Day 10
The constant ringing of Poker machines greets us as we step into the lobby for breakfast; they start gambling early in Vegas, or perhaps they just never stop. Casinos are constructed so you have to walk through the gambling areas to get anywhere, a clever marketing strategy, which utterly fails on us, for nothing will ever divert Louise from her first cup of tea in the morning.
After successfully restraining ourselves at breakfast, we did a little shopping, before returning to a room for a nap, because it was going to be a late night (and we’re getting old).
The MGM Grand Casino is at the opposite end of the Vegas strip, it has a Hollywood theme, with its signature MGM lions in a special glass enclosure in the casino (pictured below - couldn't help thinking about poor Roy). We caught a taxi to the casino early so we could have dinner in the MGM Grand buffet before the 9.30pm session of the Cirque De Soleil show, KA.
The constant ringing of Poker machines greets us as we step into the lobby for breakfast; they start gambling early in Vegas, or perhaps they just never stop. Casinos are constructed so you have to walk through the gambling areas to get anywhere, a clever marketing strategy, which utterly fails on us, for nothing will ever divert Louise from her first cup of tea in the morning.
After successfully restraining ourselves at breakfast, we did a little shopping, before returning to a room for a nap, because it was going to be a late night (and we’re getting old).
The MGM Grand Casino is at the opposite end of the Vegas strip, it has a Hollywood theme, with its signature MGM lions in a special glass enclosure in the casino (pictured below - couldn't help thinking about poor Roy). We caught a taxi to the casino early so we could have dinner in the MGM Grand buffet before the 9.30pm session of the Cirque De Soleil show, KA.
When you think about Las Vegas, you think class, and that’s what we thought when a grossly obese couple walked out of the buffet in their wedding outfits. That’s what I call CLASSY – taking your new bride to the casino buffet! Well, it is all you can eat…
I tell you if I stay here any longer I’ll be well on my way to grossly obese, these buffets are killers, although we were disappointed with the MGM Grand buffet. We consider ourselves pretty well experts in buffets by now. This buffet had less of a range, and inadequate signage (it can get ugly when we have to hunt around for our favorite food). It’s the little things that let them down; no butter balls, only little packets of whipped butter, and the prawns were not peeled. I don’t want to waste time fiddling with little plastic packets of butter, when there is so much food to be eaten. The little things; call me a snob, but I think you should insist your guests wear shoes to dinner
The KA theatre at MGM was a futuristic design; on either side of the theater tall wooden pillars climbed to the ceiling, whilst metal walkways ran between them at several different levels like a scene from the movie, The Fifth Element. From the sunken stage, smoke swirled, and fireballs periodically erupted, the glow of red flame illuminating the dark theatre. (pictured below - I had to sneakly capure it on my mobile phone). The seats were spacious and comfortable, with integrated speakers in the headrests. The ushers were dressed in pirate outfits, remaining in character, as they directed to our seats. They resembled Johnny Depp in Pirates of Caribbean, but are probably not as well paid. The hiss of flame, the sound of drums in the background, created an atmosphere of suspense.
Suddenly the stage burst into color and movement, and for the next two hours we sat mesmerized at this absolutely amazing show. The sunken stage floor was actually a series of platforms, which could move horizontally, vertically, and tilt 90 degrees. Acrobats swung on wire cables across the theatre along with a flying contraption at one stage - it was sheer madness. Words can't really convey the athleticism, and the sheer detail of the sets. Needless to say, you can't help wondering how much it cost to build the mechanical set, however it must be millions of dollars. Only in Las Vegas could they put a show of this scale, and have the revenue to pay for the production cost. Plus, I think it’s great that all those Chinese gymnasts can be employed, because not everybody can make it to the Olympics.
On a further note, we walked back to our hotel, so you guessed it; Louise could have another look at the Bellagio fountains. Fortunately, the fountain display ends at midnight with a choreographed display to the national anthem; otherwise I might still be there.
We’re off to San Francisco in the morning. I’m looking forward to it, I understand it’s beautiful, cooler, and has no dancing fountains. It’s also has very steep hills, which might help us burn off some of the calories we consumed at the buffets.
Seriously, Las Vegas is a fantastic holiday destination and very good value for money. It’s like Hornsby RSL, but on steroids, and without the dress code, they make you wear shoes.
