Lesley, thanks for the info on Tuesday Morning. It looks really good on their website, but I won't be making the trip. I think pebbles is intending checking it out, but then she's out there for weeks!

Like you, we are intending paying the $50 for an extra bag on the return journey if we need it. We have 2 x 23kgs too, but also have 18kgs each hand luggage. We will be taking two trolley cases as hand luggage, but I don't know if they would cope with 18kgs of contents!

TeeCee, we went to Alize in May and it was wonderful so we are going back for OH's birthday. I have a Dine4Less card which should give us 20% off so that should cover the tip.

luci

We have been in 2 TJ Maxx stores, and I hadn't really been in them in Vegas before, but I am realising they are better than Marshall's and Ross.

They were on Decatur I think (maybe around Sahara), and also out at Maryland Parkway (near Boulevard Mall).

Friday 10th September

Got up quite early and started de-tagging shopping and taking hangers off the kiddie gifts etc. There's a big L shaped sofa in the room and it is doing a great job of holding all the shopping just now. Got some more bargains this morning in TJ Maxx out at Boulevard Mall area, then into Boulevard Mall, Macy's has a great sale on today. Got some hand towels for about $2 (Charter Club), a bath mat for about $3.50 and a throw the same as the one we bought in Florida last year but we fight over it so need another Then went over to Target for a very quick snack Pizza Hut breadsticks - can't get enough of them, but I can't think where there's pizza hut on the strip??? Went over to Springs Preserve but only for an hour and it was quite good. Entry is about $18 we had a $4 coupon in the top ten magazine. I quite enjoyed it. Also very handy for Meadows Mall.

Drove back via a supermarket I've not seen before called Smiths. Was a bit weird (annoying) because they have normal prices and 'cardholder' prices that are a good bit cheaper. We were in a hurry though so had to just get our stuff there, but the guy must have swiped a card to let us get the cheaper prices which was nice. 1.5l of white zinfandel was $6.49 - I've just opened it and it is fine, brand is Inglenook which I'd never heard of so a bit of a risk I suppose

We've returned the car at 230pm (bit of a rush), and then also went and got tickets at the coke bottle for Brad Garrett for tonight at the trop, was about $70 for both of us including fees etc. Hope it is good, I think that's pricey compared to the Comedy Stop etc. We might go to that sometime too thought.

I'm having trouble accessing my email at Desert Rose, even though I got on it fine at Orleans. Would anyone mind checking if the Virgin website is down, or maybe it's just Desert Rose's AT&T that doesn't like it.

http://www.virginmedia.com/

lesley74 wrote:

We have been in 2 TJ Maxx stores, and I hadn't really been in them in Vegas before, but I am realising they are better than Marshall's and Ross.

Both T J Maxx and Marshall's are owned by the same company, TJX.

Lesley

Is TJ Maxx within walking distance of Boulevard Mall? If so, in which direction? We might take a trip to BM to check out JC Penney's.

Just tried Virgin Media and was able to access.

luci

Thanks for the TR Lesley...great reading...sounds like you had a good time and really packed in the shopping...lol

Hi Luci

I think it's near Flamingo, just south of Barnes & Noble, Best Buy etc. I'd say its walkable. Maybe you could take the cat bus out along Flamingo instead of Sands/Twain and walk that whole section?

Yes, we packed in the shopping, but might go back to the outlets near downtown from Trump. I just went down the pool at 8am (opening time) and there were only 4 loungers left. I can't believe it, I just made it. There's something funny going on here and I'm dying to vent about it but not till we've left the hotel. It's a person doing something and it's quite bizarre but I won't take the chance that they may read this just now.

Well better get down for brekkie, having trouble getting hubby moving. I'm tired as well. I bet all the fruit is gone again too...folks are definitely smuggling b/fast items for lunch, they're even talking openly about it! Another of my pet hates...lesson learnt about this place....

Thanks Lesley. We are intending taking the CAT along Flamingo and getting off at Maryland Parkway if we do go. I hope it's not too far a walk.

Dying to hear your vent. Sounds like you're not too impressed with Desert Rose or perhaps it's the clientele.

When do you move on? Is it Trump next or do you have another one before that?

luci

If you take the cat along Flamingo it should be fine. It has also cooled down quite a bit so should be too bad I wouldn't think. It's in the mid 90s.

Are you doing an Itinerary this year Luci? This is probably the first time we haven't done it. I think we've been so busy with the house move before we came away that we've just not had the time to plan stuff.

Friday 10th Sept cont. (evening)

Went to the Brad Garrett Comedy Club at the Tropicana and it was really really good. We did the 10pm show, so first we had dinner at Il Fornaio in NYNY which was also very good. We had starter of fried zucchini & onion rings with tomato and tartare dips. Then I had angel hair pomodoro and hubby had a pasta bake thing from their regional speciality menu - rigatoni, eggplant, capers tomatoes etc. One glass of white zinfandel, and one sprite. $57. Server was quite funny, she started off very straight faced, but then went on to joke about her weight and how they keep giving her free food at work. Was funny.

Had a quick gamble in NYNY drink service was good. We then went over to the Trop. Show started a little late at 1015, and went on till just after 12. We were tired so came back and went to bed.

This morning we spent at the pool and now we're going to get ready and go for champagne brunch but we can't decide which one!!! I fancy Bellagio, but I think the queue will be long on a saturday, so considering Mandalay Bay instead...trying to avoid Harrah's properties as they will probably be busy too due to the Buffet of Buffets offer, which we will try after the weekend.

Many thanks Lesley for taking the time to pop in and post. Enjoy your evening!

Mandalay Bay buffet is really good and we would go more often if it wasn't so far south.

Glad you enjoyed Brad Garrett. We are always leery of comedy shows as American humour is so much different from ours. We enjoyed Carrot Top, but he uses a lot of props. I always have intentions of seeing George Wallace, but think he is quite expensive for a comedy show and we never quite make it as a 10pm start and late finish is too late for us after being up early.

luci

Left Desert Rose at 2pm and walked up through the side door of MGM, up to Monte Carlo and took the tram up to Bellagio. Had champagne brunch (one of the few on till 4pm), $28ish plus tax incl champagne. I think maybe they were short of champagne glasses and had to give us rather decent sized wine glasses. Wouldn't be my choice for champagne, but then when i thought about it I was maybe getting more that way Very very nice buffet, just as good as I remembered. I'm so tempted to go back again tomorrow. We had only had toast for breakfast (I had a little bit of cereal too) so we were hungry. We left the buffet just after 4pm, so didn't need dinner. Just got some crisps and krispy kreme donut holes on the way back to hotel later for a snack.

Next stop was Caesars, to the bacardi bar at Spanish Steps for a Caipirinha. Yummy. Then into forum shops, then Bill's for some $1 Margaritas, and also some good cocktail service right up the back near the Margarita bar. Then walked down via Miracle Mile, Ross Dress for Less and Hooters (for snack which was Krispy Kreme's as they don't seem to have a simple snack place such as McDonald's or Subway etc). Back over to hotel, my feet are sore. Not blistered, just aching.

Glad you enjoyed the Bellagio brunch. We tend to avoid the brunches as I don't like champagne and struggle to finish one glass if it's the only thing on offer.

You did a fair bit of walking, no wonder your feet sore!

luci

Thanks Lesley for the update on your TR....loving reading it I find it very informative a you always include prices on everything....so many people don't bother to do that..
Dying to know what your gripe about Desert Rose was....funny goings on eh!...lol

Sunday 12th September.

We've been here for 9 days now but it seems like so much more. When I think back to things we have done since we got here, it feels like much longer ago than it was. I wonder if you get Vegas days the same way you get dog years? We're not bored feeling like it's dragging in or anything, just that everything feels like ages ago. I can't help but wonder how it feels for Pebbles when she's here for 7 weeks

Well, a good bit of today was spent by the pool. Same stuff going on down there, but I've decided to join the lounger hogging gang. Well, if you can't beat them.... Maybe I should take a suitcase down for breakfast in the morning and get some food to take to Trump...

Got lunch today from one of the delivery places that stick leaflets through your door here. We looked through 3 then picked out one with stuff we liked, they were called Las Vegas Pizza. Got a combo starter which was Mozzarella sticks, fried breaded zucchini, mushrooms, onion rings and fries $8.95, and a portion of Jalapeno poppers with fries $5.95. Total with tax and delivery was $19.40. Didn't sound like it would be a lot of food, but we couldn't eat it all, although it was tasty. It could have fed 4, but it was mostly the fries we left. Popped back down to the pool, but started to panic about getting burnt so came up to the room and I had a cool bath to cool my pink skin which seems to be fine even though I thought I was burnt at the time. Kevin is a bit burnt but not too bad. Walked down to Excalibur, then took the tram to Mandalay Bay for the buffet. First we went into Red Square and had some stupidly priced drinks. I had a raspberry Caipirinha $13, Kevin had a Chernobyl which was a vodka based thing with a candy fish with 3 eyes in it. I found this quite funny, Buffet not as good as I remember from previous visit. Not sure if the Bellagio spoiled us a little. I seem to remember I really liked the Rio buffet too - when we went over there what seems like several weeks ago. Went up to NYNY via Luxor and Excal which were uneventful. Kevin played $10 in winnigs form the other night, I put in $10. I had a couple of good wins, and cashed out at $30. Kevin cashed out at $8, and we had 2 drinks each so we done pretty well. Then over to MGM and played Sigma Derby for a while $5 in losses and 2 drinks each so did ok overall. Walked back to hotel. Moving to Trump tomorrow so should get up early. I might go sit a the pool first too.

Well, we have just arrived at Trump and I am stunned. I love the room!

The guy offered us an upgrade for $40 per night, and we declined. I can't imagine what that room would have been like then! This is really nice. I hope we don't mind the location too much, that may be the only letdown if the walk annoys us.

Think we're going down to look at the pool now. Then will head out for the afternoon. We still have 4 days to get some sun. Might go into fashion show mall for the afternoon.

Glad you like the room. The location puts me off a bit so will be interested to hear what you think of it after 4 days.

luci

Monday 13th September

Sat at the pool at Desert Rose for a while before packing then heading to Trump in a taxi, $18 including tip. Were offered an upgrade from a Studio to One bed at check in for $40, but we declined. Weren't that bothered. That said, when I checked online in the room I realised that the studio starts at $99 and one bed starts at $179 or something on their website, so they were giving us the upgrade ½ price really. Anyway, we're not too fussed as the room is really lovely anyway! Large bed, sitting area with sofa, 2 chairs, coffee table and mini kitchen opposite. Fridge,microwave, coffee maker, 2 ring hob, sink, toaster. Bathroom is large and has big spa bath, separate large glass shower, glass toilet cubicle, 2 sinks. It's really nice. It all still looks very new.

Wandered downstairs and looked at the pool which Is also nice. There are normal loungers, and also double roundish ones with big cushions. Looks nice, but it was rather hot down there. It also gets the reflection off the gold glass, so I bet we can give ourselves a good toasting down there! Came back to room and got changed and went to Fashion Show Mall. After a while we decided we were hungry and Wynn buffet finished at 330 so at 230 we started to head over there. Signed up for their red card. Thought we could do a free spin, but were informed it was at 50 points. Headed over to the buffet, which I have to say was fantastic! We were offered $7 unlimited champagne which we took, had 3 glasses with our meal which we took our time eating. It was truly very nice! I can't understand why it's not talked about more, I definitely felt it was up there with Bellagio's buffet.

Went back into the casino and played our $10 free slot play. Had to put in some of our own money to activate, I had a $5 but didn't think it was working, so entered another $10. Hubby put in $10. We were swiftly offered drinks, I had a Margarita on the rocks, hubby had a Mojito. We were also then offered more drinks and had the same again. Next drink the girl suggested a Cadillac which is a Margarita with something else in it. By this time I was becoming a bit tipsy so we had to leave and walk back. We did however win about $35,and had those drinks, so we done very well at Wynn I have to say! Came through Fashion Show Mall. It's very very easy to get back here. In Fashion Show Mall we just look for Nordstrom, just opposite CPK. We go in Nordstrom and out the back door (smallish store anyway). Trump is directly across the road, so I have no issues so far with the access. I do however wish we'd brought back something for breakfast, because I don't want to eat here (I prefer a buffet with me being vegetarian), so we'll probably need to pop out to TI, or something for b/fast.

Ok, so on the way back to the hotel last; night we shopped a little more, got some soft drinks from ABC which is fairly close to our hotel really. We were back around 8pm, how sad is that. Must learn not to drink in the afternoon! Quick shot on internet (I can finally access the Virgin website from here, so I can get my email!) and watched some tv and dozed then slept. Feel like I can still taste the Margaritas though this morning!!