Las Vegas

Arrived late on Tuesday afternoon at Las Vegas airport and took a shuttle to the MGM Grand and made contact with the Carney's.  The flight from La to Las Vegas was across the Mahobhi desert and we were amazed at the isolation, dryness and sheer barren mountains below.  It's hard to believe people liveout here.  The temperature on arrival was cool 93 degrees.

The MGM Grand is an enormous hotel with this hotel alone employing over 9700 staff.  the staff were very attentive and our room on the 19th floor had great views of.... the airport.

We met Pete, Jane and Louise and walked around to New York New York.  This was fabulous (I'll try not to use this term too much).  these themed casinos are just amazing with their recreations of other cities and eras.

It was at the NY NY, that I learned my first lesson with using credit cards.  after purchasing some beers and champers I tended my credit card for the purchases, accpted the bill and signed the slip.  Thanks to the bar tender informing me that I needed to write in the total amount I was paying for otherwise some unscrupulous operators will put this amount in for you and you are then liable for the amount written.

Tipping is something we are still coming to terms with and the end total of your bill can increase by 15-20%.

We left NY NY and walked down the 'strip' and arrived at the 'Balagio' just in time to see a fantasic light and water show in the fountain garden at the entrace.  Lots of people watching and a wonderful spectical.  The walk down the strip was one that confronted our visual and aural senses as every thing was sooo big and noisy.  People moved in floods along the footpaths taking in the sights.

We moved inside the 'Balagio' looking for a restaurant and we finally chose the Cafe Balagio.  the menu was extensive and the food delicious.  Food drinks and tips cost us $125 per couple.  After dinner we went to the Balagio shops, very expensive and with all the big names present.

we purchases an ice-cream and went out onto the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Flamingo Rd.  The sights and sounds were again unbelieveable.

We tooka taxi back to the 'Grand' and hit the sack.

Day 2  started with breakfast in the 'Rainforest Cafe'.  you'll have to wait and see the pictures/movie.  It was pretty special.  Breakfast was big.  We are just getting used to the size of the meals over here.  Generous portions is an understatement.

Taking the monorail from outside the hotel we travelled around to the 'Venetian'  on the way around Lyn and I hired a Harley and went for a very eventful ride.  again wait until the movie on this little venture.

Collapsing off the Harley we walked into the 'Venetian'.  Wow!.  The period paintings. and decor was stunning.  As we moved further into the building we found ourselves in the middle of Venice complete with a canal and people taking rides with a singing Gondolier.  This was an amazing experience.

We left the 'Ventian' and headed to the the forum at Ceasars Palace for some shopping.  Opps! wrong place again.  Full of shops that were way beyond out budget.  however Lyn loved the window shopping.

We eventually took the mono rail back to the 'Grand' meeting some interesting (mostly slightly drunk and certainly intersting people).

We then booked to see one of the Shows at the Grand and achose to see the latest Cirque De Soleil - 'KA'.  this was a very spectactular production.  Tickets were $108 each.

After the show both families travelled to the 'Downtown' area (old Casino area) to view a spectacular light show on the ceiling of a mall that covered the casinos.  This was loud and colourful.

The Carneys headed home and Lyn and I walked the strip and visted Paris on the way back to the Grand.

We have spent only afew dollars on the pokies.  You need more time to do Las Vegas.  I reckon we'll visit again.

We hit the sack very late that night and awoke in time to pack and get out to the airport for our return to Las Angeles.