��� 2006-09-18, 8:00 p.m.
As Promised
Ok, here, as promised, is the Vegas play by play:
Thursday 9/7/06:
We showed up at just after 2pm local time. The airline trashed one of our pieces of checked baggage. We had a limo waiting for us. Chuck, the limo driver, told us that Charles Barkley doesn't tip, he makes Michael Jordan do the tipping, and that Jamie Foxx once gave him an $800 tip. We fell somewhere in between Charles Barkley and Jamie Foxx. We drove around the strip drinking champagne and arrived at the hotel a little lit.
We settled into our room, which was on the corner of the hotel and had a KILLER view. Check it out:
We could see the Bellagio water show every time it went off.
We went to dinner at Andre's in the Monte Carlo. Their wine list was in a three inch spiral binder. They had wines as low as $30 and as high as $16,000. We bought a bottle that fell somewhere in between. Dinner was great, but we were totally beat from the time change. That didn't stop us, however, from fooling around in the hotel room before taking a nap.
After our brief nap, we got up to go see the David Copperfield show at 10:00. We were so close to the stage we could have spit on him. We restrained ourselves, though. The drinks were stupid. $5 for a tiny sprite? Whatever. I'll smuggle my own in my purse next time. The show was awesome. David Copperfield seems like he's moved away from the dark and myserious enigma he once was and is now just having fun.
We went back to the hotel room and collapsed.
Friday 9/8/09:
Woke up late. Engaged in some marital bliss. Went to breakfast at the hotel's complimentary continental breakfast for guests paying extra for a room with a view. Was tasty.
We did some shopping and had lunch at Sushi Roku where I had a fantabulous California roll. Real crab. It makes a difference!
Went back to the hotel and took a nap.
We went to dinner at Antionio's at the Rio. Excellent place to eat - great menu and super service. I tell you, the Rio is the party hotel. I set one foot in the door and became desperate to get drunk and stupid.
After dinner we went to The Wine Cellar also at the Rio. Very, very nice place to kick back and try some wine. We will be back.
After that we were ready to get drunk. We ended up at this lounge in Bally's where this R&B group was playing. Got shnockered. Went back to the hotel and got it on.
Saturday 9/9/06:
Slept in. Got up and went to breakfast with our hangovers. Went to the Fashion Show Mall on the strip where we witnessed a real live fashion show. The catwalk came up out of the middle of the floor and the models did their bizarre robot walk up and down the runway. It was interesting. I wondered what people from other planets would think if they saw it. Hmmm. Bizarrely dressed too-thin girls prancing in some sort of ritualistic march, surrounded by gawking citizens. Is it a funeral? Are the girls condemned and this is some pre-execution ceremony? Perhaps it's a sacrifice to a low-level god. Anyway. It was pretty fun, and I got a new dress.
Did some shopping at the Forum Shops at Ceasar's and the Venetian stores. Ate lunch at Canaletto where I had the best bruchetta of my entire life. We admired the architecture of The Venetian and the beauty of the canals.
Went back to the hotel and took a nap.
Went to dinner at The Eiffel Tower Restaurant and had a great meal. We got better seats this time - probably because we were staying at Paris. Each seat has a view of the Bellagio water show in the restaurant. It was beautiful.
Went back to the hotel room and went to bed, completely wiped out. Went to sleep after...well...you know.
Sunday 9/10/06:
Got up early and went to breakfast. Got picked up by the shuttle bus and taken to the helicopter airport. It was Grand Canyon time, baby!
Our helicopter tour took us by the Hoover Dam (although we didn't do the damn Dam tour, dammit) and set us down on the floor of the Grand Canyon. It was unbelievable. And beautiful. And amazing. It was truely a once in a lifetime experience and I'll never forget it. (Plus we have the DVD to remind us.)
Here's the helicopter that took us there:
A beautfil shot of the canyon:
Me and Bill in the Grand Canyon:
On the way back we flew up the strip and got a sweet view of the casinos:
The helicopter tour was definately the highlight of the trip. Plus the pictures I got were absolutely perfect.
We did some more shopping for lack of a desire to gamble and had lunch at the same place in The Aladdin that I went to with Nan and Mona in July. Then...you guessed it...it was nap time and more.
That night we went to Zumanity at New York New York. Whew!! Talk about racy. You won't see that stuff at the Celine Dion show. There were a few parts I didn't really care for but for the most part it was a great show - amazing acrobatics. They did a good job of combining athletic ability with sensuality.
After the show we went to 9 Fine Irishmen and had dinner and beer. I think next time we need to spend more time there - it's the only place that didn't seem to have changed. Very fun. Good food, good beer. What more can you ask for?
Then it was back to the hotel for bed time with benefits. Several times.
Monday 9/11/06:
Happy anniversary to us! Woke up at a decent hour and engaged in an artistic interpretation of the prior night's activities. Had our last breakfast at the hotel.
Monday we finally played some slots. I put $10 into a dollar machine and won $35. Ended up $25 ahead and quit. So much for our gambling experience.
We had lunch at Bertolini's at the Forum Shoppes at Ceasar's Palace. They have awesome Italian food. Highly recommended. Went back to Paris and had some drinks, then headed for the airport. Vacation time was over. I guess it was a good thing, because Bill kept complaining about his sides and legs being sore. Can't imagine what that was all about.
NaNo - 2008-10-09
Too Long - 2008-07-22
It's Over 2007 - 2007-11-30
Sandbagging - 2007-11-05
Daylight Savings Time - 2007-11-03