Our flight from Montreal landed at 6 pm. and we arrived at
">our hotel on
">Fremont Street an hour later. Miranda and I very much enjoyed Las Vegas but I did
">gain some weight and I am now on a diet! Here are a few photos from that time.
The Travel Blog of Bryan and Miranda
Before meeting Miranda, I was a litigation lawyer who had always loved to travel. As a child, my parents included me on their many trips. It was my idea to see the 1965 New York World's Fair, and in 1968 to travel across North America from Montreal to Seattle. In 1980 I spent a summer exploring America with a Greyhound "Thank You Canada" pass. Americans were grateful to Canada for rescuing hostages being held captive by Iran. (I don't think I paid for a drink on my entire trip and yes, I still feel Americans are the kindest, most generous peopl... full info
KnobkerrieBryan stands in the lobby of the Golden Nugget holding his knobkerrie (also spelled knobkerry, and knobkierie). It is a hardwood staff with a large knob at one end. In Southern Africa it is generally used as a weapon but a longer version can be used as a walking stick. Bryan was given his as a gift while living in Butterworth many years ago.
The Golden NuggetThe largest casino on Fremont Street in the original part of Las Vegas, the Golden Nugget was first opened in 1948 and has been continually upgraded since. This entrance faces onto the Fremont Experience, a traffic-free walkway featuring a sound and light show projected onto an overhead canopy every hour each night.
World's Largest Golden NuggetWhat would a casino named the Golden Nugget be without a golden nugget? Here Bryan stands next to the "Hand of Faith," purported to be the world's largest, discovered near Kingower, Victoria, Australia, and weighing 960 oz. (27,200 g).
The Helpful DoormanThe staff at the Golden Nugget was always helpful and full of information. Here is the doormen who helped us with directions and explained to us why the hotels and buffets are so inexpensive (for those who don't gamble).
The Waterfall and PoolMiranda enjoys a rather empty pool area early in the morning at the Golden Nugget. Some mornings were so cool that people would have to wait to sun themselves.
Strolling to McDonaldsMiranda heads off along Fremont on an early morning jaunt to the local McDonalds restaurant.
The "D"Just down from the Golden Nugget, the "D" casino housed the McDonalds and was also the location of a number of antique games and slot machines.
Breakfast The nearest McDonalds was a good place for breakfast, although very cold, early in the morning. Miranda's favorite meal was a sausage and egg McMuffin. Here she rubs her frozen hands. (Bryan is more a Starbucks kind of guy.)
Las Vegas: The GamblerActually the secret to enjoying Las Vegas is not to gamble at all.
BinionsBryan stands in front of Binions casino across from the Golden Nugget on Fremont. Along this stretch of the canopied walkway, many people dressed up in wild attire in order to have their photo taken with tourists (for money).
Fortune TellerOne of the many sights along Fremont for the tourists was this Fortune Teller wagon.
"Penny ante" gamblingThe 'vintage' games at the 'D' casino was where we went for the free wine; generally an afternoon of play would cost us about two dollars. In addition to the fine Merlot, Miranda actually hit it 'big' using quarters. (Her horse paid out 40-1.) We had great fun as the we felt we had stepped back into the 1880s.
Vintage GameThe people were here for the fun as it was impossible to lose (or win) much money.
Gordie Brown posterAn excellent impressionist, Gordie Brown was one of the entertainers at our hotel.
Michael Rossouw
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Your travels
You guys do certainly get around, don't you!