Day 9
When I finally awoke, I stretched luxuriously in the world's most comfortable bed, and took in another beautiful sunny day, although with some of the first few clouds we've seen so far on the horizon. Surprisingly, after our banquet last night, we managed to waddle down to breakfast, which was on the same scale as dinner, an American buffet breakfast consisting of; waffles, pancakes, dohnuts, cheesecake, French toast, eggs Benedict, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, bacon, burritos, pizza, whipped cream, and all types of cereal. I won't tell you how much I had; let’s just say "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."
Feeling full, but slightly sick, we braved the two block walk to the half price ticket booth, Tix4tonite, where we thought we would be clever and save money on Vegas shows, but all we got is heat stroke. It was 39 degrees today.
TRAVEL TIP; Don't try and go for a walk in the Vegas sun after eating Eggs Benedict.
Back at the hotel, the concierge, who was much cleverer, he picked for instance we were Australian, helped us purchase tickets to the Cirque De Soleil show, KA, at the MGM Grand tomorrow night.
TRAVEL TIP: Order your tickets for Las Vegas shows months in advance, or if not, hope you have good concierge.
Then we went poolside. The Mirage has two pools, a family pool, and one called Bare, that allows 'European style sunbathing". Obviously, Louise didn't allow me to find out for myself what "European sunbathing" is, but I understand it means girls can go topless. This is actually quite a risqué thing to do in America, which remains a very conservative country; it was founded by Puritans after all. Ladies, by all means buy Tasers, and automatic weapons, but keep those breasts covered up! (or stay at the Mirage)
Behind the pool at the Mirage is the Secret of garden of Siegfried and Roy, which is an animal sanctuary containing dolphins, their famous tigers, and leopards. The Dolphin trainers put on a show that included a baby dolphin, called “Sergeant Pepper.” I think the best job involves looking after the tiger cubs (pictured below), including the rare little Bengal Tiger cubs. Siegfried and Roy had a long running act at the Mirage Hotel for over 25 years, until that is, one of the tigers nearly ate Roy.
I couldn’t help but find the quote from Roy a little ironic, which read, “The wonderful thing is, imagination is universal all over the world, no matter what the language is.” I don’t think the 1,500 people in the audience needed any imagination when he was being brutally mauled on stage by his white tiger.
We needed to cool down, so it was off to the ice cream shop. We had mint choc chip, because Louse says “mints a herb, close to a vegetable, so it’s basically good for you.” Still battling with that logic ten minutes later, I asked for the 5th time this trip, “Do I have ice cream on my face.” For the 5th time Louise said, “Yes.” I don’t know why I ask. Maybe it’s the joy of getting old, when more of the meal ends up on me than in my mouth.
We walk across the road to the Venetian Casino. Now the Venetian Hotel, as the name implies, has a Venetian theme to its architecture. It has a fair copy of the Rialto bridge, but it doesn’t cross the Grand Canal, but over a road. The exterior looks a bit like Saint Marks Square, and there are even some canals, complete with a Gondola. It makes me wonder why Louise and I went to Europe last year; we’ve seen the Trevi Fountain, Sistine chapel, the Roman Forum at Caesar’s Palace Casino, Venice at the Venetion, and the Paris Casino has a half size replica of the Eiffel Tower. At least we would have avoided the French.
Americans also don’t like the French anymore, probably why they brought the Eiffel tower to Las Vegas in the first place. After French opposition to the Iraq war, a popular reference to France in the media was “Wine drinking surrender monkeys”. They even changed the name of French Fries to “Freedom Fries” for a short time.
The Venetian has Madame Tassauds, Las Vegas. We’ve been to the London and Hong Kong Madame Tassuads. Being experts now on Madame Tassauds, we have come to unanimous decision that London is the best, followed by Hong Kong, and a close third is Las Vegas. I think the Lady Diane is quite good (pictured below).
Every half hour during the day the famous Bellagio Hotel’s fountains erupt into an artistic display. So we walked a little further down the road. Precisely at 4pm, the fountains burst into life sending the water up to two hundred meters into the air. It’s pretty spectacular, and a definite must thing to do in Las Vegas.
We went back to the hotel’s buffet for dinner, partly because we’re gluttons, but mostly because they have the best buffet in the world. After dinner we went to the Paris Casino. Louise and I had missed the opportunity to go up the top of the Eiffel tower, whilst in Paris last year. Well, missed is not quite true, we could have waited three hours. That’s my next travel tip; don’t go to Paris during the World Cup (actually don't go to Paris, but if you must go for a maximum 2 days). Anyway, Louise and I waited only fifteen minutes, and got a fantastic view of Las Vegas (pictured below). The city looks beautiful at night, and the Eiffel Tower is the place to get the best view.
The Bellagio Hotel's fountains, spectacular during the day, are sensational at night (pictured below). Louise absolutely loves the fountains, she says Ann loves them too, "like mother like daughter" I guess. After five consecutive performances I managed to drag her away, although I must admit each one is choreographed to different music.
There you have it. Louise and I are having a fantastic time in Las Vegas. I love it, because we get to have a cheap, luxurious holiday, built on the failed dreams and hopes of all those problem gamblers sitting in these casinos all day. Keep playing I say!
Incidently, they are still building more casinos in Las Vegas, because they say " the house always wins".
Vive Las Vegas!
