The big day is finally here. We arrived at Graceland in style in the hotel's limousine, and picked up our VIP passes we had ordered on the internet at the complex across the road. As a VIP we were conveyed in our own bus and driven to Graceland.
Now, Louise and I will give you your own free virtual tour of Graceland, and you won’t even have to leave your chair: When you first arrive up the long drive, you realize the house is not as big as you imagine, but then you also can't believe you’re at Elvis's house (pictured below).
On the right as you enter the house is the sitting room (pictured below). The room on the left is the dining room (pictured below) Straight ahead, past the stairs on the right is Elvis's parent’s room. Nobody is allowed upstairs to the private rooms.
Continuing on from the dining room is the kitchen, and further on is the famous Jungle Room, heavily influenced by Elvis's love of Hawaii (pictured below).
From the Jungle room continue down to the basement, which was made into a TV room (pictured below).
Out the back of the house, your attention is drawn to the horses grazing in the back yard. Elvis loved to ride, and Graceland is set on over 13 acres. Continuing along a path straight ahead is a building containing Elvis's offices. Then follow the footpath along the back of the house, and enter another building, which is the trophy room. On the side of the house is Elvis's pool complete with diving pool, and past that is a memorial garden, with a fountain. Here is the Presley family graves in the memorial garden (pictured below).
The VIP pass allows access to a private room at a building at the back of the house, containing some private personal belongings; clothing, riding equipment, his personal desk, even his blue handled Colt .45 pistol!
I hope you have enjoyed the amazing tour, we certainly did. We were driven back to the complex across the road. There we had access to Elvis's aircraft, the larger one even has a bedroom (I need that for the flight home), and private bathroom for Elvis. He really liked to travel in style. Private jet is the way to travel; none of the delay and inconvenience of airports, or explosive 'sniffing' machines.
All this excitement made us hungry so we walked to Rock-n-Roll Forever, a 50's diner for lunch. Elvis was a big fan of grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and so I had to give it a try. I know what you are thinking, disgusting, right? Wrong, the nutty flavor contrasts with the sweet of the banana, to make a delicious combination. Their crinkle cut chips, sorry fries (they don't know what chips are), are good too.
We visited Elvis's car museum, and the famous pink cadillac. (pictured below)
The funniest moment was the taxi ride home. Our 73 year old driver was driving so slow all the time struggling to keep it in the lane, whilst talking in his distinctive Tennessee accent, saying, "I don't know why everybody is in such a hurry." Frustrated people were beeping the horn at him. It was all very funny, but also a bit scary way. We felt sorry for him though. With his baseball cap, silver mullet, and chewing toothpick, I would say, "What we have got here is Hillbilly."(Said in Southern accent).
Seriously, once you've been to America you will never complain again about a Sydney taxi. US taxis are dirty, and falling apart. Consider using the hotel's limousine, which will only cost you five dollars more, and for the sake of your life it’s well worth it. Next time we come I will definitely be hiring a car.
TRAVEL TIP:
Spend the extra money to obtain a VIP pass, which has numerous benefits:
- You don't have to wait for buses to take you to Graceland with the rest of the great unwashed.
- you can go through the house as many times as you like, which means you can pick the times between tours when there is less congestion.
- You can spend more time getting photographs of the front of the house (they hurry the other tours along)
- You get to see the private room at the back
- Free entry to see Elvis's aircraft and cars
- Free entry to museum
- Most importantly you get cool VIP passes to where around your neck.
Late in the afternoon, we had another look at Beale Street, before hopping on a trolley car for a ride around the city. As the sun sets over the mighty Mississippi we reflected on what a great time we had in Memphis, and how one day we will definitely return. Note, we have moved Memphis up to number 3 on our top 5 places we have visited.
TRAVEL TIP: Try authentic Southern Fried Chicken, it's crumbed, crisp and moist, not oily and battered like KFC. It's delicious.
Tomorrow we're off to New York City, and we're not even half way through our trip.
Thanks for all your comments, and emails, however we are having trouble sending emails at the moment.
