We left LA early on Thursday morning, heading across the Mojave desert to Las Vegas, Nevada. Of all the places on this tour Las Vegas was not a big deal for me, but it seemed to be a huge deal for most of my fellow travellers. That's ok, I'm old enough and ugly enough to not really mind to much what others do and what they think of me, so I rolled with it.
Once we arrived in Las Vegas we went straight to the famous Las Vegas sign for a photo op. This was another of my "see, I really am in Las Vegas" photos :)
Our hotel rooms weren't ready yet so we had three hours to kill and I made the silly mistake of deciding to walk down Las Vegas Boulevard (aka "The Strip") in the 40 degree heat. Luckily I recognised the signs and got myself inside to eat something and drink a bottle of water before I fainted in the heat. It was pretty brutal.
Turned out that I'm sharing a room with a girl from Masterton, whom was joining our tour here in Vegas and I could have come up to the room when the bus arrived anyway. She's a cool, like-minded chick and already we get along really well. Yay :)
That night we had a family style Italian dinner followed by a tour of the strip. Call me and oldie, or a geek, but I'm really loving the history and info about each place we visit. Meanwhile, the lights in Vegas are beyond amazing, I can't even begin to describe them. Our tour manager told us a story about how he'd accidently gotten married on a boozy boys night and did we want to see his photo on the wall of the chaple?! We all piled into Graceland Wedding Chapel on the Strip - yep, it was definelty one of those small chapels you see on all Vegas bound, drunken movies. Next thing you know, Elvis is sereanading us all and pulls up the only couple on our tour to 'Contiki Marry' them. Turned out it was a stunt by Contiki and we loved it!
After the chapel we went to Fremont Street. I'd never known anything about Fremont street so I was awestruck by the giant LCD screen that covered the entire street (above the buildings), for four blocks. Along the street were people dressed in every kind of costume you can imagine, and for a tip you could pose with them for photos. On the hour they placed a Queen Montage on the LCD screen, it was incredible. Las Vegas does nothing by halves that's for sure. It was after this that everyone headed to the clubs and I headed home. I know my limits and I just wasn't fussed with a club.
Friday was a good day for exploring. Sarah (my roommate) and I went down to the Bellagio Casino and Hotel. We went to the Andy Warhol exhibit and checked out the amazingly beautiful art instillations in the foyer, lobby and all over the hotel. This time I was smarter and bought a pass for the Monorail, rather than walking in the searing heat. Smart huh!! In the afternoon we chilled out and I wondered around our hotel checking out the shops and the Casino.
Tonight we went to see the fountain show outside the Bellagio before seeing a Variety Show at the V Theatre. The host was a juggler - he juggled ping pong balls out of his mouth and played the keyboard with juggling balls. Embarrasingly he called on me to stand up as one of four people in the audience to throw a ring to the stage for him to catch. Of course you all know I have terrible aim and managed to throw it everywhere but to him. Needless to say it was damn hilarious and everyone in the group was laughing at me or with me, I'm not sure which, but it was fine by me :)
Tomorrow we have a late meeting time for the bus as we head off along Route 66 to the Grand Canyon. I have booked a helicopter ride which I'm looking forward too. Should be yet another amazing experience.
I arrived in Las Vegas not fussed at all with the city, but it's won me over a little. The shear opulance and granduer of this city is crazy. The people are crazy. And for those things alone, it really is pretty impressive. I can really see why people come here for boozy, crazy weekends. Anything goes here. You can do anything, see anything, wear anything, drink anything, be anyone you want to be. Basically, you can go crazy and that's ok, in fact that's encouraged.
Although, why people bring their kids here for family holidays I'm not too sure. It's a little sad to see small children wandering around the casino floor at 11.30pm at night. There are some cool things for kids to do during the day, but really parents, casinos at night? Come on!
Las Vegas is something you just have to do and see, at least once. I don't really need to come back, I'm not really a Las Vegas girl, but I wouldn't say no either. :) xxx
OMG sounds like your having the best time on your trip
ReplyDeleteKerry