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Published: August 6th 2007
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Las Vegas is a difficult place to say anything new about. It’s everything you expect it to be - garish, indulgent and tacky - yet strangely charming and traditional in the general workings of the place.
I should start from the beginning, which would be the bus journey. And what an epic bus journey, 9 hours there and 9 hours back. These roads aren’t entertaining either; American cars barely need steering wheels as the roads are so straight. Not that I drove (a good thing, I’m hardly confident driving on our side of the road) as we got a Greyhound bus. It was much cheaper than flying would have been - and kinder to the environment. It was slightly maddening; however, that had we driven it would’ve taken between 5 and 6 hours. It’s the random detours to obscure places and the epic luggage transactions that take all of the time. We did get through it though, with only a couple of arguments and luckily no rude people in front putting their chairs back.
We arrived in Vegas at about 8pm on Tuesday, and the bus station is Downtown and our hotel on the strip. Non-travelling people (or travelers
Me outside the Bellagio
You can see where the fountains are behind me. Me outside the Bellagio
You can see where the fountains are behind me.with money) would have probably taken the smart option and got a taxi to the hotel. Me and Aaron walked. It took two hours, and damn it was hot for that time of night. We got to pass all of those wedding chapels that you see on TV (they look much more dingy in real life) and were so tempted to take some pictures to scare people at home with. The bags were heavy though, and we were too tired for fun and hijinks - and we didn’t go downtown again until when we were on the way back to the bus station today. Our hotel, ‘Tropicana’, is one of the old ones and was I think built in 1957. It’s done well to have lasted for so long, as so many on the strip just get knocked down and built over because it’s so lucrative and cutthroat. We checked in and were upgraded to a room on the 16th floor with a view of the strip. It was amazing; it’s completely surreal seeing all of that manufactured fun right in front of your hotel room.
On
Slot machine.
All posed! I didn't actually put any money in them because you needed to become a member and get a card and get points and stuff. And I'm not rich enough to develop a gambling habit! the first night we were both completely knackered. We were also, however,
Slot machine.
All posed! I didn't actually put any money in them because you needed to become a member and get a card and get points and stuff. And I'm not rich enough to develop a gambling habit!extremely hungry and ended up at a place called ‘Fatburger’ (not as bad as it sounds!) which definitely filled a gap. We then investigated the MGM (hotel next door) and our own hotel’s casinos. Resisted gambling ourselves though - nobody out there seemed to be having much fun for all the money that was being spent.
As our aim was to enjoy Vegas on the cheap we were determined to see all of the free shows, and fully investigate the hotels themselves. Wednesday started with us seeing the Bellagio and it’s fountains. We had seen the water display as we were walking past, but were both excessively cringing to the ‘Proud to be an American’ song that was chosen. Luckily the next day it was classical, and the water moving along too that music was impressive. We has a famous Vegas buffet lunch at the Gold Coast, which is off
The Beatles bar at Mirage
The letters spell out 'Revolution', and you can sit in some of them. the strip but much cheaper than those on it - and we got our money’s worth. Even the drinks were included, and Aaron made sure that the whippy machine was put to good use with excessive ice cream consumption. We also walked through ‘New York, New York’ (hotel opposite
The Beatles bar at Mirage
The letters spell out 'Revolution', and you can sit in some of them.Tropicana which looks like the New York skyline, and has a rollercoaster who’s cars are yellow cabs. Is also very NYC inside the casino the way it is laid out and the food available) We then say the pirate show at ‘Treasure Island’ - which was sexy sirens vs pirates sinking each other’s ships. All very odd and I wish I hadn’t exhausted myself running up the strip to catch it! The volcano at the Mirage, however, was worth seeing. It ‘erupts’ every our after nightfall and features loads of smoke, red light and actual hot-feeling and realistic looking fire.
On Thursday we looked around Paris (it’s uncanny how accurate it is - they even have a scale-built Eiffel Tower coming out of the casino) and wished we could afford to stay there.
Coyote Ugly
It fely very odd to be drinking like this! We also toured Caesar’s Palace, the Wynn (Jennie, it definitely does your almost-name justice. Is unbelievably luxurious and lovely) and Mirage, which was my favourite casino. They’re showing the Cirque du Soleil show, ‘Love’, and are very Beatles/British themed as a result of this. Most of the hotels actually have their own Cirque du Soleil show, and this aforementioned one appealed to me the most. We
Coyote Ugly
It fely very odd to be drinking like this!were not, however, going to pay for our entertainment!
Check out the pictures for my free shot in Coyote Ugly!
Today we got the 9 hour bus home. I beat Aaron twice at backgammon (go me!) and listened to my ipod for a long time. Am very glad to be off that bus and in a nice house again. Did have a great time in Vegas though, it managed to both confirm and deny all of my previous assumptions.
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Helen
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Viva las vegas
Hey i'm so lame but yay vegas baby. I'm soooooo excited bout going there. It has to be done. I take it you didn't decide to get married just for fun either. Glad your well Helen xx