Hope you had a good holiday Mary,looking forward to hearing all
about it
ann

Loved your report so far. It sounds as if we were there at the same time. We were there from 21st May to 10th June. The longer the better for us.

Yes indeed Pebbles. 24th May to 1st June... Still struggling with the aftermath which is why I haven't found the energy to complete the report... might get something done today though!

Tuesday, and we had an eight thirty pick up (You will be pleased to know that I was very careful with the Alarm Clock this time).
Opted for breakfast in the hotel again for convenience but once more couldn't fault it. We were met by our driver at the pick up point in a bright yellow Hummer H2 and were immediately off on our trip as we were the only passengers - very exclusive!
It soon became apparent that our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the area and it was clear that we were going to learn a lot about the desert and the animal, bird, and plant life that live there. From a distance our attention was brought to the clump of trees on the side of Olcott Mountain where Hollywood actress Carole Lombard met her death in a plane crash. This was quite a ‘laid back' trip compared with European Jeep Safari's we have been on, but no less interesting for that. Once again I will say no more about it so as not to spoil it.

We were returned to the IP at about one o'clock and had lunch by the waterfalls just inside the ‘Wynne' - Smoked Salmon Baguettes and a glass of wine each. Walked through the Wynne and continued north on the strip until we reached ‘Circus, Circus'. Now I like kids although I couldn't eat a whole one, but as you would expect this place was teeming with them. Also the hotel appears to be now stuck in the middle of nowhere with lots of building work going on - not my cup of tea at all. We had a go at the Camel Racing game in the ‘fairground' and Jill won a bear. We were going to give it away to one of the kids but they all appeared to be towing long suffering parents around each of whom carried a plastic bag filled with previously won bears. Headed back south towards Tixs4tonite but just before getting there we stopped at the round bar on the corner (forgotten the name) and had a few well earned drinks (discovered a Belgian style beer called ‘Blue Moon'. Brewed by Coors and very nice I thought!). Named the bear ‘Kevin' and donated him to the barmaid - Well you would, wouldn't you"¦
I must not go back to the Hotel drunk.
I must not go back to the Hotel drunk
I mist nat go bick to the Hotel drank
I mist nat back to tha Drank Hotil go.
I"¦"¦"¦"¦.

Tix4tonight had offers for Tuesday's Imperial Luau at the IP (This is a Hawaiian Poolside party, with Buffet). Didn't make much of a saving as we already qualified for five dollars off as residents and in retrospect we should have booked early through the hotel and got VIP tickets as we were too far back from the entertainment. Food was buffet style and once again very nice. The party finished about nine o'clock and we went along to ‘Treasure Island' to catch the nine thirty showing of ‘The Sirens of TI'. A bit cheesy and the ‘scantily clad' Sirens were a little too clothed for my liking, but very cleverly done - and of course it's free! Walked south again and caught the Fountains outside the Bellagio - very impressive. Popped into Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon for a comfort break and ended up watching a very good Soul Band over yet another drink. We thought this place was probably on a par with the IP and would have been quite happy to stay there.

I think it was about this time that we decided to be a ‘No Show' for Wednesday's all day trip to Laughlin. We'd only paid five Dollars each for it as I understand that it is subsidised by the good folks of that town (or at least by the Casino owners there). I'd booked it as I was concerned that we might find our days in Vegas a little difficult to fill, but this was clearly not the case and I was already a little worried about running out of time. Perhaps we'll do this if we return to Vegas.
Both getting tired now so returned to the IP for our usual wine trick and made the discovery which was to change Jill's life forever (OK, not really) - The ‘Village People Party' slot machine! She managed to change four Dollars into thirteen and totally fell in love with it - I think she can still hear those squawking party ‘blowouts' today. Has anybody ever seen one in England?

Excellent Kevin, keep it coming.

Oap and Pebbles - will be looking for your trip reports once you are over the jetlag.

luci

I'm so enjoying this report Kevin. It's making me look forward to our trip there next year (going there from SF). Like you I thought we'd be bored as we're not gamblers and had only planned to stay for three nights, might extend it now.....

Keep it coming!

Great Kevin, keep it coming,will be there on Aug15th for 8 nights.[Hiton Grand Vacation Club]
puddleduck 2 you really need more than 3 nights this will be our 5th visit and still lots to see
ann

Agree with Ann - 3 days isn't long enough in Vegas and we're not gamblers either but loads to do.

Both getting tired now so returned to the IP for our usual wine trick and made the discovery which was to change Jill's life forever (OK, not really) - The ‘Village People Party' slot machine! She managed to change four Dollars into thirteen and totally fell in love with it - I think she can still hear those squawking party ‘blowouts' today. Has anybody ever seen one in England?

OMG!!! That is my favourite slot machine. Last year I won $60 from $5 and this year I won $30 from just $1 while we were waiting for the Orleans buffet to open.

Wednesday morning, and no early start - Yippee!
Decided to go somewhere else for breakfast and opted for the Venetian Buffet. More than a little higher ‘up market' than the IP's Tea House and therefore pricier, but still good value at thirty eight Dollars for the two of us - unusually for the USA the coffee was nice and strong too. Explored the streets and canals of Venice and were both impressed with the attention to detail although we decided to give the Gondola rides a miss. Once more to Tix4tonite (They are getting to know us now!) and we have decided tonight is the night for ‘Legends in Concert' at the IP. Also got discounts for the Buffet at ‘Hurrars'.
In case you didn't know the BBC ran a competition show called ‘The One and Only' where unknown singers performed as stars and one was voted off by the public each week. The final was won by Katy Setterfield as ‘Dusty Springfield' beating Frank Sinatra and Lionel Ritchie in the final. The prize was a three month stint in Vegas so here she is and so are we!

Back to the IP to redeem our vouchers and then took the Deuce north to the ‘Stratosphere' - well this has got to be the most inefficient form of transport ever, sometimes taking over five minutes at some stops to swap passengers, coupled with the heavy traffic I think it would have been quicker to walk. Had a look around the Strat's Casino where Jill found her now beloved Village People Party slot machine and managed to make two dollars last quite a while, enough time for two drinks - Dutch courage for what was to come?
Bought tickets for the tower and all three rides for twenty eight dollars each, some of the people who'd done the same took one look at the rides and wouldn't do them! Apparently there used to be a Roller Coaster but that's now gone and to be honest if you encountered the other three at a local fairground you probably wouldn't bother HOWEVER the fact that you are riding these over one thousand feet in the air with nothing underneath you makes them true thrill rides and worth doing. Our next stop was ‘the ‘Sahara' to do the ride there (strangely called ‘The Ride') but found that even more strangely it doesn't run on Wednesdays or Thursdays - Oh well, another reason to go back!
Took another half hour trip on the Deuce and got off outside the Mirage. Crossed to ‘Casino Royal' and each had a free play on ‘Zoltar's prize and fortune booth outside (Remember ‘Big'?). I won a free bottle of beer and Jill got fifty dollars worth of free slot play - Well the beer was nice, but Jill's free slot play just returns free credits although it does say the very top wins will be paid in cash. Hmmmm"¦
Decided to have something quick and ‘snacky' as it was now late in the afternoon, so opted for ‘Subway'.

We returned to the IP and decided to get ready early for the evening as Jill was getting VPP withdrawal symptoms. Headed back down to the Casino and found that both machines were occupied - Outrageous! Went into Hurrah's next door and couldn't find one there either so she contented herself with another machine which gave free goes every now and then - wasn't as much fun though. Hurrahs Buffet was nice, pipping the Ballagio for choice although not for ambiance, and then it was time for the late showing of ‘Legends in Concert' which we both enjoyed very much. ‘Jay Leno' was the compare whom I thought I'd never heard of until I saw him and recognised him from late night television shows. The line up was Tina Turner, the Blues Brothers, Dusty Springfield and Elvis with a video screen on either side of the stage showing clips of the real artists - there is no hiding for the performers here!
Excellent renditions from all, with Katy getting a standing ovation, and I was particularly pleased to see footage of the Blues Brothers band featuring ex Booker T and the MG's guitarists Steve Cropper and Donald ‘Duck' Dunn - wonderful!
We spoke to Katy after the show and she confided that she was coping with the ‘two shows a night' pressure and loving Vegas. We had to let her go eventually as Jill had spotted that there was a space in front of one of the VPP machines - It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A"¦

Glad you enjoyed Legends. We go there every visit and always enjoy it, especially if Jay Leno is on.

I'm a bit confused by the Venetian buffet? As far as I'm aware the Venetian doesn't have a buffet. Is it the one at the Grand Lux Cafe you were at?

luci

Great trip report. I'm really looking forward to our 8th trip!

I'm intrigued as to what the 'round bar' is - sounded like it was between Circus Circus and one of the 1/2 price ticket places (could have been at Riviera or Fashion Show though).

Dusty will be home by the time we go, but we might try the Legends show anyway!

I'm really looking forward to our 8th trip!

OMG!! Lesley, I think once willbe enough for me!

Incidentially (and please don't laugh....) is there any CSI tours in Vegas?

Puddleduck, once is never enough. We like to go every year, or more often if we can. There is always something new to see and do.

I can't say I've ever heard of a CSI tour, probably as most of it is filmed in LA.

luci

probably as most of it is filmed in LA

OMG! is it really? He'll be mortified when I tell him that!!!

Peebles, I'll let you know what I think when we get back (we're not going until summer 09 though). I'm expecting to be blown away by the hotels and the whole buzz of the city.

Sorry Puddleduck, I thought you knew. However the views of the hotels are taken in Vegas.

luci

can't say I've ever heard of a CSI tour, probably as most of it is filmed in LA.

It certainly is.......they make a huge splash when they know they are filming on location, it's headline news on the TV and so on. If you really know Vegas, then you'll find tons of errors when you watch CSI, hotels in the wrong places, streets joining each other (when they don't) and so on.