Last weekend we headed to Vegas... well at first it really didn't seem like we were going to make it at all... we arrived at the airport with 45 minutes to spare... booked in and then proceeded to wait in the security line for 30 minutes meaning we literally were the last ones to board the flight whereby Paul immediately gets upgraded to First Class and I have to remain in 'Coach'... I hadn't eaten a thing ALL day expecting to indulge in alligator bites and a glass of wine at the airport so got to enjoy the 3 hour flight with my tummy eating itself (US airlines don't serve meals to passengers) while Paul slept through his meal service and didn't eat a bite or think to send some of it, even a cookie, my way (US airlines don't serve meals to passengers UNLESS you're in the pointy end of the plane)... We finally arrive... and all I want to do is get my butt to an Inn-N-Out burger for a taste sensation before heading to the strip BUT we're sitting at the baggage carousel waiting... and waiting... and waiting for my bag... finally the evil truth sinks in... my bag isn't in Vegas... SO we head to the Continental Baggage claim office where I'm given a toiletries baggie and told that my bag isn't lost, merely delayed and will be delivered to the Hotel at around 2am... So now I'm in desert, its about 10 degrees and I'm in a summer dress with no change of clothes anywhere... GRRR!! Ok... its Ok... lets just head to Avis and collect our car.... WELL.. Avis are sweet, they upgrade us to a convertible and we're on our way... WRONG!! We get to the car, throw in our bags and get accosted by another couple stating that this was their car... Avis had given both of us the same vehicle... so back Paul goes to the counter to sort it out.. where he tosses a coin for the car and loses... He's given another car... this time a cute little convertible... a two seater... which really won't work for the four of us... so back we go again... by this time we've been at the airport for just over 2 hours and I think the sales assistant feels bad for us so he hooks us up with a brand new, all the bells and whistles, Ford Flex, a definite upgrade... NICE! So we're finally on our way... We arrive at Planet Hollywood (our home away from home for the next 3 nights) and are told that unfortunately they only have smoking rooms available.... YOU ARE KIDDING ME RIGHT?!?!? So after just about falling apart and considering just heading right back to the airport and jumping on a flight home, I convince the girl that I cannot possibly stay in a smoking room as I'm.. ahem.. asthmatic (a little white lie I know) and suddenly she manages to find us a non-smoking room... even if it happens to have two queen size beds... by this point we no longer care... say thank-you, grab the keys and head to our room hoping that this wasn't a sign of things to come!!
The rest of the trip was absolutely fantastic! Friday morning we jumped in our pimped out ride, and road tripped it out to the Grand Canyon, and the state of Arizona to check out the Grand Canyon and where we also accidentally stumbled across the amazing
Bearizona - An American wildlife park styled after the wild game parks in Africa - bison, mountain goats, black bears... roaming free!!
Waving at each other across state lines - Me in Nevada, Kel in Arizona - Hoover Dam
Bernie and I at the Grand Canyon
Paul and I doing the touristy thing - Grand Canyon National Park
Playing with the Black Bears at Bearizona
Arriving back in Vegas at around 8pm it was time for beer and wings and so off we trotted to Hooters Hotel and Casino for a true authentic wings experience... it was fatty, it was sinful, it was delicious! Next stop.. the MGM Grand to see the lions, who were off loafing it up somewhere else, lazy buggers, a round of 4 drinks which almost required a mortgage payment, and then a quick trip to the Bellagio where the fountains also appeared to have the day off.. oh well at least we got to see a 1000lb pumpkin, the amazingly decorated foyer and a Chocolate Fountain... mmm... chocolate!!
Saturday was a little more low key - There was time for a little bit of gambling in the morning... I was proud of myself for turning $2 into $14 on my first two spins playing Beaver Bucks and was, as far as I was concerned, done with gambling for the weekend (Yes I'm such a high roller). Then it was time for a little spot of lunch at the Venetian where we dined at Wolfgang Pucks Postrio Bar and Grill across from Wolfgang Puck himself!! The food was delicious - like, last meal on earth delicious, the wine went down a treat (probably a little too well in fact), and the company was entertaining as always! The perfect meal, in a magical setting... gotta love the Venetian!
Enjoying our lunch..
Right next to Wolfgang Puck himself!
After lunch it was time for a little bit of oxygen and a massage at an oxygen bar which was soooo relaxing and dare I say it orgasmic, that we all needed a glass of red in the casino immediately afterwards! Next stop, O'Sheas Casino where Kelly and Nick bought into a poker tournament - and Nick won!! The Flamingo, to see, what else, Flamingos.. and then home to the hotel to relax before cocktails and rollercoasters in the evening.
Cocktails at Koi for my Baby's 32nd Birthday
So in the end, a bad start to a perfectly wonderful weekend in Las Vegas... I'm looking forward to heading back sometime soon.. perhaps next time we'll even make it to a show!!
