LAS VEGAS 28
JUNE - 10 JULY 1998
Sunday 28th June
Arrived at Edinburgh Airport at 8.15am and booked in for our
10.l0am flight. Bought papers and chewing gum and watched a few planes taking
off and landing. Our plane was half an hour late taking off at 10.40am. We were
served tea and biscuits and then a drink. When we landed at Amsterdam we made
our way to our next flight. After checking in it wasn't long before we were
boarding our next plane - a 747 Jumbo. We took off three quarters of an hour
late. We were all given headphones and we listened to the music channels. This
helped to block out the noise of a screaming child sitting just in front of us!
We were served nuts and a drink and then later on a meal of Chicken Tarragon,
salad, bread roll, cheese, sponge and cream sweet and a cup of tea. Also a Bailey's
Irish Cream to wash it all down! Then came the dreaded immigration forms to
fill in. Jim did his impression of Rip Van Winkle so I ended up filling them
all in. Next we watched the film "The Man in the Iron Mask" and were
served a frozen yoghurt halfway through. After the film we were served a Deli
Roll with a drink. We arrived on time in Detroit and waited a long time for our
luggage to come through, only to find that our connecting flight to Las Vegas
had been cancelled. The next three hours was utter chaos. We had to get a bus
from the International Arrivals to the main terminal handing over our luggage
once again and we hadn't a clue which gate to go to as our flight was
cancelled. After many inquiries we discovered our luggage was now in a secure holding
place awaiting the next flight to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, the next flight was
fully booked and the next available flight was the next morning. Eventually, we
were given hotel and meal vouchers for a nearby hotel - The Double Trees - and
taken there by mini-van. We had a meal in the restaurant, where Ross's tooth
came out - he's making a habit of losing teeth on holiday! As we were all
exhausted we had an early night and did the best we could without any luggage.
We have to be up at 4.45am to get the 6.30am flight in the morning.
Monday 29th June
Struggled up at 4.40am and had to put on the same clothes as
yesterday -we'll certainly get plenty room on this plane! As a compensation for
the flight being cancelled we've been upgraded to first class. Got the shuttle
bus from the hotel at 5.00am after watching continuous fork lightning in the
dark sky and arrived at Detroit airport. Jim had to have our bag searched on
the way into the airport as the camcorder showed up on the security screen. We
booked in and were allocated our first class seats and were allowed to board
the plane first - this is more like it! Luxury all the way - drinks served
before take off, extra wide seats, choice of breakfast and more drinks. Pillows
and blankets were also provided to make us more comfortable. We could
definitely get used to this. On landing everything was so much more organised
than Detroit. A high speed train to take you to the main terminal, where joy of
joys - our luggage was waiting for us. Jim went to see if he could book our
seats from Memphis to Amsterdam on our return journey. We then took a limo ride
to our hotel, where we were met by a bellboy, who took our luggage. Once inside
we discovered that part of our travel folder was missing - the part with the hotel
voucher in it and our insurance documents, which had our credit card number on
it. Jim must have laid it down somewhere and forgot to pick it up. Panic
stations. We spoke to the girl on the information desk, who told us we would
probably still be able to book in as it was all prepaid. Thankfully the chap on
reception booked us in and gave us our key cards for our room. We then needed a
map to find our way there! We're on the 14th floor of Tower 2. Room 33 with a
beautiful view of New York New York Hotel. We
freshened up and changed our clothes after the bellboy
brought the luggage up and then explored the hotel pool and the arcade before
going for lunch at McDonald's. Ross didn't feel well after that so I took Scott
and Ross back to the hotel room. After an hour Ross felt fine and Jim came back
with a phone card, so we went to phone our parents. We then paid a visit to the
Tropicana Hotel to see the Wildlife Walk - not much to be seen unfortunately,
except an orang-utan getting it's photo taken with a bride and groom - the
things some people do after they visit a Wedding Chapel! Then it was on to The
Luxor Hotel and after a visit to their arcade we chanced a ride on "In
Search of The Obelisk", a simulated ride which the boys enjoyed. Then it was
time to eat again, so we found a McDonald's in the food court in the Luxor and
had our meal. The boys and I stayed in our room after that and watched the
lights come on, on the Strip. Jim had a nap on the bed and had to jump up after
half an hour when I shouted that the toilet was over-flowing. We managed to
stop it and I called housekeeping and they told us to put towels down and
they'd send someone up. A plumber arrived with a plunger and fixed it! Then
he radioed to a maid to come and clean up and bring fresh towels. After that
disaster the boys and I went to sleep and Jim went for a wander to the casino
and the neighbouring hotels.
Tuesday 30 June
Awoke early and had showers, then ventured down to the Round
Table Buffet in the hotel and stuffed ourselves. We went over to the MGM Grand
Hotel to book seats for EFX on Thursday night. It stars David Cassidy (formerly
performed by Michael Crawford) and is supposed to be the best show in Las Vegas
- it had better be for the money!
We came back and got ready to go to the pool. Jim had a kip whilst we were splashing about and having fun.
He came down to join us later but wasn't feeling too well and fainted in the toilets at the pool. Scott helped him recover and they came back up to the room. I think he was suffering from dehydration and diarrhoea and recovered in bed after some tablets and lots of water. I took the boys to the Luxor arcade and then for something to eat at the McDonald's in the Luxor. We came back to see if Jim was alright and then went to see a magician in our hotel at 7.45pm and then watched the dragon appear in the moat outside our hotel at 9.00pm. We then came back to our room and I went down to the casino for a wee shot on the slots.
We came back and got ready to go to the pool. Jim had a kip whilst we were splashing about and having fun.
He came down to join us later but wasn't feeling too well and fainted in the toilets at the pool. Scott helped him recover and they came back up to the room. I think he was suffering from dehydration and diarrhoea and recovered in bed after some tablets and lots of water. I took the boys to the Luxor arcade and then for something to eat at the McDonald's in the Luxor. We came back to see if Jim was alright and then went to see a magician in our hotel at 7.45pm and then watched the dragon appear in the moat outside our hotel at 9.00pm. We then came back to our room and I went down to the casino for a wee shot on the slots.
Wednesday 1st July
Started off in Denny's for breakfast. Then it was on to a
few souvenir shops before popping into Bally's,
Flamingo Hilton,
Imperial Palace and Harrah's. We then saw an example of what a bedroom will look like in the Venetian Hotel when it opens next spring - very luxurious. We then crossed over to Treasure Island and had a quick bite to eat in a snack bar before watching the pirate battle outside at 4.00pm. Then it was inside again and into the Mutiny Bay Arcade for the boys to enjoy themselves. We then caught the 5.30pm pirate battle before taking the tram to The Mirage. We saw the exotic fish in the reception area and then one of the white Siberian tigers, which appear with Siegfried and Roy in their stage act. Next it was on to the Forum Shops which are part of Caesar's Palace Hotel.
They are covered by an artificial sky, which changes from light to dark every so often. We visited a few shops and at 7.00pm watched an anamatronic display of Bacchus and some Roman Gods. We then visited a huge toy shop called FAO Schwartz with every imaginable toy in it. It had a Monopoly snack bar and it sold every possible edition of Monopoly ever made. It also had a Star Wars Cafe with lots of collectibles.
After that we saw another anamatronic display with a battle between water and fire - brilliant. We then passed through Caesar's Palace Hotel on our way back to our hotel. It was a long walk back and Jim very kindly went for a pizza for us when we finally collapsed in our bedroom. It had been a long day and as Scott would put it "our dogs were howling" (our feet were killing us)!
Flamingo Hilton,
Imperial Palace and Harrah's. We then saw an example of what a bedroom will look like in the Venetian Hotel when it opens next spring - very luxurious. We then crossed over to Treasure Island and had a quick bite to eat in a snack bar before watching the pirate battle outside at 4.00pm. Then it was inside again and into the Mutiny Bay Arcade for the boys to enjoy themselves. We then caught the 5.30pm pirate battle before taking the tram to The Mirage. We saw the exotic fish in the reception area and then one of the white Siberian tigers, which appear with Siegfried and Roy in their stage act. Next it was on to the Forum Shops which are part of Caesar's Palace Hotel.
They are covered by an artificial sky, which changes from light to dark every so often. We visited a few shops and at 7.00pm watched an anamatronic display of Bacchus and some Roman Gods. We then visited a huge toy shop called FAO Schwartz with every imaginable toy in it. It had a Monopoly snack bar and it sold every possible edition of Monopoly ever made. It also had a Star Wars Cafe with lots of collectibles.
After that we saw another anamatronic display with a battle between water and fire - brilliant. We then passed through Caesar's Palace Hotel on our way back to our hotel. It was a long walk back and Jim very kindly went for a pizza for us when we finally collapsed in our bedroom. It had been a long day and as Scott would put it "our dogs were howling" (our feet were killing us)!
Thursday 2nd July
Went to a place called Carrows for breakfast. Two eggs,
bacon or sausage and three pancakes or French toast with hot syrup - $2.99 plus
as much coffee or fresh orange juice as you can drink. Brilliant! Ross had Funny
Face pancakes for $1.99. Went to the Monte Carlo Hotel,
but found that their arcade wasn't open yet, so we had a wander round and then came back to New York New York.
Their arcade was huge so the boys enjoyed having shots on all the machines. Wherever Ross goes he plays the machines that pay out tickets and then gets a small prize at the end of it. Scott prefers the beat-em-up and shooting machines.
We then headed back to our hotel and Jim, Scott and Ross went on the Space Race simulated ride - very exciting! Then it was time to go to the pool. We all had a lovely swim and then showers before Jim, Scott and Ross went for their second ride on the simulator - Devil's Mine Ride. We then all went for something to eat at McDonald's in the MGM Grand before the start of the show - EFX. It starred David Cassidy and was a lavish production with 250 special effects in it, from fire breathing dragons to journeys through time in 3D, plus a few magic tricks and circus acts in between. We came back to our hotel and Jim and I cashed some travellers cheques and had a wee shot on the slots before going to bed.
but found that their arcade wasn't open yet, so we had a wander round and then came back to New York New York.
Their arcade was huge so the boys enjoyed having shots on all the machines. Wherever Ross goes he plays the machines that pay out tickets and then gets a small prize at the end of it. Scott prefers the beat-em-up and shooting machines.
We then headed back to our hotel and Jim, Scott and Ross went on the Space Race simulated ride - very exciting! Then it was time to go to the pool. We all had a lovely swim and then showers before Jim, Scott and Ross went for their second ride on the simulator - Devil's Mine Ride. We then all went for something to eat at McDonald's in the MGM Grand before the start of the show - EFX. It starred David Cassidy and was a lavish production with 250 special effects in it, from fire breathing dragons to journeys through time in 3D, plus a few magic tricks and circus acts in between. We came back to our hotel and Jim and I cashed some travellers cheques and had a wee shot on the slots before going to bed.
Friday 3rd July
Had another lovely breakfast at Carrows. Phoned Nanna and
Granddad to wish them well on their wedding anniversary. Jim went to the
airport to see if he could find our missing papers and I took the boys to the
Luxor arcade and our own hotel arcade where they went on the Colossus
Rollercoaster simulated ride and Ross won quite a lot of tickets on his
machines. When Jim came back - no papers handed in at the airport - the boys
and Jim watched the Brazil V Denmark football match and tennis from Wimbledon
whilst I played the slots for an hour. We then phoned Gran and Papa to wish
them a happy holiday and then phoned the credit card company in Brighton to
cancel our credit card. (We’re frightened that somebody might have found our
lost documents and used our credit card number.) After that we set off for the
shuttle bus to the Stratosphere Hotel stopping off at McDonald's for an
ice-cream on the way. Once at the Stratosphere we found the children's arcade
and the boys enjoyed themselves. We then had a walk round their shops and the
boys bought virtual pets for $1.58 each. We then visited the biggest gift shop
in the world just further down the Strip, before getting the shuttle bus back
to our hotel. We had pizzas from New York New York before visiting the slots
for an hour.
Saturday 4th July
Awoke later than usual and headed down to the Round Table
Buffet for breakfast. Bagels, cream cheese, fruit, waffles with hot syrup,
apple pancakes, cheese omelettes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, sliced ham,
cereals, and Danish pastries. When we came out we were just in time to see one
of the daily parades of strolling performers in the hotel. Jim and Scott then
watched the football while I went over to the Luxor to look round the shops. We
then all went down to the pool for a lovely swim and Jim and I frizzled at the
side enjoying the sun. After showers we went over to the MGM Grand for dinner.
The boys and I had a McDonald's and Jim tested out the Orient Express Chinese
fast food. We then had a wander out to their theme park at the back of the
hotel. After that we found that people were sitting on the grass at the
Tropicana thinking that New York New York were having a fireworks display for
the 4th of July. We joined them for a while and then gave up and went back to
our hotel room. Jim and I had a wee shot on the slots before going to bed.
Sunday 5th July
Went to Carrows for breakfast before setting off to visit
more hotels up the Strip.
We visited The Mirage to see the dolphin sanctuary and the Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy - white tigers, black panthers, and an Asian elephant.
After an ice-cream we went into The Desert Inn (very peaceful and tranquil), The New Frontier (strike's over), The Stardust, The Riviera (where we could have stayed last year for a few pounds more). Next we crossed over to Circus Circus and had a look round Grand Slam Canyon Theme Park before having something to eat at McDonald's inside Circus Circus. The boys then played in the arcade before we left to get the bus downtown.
We arrived at Fremont Street and saw an acrobat doing tricks on a bungee rope from the very high artificial ceiling. We watched the light shows at 8.30pm and 9.00pm before catching the bus back to our hotel. Jim and I had our usual wee shot on the slots before retiring.
We visited The Mirage to see the dolphin sanctuary and the Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy - white tigers, black panthers, and an Asian elephant.
After an ice-cream we went into The Desert Inn (very peaceful and tranquil), The New Frontier (strike's over), The Stardust, The Riviera (where we could have stayed last year for a few pounds more). Next we crossed over to Circus Circus and had a look round Grand Slam Canyon Theme Park before having something to eat at McDonald's inside Circus Circus. The boys then played in the arcade before we left to get the bus downtown.
We arrived at Fremont Street and saw an acrobat doing tricks on a bungee rope from the very high artificial ceiling. We watched the light shows at 8.30pm and 9.00pm before catching the bus back to our hotel. Jim and I had our usual wee shot on the slots before retiring.
Monday 6th July
Went to Carrows for breakfast again and then caught the bus
to the Belz Factory Outlets. 145 shops under one roof. We spent all day
shopping for clothes, trainers and toys and came back to the hotel at 6.30pm
totally exhausted. We all got new trainers, Scott bought an electronic slot
machine, Ross bought a Toy Story Virtual Pet and they bought Las Vegas Monopoly
between them. Jim went to the pool to sunbathe for half an hour and then we
relaxed in our room. Jim went for a walk to The Mirage to film the volcano and
brought Coke, nuts and Pringles back in with him. The boys had a game of Las
Vegas Monopoly before going to bed.
Tuesday 7th July
Had breakfast at the Boardwalk Surf Buffet (part of the
Holiday Inn). Cereals, fruit, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, apple pancakes,
waffles, hot syrup, pastries, cakes and even ice-cream with different toppings
to choose from. After that we had a walk to some souvenir shops and then came
back for Jim and Scott to watch the Brazil v Holland semi-final. Ross, Scott
and I played Las Vegas Monopoly. We went to the MGM Grand food court for our
evening meal. Scott and Ross ate from McDonald's and Jim and I had sweet and
sour pork with chow mein and rice. We then had a wander to some more shops and
paid a quick visit to Coca-Cola World and Gameworks.
Scott and Ross finished off the evening playing Las Vegas Monopoly and roulette, which they bought at the shops.
Scott and Ross finished off the evening playing Las Vegas Monopoly and roulette, which they bought at the shops.
Wednesday 8th July
Went to the Surf Buffet again for breakfast
and then visited Coca-Cola World again. Today is their 1st anniversary so it was 2 for the price of 1 day. We went up in the lift in the inside of a giant Coca-Cola bottle, which made the sound of a bottle filling up.
We then tasted Coca-Cola products from every part of the world. Most of them were lovely, but the worst was one from Italy called Beverly. We had our photos taken with the Coca-Cola Santa
and then walked round the gift shop again. We came back to our room and packed the cases whilst watching the football. Jim and I did a little sunbathing as the pool was closed and then we all had showers before going for our meal. We went to the Luxor for a change and the boys had a McDonald's and Jim and I had pizza. Then the boys played in Sega Virtual Land. We popped outside the Luxor for a look at it at night and then came back to our room. Jim and I had a final shot on the slots and managed to win a wee bit. Jim bought an Excalibur goblet with a Margarita in it, before we finally came back to the room.
and then visited Coca-Cola World again. Today is their 1st anniversary so it was 2 for the price of 1 day. We went up in the lift in the inside of a giant Coca-Cola bottle, which made the sound of a bottle filling up.
We then tasted Coca-Cola products from every part of the world. Most of them were lovely, but the worst was one from Italy called Beverly. We had our photos taken with the Coca-Cola Santa
and then walked round the gift shop again. We came back to our room and packed the cases whilst watching the football. Jim and I did a little sunbathing as the pool was closed and then we all had showers before going for our meal. We went to the Luxor for a change and the boys had a McDonald's and Jim and I had pizza. Then the boys played in Sega Virtual Land. We popped outside the Luxor for a look at it at night and then came back to our room. Jim and I had a final shot on the slots and managed to win a wee bit. Jim bought an Excalibur goblet with a Margarita in it, before we finally came back to the room.
Thursday 9th July
Had our last breakfast at Carrows before taking a few photos
and packing up and checking out. Took the 11.00am shuttle bus to the airport
and checked in for our 1.55pm flight to Memphis. Because of lightning our
flight was late corning in from Los Angeles and couldn't refuel immediately as
they shut down all fuel tanks when there is lightning as a precaution. We
finally took off at 2.45pm after taking on 3,000 gallons of fuel. On our three
hour flight we met a boy from Carrick Knowe School - Scott Forbes - he was on
his way from Las Vegas to Atlanta with his Dad to visit relations. Ross knew
him from school and cubs. During the flight we were served drinks and a hot
chicken roll with ice-cold baby carrots, and biscuits with coffee. We landed at
Memphis and walked a short way to our next departure gate and boarded our next
flight straight away. We took off from Memphis about 15 minutes late. We were
all given headphones to listen to the audio channels and a flight programme to
tell us what would be served and when the film would be on. First we were
served a drink and then a hot meal of chicken and rice followed by grapes and a
peach plus tea. Then it was time for a Bailey's Irish Cream to wash it all
down. Next came the film "The Borrowers" which was really good family
entertainment. We've kind of lost track of what time it is where - at the
moment my watch is still on Las Vegas time - 11.00pm.
Friday 10th July
After a short nap we were served another meal - breakfast -
orange Juice, fresh fruit, yoghurt, chocolate croissant and an apple cinnamon
cake with coffee. We then prepared for landing at 11.30am Amsterdam time. We
then transferred to gate D31 for our next flight at 1.50pm. Took off 25 minutes
late at 2.15pm. We were served a ham and cheese roll, a chocolate Flyte bar and
a cup of tea. Also a cold drink. We landed at 2.30pm British time - only 10
minutes late, collected our luggage and got a taxi home. Back to the Scottish
weather - rain!