LAS VEGAS TRIP - 28 March - 8 April 2005
Monday 28th March
Got picked up at 10.15am and taken to airport. Checked in
and were told we were not seated next to each other on the flights to Chicago
or Las Vegas. Our London flight left on time and once in the air we were served
tea and sandwiches. Once we landed we went to the Flight Connections Centre to
enquire if we could change our seats so we could sit together. A very nice girl
took pity on us and decided to upgrade us to Business Class!! Wow – we didn’t
expect that. She also changed our seats on the Chicago to Las Vegas flight to
economy plus so we could sit together on that flight as well. We then made our
way to terminal 3. It wasn’t long before our flight was called and we made our
way to Gate 20 for boarding. We got to board first and we were totally amazed at
the seats in Business Class. Enough leg room to stretch your legs right out, a
little bag of toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, moisturiser,
earplugs, socks and eye mask) and champagne prior to take off. The stewardess
then handed out a menu and then came round with newspapers. We then settled
back and put our footrests up and watched Finding Neverland whilst being served
free drinks and a meal of salad and salami with feta cheese dressing then a
choice of either chicken with rice or steak and vegetables. This was followed
by either cheese, crackers and grapes or Haagen Dazz ice-cream and tea/coffee.
Our wine and water were topped up regularly. We then watched 2 more films –
Ladies in Lavender and Shall We Dance before being served tea with sandwiches
and a scone with clotted cream and jam. Then it was time to land and our
Business Class treat was over – the most comfortable flight we’ve ever had –
all 8 and a half hours of it.
Cleared customs after we reclaimed our luggage and transferred to terminal 1 by train after checking our luggage in again. Our next flight took off slightly late and there were no free meals on it – not that we felt hungry after all that food on the last flight. We tried to get some sleep but it was nowhere near as comfy as Business Class!
Landed safely and caught the shuttle bus to Circus Circus. Took us over half and hour to check in as there was such a long queue. Finally unpacked and got to bed at 1.15am Las Vegas time – 10.15am UK time (been travelling for over 24 hours).
Cleared customs after we reclaimed our luggage and transferred to terminal 1 by train after checking our luggage in again. Our next flight took off slightly late and there were no free meals on it – not that we felt hungry after all that food on the last flight. We tried to get some sleep but it was nowhere near as comfy as Business Class!
Landed safely and caught the shuttle bus to Circus Circus. Took us over half and hour to check in as there was such a long queue. Finally unpacked and got to bed at 1.15am Las Vegas time – 10.15am UK time (been travelling for over 24 hours).
Tuesday 29th March
Woke up very early so went for an early breakfast at the
McDonald’s next door to the hotel. We then made our way to Walgreen’s to stock
up on medicines (eye ointment and mouth ulcer gel) before heading down the
Strip. Our first stop was the Frontier and then Treasure Island. We then
crossed over to The Venetian and Casino Royale, Harrah’s and the Imperial
Palace. We then wandered through the Forum Shops and casino before going to
McDonald's for a bite to eat.
By this time we were totally exhausted so we walked all the way back to our hotel. Had a sleep as we were up so early this morning and I wasn’t well for the rest of the night with an upset stomach. Luckily I had some Imodium tablets with me so Jim went for a bottle of water for me. Finally got to sleep about midnight.
By this time we were totally exhausted so we walked all the way back to our hotel. Had a sleep as we were up so early this morning and I wasn’t well for the rest of the night with an upset stomach. Luckily I had some Imodium tablets with me so Jim went for a bottle of water for me. Finally got to sleep about midnight.
Wednesday 30 March
We were awoken about half past four, by workmen outside our
window. We finally got up about half past five because we couldn’t get back to
sleep again. Went for breakfast at about 7.00am then set off for Westward Ho
and the Stardust. Called in at Walgreen’s for more Imodium. Went for our free
pull on the slot machine at the Riviera and got a free mug and a pack of cards.
We had our $5 on the slots and “Elvis” interrupted us to do a survey. When he
discovered we were from Scotland he was quite proud of the fact that he could
say – “It’s a braw bricht moon licht nicht the nicht”!! We crossed back over
the road to our hotel and had an hour’s sleep to keep us going. We then
discovered the pools at our hotel – took us ages to find them as the hotel is
so big we keep getting lost!
Sat by the pool for a while then headed off to the Westward Ho for free ice-cream and then to the internet café to check our e-mails. We then walked to the Sahara and had a look round and then walked to the Stratosphere. We walked back from there and had a Subway meal in our room for our dinner before getting changed and going out for the night to Slots of Fun and our own hotel casino. Got to bed about 1.30am.
Sat by the pool for a while then headed off to the Westward Ho for free ice-cream and then to the internet café to check our e-mails. We then walked to the Sahara and had a look round and then walked to the Stratosphere. We walked back from there and had a Subway meal in our room for our dinner before getting changed and going out for the night to Slots of Fun and our own hotel casino. Got to bed about 1.30am.
Thursday 31st March
Jim brought me breakfast in bed, as he couldn’t sleep. We
then went downstairs to join in a free slot tournament. After that we went to
the internet café and then bought half price tickets for tonight to see The Rat
Pack at the Greek Isles Casino. We then wandered over to the Las Vegas Hilton
and played their slots until it was time to come back for the free draw at our
hotel. Our names weren’t drawn out so we then went for something to eat at
Subway and finished it off with free ice-cream at the Westward Ho. We then had a
short walk before relaxing at our poolside. Then got changed ready to go out.
We stopped off in the foyer to see if our names were drawn out for a free turn
of the wheel to win money/prizes – but no luck.
We then went to the Riviera and had a Chinese meal before heading off to the Greek Isles to see our show. The show was really good and we came back to our hotel via the Stardust.
We then went to the Riviera and had a Chinese meal before heading off to the Greek Isles to see our show. The show was really good and we came back to our hotel via the Stardust.
Friday 1st April
Had breakfast in our room again and then packed our cases to
move to the Sahara. Trundled up the street with our luggage and checked in
straight away. Our room is on the 23rd floor and has a wonderful view of the
Stratosphere. We then lay by the pool for a while as the weather has taken a
turn for the better today – wind has died down and the temp has gone into the
high seventies from the sixties yesterday. We then went to the Riviera food
court for a Quizno Sub then over to the Westward Ho for free ice-cream.
We spent a little while on the internet checking our e-mails before returning to our hotel to get changed and meet up with Jess (an American friend) at the MGM Grand. We met him at 6.30pm outside a restaurant called Sea Blue.
We had a drink at the bar before sitting at our table and Jim and I were totally out of our depth when it came to ordering. We let Jess guide us through the menu and he encouraged us to try oysters, scallops and octopus and various other foods that we had never tasted before. It was a bit overwhelming. We discovered during the meal that the MGM Grand was paying for our meal tonight and tomorrow night plus the Rod Stewart tickets as Jess stays there a lot and is seemingly a high gambler which we didn’t know!! We then went to a bar in the casino and had a drink to finish off. Jess then went to collect his Dad from the airport and we caught the monorail back to the Sahara. We spent a little time in the casino before going to bed.
We spent a little while on the internet checking our e-mails before returning to our hotel to get changed and meet up with Jess (an American friend) at the MGM Grand. We met him at 6.30pm outside a restaurant called Sea Blue.
We had a drink at the bar before sitting at our table and Jim and I were totally out of our depth when it came to ordering. We let Jess guide us through the menu and he encouraged us to try oysters, scallops and octopus and various other foods that we had never tasted before. It was a bit overwhelming. We discovered during the meal that the MGM Grand was paying for our meal tonight and tomorrow night plus the Rod Stewart tickets as Jess stays there a lot and is seemingly a high gambler which we didn’t know!! We then went to a bar in the casino and had a drink to finish off. Jess then went to collect his Dad from the airport and we caught the monorail back to the Sahara. We spent a little time in the casino before going to bed.
Saturday 2nd April
Arose early and caught the monorail down to the MGM Grand.
Took some film of it and then crossed over and took the tram to the Mandalay
Bay. Wandered about for a while and then walked through to the Luxor where we
had brunch in the Food Court.
We then walked through to Excalibur and then back to the Tropicana to see their free show.
Our last stop was New York New York before heading back to our hotel.
We just had time for a shower and change of clothes before attending a prize draw to win one of 5 diamond rings – but no luck. Then it was off to meet Jess and Roy for our evening dinner at Nobhill – a restaurant in the MGM Grand based on Nobhill in San Francisco. What a meal! Totally mindblowing.
Then it was off to join the crowds at the MGM Garden Arena to see Rod Stewart in concert. What a show – Rod was brilliant. He came on to the Celtic song and bagpipes playing.
We had a nightcap with Jess and Roy before catching the monorail back to the Sahara. We turn clocks forward tonight so we lose an hour’s sleep.
We then walked through to Excalibur and then back to the Tropicana to see their free show.
Our last stop was New York New York before heading back to our hotel.
We just had time for a shower and change of clothes before attending a prize draw to win one of 5 diamond rings – but no luck. Then it was off to meet Jess and Roy for our evening dinner at Nobhill – a restaurant in the MGM Grand based on Nobhill in San Francisco. What a meal! Totally mindblowing.
Then it was off to join the crowds at the MGM Garden Arena to see Rod Stewart in concert. What a show – Rod was brilliant. He came on to the Celtic song and bagpipes playing.
We had a nightcap with Jess and Roy before catching the monorail back to the Sahara. We turn clocks forward tonight so we lose an hour’s sleep.
Sunday 3rd April
Set our alarm for 7.55am as we’re meeting Jess and Roy for
brunch at the Bellagio. What a feast! – and champagne too (compliments of the
MGM Grand again). Jess left us to go and pick up the tickets for the Cirque De
Soleil show Mystere and met us back at the conservatory. He then said goodbye and headed off
to the airport. We took Roy to see the rest of the Bellagio and unfortunately
the fountains were cancelled due to high winds.
We then went to Caesar’s Palace and watched the fire versus water free show and then crossed over to the Flamingo and had drinks in “The Habitat” watching the flamingos and penguins. Next we walked up to the Venetian and had a photo taken with Pavarotti’s waxwork.
Then we witnessed a wedding ceremony on a gondola and marvelled at the “statues” in St Mark’s Square. We then made our way over to Treasure Island for our Cirque De Soleil show Mystere. Wow – what a show – it was absolutely out of this world.
We then took the tram to the Mirage and then crossed over to Harrah’s to catch the monorail to the MGM Grand. We arrived just in time for our 7.30pm dinner booking at Fiamma – an Italian restaurant. We all had Fettucini Bolognese and it was delicious. This meal wasn’t complimentary but Roy insisted on paying for it and wouldn’t let us near the bill! We then went up to his room and helped him with his luggage and took him to the airport to wave him onto his flight. We caught a cab back to MGM Grand and then the monorail to the Sahara.
Had a session on the slots and after midnight my Club Sahara card wished me Happy Birthday!
We then went to Caesar’s Palace and watched the fire versus water free show and then crossed over to the Flamingo and had drinks in “The Habitat” watching the flamingos and penguins. Next we walked up to the Venetian and had a photo taken with Pavarotti’s waxwork.
Then we witnessed a wedding ceremony on a gondola and marvelled at the “statues” in St Mark’s Square. We then made our way over to Treasure Island for our Cirque De Soleil show Mystere. Wow – what a show – it was absolutely out of this world.
We then took the tram to the Mirage and then crossed over to Harrah’s to catch the monorail to the MGM Grand. We arrived just in time for our 7.30pm dinner booking at Fiamma – an Italian restaurant. We all had Fettucini Bolognese and it was delicious. This meal wasn’t complimentary but Roy insisted on paying for it and wouldn’t let us near the bill! We then went up to his room and helped him with his luggage and took him to the airport to wave him onto his flight. We caught a cab back to MGM Grand and then the monorail to the Sahara.
Had a session on the slots and after midnight my Club Sahara card wished me Happy Birthday!
Monday 4th April
Awoke
with a phone call from Jess. We then got up and went to McDonald’s for breakfast.
Then we had showers and headed off down the Strip. First stop the Riviera for a
free pull of the slot machine and another 2 packs of cards. Then over to the
Westward Ho for free ice-cream. We then logged onto the internet to check our
e-mails before setting off down the Strip again. We called into the Mirage and
then crossed over to Harrah’s and caught the shuttle bus to the Rio. We then
headed over to the Gold Coast to play our first game of bingo – expensive and
we didn’t win! We then walked over to the Palms and were just about to go
through the front door when Jim remembered he’d left the camcorder in the bingo
hall. I waited in the entrance to the hotel whilst he ran back and thankfully
it was just where he’d left it. We ate in the food court and then headed to the
Rio to watch the Masquerade in the Sky show.
We stayed and played roulette for a while and then caught the shuttle bus back to Harrah’s where we caught the monorail back to our hotel.
We stayed and played roulette for a while and then caught the shuttle bus back to Harrah’s where we caught the monorail back to our hotel.
Tuesday 5th April
Had breakfast in McDonald’s and lay at the pool for a while.
Set off down the Strip and had our free ice-cream then a session on the internet. Continued down the Strip and visited the Flamingo, Barbary Coast, Bally’s and Paris. Watched the fountains outside the Bellagio and then went to the Aladdin.
We then booked tickets for Splash at the Riviera for tonight and headed over to the Monte Carlo to eat at Nathan’s in their food court. We popped into the Boardwalk before watching the fountains at the Bellagio again.
Next we caught the monorail back to our hotel and changed for the show. There were a couple of good bits in it but it wasn’t a patch on Mystere. We then walked home and had a couple of hours in the casino.
Set off down the Strip and had our free ice-cream then a session on the internet. Continued down the Strip and visited the Flamingo, Barbary Coast, Bally’s and Paris. Watched the fountains outside the Bellagio and then went to the Aladdin.
We then booked tickets for Splash at the Riviera for tonight and headed over to the Monte Carlo to eat at Nathan’s in their food court. We popped into the Boardwalk before watching the fountains at the Bellagio again.
Next we caught the monorail back to our hotel and changed for the show. There were a couple of good bits in it but it wasn’t a patch on Mystere. We then walked home and had a couple of hours in the casino.
Wednesday 6th April
Had our usual breakfast in McDonald’s
and then browsed the “biggest gift shop in the world”. Sat by the pool then had a dip in the pool and then the spa, which was sheer bliss – wonderful hot water with lots of bubbles. Then we had showers and set off down the Strip. Arrived at the Westward Ho just in time for free ice-cream. Then it was internet time and then into the Stardust to see what time the shuttle bus was for Sam’s Town. Had time for a Subway meal in Slots of Fun before catching the shuttle bus to Sam’s Town. Arrived just in time to see the light and laser show then walked through the hotel.
It has loads of restaurants and bingo and ten pin bowling. Saw the laser and light show again before catching the shuttle bus downtown.
Visited a few casinos and watched one light show before catching the CAT bus back to the Strip where we got our free drinks at Slots of Fun and went over to the Riviera for 10 minutes. We walked back to the Sahara and had another good night in the casino before retiring at 2.45am.
and then browsed the “biggest gift shop in the world”. Sat by the pool then had a dip in the pool and then the spa, which was sheer bliss – wonderful hot water with lots of bubbles. Then we had showers and set off down the Strip. Arrived at the Westward Ho just in time for free ice-cream. Then it was internet time and then into the Stardust to see what time the shuttle bus was for Sam’s Town. Had time for a Subway meal in Slots of Fun before catching the shuttle bus to Sam’s Town. Arrived just in time to see the light and laser show then walked through the hotel.
It has loads of restaurants and bingo and ten pin bowling. Saw the laser and light show again before catching the shuttle bus downtown.
Visited a few casinos and watched one light show before catching the CAT bus back to the Strip where we got our free drinks at Slots of Fun and went over to the Riviera for 10 minutes. We walked back to the Sahara and had another good night in the casino before retiring at 2.45am.
Thursday 7th April
Had breakfast and then headed off down the Strip for free
ice-cream and the internet. We then went shopping for souvenirs and presents.
Had a bite to eat in Subway and then made our way down to the Frontier for the
5pm session of bingo. It was much more complicated than at the Gold Coast and
we were a bit confused at first with the machine used to mark off the numbers.
Miraculously we shouted for a double line and won $100. We then made our way
back to the Sahara visiting various souvenirs shops and took photos of
Liberace’s Rolls Royce and piano inside the Riviera.
We packed our suitcases and had showers and went down to the casino for one last session. We really meant to go to bed at 11pm, at the latest, but we were having such a good time we stayed till 1.30am!
We packed our suitcases and had showers and went down to the casino for one last session. We really meant to go to bed at 11pm, at the latest, but we were having such a good time we stayed till 1.30am!
Friday 8th April
Got
up at 5.20am for our 6.00am airport bus pick up. Our flight to San Francisco
was only slightly delayed and we were lucky enough to be seated in Economy Plus
next to an exit with loads of leg room.
Once there we transferred to our next boarding gate. As our
seats were in the middle section of a block of 5 in Economy Plus we asked if
there was any chance if we could have seats beside the window or the aisle. We
had to wait till nearly everyone was boarded and thankfully the nice girl from
United Airlines had moved us to an aisle seat but still in Economy Plus. We
were served a snack and drink closely followed by a meal of chicken, pasta,
salad, roll and butter, cheese and crackers, grapes, cake and tea. We watched
the film Spanglish and then had a sleep (I used the earplugs we received in
Business Class and actually managed quite a good sleep for a change). Then it
was time for another drink and a snack before watching another film – National
Treasure. Then breakfast was served – orange juice, hot croissant with cheese
and egg, fresh fruit salad and tea. Then it was time to land. We transferred to
terminal 1 for our flight back to Edinburgh.
