My Pre-Trip, Trip---Vegas, Baby!

At the Monte Carlo lobby
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So I decided to go on a pre-WW trip celebration to Vegas.  I've actually been planning to go to Vegas for the past 7 years to celebrate my birthday since it landed on a very auspicious date: 7-07-07.  What better way to kick-off my worldwide tour other than to WIN BIG and potentially fund my impending trip.  Well, let's say that I was a bit delusional.  I actually ended up losing a few dollars (roughly $40--yes, I'm risk averse).  I thought for sure that this lucky day would help me win the progressive jackpot at one of the many "wheel of fortune" slot machines.  Also, I thought that placing $7 on the "7" (in roulette) at exactly 7:00pm on 7/7/07, wearing a 7/7/7 T-shirt would help, but I was wrong.  I didn't even get one number playing Lotto that day.  Oh well, despite the losses, I had fun trying!

It's 7-7-07! I'm ready to gamble.
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A few people accompanied me to Vegas: Rene, Scott, Hardip and Nancy.  We stayed at the Monte Carlo hotel on the Las Vegas strip.  If you want to stay at a place that's simple, clean and not-crowded, this is the place to be.  Didn't do a ton of sight-seeing or walking since it was a cool 116 degrees outside.  We mostly hung out indoors visiting the Caesars Palace Forum shops, Bellagio Gardens and the Wynn.  On our first night, we saw Monte Python's SPAMALOT!  I highly recommend seeing this show.  It's been a while since I've seen Monte Python's "Quest for the Holy Grail", but I'm pretty sure that some of the SPAMALOT scenes deviated from the movie script (i.e. Lancelot comes "out of the closet").  Absolutely hysterical!

What better way to kick-off my worldwide tour other than to WIN BIG and potentially fund my impending trip.

Presenting Monty Python's Spamalot
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The following day (7/7), I woke up anxious to start my day.  We hung out primarily by the pool since it cooled down slightly to about 109 degrees.  Much more bearable! We also went to the Venetian to scope out the stores and take more photos, especially of the MANY brides we spotted throughout the day---about 31.  I heard that approximately 100K couples were to be married that day.  I'm surprised we didn't see more wedding parties.  Had dinner at the Bellagio, which is one of my favorite dinner buffets.  Apparently, EVERYONE felt the same way.  The wait was about an hour (even after the dinner rush), but well worth it!  Made our way to the "Tao" nightclub at the Venetian to meet Scott's friends, but the line was way too long.  We knew we had no chance of getting in so we called it a night.

Rene is being slightly naughty (as usual)
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Overall, Vegas was a BLAST!  I could have started my WW trip a few days earlier, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be in Vegas on such a momentous day.  Off to Hong Kong!!!!!!!!