We left Vancouver via Philippine Air and arrived in Vegas on a Saturday night. Shortly after checking into the Monte Carlo, our cousins came up to see our room. We have a very nice room, typical hotel room with 2 queen size beds, good storage space, and a wonderful bathroom and great shower.
Our girl cousin was our tour guide who led us through the (smoky) casino and out onto the Strip, where we dodged thousands of fellow tourists as we made our way to the Bellagio Casino. Wow, what a beautiful Conservatory...thoroughly impressed with the plants and the glass flowers. Of course, everyone was taking pictures, just like us! We made our way through another (smoky) casino and found a great spot to watch the fountain show, which truly was amazing. Glad we saw this show twice in one night!
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| Bellagio Hotel Fountains |
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| Conservatory |
On our way back to the hotel, we decided to go into the CVS store to check out the layout and pick up some water. We figure we were in Vegas and would need the water to keep hydrated. Well, Saturday was our warmest day/night as the weather definitely cooled off on Sunday.
On Sunday we did our own exploring of the Big City! We loved wandering around New York, New York and found the upstairs Coney Island games....the noise was amazing! We made our way via the free tram to Excalibur and then to the Luxor and eventually Mandalay Bay. We loved our Starbucks break at the Luxor and then we spent a bit of time just roaming about the many exhibits at the Luxor. Made us think we were back in Egypt (did that memorable trip in 2008).
Onto the Mandalay and then the MGM Grand where we saw the 2 sleeping lions...it was fun to walk under them as they laid on plexiglas above our heads. More slot machines and lots of people playing at the tables. We managed to leave Vegas without spending a nickel at the tables or slots.
That night our cousins met us at the Cheesecake Factory located in Caesar's Palace Forum Shops area. Our son had recommended that we check this place out and we were very glad that we did. We had a wonderful time having dinner together. The four of us found the Apple Store and we had lots of fun playing with the different 'toys' there. Plus they had free wifi so I used my handy, dandy Ipod to check on the Canucks scores and to send emails.
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| At the Cheesecake Factory for dinner |
The weather in Vegas had cooled down so now we were wearing our jackets. Our feet were feeling fine, even with the miles/kms that we were walking each day! Great exercise before we joined the cruise ship.
We checked out the various shops and we did make our way to the Fashion Mall on the Strip. Didn't see anything that 'shouted' at me so the credit cards were very safe. One day we managed to get down to check out Mirage, Treasure Island, Wynn and then, the Venetian.
What can I say about the Venetian? Loved walking around (checked out the Michael Kors store too) and then decided that we just had to do the Gondola ride. We decided to do the inside route and we were glad we did, as it was getting chilly outside. We paid for the 4 share ride but we were upgraded to the much more romantic 2 person ride. We had a wonderful gondolier (can't remember her name) who sang 2 songs for us as she paddled us through the Canal. Were we glad to have done this? Definitely! And dear hubby did a video using his camera while I took still photos. Will always cherish this gondola ride, since we haven't made our way to the real Venice yet.
We were not finished yet...the ice bar beckoned us. The ice bar was in our hotel so we donned the gloves and heavy coat and proceeded to enjoy our free 'shots'.....yummy. We sat on the ice cold seats and just enjoyed the other people who also were sipping their drinks. A great memory again and something that we have never experienced. Not to be forgotten.
Finally, it was time to say good bye to Vegas and hello to a cruise but first, we had to use the downstairs computer to do 'check in' with Southwest Air. They allow 24 hours check in and not a minute before. We managed to nab A 35 and A36 for our flights. For Southwest users, you know what I mean.
On Wednesday, we taxied from the Monte Carlo to the Airport. Great taxi driver, very little traffic. Quick check in and security procedures....no whistles or bells going off. We both endured the full body scan that they just initiated last year? or so to check out everybody.
In this Airport, you can do slots to your hearts' delight and it did twinge me once or twice, but then I thought, hey, I am doing fine avoiding those slots so will continue on that path.
A one hour flight brought us to LAX where we collected our luggage and called Karmel Shuttle to transport us to San Pedro Pier. Using a shuttle is a great way to get from point A to B. Traffic was good so we were at the Pier within 35 minutes. Got into the Platinum line and in our inside cabin D235 by noon.
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