We don’t sound as if we did very much on this trip. That’s
because we were treating this trip as a relaxing holiday. I took ill at the
beginning of February with some kind of myalgia/arthritis which made nearly
every joint and muscle in my body ache and after only a few weeks I could
hardly walk. Jim was having to help me out of bed in the morning and in and out
of the shower so at one point we were seriously wondering if we would be able
to make the trip. Thanks to my GP who sorted out strong painkillers and
anti-inflammatory medication we were able to go – and he did say that our trip
would be the best thing to help my ailments. He was right – a good dose of
vitamin D helped a great deal!
Las Vegas April/May 2012
Monday 23 April
Flew from Edinburgh, Scotland down to Heathrow, London and
arrived at 1.30pm. Had a sandwich and a drink before our next flight. Took off
from Heathrow at 4.35pm and were served a drink and then dinner of buttered
chicken with rice followed by a lemon dessert. I watched the films New Years
Eve and The Descendants. Many hours later we were served sandwiches, a muffin
and a drink. We landed about 10 hours later at 6.45pm Las Vegas time and waited
ages for our luggage to come through. When it did the handle on one of our
suitcases had broken off and the pull along handle wouldn’t extend. We put all
our luggage onto a trolley and wheeled it over to Terminal 1 to catch the 108
bus. We checked into the Stratosphere Hotel and were allocated a lovely room on
the 23 floor with an extra alcove with a desk, table and comfy chair in it.
We unpacked and went down for a quick gamble on the slots and were lucky enough to hit a bonus on Stinkin’ Rich. We were only playing 20 cents a spin but when you hit the bonus it pays out on all 100 lines so the 5 free spins paid out $17 so we cashed out. Walked to the garage past the Ihop to buy beer and water before finally getting to bed at about midnight. (8am UK time).
We unpacked and went down for a quick gamble on the slots and were lucky enough to hit a bonus on Stinkin’ Rich. We were only playing 20 cents a spin but when you hit the bonus it pays out on all 100 lines so the 5 free spins paid out $17 so we cashed out. Walked to the garage past the Ihop to buy beer and water before finally getting to bed at about midnight. (8am UK time).
Tuesday 24 April
Had breakfast in the McDonald’s opposite the side of the
Sahara Hotel. Their fruit and maple oatmeal (porridge to us) is as delicious as
ever.
We had breakfast there every day of our 17 night trip so I won’t have to mention where we had breakfast every day. We enjoy it there, we can check our emails on our iPod and breakfast for the 2 of us costs less than $5 – what more can you want! Phoned home and then Jim watched the Chelsea v Barcelona soccer match whilst I relaxed in the room. We both had showers and then headed off to the Strip on the SDX. We wandered round the Bellagio conservatory
and then took the 202 at the side of Caesar’s Palace to the Rio. I sat in the casino whilst Jim walked up to the LVA offices to collect our coupon book which we paid for on-line. Took the 202 across to Terribles and had their buffet with a 2 for 1 voucher from the LVA book ($9.72). Came back to the Strat and fell asleep in our room for a couple of hours then went down to gamble for a few hours.
We had breakfast there every day of our 17 night trip so I won’t have to mention where we had breakfast every day. We enjoy it there, we can check our emails on our iPod and breakfast for the 2 of us costs less than $5 – what more can you want! Phoned home and then Jim watched the Chelsea v Barcelona soccer match whilst I relaxed in the room. We both had showers and then headed off to the Strip on the SDX. We wandered round the Bellagio conservatory
and then took the 202 at the side of Caesar’s Palace to the Rio. I sat in the casino whilst Jim walked up to the LVA offices to collect our coupon book which we paid for on-line. Took the 202 across to Terribles and had their buffet with a 2 for 1 voucher from the LVA book ($9.72). Came back to the Strat and fell asleep in our room for a couple of hours then went down to gamble for a few hours.
Wednesday 25 April
After breakfast it started raining so we caught the SDX Downtown
and wandered around there. We looked in at the old Fitzgeralds casino – now
called The D. We were very impressed by the new Long Bar downstairs and
upstairs has some new features as well. The only thing they forgot to do was
lay a new carpet – it is very worn and faded and spoilt the new atmosphere that
they are trying to create. We visited a few souvenir shops before having a seat
in the Plaza sports book so that Jim could watch the Bayern Munich v Real
Madrid soccer match. Went up to the 2nd and 3rd floors to see Oscar’s
steakhouse
and the “exposed” hairdressers before catching the SDX back to the Strat. We relaxed in our room until it was time for our dinner. Caught the SDX back to Downtown and used a FSE coupon for a 2 for 1 buffet at Main Street Station ($11.88). Had a little gamble in MSS after dinner and won $20 on a Noah’s Ark and Maltese Fortune slot. Wandered over to the Vegas Club and then down to Binions to collect our free luggage labels (with the free slot pull at the entrance) and to lose $7.50 on the slots. We then walked to El Cortez to use a LVA coupon for $10 free play and won $6.28 on a Twice Your Monkey slot. We then jumped on the Deuce which was just leaving and came back to the Strat. Gambled for a couple of hours before bedtime.
and the “exposed” hairdressers before catching the SDX back to the Strat. We relaxed in our room until it was time for our dinner. Caught the SDX back to Downtown and used a FSE coupon for a 2 for 1 buffet at Main Street Station ($11.88). Had a little gamble in MSS after dinner and won $20 on a Noah’s Ark and Maltese Fortune slot. Wandered over to the Vegas Club and then down to Binions to collect our free luggage labels (with the free slot pull at the entrance) and to lose $7.50 on the slots. We then walked to El Cortez to use a LVA coupon for $10 free play and won $6.28 on a Twice Your Monkey slot. We then jumped on the Deuce which was just leaving and came back to the Strat. Gambled for a couple of hours before bedtime.
Thursday 26 April
We were awake very early this morning by some kind of
maintenance work being carried out in the room above us, so we ended up getting
up and going for an early breakfast. We then came back and sat at the pool for
a while but it was still very cloudy so we didn’t stay long and ended up back
in our room and falling asleep. We then had showers and caught the SDX to
Bonneville and then the BHX to Arizona Charlies for a 2 for 1 late lunch (ACG
coupon $6.82). We then caught the BHX down to Sam’s Town to see our friend Ann
who works in the Bogart’s Leather store there but we just missed her by 5
minutes. We left her some British newspapers and told her boss that we’d be
back to see her before we went home. Caught the BHX back to Bonneville and then
the Deuce to the Strat. Jim went to the fitness center whilst I read my book
and then we caught the 108 bus to the airport to meet our friends off their
flight. Their flight was nearly an hour late coming in because of storms in the
vicinity. It is very windy and quite cold tonight. They arrived exhausted, with
all their luggage and we showed them where to get a taxi to their hotel. We
then walked back over to terminal 1 and caught the WAX bus to Bonneville and
then the Deuce to the Strat. Jim had a burger from McDs and I got a cup of tea
for the room so I could have the 2 choc chip cookies I smuggled out from
Arizona Charlies buffet! Gambled for a few hours and we were only a little bit
in the minus.
Friday 27 April
Got up and had breakfast. My left knee was very sore last
night (probably from running for the Deuce bus) and is still sore this morning.
Phoned home and then sat at the pool for a while. Had a rest in our room to
ease my leg and then walked to the Riviera for their 2 for 1 buffet (LVA coupon
$18.37). It is supposed to be improved but we didn’t see much difference from
when we were there last year and if we didn’t have a 2 for 1 coupon we wouldn’t
eat there. We then caught the Deuce to O’Sheas and walked through
Margaritaville and then on to the Bellagio. Took more photos of the
conservatory (my camera batteries ran out the other day before I’d finished)
and then crossed over the strip to look at the new Walgreens. Caught the Deuce back to the Strat. Gambled for a few hours with the usual outcome. Saw a man getting a hand payout on a keno slot but we were too slow to go over and sneak a look to see how much he had won.
and then crossed over the strip to look at the new Walgreens. Caught the Deuce back to the Strat. Gambled for a few hours with the usual outcome. Saw a man getting a hand payout on a keno slot but we were too slow to go over and sneak a look to see how much he had won.
Saturday 28 April
Had breakfast and then caught the 108 bus north to a
Walgreens to top up our phone card. Phoned Jim’s Mum as it is her 84th birthday
today then sat at the pool for a few hours as Jim got chatting to a man from
Wigan, England. Had a nap in our room before catching the 204 bus over to the
Palace Station for their 2 for 1 buffet (LVA coupon $10.80) Had a quick gamble
and lost $5 then caught the 204 back to the Strip and bought Sprite and
cranberry juice in the World’s Largest Gift Shop. Had a rest then showered and
went down to gamble and lost as usual.
Sunday 29 April
Had breakfast and then caught the Deuce to meet up with our
friends from home outside Ballys at 12 noon. We all caught the 202 to Sam’s
Town and wandered around and watched the Mystic Falls water show at 2pm. Our
friends then very kindly bought us all coffee and donuts from Dunkin’ Donuts
and we sat the chatted to them for quite a while. We then walked to the
Eastside Cannery for a look round there. We caught the 202 back to the Strip
and said our goodbyes to our friends. Jim and I then walked over to the
Cosmopolitan and had a look round. We discovered the registration area which we
hadn’t seen before
and a new EA Sports bar which only opened 3 weeks ago. It was very original with gaming consoles and a football table.
We then watched a fountain show at the Bellagio and caught the Deuce back to the Strat. Carried out a McD’s meal and ate it in our room as we weren’t hungry enough for a buffet with having donuts this afternoon. Gambled for a few hours with the usual outcome.
and a new EA Sports bar which only opened 3 weeks ago. It was very original with gaming consoles and a football table.
We then watched a fountain show at the Bellagio and caught the Deuce back to the Strat. Carried out a McD’s meal and ate it in our room as we weren’t hungry enough for a buffet with having donuts this afternoon. Gambled for a few hours with the usual outcome.
Monday 30 April
Had breakfast and then Jim watched the Manchester United v
Manchester City soccer match whilst I rested in our room. We then sat at the
pool for a little while before catching the 108 bus down to Terribles for a 2
for 1 buffet (ACG coupon $9.72). We then walked up Flamingo into the Bally’s
Sports Book and then through to Paris and caught the SDX back to the Strat. Had
showers and then gambled for a few hours with the same outcome!
Tuesday 1 May
Had breakfast and sat at the pool for a while. Caught the
108 bus to Bonneville and transferred to the HDX and got off at Sam’s Town.
Nipped into Walmart to pick up a few things and then went to the Sam’s Town
buffet (2 for 1 coupon in local newspaper $14.04). Spoke to our friend Ann in
Bogart’s Leather store for a while and then watched the Mystic Falls water show
at 6pm. Caught the BHX back to Bonneville and then the SDX to the Strat. Didn’t
lose as much on the slots tonight.
Wednesday 2 May
Had breakfast and spent time at the pool. Caught the SDX to
the Cosmopolitan and crossed over to the Hawaiian Marketplace to buy tickets
for Viva Elvis from tix4tonight ($136.80). We then crossed over to Aria to take
the voucher to the box office to get our seats for tomorrow night. We then
walked over to Paris and through to Ballys Sports Book and out onto Flamingo
and down to Koval and along to Ellis Island to use our $10 free play on the
slots. (LVA and ACG coupons) I won $17.25 and Jim won $10.90 added together
made $28.15 with the $6.67 deducted which is what we spent getting the $10 free
play. So a profit of $21.48 – hurray a win for a change! We then walked down to
Terribles to use a 2 for 1 buffet voucher from one of the coupon books handed
out on the Strip earlier today. We caught the 108 bus at Swenson back to the
Strat and had showers and gambled for a few hours.
Thursday 3 May
Had breakfast and relaxed at the pool. Caught the SDX to
Downtown and had the Fremont Hotel buffet (2 for 1 FSE coupon $15.12). We then
walked over to the 4 Queens and used the $10 free play (LVA coupon) and won
$14.50. Caught the SDX to the Cosmopolitan and walked through to Aria for the
Viva Elvis show.
Enjoyed the show but it was not as spectacular as the other Cirque Du Soleil shows. Caught the SDX back to the Strat and gambled for a few hours.
Enjoyed the show but it was not as spectacular as the other Cirque Du Soleil shows. Caught the SDX back to the Strat and gambled for a few hours.
Friday 4 May
Had breakfast and sat at the pool.
Fell asleep in our room until 4pm so just nipped along to Burger King for something to eat ($10.95) Relaxed and watched TV then had showers and gambled for a few hours. What a lazy day!
Fell asleep in our room until 4pm so just nipped along to Burger King for something to eat ($10.95) Relaxed and watched TV then had showers and gambled for a few hours. What a lazy day!
Saturday 5 May
Had breakfast and then phoned home and relaxed at the pool.
Caught the SDX to Bonneville and then the WAX bus to the Sun Coast. Watched the
Kentucky Derby in the Sports Book and then went for a late lunch at the buffet
at 3.50pm (2 for 1 LVA coupon $9.72). We then caught the 5.04pm WAX bus to
Downtown and played our $5 free play in the Las Vegas Club (ACG coupon) and
cashed out $1.05. We then played a little in the Golden Gate to keep our points
ticking over and cashed out $1.05 ahead. We then caught the SDX back to the
Strat and had a nap in our room before gambling for a few hours.
Sunday 6 May
Had breakfast and spent some time at the pool. Jim went to
the fitness center and I relaxed in the room. We then caught the 108 bus to
Bonneville and then the 106 north to Texas Station for their 2 for 1 buffet
(LVA coupon $10.80). We caught the 108 south to Downtown where we had a look
round some souvenir shops and then checked out the new Drink and Drag down at
Neonopolis. It’s the only 10 pin bowling downtown and there are also pool
tables inside. Next we watched the diners in the Heart Attack Grill all dressed
in their hospital gowns to eat their food!
We then walked down to El Cortez for $10 free play (ACG coupon). We split it and won $4.79 on Twice Your Monkey and $8.18 on an Alien slot totalling $12.97. We caught the Deuce bus back to the Strat and had showers before going down to gamble for a few hours.
We then walked down to El Cortez for $10 free play (ACG coupon). We split it and won $4.79 on Twice Your Monkey and $8.18 on an Alien slot totalling $12.97. We caught the Deuce bus back to the Strat and had showers before going down to gamble for a few hours.
Monday 7 May
Had breakfast and sat at the pool. Caught the 108 then the
202 over to the Gold Coast to play our $10 to get $10 free on the slots (LVA
coupon). We played our $10 and cashed out $18 thanks to a John Wayne slot. We
then went to the players club and they put $10 free play on the card. We won
$4.05 on our free play. Whilst at the players club Jim was told that because
he’d played $10 he was eligible for a half price buffet as Mondays are young at
heart days. I decided to play $10 through on my card so that I could qualify
for a half price buffet too. After playing the $10 through I had $10.37 on my
TITO ticket so off we went for our half price buffet ($14.04). We then walked
over to the Palms to see their new Sports Book which opened last week. We then
caught the 202 bus back to the Strip and the SDX back to the Strat. Relaxed in
our room and then gambled for a few hours.
Tuesday 8 May
Had breakfast and spent time at the pool. Caught the 204
then the 104 to the Orleans to use our $10 match play on the slots (LVA
coupon). Managed to win $43.68 altogether thanks to a Kitty Glitter bonus which
retriggered and a Jackpot Jewels slot. Next we caught the 201 to Boulder
Highway then the BHX to Sam’s Town. Used a 2 for 1 coupon from the local paper
for their buffet ($14.04) and then chatted to our friend Ann in Bogart’s
Leather Store after watching the 6pm Mystic Falls water show.
We then nipped across to Walmart to buy cigars for a friend at home as they are much cheaper here. We then caught the HDX to Downtown and the Deuce back to the Strat. Had showers and gambled for about 3 and a half hours and we were in profit at the end of the night for a change. Only by $2.09 but a profit is a profit!
We then nipped across to Walmart to buy cigars for a friend at home as they are much cheaper here. We then caught the HDX to Downtown and the Deuce back to the Strat. Had showers and gambled for about 3 and a half hours and we were in profit at the end of the night for a change. Only by $2.09 but a profit is a profit!
Wednesday 9 May
Had breakfast and spent time at the pool. Went up to the top
of the Strat Tower (free for hotel residents) and watched all the people having
fun on the thrill rides and throwing themselves off using the Sky Jump.
Next we caught the SDX and then the 202 to the Atomic Testing Museum (2 for 1 ACG coupon $14). It was very interesting to discover that 928 atomic tests took place in Nevada between 1951 and 1992 – 828 of these were below ground.
Caught the 108 at Swenson back to the Strat and used our points to pay for the Strat buffet.
Gambled for a few hours and only lost $1.37.
Next we caught the SDX and then the 202 to the Atomic Testing Museum (2 for 1 ACG coupon $14). It was very interesting to discover that 928 atomic tests took place in Nevada between 1951 and 1992 – 828 of these were below ground.
Caught the 108 at Swenson back to the Strat and used our points to pay for the Strat buffet.
Gambled for a few hours and only lost $1.37.
Thursday 10 May
Had breakfast and caught the SDX to the Wynn and Palazzo to
take video and photos.
We then caught the Deuce back to the Strat, had showers, packed and checked out (3pm late check out – fee waived). Sat at the hotel entrance and read, then had a quick bite to eat from McDs before catching the 5.16pm 108 bus to the airport.
Checked in and waited for our flight. Took off on time and the journey was 9 and a half hours. Jim slept for about 4 and a half hours and I was lucky if I got half an hour as my right knee was very sore and even with a blanket over me I was very cold. Transferred at London, Heathrow for our flight up to Edinburgh which was only a few minutes late and arrived on time about an hour and a quarter later. I think I got more sleep on that flight as by this time I was totally exhausted.
We then caught the Deuce back to the Strat, had showers, packed and checked out (3pm late check out – fee waived). Sat at the hotel entrance and read, then had a quick bite to eat from McDs before catching the 5.16pm 108 bus to the airport.
Checked in and waited for our flight. Took off on time and the journey was 9 and a half hours. Jim slept for about 4 and a half hours and I was lucky if I got half an hour as my right knee was very sore and even with a blanket over me I was very cold. Transferred at London, Heathrow for our flight up to Edinburgh which was only a few minutes late and arrived on time about an hour and a quarter later. I think I got more sleep on that flight as by this time I was totally exhausted.
We really enjoyed the hot weather as we came home to pouring
rain and a temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It definitely had a
positive effect on all my aches and pains which seemed to disappear whilst I
was on vacation. Some of the pain has returned but I now have an appointment at
the rheumatology department for 1st June so hopefully they will be able to
discover what is wrong.
We only lost $173.79 on gambling over the 17 nights we were
there so roughly $10 per night for entertainment and free drinks for Jim (with
a tip). I wasn’t drinking on this trip because of the strong painkillers that I
was taking. We started off playing 20 cents a spin but by halfway through the
holiday we were losing too much so cut it down to 10 cents a spin. You’d be
amazed at some of the amounts we won on a single spin or a bonus playing only
10 cents. The two that stood out were a Sirens slot which paid out $30.60 on a
single spin for 10 cents in the Strat and a Kitty Glitter slot at the Orleans
which paid out exactly the same - $30.60 – on a bonus round which was
retriggered.
All the buffets we ate were 2 for 1 or free and we still
have quite a few coupons left for when we return to Las Vegas in September for
16 nights.
We suffered serious jetlag when we got home which is the
only downside about our trips to Las Vegas. We only wish it was nearer so it
wouldn’t make the journey home so bad.
It was lovely to meet up with CarolWI again (she works at
the Strat registration) and we hope that she recovers soon from the broken arm
she suffered at home whilst we were over there.
For all those people who are interested in the history of older buildings in Las Vegas we noticed on our first day walking along to have our breakfast in McDs that the big black building with the huge pink awnings was in the process of being demolished. (It is/was the building on the opposite side of the Strip to the World's Largest Giftshop) It used to be called Holy Cow!
For all those people who are interested in the history of older buildings in Las Vegas we noticed on our first day walking along to have our breakfast in McDs that the big black building with the huge pink awnings was in the process of being demolished. (It is/was the building on the opposite side of the Strip to the World's Largest Giftshop) It used to be called Holy Cow!
Here are a few photos of it's demolition progress whilst we were there
Holy Cow going
going
going
gone!
Also this is The Ride at Sahara saying goodbye too
I believe it will be reassembled somewhere down at the South of the Strip opposite Mandalay Bay
For those of you who have made it this far - well done - and thank you for reading.