I have started a new blog - just me & my rambling about moving to Australia (so don't expect any fancy photos by Murray!)
www.moinoz.blogspot.com
We WILL eventually finish this travel blog though - so keep checking back:)
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Nevada
Day 358 – October 21
We spent the morning packing Dolph back up and then headed up highway 15 towards Vegas. We stopped on the way at In and Out Burger (just in case we didn’t see another one once we left California – cause their burgers are THAT good)!
We got into Vegas around 3, found my parents, grandma & aunt and sat up in the room with the best view of the strip to catch up a bit. Later we went out to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner and enjoyed some lovely cocktails.
On the way to dinner we stopped by the AMAZING M&M's store!!
They had GREAT M&M movie posters - too funny
The M&M's (just a shame I closed my eyes for the pic!)
Walking to dinner
Us in front of the fancy Flamingo sign
After dinner we rushed down to the Bellagio hotel and caught the amazing fountain show set to music, before heading to Bally’s just down the road.
We got there a bit early, so went to a little lounge to watch a live band play, before heading into the theater to see ‘Jubilee.’
We also tried out our daily dollar bets on the slot machines - and yes, we lost
I had read that Jubilee! was one of the best big stage classic Vegas shows – so we had sent the boys down earlier in the day to pick up half price front row seats because it was last minute. I didn’t know they described it as ‘a topless extravaganza……' though. Ok, shall be interesting!
It was great though. Too many boobs for sure, but amazing costumes and really fun sets. Joni reckoned she counted about 50 showgirls – wow. I would have had trouble holding my head up with some of those gigantic headdresses – nevertheless dance as well!
One frightening part was the recreation of the Sampson and Delilah story. The guys were wearing….. thongs – ewww. Too much information is all I have to say.
They also had a big sinking of the Titanic part of the show – with a huge fake boat that ‘sunk’ into the stage. So gaudy and over the top – I loved it. The best was the finale though. The huge lighted staircase – the absolutely amazing costumes, and every single one was different, all the kicking and dancing – wow. Totally a VEGAS show – just fab!
Afterwards the group caught a cab back and Murray and I walked. I craned my neck to take in everything going on late night on the strip. It was my first time to Vegas – everyone else in our group has been many times. And you know what – it was better than I expected! Fun
I really did not mean to hold the showgirl in my hand in this photo... but eh? It's Vegas right?
We walked through Caesar's & admired the statues
And the Roman architecture outside! Not quite as good as the real thing... but lovely Vegas style!
A gorgeous painted ceiling
I guess we were enjoying ceiling shots that night - very pretty though!
Look I'm in PARIS!!
The Strip
And the MGM - just across the road from us
Night time on the strip - still busy as ever!
And finally, back to our castle for the night - the Excalibur
Day 359 – October 22
Today we started off our day the right way – with a Starbucks Chai latte. The girls then went shopping (we hit the ‘1 mile of shops’ – super fun). They even had a ‘rain storm’ inside while we were shopping – everyone stood around to watch the rain pour down into a pool while fake thunder clapped all around us – gotta love Vegas!
We had a lovely lunch on the outside patio at Mon Ami Gabi. Great view of the strip and the Bellagio, and fabulous French food. The fresh bread and butter they brought out was fantastic!
Me, Joni, Mom & Grandma
Joni's WAY too cheesey french onion soup and my lovely salad
We also found the $1 margaritas - yummmmmmmm
We met up with the boys late afternoon and hung out by the pool until it closef – at 5?? (does this seem early to anyone else – odd). But alas it was time to get ready for dinner anyhow.
Journals & magazines down by the pool
Then it was time to open Mom' present from us - this pretty watch:)
We then walked back down the strip to the Rosewood Grille – where we had made a reservation to celebrate Mom’s birthday.
The group
Mom and I shared a three pound lobster which also came with a triple bake potato and salad.
Thank goodness we shared – it was massive! And SO SO tasty!
An unusual wine shot from Murray
Everyone else had steak and we had some fabulous wine. They also brought out an amazing piece of chocolate cake with candles – fun to sing Happy Birthday & sample a piece as well!
They also gave each lady their signature rose as we left.
The girls
OLE!
Very creative Murray!
After dinner - of course – we quickly ran down to catch another Bellagio fountain show – great every time because the music is always different.
We then walked down to Bally’s again to watch that live band JAMM that we had watched a bit of the night before. The singer’s taste in shoes was questionable, but she had a great voice and they played a good selection of songs. We listened, danced and had a good time.
Dancing ensued
Do the Electric Slide - oh yea
We obviously liked this song!?!
Eventually we decided to start making our way back towards our hotel, walking on the way through the Paris hotel. There we came across a piano bar with dueling pianos – FUN!
So we put our suggestions and five bucks up there, pulled up a table close by, and sang along with the great pianists! My lovely husband gave three song suggestions and the one that got cheered loudest for by the audience was one of my all time favorite songs – Walk Like an Egyptian.
Surprisingly good with just two pianos – and he knew ALL the words – I was pretty darn impressed!
A really fun night – fun to get to celebrate together!
Day 360 – October 23
Aunty Joni and I got up early and stopped by Starbucks before lining up for half price tickets. Unfortunately – the tickets we wanted (to see Louie Anderson perform – he is from Minnesota) were unavailable because he was out of town. However we did score a good price on some tickets for a Magic/Comedy show later that afternoon.
We then went back to the hotel, everyone packed up and we moved all of our stuff into one room before heading out in search of some lunch. We had THE most expensive subway sandwich of our lives (I understand rent is high here – but still – wow – no $5 footlongs here)!
Grandma won big bucks before lunch!
Then we started working out way down the strip. We stopped at the one mile mall again so Murray could pop into the Thomas Mangelsen gallery – Images of Nature (we LOVE his photography). Then we stopped by Bill’s Gambling Hall to pick up 99 cent Margaritas before lining up for our show.
We got some great seats (close, but not SO close that we would get picked on – he is a Comedian after all) and settled in to enjoy the Nathan Burton show. He was very funny and his magic tricks were great. We were sitting close enough to watch carefully – but for most of the tricks we were completely stumped – very impressive!
On our way back we stopped at Bill’s for another one of those cheap and yummy margarita’s and we stuck around to catch the end of the ‘Big Elvis’ show. He is a big big guy who sits on a throne in his Elvis costume singing – pretty good singer I must say - although he didn't move around much.....
Looking down the strip the other way
Paris in the day
Arc de Triomphe
And a tacky t-shirt - lovely
We also stopped by the New York, New York hotel, where Joni, Murray and I took a ride on the roller coaster. Ummmm WOW – it was scary! Upside down, sideways, huge drops – my throat was killing me afterwards from screaming the whole time.
We caught one more Bellagio fountain show (great song this time – Viva Las Vegas) and saw the highest water canyon I have ever seen – it seemed to shoot water higher than the hotel itself!
Back at the hotel we freshened up, and then caught the tram from Excalibur down to Mandalay Bay. WOW is that a nice hotel – so classy and so many yummy looking restaurants! We ended up eating at the House of Blues, with live jazz music on stage.
Murray thought this was a fabulous sculpture
Dad's meal of ribs & sweet potato mash looked great
My fancy steak and avocado salad
A close up of Murray's pulled pork sandwich - was FANTASTIC!
Our fancy new sunglasses - do you like them?
Mom & I on our throne - waving to our subjects
After dinner we caught the tram to the Luxor to see what that was like – just ok in my opinion...
I do like that the pyramid is lit up at night, and it looks like they have some good nightclubs inside. But it is just so tacky compared to Mandalay Bay.
We just walked around though to check it out.
We then had to rush back to our hotel to grab everyone’s bags – say goodbye (their flight out was at 12:50 am) and go to bed! It was sad to say goodbye so soon – we had SUCH a great time. Viva Las Vegas!
Day 361 – October 24
We got up, walked embarrassingly through the hotel and casino with our tupperwears full of clothing (no luggage for us) out to find lonely Dolph and hit the road again. We hit the local Wal-Mart hard and tried to stock up for the next few weeks in the Grand Circle.
Next up – coming soon - the Grand Circle – Utah & Arizona
We spent the morning packing Dolph back up and then headed up highway 15 towards Vegas. We stopped on the way at In and Out Burger (just in case we didn’t see another one once we left California – cause their burgers are THAT good)!
We got into Vegas around 3, found my parents, grandma & aunt and sat up in the room with the best view of the strip to catch up a bit. Later we went out to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner and enjoyed some lovely cocktails.
On the way to dinner we stopped by the AMAZING M&M's store!!
They had GREAT M&M movie posters - too funny
The M&M's (just a shame I closed my eyes for the pic!)
Walking to dinner
Us in front of the fancy Flamingo sign
After dinner we rushed down to the Bellagio hotel and caught the amazing fountain show set to music, before heading to Bally’s just down the road.We got there a bit early, so went to a little lounge to watch a live band play, before heading into the theater to see ‘Jubilee.’
We also tried out our daily dollar bets on the slot machines - and yes, we lost
I had read that Jubilee! was one of the best big stage classic Vegas shows – so we had sent the boys down earlier in the day to pick up half price front row seats because it was last minute. I didn’t know they described it as ‘a topless extravaganza……' though. Ok, shall be interesting!It was great though. Too many boobs for sure, but amazing costumes and really fun sets. Joni reckoned she counted about 50 showgirls – wow. I would have had trouble holding my head up with some of those gigantic headdresses – nevertheless dance as well!
One frightening part was the recreation of the Sampson and Delilah story. The guys were wearing….. thongs – ewww. Too much information is all I have to say.
They also had a big sinking of the Titanic part of the show – with a huge fake boat that ‘sunk’ into the stage. So gaudy and over the top – I loved it. The best was the finale though. The huge lighted staircase – the absolutely amazing costumes, and every single one was different, all the kicking and dancing – wow. Totally a VEGAS show – just fab!
Afterwards the group caught a cab back and Murray and I walked. I craned my neck to take in everything going on late night on the strip. It was my first time to Vegas – everyone else in our group has been many times. And you know what – it was better than I expected! Fun
I really did not mean to hold the showgirl in my hand in this photo... but eh? It's Vegas right?
We walked through Caesar's & admired the statues
And the Roman architecture outside! Not quite as good as the real thing... but lovely Vegas style!
A gorgeous painted ceiling
I guess we were enjoying ceiling shots that night - very pretty though!
Look I'm in PARIS!!
The Strip
And the MGM - just across the road from us
Night time on the strip - still busy as ever!
And finally, back to our castle for the night - the ExcaliburDay 359 – October 22
Today we started off our day the right way – with a Starbucks Chai latte. The girls then went shopping (we hit the ‘1 mile of shops’ – super fun). They even had a ‘rain storm’ inside while we were shopping – everyone stood around to watch the rain pour down into a pool while fake thunder clapped all around us – gotta love Vegas!
We had a lovely lunch on the outside patio at Mon Ami Gabi. Great view of the strip and the Bellagio, and fabulous French food. The fresh bread and butter they brought out was fantastic!
Me, Joni, Mom & Grandma
Joni's WAY too cheesey french onion soup and my lovely salad
We also found the $1 margaritas - yummmmmmmmWe met up with the boys late afternoon and hung out by the pool until it closef – at 5?? (does this seem early to anyone else – odd). But alas it was time to get ready for dinner anyhow.
Journals & magazines down by the pool
Then it was time to open Mom' present from us - this pretty watch:)We then walked back down the strip to the Rosewood Grille – where we had made a reservation to celebrate Mom’s birthday.
The group
Mom and I shared a three pound lobster which also came with a triple bake potato and salad.
Thank goodness we shared – it was massive! And SO SO tasty!
An unusual wine shot from MurrayEveryone else had steak and we had some fabulous wine. They also brought out an amazing piece of chocolate cake with candles – fun to sing Happy Birthday & sample a piece as well!
They also gave each lady their signature rose as we left.
The girls
OLE!
Very creative Murray!After dinner - of course – we quickly ran down to catch another Bellagio fountain show – great every time because the music is always different.
We then walked down to Bally’s again to watch that live band JAMM that we had watched a bit of the night before. The singer’s taste in shoes was questionable, but she had a great voice and they played a good selection of songs. We listened, danced and had a good time.
Dancing ensued
Do the Electric Slide - oh yea
We obviously liked this song!?!Eventually we decided to start making our way back towards our hotel, walking on the way through the Paris hotel. There we came across a piano bar with dueling pianos – FUN!
So we put our suggestions and five bucks up there, pulled up a table close by, and sang along with the great pianists! My lovely husband gave three song suggestions and the one that got cheered loudest for by the audience was one of my all time favorite songs – Walk Like an Egyptian.
Surprisingly good with just two pianos – and he knew ALL the words – I was pretty darn impressed!A really fun night – fun to get to celebrate together!
Day 360 – October 23
Aunty Joni and I got up early and stopped by Starbucks before lining up for half price tickets. Unfortunately – the tickets we wanted (to see Louie Anderson perform – he is from Minnesota) were unavailable because he was out of town. However we did score a good price on some tickets for a Magic/Comedy show later that afternoon.
We then went back to the hotel, everyone packed up and we moved all of our stuff into one room before heading out in search of some lunch. We had THE most expensive subway sandwich of our lives (I understand rent is high here – but still – wow – no $5 footlongs here)!
Grandma won big bucks before lunch!Then we started working out way down the strip. We stopped at the one mile mall again so Murray could pop into the Thomas Mangelsen gallery – Images of Nature (we LOVE his photography). Then we stopped by Bill’s Gambling Hall to pick up 99 cent Margaritas before lining up for our show.
We got some great seats (close, but not SO close that we would get picked on – he is a Comedian after all) and settled in to enjoy the Nathan Burton show. He was very funny and his magic tricks were great. We were sitting close enough to watch carefully – but for most of the tricks we were completely stumped – very impressive!
On our way back we stopped at Bill’s for another one of those cheap and yummy margarita’s and we stuck around to catch the end of the ‘Big Elvis’ show. He is a big big guy who sits on a throne in his Elvis costume singing – pretty good singer I must say - although he didn't move around much.....
Looking down the strip the other way
Paris in the day
Arc de Triomphe
And a tacky t-shirt - lovely
We also stopped by the New York, New York hotel, where Joni, Murray and I took a ride on the roller coaster. Ummmm WOW – it was scary! Upside down, sideways, huge drops – my throat was killing me afterwards from screaming the whole time.We caught one more Bellagio fountain show (great song this time – Viva Las Vegas) and saw the highest water canyon I have ever seen – it seemed to shoot water higher than the hotel itself!
Back at the hotel we freshened up, and then caught the tram from Excalibur down to Mandalay Bay. WOW is that a nice hotel – so classy and so many yummy looking restaurants! We ended up eating at the House of Blues, with live jazz music on stage.
Murray thought this was a fabulous sculpture
Dad's meal of ribs & sweet potato mash looked great
My fancy steak and avocado salad
A close up of Murray's pulled pork sandwich - was FANTASTIC!
Our fancy new sunglasses - do you like them?
Mom & I on our throne - waving to our subjectsAfter dinner we caught the tram to the Luxor to see what that was like – just ok in my opinion...
I do like that the pyramid is lit up at night, and it looks like they have some good nightclubs inside. But it is just so tacky compared to Mandalay Bay.
We just walked around though to check it out.We then had to rush back to our hotel to grab everyone’s bags – say goodbye (their flight out was at 12:50 am) and go to bed! It was sad to say goodbye so soon – we had SUCH a great time. Viva Las Vegas!
Day 361 – October 24
We got up, walked embarrassingly through the hotel and casino with our tupperwears full of clothing (no luggage for us) out to find lonely Dolph and hit the road again. We hit the local Wal-Mart hard and tried to stock up for the next few weeks in the Grand Circle.
Next up – coming soon - the Grand Circle – Utah & Arizona
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