Advertisement
Published: June 14th 2007
Flowers
Roses in the Bellagio Casino Lobby Viva Las Vegas
Las Vegas is currently one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. and the roads are extremely busy, mostly four and five lanes all clogged with traffic. I had to fill up with gas/petrol and was amazed to find slot machines in every available space in the gas station. We had made reservations at Circus Circus because that is where my friends Carole and Brian were going to be staying. (Carole and I have been friends since we were about 9 years old, she and Brian have visited us in Bellville, and were great support for me when my Mom passed away.) Beverley had directed me to drive into Las Vegas so that I would drive down the “Strip.” I was speechless; I knew that the casinos were fancy but I never realized how big each one is. Fascinated and only just arrived!! I had no problem finding Circus Circus; I got checked in and they gave me a map to find our room; a mile later I finally stepped into the elevator and up to the 27th floor. All of the casinos, I was later to learn, have their own little mall areas with
Oklahoma
Hydrangea Display restaurants and shops. Carole and Brian got in at about 4:30 p.m., Beverley was flying in from Phoenix and was only getting in at 6:30 p.m. so we went to check out the action! The casino was surprisingly busy for 5:30 p.m. we looked at the various one-arm-bandits, none of the gambling tables was open yet so we sat at the bar, where of course we each had a small computerized screen with a variety of $1 games to try. I spent $1 and lost it within a couple of minutes so that was the end of that gambling spree.
Viva Las Vegas
Las Vegas is currently one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. and the roads are extremely busy, mostly four and five lanes all clogged with traffic. I had to fill up with gas/petrol and was amazed to find slot machines in every available space in the gas station. We had made reservations at Circus Circus because that is where my friends Carole and Brian were going to be staying. (Carole and I have been friends since we were about 9 years old, she and Brian have visited us in Bellville, and were great
Fountains
Dancing Water support for me when my Mom passed away.) Beverley had directed me to drive into Las Vegas so that I would drive down the “Strip.” I was speechless; I knew that the casinos were fancy but I never realized how big each one is. Fascinated and only just arrived!! I had no problem finding Circus Circus; I got checked in and they gave me a map to find our room; a mile later I finally stepped into the elevator and up to the 27th floor. All of the casinos, I was later to learn, have their own little mall areas with restaurants and shops. Carole and Brian got in at about 4:30 p.m., Beverley was flying in from Phoenix and was only getting in at 6:30 p.m. so we went to check out the action! The casino was surprisingly busy for 5:30 p.m. we looked at the various one-arm-bandits, none of the gambling tables was open yet so we sat at the bar, where of course we each had a small computerized screen with a variety of $1 games to try. I spent $1 and lost it within a couple of minutes so that was the end of that gambling
Eiffel Tower
The interior of this casino was made to give a daylight effect, walking the streets of Parie spree.
After Bev’s arrival we headed out to explore the “Strip.“ Each of the casinos have a theme and attempt to stay with it. We first went to the Bellagio; which is the size of a small city, and where “Ocean’s Eleven” was filmed. The lobby there is amazing, flowers everywhere, there is an area for each state with that states flowers all blooming. The display for Oklahoma for example was filled with hydrangeas. In the middle were hundreds upon hundreds of long-stemmed roses of different colours. My photo hardly comes close doing the display any justice and the perfume was out of this world. Once an hour the fountains in the lake in front of the casino spring to life and “dance” to music. I had seen this once before at West Edmonton Mall but these fountains were on a much larger scale. It was quite a show.
Then onto Paris with it’s own Eiffel Tower and Arch du Triumph! This is where we ate -- Italian food! Carole wanted to try her hand at the roulette wheel so we found a table she liked and both she and Brian made their wagers. Brian had been given
New York-New York
"Start Spreading the News" $20 gambling money by each of their kids, so once he won $40 he pocketed that. We then moved on to Harrah’s where Carole utilized her favorite number and won another $60. We then moved on to the Venetian complete with canals that run through and where gondola rides are available -- for a price of course. By this time we were all pretty pooped, so we got a taxi and headed back to bed.
Day 2
Friday morning 9 a.m. found us having breakfast in Circus Circus, we planned a full day. First to New York, New York. It has the look for New York night life, but very dark inside. We moved across the bridge between New York, New York and Excalibur to the train to take us to Mandalay Bay, which in our combined opinion was the nicest we had seen yet, and very luxurious, then over to The Luxor, which has the sphinx outside, we really were more impressed with the outside of the building than we were of the interior. It also was very dark, none of my pictures came through. Excalibur was nice too, very family orientated as you might guess from
Daytime in Vegas
Not getting any of MY money it’s Disney theme. Then we went down to Ceasar’s Palace -- what can I say, I think the pictures show how absolutely fantastically over the top it is. We all enjoyed it there and Carole took her little gamble! Lost the $60 profit, oh well! Next to the Stratosphere which is a 1149’ tower at the end of the Las Vegas Strip. The Tower has variety of attractions on different levels. The casino is at ground level, as is a mini-mall full of real specialty shops, then at 785’ there is a Chapel in the Clouds Wedding Chapel. Then at 832’ the Top of the World Restaurant, at 844‘ Romance at the Top of the World, quote: “Relax in this intimate lounge as you enjoy live entertainment, bottle service and a breathtaking view.“ Only in Las Vegas! Then at 854’ an indoor observation deck, then at 866’ the outdoor observation deck. For those adventurous souls who want to risk life and limb there are three “thrill” rides up here. One is a boat that shoots right out over the streets below, then another is called the Big Shot, and it is a set of chairs that run on the outside
The Luxor
Very Impressive from the outside of the pinacle to a hight of 1149’ and then drop like a bomb 250’. None of these appealled to us, although we did enjoy watching the youngsters who tried the rides and of course the view from the outdoor observation deck.
We had dinner reservations at a Mexican restaurant at Mandalay Bay which was thoroughly enjoyed by all of us, then we headed for Mandalay’s top floor bar called “Mix.” All the tables face the plate glass widows and the view from up there is fanominal. (The Ladies washroom was likewise, quite the experience -- need I say more?)
We took a taxi from Mandalay Bay to the Mirage where we had booked seats to see “Love” by Circue du Soleil. Brian and Bev fetched our refreshments for the show, which we thoroughly enjoyed -- the refreshments that is. The show was something else. Based on the Beatles “Sergeant Pepper “ album, the performance was beyond words, the acrobatics and strength of all of the artists is phenomenal. Bev had taken my Mom to see “O”, another of the Circue du Soleil shows when they had come to Vegas in 2000 and they had been impressed, but
Bev said “Love” went over the top. It was really great and certainly for the three of us who “grew up” with the Beatles.
When we came out of the theatre Carole wanted just one more little gamble, so headed for the roulette table. They had allowed themselves $200 to loose and were well ahead of that, so Brian pulled out $50. She was determined to play that favorite number and the first $40 went pretty quickly so she turned to us, while she placed her final bet and said “Okay this is it.” Bev went to watch the wheel and she was the first to know that Carole had hit on her favorite number. She immediately cashed in her chips and we were out of there! Incidentally, I had gambled and lost just the $1. Guess us small-town English girls are not cut out to be fast and loose with our cash! It was after midnight when we finally got back to Circus Circus but we had really had a very full day.
Sadly on Saturday morning we bid a very, very fond farewell to Carole and Brian, their bus left at 8 a.m. on to Death
The Forum
Shopping and dining in old Rome Valley and then to Yosemite and the west coast.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.171s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 13; qc: 64; dbt: 0.0709s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Al
non-member comment
Well you are sure getting around! You must have a steady hand and a good camera to take those shots thru the windshield. I bet if the car had a sunroof you would standing up for a better view, sticking it in cruise control and steering with one foot. Hehee. You have quite a way to go before you become a addicted gambler. Blowing a dollar is my first clue! Take care Al