Our plane left Cleveland on time without incident as did our connecting flight in Phoenix, Arizona. We had not eaten all day with the exception of the complimentary snack packs on the planes and few snacks I brought from home so we were starving by the time we arrived at the MGM.
We looked at the cafe prices and then ended up at their famous (says the guy behind the desk) buffet at just past the lobby. After a 10 minute wait, we were seated. Hands down the biggest buffet I have ever seen and was priced accordingly ($17.50 not including drinks, tax, and tip). As with our trip to Notre Dame, I was ill which meant that even though I was starving I could barely eat. David felt the need to eat my share because of the price and was not feeling to well himself afterward. We took a walk and played the slots for awhile. Ten dollars kept me going on the nickel slots for over an hour. The machines no longer cash out in coins, only receipts these days cutting down on the noise level considerably. The desk told us our room would be ready 3pm and it was. We decided to upgrade which gave us a room with a whirlpool tub and seperate shower as well as a nice big area to hang out in. My favorite part is the bed. I have never slept in a bed so comfortable. They give you several body sized pillows that feel like butter against your skin. The view was of the airport, Hooters, Mandalay Bay, and Tropicana Ave. We spent a good amount of time watching the planes fly in and out.
Tuesday we toured the Hoover Dam. The bus driver proved colorful making the trip even more memorable. He was fixated on UFOs and the Mafia which not only made us giggle, but he cracked himself up several times. The Boulder Dam, as it was originally named, stood as big as ever with a steady flow of tourists admiring her inside and out. Looking down at the bottom brings the size of the structure into perspective when you see the tiny trucks parked by the generators rooms (one on each side of the dam). It's funny how different things are in person than in movies though. My only vision of the dam was from that movie Fools Rush In. David and I expected there to be a line where Nevada ends and Arizona begins but there was not. There are however two clocks stating the time in Nevada and Arizona as the time changes as you cross the dam. We walked the site ourselves at first then decided to take the tour. We did not realize at first how long the tour was and ended up finishing only 10 minutes before the bus was to leave. Afterward we stopped at a chocolate factory. I was very disappointed that there were no Oompa Loompa like characters working feverishly to provide us with delicious treats like the Wonka factory tour with Gene Wilder (and his even wilder hair) giving us a ride on his train. Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory ruined a whole generation of us by raising our expectations of all things chocolate and factory. Anyway, they appeared to be cleaning the machinery when we did the walk through but were nice enough to give us a piece of candy on the way out and lead us to the candy gift shop. I controlled myself and only ate the one piece.
Upon returning, we headed over to the front of NY NY so I could get a picture of the Pepsi sign which by the way does not have Pepsi products for sale beneath it like the gigantic Coke bottle store which has tons of cute things. I was disappointed, but happy that when we walked the strip that night, the Pepsi sign was lit up and I got a great picture of it. We encountered many unsavory peddlers of porn on our walk but none in front of the hotels. We watched the Bellagio fountains twice. One of the coolest things we have done yet. I wish we would have brought the digital camera to take video footage of it. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at Walgreens and bought my beloved Pepsi (non since Sunday), Las Vegas magnet, allergy medicine, and M&Ms. We were exhausted by the time we got back to the hotel so we both just climbed into bed and went to sleep.
The next day we viewed the Titanic exhibit. They gave us each a card of a passenger at the beginning that tells about them and then later on you can check the list to see if they survived. The staircase and deck were replicated so visitors could see them just as they were. However, you are not permitted on the stairs unless you are having a picture taken unlike the deck which is lite with stars and cool just like the deck on the Titanic that faithful night. One of my favorite pieces was the iceberg, cool and smooth to the touch. My passenger Mary Davis survived the voyage but David's violin player did not.
Wednesday night we had tickets to see Carrot Top. His performance was at the Luxor. Very cool and confusing hotel. We almost didn't find the theater in time to claim our tickets. His performance was interactive with rain falling on us a couple of times, smoke, and confetti. I was grateful he didn't go Gallagher on us with the fruit. That would've been too much I think. The show flew by. We agreed that it was the best part of the trip.
Thursday morning we headed home. Unfortunately our luggage did not follow. All three bags are MIA. At least we didn't loose them on the way there. We are still waiting to hear about them. On the way home from the airport, the van died. David's brother came out to drive me home while David waiting for a tow truck. The roads were dangerous last night and people were flying past us. It was a little scary sitting in along side the road like that. David was able to get the van to a gas station after I left but did not ensure his safety as he was still not in the best of neighborhoods to wait for the tow.
The important thing is we made it home in one piece and we had a good time.
Even so, we will not be returning to Vegas. I think, unless you are a big gambler, once is enough.
No comments:
Post a Comment