We then decided to move around the hotels/casinos in the main strip area.
Started at the Venician, surreal gondelas travelling along canals inside the building (and on the first floor if I'm not mistaken).
Popped over to the discount ticket place on the strip (only to find there's on in the MGM Grand apparently too!) picked up a couple of tickets for Penn & Teller (comedy/magicians) for tonight.
Popped into the TI and the Fashion Mall. Then on down to the Bellagio. Sadly, the high winds have stopped the 200ft high fountains at the moment - bummer.
Went through Ceasars Palace - then back across the strip to Bills Gambling Hall and Saloon. Here we saw our first Elvis - this guy is certainly the biggest and has apparently LOST 500lbs in two years. This guy must have been well over 70st. Great voice though!
We kept in the centre of the strip for dinner - this was at Planet Hollywood in Caesars Palace.
Finally, we walked over to the Rio to see the Penn and Teller show. Enjoyed this as I've been a fan since seeing their show many years ago on TV.
Taxi home and straight to bed, leaving the photos uploading.
This morning started with a buffet in the MGM-Grand, it's the closest and most convenient.
Food wasnt bad, but the queue to get in was quite long.
First stop after was on to Imperial hotel - this was so we can get the tickets for our show tomorrow night. We only had the vouchers up until then - plus it gave us a chance to scope the location.
We then decided to move around the hotels/casinos in the main strip area.
Started at the Venician, surreal gondelas travelling along canals inside the building (and on the first floor if I'm not mistaken).
Popped over to the discount ticket place on the strip (only to find there's on in the MGM Grand apparently too!) picked up a couple of tickets for Penn & Teller (comedy/magicians) for tonight.
Popped into the TI and the Fashion Mall. Then on down to the Bellagio. Sadly, the high winds have stopped the 200ft high fountains at the moment - bummer.
Went through Ceasars Palace - then back across the strip to Bills Gambling Hall and Saloon. Here we saw our first Elvis - this guy is certainly the biggest and has apparently LOST 500lbs in two years. This guy must have been well over 70st. Great voice though!
We kept in the centre of the strip for dinner - this was at Planet Hollywood in Caesars Palace.
Finally, we walked over to the Rio to see the Penn and Teller show. Enjoyed this as I've been a fan since seeing their show many years ago on TV.
Taxi home and straight to bed, leaving the photos uploading.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Top Of The Shop
Pretty uneventful 10 hour flight. Most interesting bit was the scenery outside the aircraft. Liked the Canadian glaciers and the mountains outside Las Vegas - sadly we were in a middle aisle seat so our view out was a little limited.
Third off the plane, second to immigration, however, Dufus forgot to complere one small section at the botom of the visa waiver form, so we were sent to the back of the ever growing line! All of that was academic though as our cases were probably the last off the plane.
The landing was a little up-and-down as it is extreamly windy here in LV at the moment. Very strong gusts. It's keeping the temperature higher though.
Richard at the front desk of the Signature gave us two choices for a room - floor 10, strip view, ready now. Floor 38 (top of the shop) balcony and strip view, ready in a hour. Needless to say, we waited :)
We walked down to the MGM Grand whilst we waited for our room. Got our comp cards, won $20, lost $20.
Finally got into out suite - very nice! View is superb, barring one giant crane that will need to be photo-shopped out of my photos later!
It's going to be a restless night tonight as the wind is really howling around the balcony at the moment - I'm nervous to go out there in case a gust of wind picks me up (stop laughing at the back there - it really is that windy!)
Even though its now 3:11 UK time, were off for some food!
Third off the plane, second to immigration, however, Dufus forgot to complere one small section at the botom of the visa waiver form, so we were sent to the back of the ever growing line! All of that was academic though as our cases were probably the last off the plane.
The landing was a little up-and-down as it is extreamly windy here in LV at the moment. Very strong gusts. It's keeping the temperature higher though.
Richard at the front desk of the Signature gave us two choices for a room - floor 10, strip view, ready now. Floor 38 (top of the shop) balcony and strip view, ready in a hour. Needless to say, we waited :)
We walked down to the MGM Grand whilst we waited for our room. Got our comp cards, won $20, lost $20.
Finally got into out suite - very nice! View is superb, barring one giant crane that will need to be photo-shopped out of my photos later!
It's going to be a restless night tonight as the wind is really howling around the balcony at the moment - I'm nervous to go out there in case a gust of wind picks me up (stop laughing at the back there - it really is that windy!)
Even though its now 3:11 UK time, were off for some food!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
