My favourite Las Vegas spot is Little Venice at the Venetian. Dinner tonight beside the canal – sangrias, empanadas, mexican steak & tuna, tres leches to finish. Serenaded by the gondoliers & enjoyed wandering the recreated Venice. See Las Vegas photos.
Out & about in the heat
Sunday 21st. Very warm and dry here – not like NZ at the moment I hear. Slow start today as planning big canyon trip tomorrow. Lunched at the Rainforest Cafe ( MGM) – just the place to take the grandies sometime. Lightning and thunder, animals and birds with moving parts, trees etc. A bit navigationally challenged at one point today but found our way to some more of the themed hotels and associated entertainment. Aside from slots and every imaginable betting option there is much to see. Checked out New York themed buildings and Statue of Liberty, The Excalibur with it’s knights and towers theme (Disneylandish) and the impressive Luxor – Egyptian sphinx and pyramid. The rooms line the sides of the pyramid – check out the photos (coming soon). Spent the early evening in Old Vegas in the famous Fremont Street entertainment area. Oh my goodness…glitz and all sorts. Mmmmm. No wonder it was called “Glitter Gulch” really OTT. Street entertainment galore and garish. Dancers on bars, contortionists (scary what they could do), exhibitionists (polite) and all types of stalls, souvenirs etc. Had a lovely dinner at an Italian restaurant and then watched the renown light show on the curved canopy. Millions of LED lights.
Treading The Strip
Woke to a fabulous day, great views of the surrounding hills round the valley where Las Vegas sits and a very quiet scene below. Huge change in activity from last night. Brunched and then took to exploring. Got hotter and hotter as day wore on so navigated via hotels and air conditioned spaces. Hotels line the Boulevard & most are themed, huge with maze-like walkways through varying shops, slot machine areas, sports bars, casinos, impressive displays, accomodation, restaurants and people. We only saw a fraction but examples are
Hello Las Vegas
Great flight NZ – LA. Apart from the inevitable airport queues immigration and processing was a breeze. Domestic transfer also a very pleasnt surprise in comparison to other visits. We hadn’t appreciated the Friday night rush to Vegas – a very full plane with standbys but all very orderly. Only a 51 minute flight on Virgin America. Quietly amused by the onboard atmosphere of excitement & ambience created – we were requested to keep window shades down on tarmac & in flight to help keep the plane cool. The dim interior was highlighted by neon pink & purple strip lighting under the overhead lockers. Needless to say, I & others did look at the view enroute – mountains & desert. Vegas truly out in the middle of it and very warm. Cabbie on way to hotel gave us great commentary and drive down “The Strip” – iconic hotels & landmarks to visit. Early evening arrival so very busy, lots of people, lights & sights. Fab views from 58th floor of hotel straight out onto action – look straight up The Strip with 180 panorama view. Stunning night lights. Short orientation walk after dinner – through air-conditioned mall (shopping looks amazing) and immediate locale. WOW. The “World” has definitely been recreated here…., London Eye, volcano, Eiffel Tower, Venetian gondoliers etc. Seething traffic and activity, grand hotels and casinos at every turn!