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Published: October 15th 2010
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We got up fairly early today so we could head to the gun store. Had brekky at a cafe downstairs and caught a taxi down to 2900 E Tropicana. Walked into the gun store at about 9.30am and it was already packed, guns lined all of the walls and you could either choose a package or pick a particular gun. Given that we had no idea what guns were what, we chose the “Choice package” which enabled you to shoot a rifle, shotgun and machine gun. No idea what makes/models...if you wanna find out check out their website!! Once you picked your gun, you then picked a target...we were able to pick 3 targets and we just picked pretty basic people outlines. They gave you your ammo and targets and then we had to wait in line. Funniest thing is they had on a kids cartoon on the tv. We didn’t even have to show ID or anything, just had to sign in...bizarre. While inline we chatted to a couple from Phoenix and he had never shot a gun before either, but apparently at the gun store they had guns there that you can’t shoot anywhere else unless you are in
the military. Soon enough our turn arrived and we donned ear mufflers and eye goggles and in we went. Even with ear protection it was so loud. Scott went first with the first gun then I had my go. The first gun we shot was the shotgun and it had such a kick (for someone who has never shot let alone held a gun before). Really is so powerful, had to look through the glass to see the red circle and aim wit that. I didn’t do too badly. Next up was the rifle, I had difficulty aiming this one as I couldn’t really see through the glass to see the diamond to see where to aim, but still didn’t do so badly. Lucky last was the machine gun, and it was just bizarre...got 2 chambers with this one.....and could feel the shells landing all over you. Time went by pretty quick, got 5 shots with the shotgun, 10 with the riffle and 25 with the machine gun. Got our photo taken at the end and a free t-shirt. Really surreal experience to be holding something that powerful in your hands. Afterwards, caught a taxi back to hotel with the
couple who were in line with us. Our taxi driver was really interesting as he is ex military and has like 8 guns at home - rifles, shotguns...all sorts. One thing that is really different between US and OZ is gun laws!! Once we dumped our targets, we headed back out onto the strip to check out the last of the casinos. Headed out to The Venetian and Madame Tusssauds, I’d never been to one before so I thought it was pretty cool. Got photos with pretty much all of the people I knew, there were a few photos had to pay to get - like Obama and Elvis in front of the Las Vegas sign. From here looked at the shops in the Venetian and saw the canals inside the hotels. There were tonnes of weddings going on and brides everywhere - we later realised whilst watching the news that it was 10.10.10 and that was why!!! Next we headed across to the Mirage where we went to see the Dolphins and Tiger exhibit. It was only around $15 and we spent heaps of time there. There were 2 pools with dolphins in them, one with an underwater viewing
area. There are no “shows” scheduled the dolphins just do watch the want and interact with the keepers. You could also do a keeper for a day tour, where you get to shadow the keepers and feed the dolphins, train them etc..... if had more time would so have done this as it looked amazing. Watched them for ages! Next headed over to the tiger enclosure. In this enclosure there were 2 white lions, who were sleeping and looked so cute!! There was an alpaca enclosure that held around 8 alpacas. There were 5 tigers in another enclosure, all white bar one, 2 baby tigers in another enclosure and 1 white tiger in another. Pretty much all of the tigers were sleeping bar one, but they are just such amazing creatures. The 2 cubs were being “baby sat” by a keeper 24/7 so that they didn’t run all over the enclosure and fall off the cliffs, apparently they don’t have sense of that until later. The keepers discourage any behaviour that is not desirable as an adult - wrestling/biting etc... Was just awesome even though they were sleeping! Scott finally managed to drag me away and we grabbed lunch at
California Pizza Kitchen in the Mirage. Had nice lunch but was nice and full!
Headed back down towards our hotel and went via Caesars Palace and the forum shops. As with all of the casinos, the insides are just spectacular. The cool thing about Caesars/forum is that part of one of their water features/statues is an aquarium that houses like 100 fish. It was pretty cool. Next stop was the Bellagio fountains which in the time we spent here we had not managed to catch a full show!! Saw 2 on the walk back down to the hotel and whilst not as spectacular as world of color at California adventure park was still pretty cool!
Got back to our rooms, dumped our stuff and went downstairs to get our last giant margarita from Fat Tuesdays. Headed over to Paris with it to ride up the elevator of the Eiffel tower. The Eifell tower is ½ the size of the real one, but to scale. Tried to buy our tickets, but unlike most places in Vegas we couldn’t go up there with our drinks!! So over the next 15 minutes, we drank our margaritas and played a few slots. Needless to
say I was a bit tipsy by the time we bought our tickets and waited in line!! Took about 20min in line to get up there, but the views of the strip at night were really cool. We even managed to catch another Bellagio fountain show, but this night at night from so far up! Looked so small from up there. Saw another bride and groom up the top, and the groom was petrified he was shaking so much - I presume from heights, not getting married!!
Headed back to our room for an early night ready to check out tomorrow. I went to bed and Scott went for a wander as he was wide awake. When he got back he woke me up to see the fireworks that were going outside our window over the strip. We can only presume they were for 10.10.10 at 10pm.....but it’s only a guess!
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Mum
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Wish I was there
The guns are a bit scary. What will you do without the giant margaritas? All looks amazing. I have even subscribed so got 4 in one go so will go to the next one. Luv ya Mum