Reflections on Las Vegas

Now, I know you will be surprised with this, but this morning the ladies wanted to go shopping to the fashion outlet downtown that they had not yet visited, so the lads decided to accompany them. Surely in Vegas there would be a bar, movie theatre, strip joint and Starbucks in the centre? No, just shops. Nonetheless, they managed to fill numerous bags with clothes and the boys even managed a couple of items. Mac and Kathy arrive from Florida and we head to Cirque du Soleil "O." It was booked for tonight and it did not disappoint in the spectacular nature of the performance or the production and costumes. It was held in  a grand theatre at Bellagio Hotel and Casino, which leads me to the description of Vegas itself. To say it is excess is an understatement. However contrary to our preconceptions, the architecture and engineering are incredible. Steel, glass and concrete have been used to create an incredible and massive external architecture from classic skyscrapers to recreated New York skylines and a Eifle Tower that looks, well not so much out of place as you would expect. Internally, however is where I think the real talent has been applied. Without a doubt, the finishes are over the top, but incredibly well done in a craftsman like manner. Of particular note and my favourite to date, is the Venetian. The interior has been used to recreate a full scale replica of parts of Venice, complete with vaulted walkways, cobbled streets, plaza and waterways with working gondolas. But here is the real surprise. You walk inside from the Strip where it is 103F with nothing but total blue sky and that little ball of bloody hot orange pumping out the UV's, into a climate controlled street of Venice. As you look around, you notice that the temperature is a mild 60F and the sky has turned into a blue and white cloud-studded expanse, with a 'just on evening' lighting. The builders have created a massive stadium roof over the internal fit out and suspended a fabric ceiling probably 100' above and, yes you guessed it, painted a sky. Walking back from Bellagio after the performance, the street is shoulder to shoulder with middle America, all being polite and getting along, despite the gawking tourists from downunder (and a couple from Florida), stopping to take photographs. luckily Joanne, who has been to LV many times, knows the way back to NYNY through the airconditioned lobbies of a number of adjoining Casinos. NYNY is feeling like home now and we enjoy a couple of nightcaps in one of the many bars before the senior Anzac contingent and Mac and Kathy hit the pillow.

Grand Canyon then Cocktails

The ladies of the contingent headed off to the outlet malls, including Warren, who had that killer look in his eye, while Flashman and the Major braved the 104F and patrolled the Strip looking for Las Vegas culture and history. We found both in the airconditioned bars at Excalibre, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and then two refreshing champagnes at Paris Casino Champagne Bar. Lady P had then arranged for a stretch limo to take us to the airport for the helicopter flight to the Hoover Dam, Meade Lake and the Grand Canyon. A truly spectacular trip and descent into the bottom of the canyon where we had champagne and nibbles, before a return trip at sunset roaring down the Strip like millionaires.

Sin City here we come

The Anzac contingent - Flashman, Lady P and the Major (Roger, Penny and Tas) and Warren Tammy and Mikayla from NZ, assembled for a surprisingly good breakfast in the airport hotel with decent coffee and as Flashman noticed, cheeky buxom waitresses. As is the tradition in these matters, the car GPS requires a name. So, Betty Sue or some such American name was proposed. However, after she took us around the block in the wrong direction and then had us in the middle of a parking lot when we were actually heading the wrong way on the Freeway, well "Stupid Bitch" just seemed to fit better. Eventually Lady P, ensconced in the back of the Chevy Impala, used her mobile phone and the old fashioned back up paper maps provided by the Major, to get us on the right track to Sin City. We stopped at Barstow for some water and the Kiwis ordered the worst fried something from Popeye takeaway and Lady P hits the wheel while Flashman retires to the back seat in charge of the handbags, maps and importantly, the water and dried fruit/nuts. Just as well too, because ten minutes out of town the Interstate becomes a parking lot. Obviously an accident has shut down the highway and we wait for an hour before resuming the trip. Flashy carefully doles out the nuts and water, while Lady P and the Major discuss how to survive in the Mojave desert in 103 F degree heat that surrounds us. Luckily, Flashy has his Swiss Army pocket knife handy. We hit Las Vegas late in the afternoon and find Joanne and her friend Stephanie in reception of the New York New York Hotel and Casino and the party begins. After wandering around the Casino and sampling some beverages in the recreated New York streetscape, we head down town (in a 10 seat Limo, having now picked up more of Joanne's birthday friends) to the old Vegas and the Freemont Experience, past the charming Elvis Wedding Chapel and through a dodgy area where the motels rent by the hour. The old (original strip) Vegas is pumping with many strange people about, including a number of men in mankinis and a scantily dressed blonde number dressed as an angel - well, an almost naked angel. Cute tattoo as well. Joanne has us on a predetermined tour which leads to, surprise, a cooling beverage at a micro brewery then Slotzilla! That's where you climb to the top of a three story tower, get strapped belly down into a harness and clipped to 100 meters of steel cable running the length of Freemont Street and let loose like flying supermen. Looks great from street level and a real buzz actually doing it. I think the 15 year old (obviously well trained and competent?) staff were amazed that a bunch of older folk such as us, took to it with such aplomb. We survive to hunt down a $16 all you can eat, typically Vegas buffet dinner in one of the original Casinos, "The Golden Nugget". You may be surprised to hear that it was actually reasonable quality food. As Flashy begins to hit the wall of jetlag, we stumble across a nice chap offering to take us back to the New York New York Hotel, which is a considerable distance away. The Major asks "So, who is this guy?" Flashman has no idea, but regains some credibility when the nice man opens the door to his glitzy stretch limo. Beauty! only $10 per head and we make it back to our hotel for, yes, a nightcap. By now it's almost midnight and while the others, including, amazingly, Lady P are still awake, Flashy is a walking zombie. Bed never looked so good.

LAX 42 years on!

Right on time we touched base at LAX. A nostalgic event for Lady P who last visited in 1973 en route to London to Nanny for the Ogilvys. Met Tas at the baggage carousel following his flight from Melbourne and together we shuttle bused to our hotel 2 blocks away. It was only 9am when we arrived but by 10.15am our room's were ready and in the interim a good strong coffee kept us awake.  The pool area beckoned and with blue skies and sunshine there was plenty of vitamin D to keep us awake. The 'boys' went off to collect the hire car at midday and successfully avoided the constant up selling finally returning 2 hrs later with our hire car. By mid afternoon we were all  waning but just when we thought we would have to resort to a nana nap the long awaited Frazers arrived. Cocktails, swimming and catchups were in order before we eventually retired to a private dining area in the bar for  some light snacks before crashing at 8pm.... for a normal nights sleep ...... we hope! 

A practice for the real thing ..... overnight in Brisvegas

So D day has finally arrived and after a busy morning preparing the apartment for our Airbnb guests who will be arriving next week we jump a Jetstar flight to Brisvegas. We overnight at the Kingsford Smith motel and walk down to Portside to meet up with our good friends Gavan and Elaine for dinner. The place is pumping and the traffic chaotic - low and behold we discover bright lights and a large Circus tent riverside.  Yes you guessed it, Cirque du Soleil are in town performing their Totem show.
Las Vegas suddenly seems not far away at all.

D-Day minus 8

8 Days and counting.