Las Vegas & Hoover Dam

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At the time I thought it was a great idea, but when my alarm woke me at 6AM this morning I felt like death. I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for a busy day out visiting the Hoover Dam. Last time I was in Vegas, during my trip across the States with Trek America our tour guide told us that it wasn’t open to public anymore, I was devastated that I missed out on seeing it. I made sure that on our return to Vegas we visited the Hoover Dam while we had the chance. Hannah and I headed to the tour pickup point at The Wynn and shortly after our tour bus arrived at took us to Planet Hollywood where we checked in for the trip. Soon enough we were back on another bus as we made our way across the Nevada desert to the Hoover Dam. The drive took around an hour, it was made longer by a security checkpoint to search the coach before we came close to the Dam. When we arrived we were briefed of the meeting points and advise to buy lots of water before stepping into the boiling heat outside.

We figured that most people would go straight inside to the tour of the Dam so instead Hannah and I decided to walk across and back to get some photos first. This place was so impressive, the size was overwhelming, it was just a shame about the ridiculous amount of traffic that crossed the single lane road atop the Dam. We walked the length of the Dam which was located in the next state, Arizona as I took lots of photos of this amazing place. But the heat was burning as we stood uncovered on the top of Hoover Dam, we crossed back into Nevada and decided it was time to take in tour in the much more bearable air conditioned indoors. The queues were long, so we skipped the movie and headed straight down into the centre where a guide showed us around the incredible interiors of this massive Dam. You could hear a constant rumble sound from the huge amounts of water running through pipes which were 5-6 storey’s high. Once we emerged from the centre of Hoover Dam we had a quick look around the museum then headed upstairs to the lookout point when offered some fantastic photo opportunities. From this lookout you could see the massive half constructed bridge which would ease the congestion on Hoover Dam in a few years time. By now it was about time to meet back at the coach for our next stop. Hannah and I grabbed another quick ice cold drink before jumping back into the coach.

We were driven to a nearby chocolate factory, not something I was particularly interested in going to. Eating it when it’s going on 40C outside didn’t really seem appetizing at all. Hannah and I had a very quick walk around and didn’t want to spend money in the store to have it melt 5 minutes later, so we headed outside to have a walk around in the cactus garden…..yes there was a cactus garden just outside the chocolate factory. Eventually we jumped back on the coach and drove back into Vegas and we were dropped at our hotel in the middle of the afternoon, just as we received a message from Selina & Ash that they had arrived, perfect timing. We meet them in a restaurant at The Wynn and after saying hello we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon by the pool, one of the best pools I’d ever seen. Not only were there 6 of them but having a DJ and gorgeous waitresses bringing us ice cold cocktails, it was great.

Later that evening we headed out into Town. It was pitch black outside but it was still hot, hot enough to want air conditioning the second you walked outside. We had dinner at Serendipity 3 at Caesar’s Place but were too full for their amazing desserts, we’d be back. Afterwards we walked down to the Bellagio and watched the incredible fountains come to life, how is it that something as simple as water fountains can be so damn impressive. I was still up for staying out a little longer and doing some gambling but everyone wanted to call it a night, so unfortunately we all headed back to the hotel and went to sleep quite early.

Accomodation:
The Wynn

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Photos

Hoover Dam
A fantastic view across the face of the Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam
The amazing Hoover Dam, just outside Las Vegas.

Hoover Dam
Massive water intake pipes, feeding thousands of gallons of water through the Dam

Hoover Dam
The size and scale of the Hoover Dam is incredible.

Hoover Dam
Inside then centre of the Hoover Dam, massive turbines pumping huge amounts of water

Lake Powell
A quick viewpoint stop at Lake Powell on our way back to Vegas.

Las Vegas
The breathetaking Bellagio Fountains display at night.