Thurs, 02-11-06: Left Aberdeen 20 mins late at 7.20am, arrived in Manchester at 8.15am. Flight to Las Vegas delayed for an hour. It eventually left at 10.25 instead of 09.15. Meal was served after an hour, three choices including Chicken Korma, roast beef and a vegetarian option. Uneventful flight, several films available on the seat back TV's.
Arrived in Las Vegas 10 hours later at 12.25 local time. Cleared immigration and customs an hour later, joined taxi queue and were in the taxi by 1.45pm. Asked the driver not to take the tunnel and he snapped, "Which way then?" Asked him to take Swenson and he said there was construction and went on about how it would only save us about a dollar, that it would be better for us, but not for him, etc. Not nice. I started to feel extremely nauseous as soon as we got in the taxi and his erratic driving didn't help matters. He took a very strange, twisty route and drove in the back of the Imperial Palace instead of along Flamingo and in the front as on previous visits. Arrived at 2pm. He said, "You've saved $1.45". The fare was $17 instead of $12 something as it has been on previous visits and I gave him $20. On reflection I shouldn't have tipped him at all, but I was feeling really ill and just wanted out of the taxi.
No line for check in at the Imperial Palace. We were allocated a room on the 12th floor. I asked for a pool view, but was told there were none available. First impressions of the room were that it looked tired, but it probably wasn't any more tired than on previous visits. The room seemed slightly smaller and the bathroom bigger. Nothing fancy, but great for the price. The view was of the back of the Venetian and Harrah's.
Quickly unpacked then set off to pick up our tickets for Beatles "Love" from the Mirage. Went to Tix4Tonight at the Fashion Show mall and got tickets for Legends in Concert at the IP, $61 for both with a $2 off coupon printed from the internet. Wandered back down the strip and went to Burger King in O'Shea's. Was still feeling nauseous and thought it might be hunger.
Back to the IP, gambled a bit (when I mention "gambled" it means we played the slots
), up to the room to get ready for the 7.30pm show. We had tickets for seats quite far back and to the side. When we entered the usher asked if we'd like seats a bit closer. He seated us at a table in the centre, right in front of the stage! Wasn't that keen on the line up before the show - Bobby Darrin, Brittany Spears, Garth Brooks, Sting, the Temptations and Elvis - but it was a really good show. Unfortunately I kept nodding off as it was 5am UK time and we'd been up for 26 hours. A cocktail was included in the price of the admission. Went to the 24 hour Teahouse at the IP for something to eat. Both had the prime rib dip sandwich at $8.99 which was massive, but I only managed a couple of bites as I was still feeling nauseous. Gambled a bit and went to bed at 10.30pm.
Fri, 03-11-06: Was pleased that we managed to sleep until 4.45am as last time it was 2.50am and I couldn't sleep again. Still feeling nauseous, took a while to get ready then we caught the Deuce to the Sahara. Had a 2 for 1 buffet coupon from the American Casino Guide so breakfast was $8.99 + tax for both. However I could only manage a couple of sips of orange juice and nothing to eat as I felt so ill. Was finally sick. Hubby signed up for their player's card using his driving licence as they wouldn't accept the photocopy of my passport, the first time it had been refused. He got $10 in free slot play which he turned in to $12 and cashed out.
Went to find GM's The Drive at the back of the Sahara where you could drive a Corvette round a track and a Hummer off road for only $10. It didn't open till 10, but we decided to leave at 9.45 as I was feeling so ill. Was sick again. Got the Deuce back down the strip as we couldn't find a taxi. Had to walk down to Slots A Fun to catch it as there was a Detour notice at the stop near Sahara. On reflection we should have got the monorail back, but I wasn't thinking straight.
Finally got back to the IP and I was violently ill, both ends, food poisoning! Took a couple of days to work it out, but it must have been the lukewarm egg and cheese sandwich I had on the flight to Manchester. Felt really annoyed that 24 hours of my holiday was going to be wasted, not knowing at the time that it was going to last 4 1/2 days. Felt awful so went to bed and slept the rest of the day. What a waste! Hubby went to the Auto Collection at the IP and the Emperor's Buffet which he said was good, then had an early night.
Sat, 04-11-06: Woke at 3am with an upset stomach. Showered and went down to gamble at 3.45am, don't you just love this 24 hour town! Won $100 on the Wheel of Fortune Super Spin and broke even on the slots. Back to bed at 6am.
Up again at 8, went to Flamingo for the champagne brunch, had a $5 coupon they were handing out at Carnival Court. I couldn't eat, but hubby enjoyed it. Gambled at IP.
Went to see Beatles "Love" at the Mirage. Had the cheapest tickets at $69, but they were fine and actually a better view than if you were up close. The show didn't wow me, but I enjoyed it and the sound system was incredible with speakers in the headrest of every seat. Had planned to eat at the Cheesecake Factory after the show, but with me being unable to eat we went to the Teahouse at the IP. Hubby had a steak which was OK, but not wonderful. I tried some chicken okra soup, but couldn't eat it. Managed to eat a couple of dry crackers. Gambled a while then bed.
Sun, 05-11-06: Took Deuce to Las Vegas Outlets Centre. Hubby had breakfast at the food court there. Bought some stuff, but not a lot. Deuce back to the strip. Not feeling well so had a nap. We were going to eat at Bally's Sidewalk Cafe, but it was closed. Walked to Ellis Island which took about 10 minutes. Got 4 free cocktails with a coupon from the ACG, but they were so strong we weren't able to drink them. Gambled a bit while waiting for a table, about 20 minutes. Hubby had the $4.95 sirloin steak special which came with soup, I tried the 6oz top sirloin at $7.95 which was tiny, but big enough for me with having no appetite. I had another coupon for 2 for 1 meal so it cost us $7.95 for both of us. Walked back to the IP and gambled for a while before going to bed.
Mon, 06-11-06: Breakfast at Harrah's buffet with a $5 coupon. Didn't eat much, but it was good and had my favourite smoked salmon. There were also things like carrot cake and ice cream available. Service could have been better as we weren't offered refills of coffee.
Went shopping to Ross Dress for Less on the strip, across from the now closed Stardust. Got a few things including a Calvin Klein shirt for $25. We saw a similar one in Macy's for $78. Back to the IP and picked up our overnight bags.
Checked into the Venetian at 3pm and there was no line. We had a $119 rate which we got via email from the Venetian. It also included a $50 credit for use at the Canyon Ranch Spa, but as their cheapest treatment started at $135, I decided to pass. Found our room (or suite as they like to call it) in the Venetian Tower easily and it was really nice. Entrance hallway with mirror and shelf, double doors to the bathroom, large bath, separate shower, twin marble sinks and toilet in a separate room with a phone. Lots of thick, fluffy towels and there were two thick, fluffy bathrobes in the closet. King size bed with drapes above and TV opposite, then two steps down to the living area with another TV, sofa, two armchairs, coffee table, occasional table, dining table and chairs, desk, fax machine and mini bar. The view was of the Wynn and its golf course with the mountains in the distance, not too shabby.
Went over to Tix4Tonight at the Fashion Show Mall, but there were no shows we fancied that we hadn't already seen. Went to TI and I was ill again. Took a taxi from there to the Orleans rather than muck about with the shuttle from Barbary Coast. Played the "Deal or No Deal" slots, but couldn't hit a thing, even though the guy next to me kept getting bonus screens.
I had a coupon for a 2 for 1 buffet from the ACG, but thought I had made a big mistake when we discovered it was a seafood buffet night. However they were also serving prime rib among other things and hubby likes seafood so went for it. $16.95 + tax for both of us. I didn't eat much, but what I had was good. Had to leave the table 3 times to go to the toilet as I was still being ill. Also had a coupon for 2 free cocktails, but didn't use it as I couldn't drink.
Caught the shuttle back to the Barbary Coast and walked up to the Venetian. Gambled a while, got Smirnoff Ice as a comped drink. Up to the room, had a lovely bath then went to bed. The bed seemed really comfy, but then I could sleep on a washing line so I'm not the best person to judge.
Tues, 07-11-06: Went to Harrah's again for breakfast. Managed to eat a little more than yesterday and it was good apart from the corned beef hash being cold despite just being replenished. Service was also better.
Back to the Venetian, checked out the pool area in both the Venetian and Venezia Towers and both seemed nicely landscaped, but they were quiet as it wasn't warm enough for sunbathing that early in the day. Checked out via the TV and my bill was delivered to the fax machine. Neat.
Back to the IP, gambled a while, then went to the V Theatre in the Desert Passage to pick up tickets for the 6pm show of Fab Four. Paid an extra $10 each for VIP (assigned) seating so was $69 for both with a 2 for 1 coupon from the Vegas Values coupon book we got in the taxi. Bought some stuff in the Aveda shop.
Back to the IP, picked up bags again and crossed the road to check into Caesars Palace for the night. Check in was quick at 2pm, but they wouldn't accept a photocopy of my passport as photo ID. Fortunately they took hubby's driving licence as our passports were still at the IP. We kept the room on there as it was so cheap and it saved us humphing cases around for the sake of one night. Had to go back to the front desk as they didn't give me the $25 dining credit we got as part of the $120 Palace Tower package.
We were allocated a room on the 17th floor and got the pool view I'd asked for, but the windows were absolutely filthy! The entrance had built-in wardrobes opposite the bathroom. The bathroom was huge with twin marble sinks, jacuzzi bath, separate shower and toilet with a phone. Unfortunately the mirror above the bath hadn't been cleaned so housekeeping could have been better. King size bed, sofa and chair, small desk and table and a unit housing the mini bar and flat screen TV. Not quite as nice as the Venetian, but a nice enough room.
Caught a fountain show at the Bellagio on the way to see Fab Four. Very good show, which we've seen before, but still thoroughly enjoyed. It finished at 7.15pm and we caught another fountain show on the way back. Dinner at Cafe Lago at Caesars $22.50 each + tax and we used the $25 dining credit that came with the room package. It's a very small buffet with limited choice, but the quality is excellent and the prime rib very good. Finally managed to eat a bit. It's different from other buffets in that you pay after you've eaten rather than on the way in. Really enjoyed it and service was good. Gambled a bit before going to bed.
Wed, 08-11-06: Up 7ish, had a jacuzzi bath and it was lovely. Decided to try Cafe Lago again for breakfast. Again the quality was very good and we enjoyed it. Had a $5 coupon from a funbook from the IP. Gambled a bit before going up to the room and checking out via the TV. Went to the pool for an hour.
Went into O'Shea's where they had 12oz draught beers for $1 or 20oz for $2. Hubby had a beer and I had an Irish coffee $3 which was lovely. Back to the IP with our bags, gambled rest of the afternoon. Went to the Cheesecake Factory in the Forum Shops for dinner. There was quite a queue so we thought we'd have a wait, but were seated within 10 mins. We had baked potato soup to start and it was delicious, shared a Steak Diane, which came with mashed potatoes and caramelised onions, and had a side order of fries. We also shared a chocolate chip cookie cheesecake and struggled to finish it. With coffees the bill was $47 + tip.
Back to the IP to gamble and had our best night yet. I turned $20 into $123 on a Treasures of the Acropolis Jackpot Party Progressive, hubby did well on Dancing Dolphins. Gambled for hours on that $20. Didn't want to go to bed as tomorrow was home day.
Thurs, 09-11-06: Had packed most of the stuff yesterday so headed to Paris for breakfast. It has always been one of our favourite places to eat, but not any more. The hot tea was cold, there was no milk for the cereal and the hot food was barely warm. Very disappointed and doubt we'll be going back. Back to the IP, checked out our comps and we had $53 in cash and $26 in points so it paid for one of our weekend nights. Not bad for tiny, low rollers.
Waited 10 mins to check out, then waited another 10 mins for a taxi to the airport. Fare was $12 something. Check in at Terminal 2 with bmi was slow. There are not many shops or places to eat in Terminal 2. Non-stop flight back to Manchester was uneventful and I managed to sleep for about 5 hours which was a bonus. Arrived in time to make our connecting flight to Aberdeen and we were back home by 11.15am. Felt as if I only had a couple of days holiday with being ill most of the time.
