This started by driving down the Strip - the campground was at Circus Circus at the far end of the Strip so the sights didn't become apparent for a few blocks but when they did - boy oh boy were we amazed. It is just so huge - everything - the hotels, the screens, even the main road is about 8 lanes each way!! Our hosts were experienced in the tourist industry as both work for a major chain.
We parked the car and began our epic journey... it doesn't look far on the map but to walk the length of the strip takes ages - some sections on the outside pavement and others via the connecting walkways from hotels & casinos as it does get dreadfully hot here. We thought it was bad enough during the day but in the summer it is mostly over 100 degrees. Even at midnight one does not even need a cardigan/extra layer outside although the air con in some places was chilly.
We wandered for miles to our first destination - a fantastic place with an all you can eat top quality buffet - how to describe the food!!? The sections were divided into types of food eg seafood, meat, salads, cheese, mac&cheese, pizza, chinese, and a wonderful array of desserts such as miniature lemon meringue pies, cheesecakes, cupcakes, then ice creams of many varieties. I only wish I could have gone back again today but after several trips to the food sections and many "Happy Hour" cocktails (don't worry they were very weak!) we staggered on to Bellagio Hotel to check out the fabulous fountain displays running every 10-15 mins - truly a sight to see.
We walked through Caesar's Palace and played some tables - heaven knows what we were trying to do but we could throw the dice and then someone would let us know whether it was a good throw or not! We then ended up in a piano bar - now some of us were expecting more of a jazz type, moody lighting etc but this was completely different but great fun. We settled down with some drinks to listen to the very talented pianists - a couple of blond female twins and a chap, taking it in turns to play requests which were varied to say the least - how they remembered all this material with no music! Some of the party got extremely carried away when a popular song was played! The older members of the party just had time to check out the Venetian - you would not believe the sheer size of the place, complete with canals and bridges - although the floor seemed to have been designed to look as though it had just rained for some reason. All this was complete with sky but the effect was rather spoiled with the various sprinklers in the ceiling making it look as though there were alien spaceships approaching!
Last on the sights for the by now flagging senior citizens was the Wynn, with the most beautiful indoor merry go round with glittering horses and a hot air balloon - all made from flowers. We then caught a taxi for the short distance to the campground to fall exhausted into bed.
Meanwhile, Char, Caroline and David ended the evening with further cocktails in a bar with a live band, before staggering back at 3am.
It was a truly memorable experience and we were lucky to have our knowledgeable hosts so managed to see the top sights in the very limited time. We were surprised and disappointed to see that smoking was allowed so most of these places reminded us of the pubs before smoking was banned. Although the establishments had extractor fans/aircon, some were better than others. I can see why people enjoy the experience but surely after a while the noise, hustle and bustle and heat would get to you?
No comments:
Post a Comment