Last day in Vegas

well everyone, here it is...our last day in Vegas.
After getting to sleep so late Wednesday night, we had decided to sleep in and take things a bit slower paced today. Until we both woke up earlier than we thought and decided to get ready, pack up and head to the Bellagio for brunch. My Paris margarita was still partly frozen so what the heck...has some while getting ready...when in Vegas right...lol. Managed to check out and leave our bags with the porters and scooted off to brunch. It took forever to find the restaurant inside this place and when we did finally get there, the line up was sooo long. We were actually worried we might not get in to eat before brunch ended. Turns out we did and it wouldn't have mattered cause as we were eating our breakfast, they were starting to put out the lunch buffet. If a person was hungry enough and timed it right, you could go for breakfast and lunch buffet.
Here are some pics from the Bellagio...
this was a light in the lobby...it's soo pretty (and it's actually really big too I just zoomed in to show the details)

these are all from the Bellagio Gardens...so beautiful



love these watering can fountains

and this snail made with different kinds of flowers

this last pic I took just for my Mom who loves butterflies. They have a butterfly habitat there actually and I took more pics than this for her.

It was after this that my camera batteries died and I don't have a lot of pics to share from the rest of our day. We didn't do too much that we hadn't already done in the previous 3 days.
I managed to turn the camera on and snapped a quick pic of this 27 foot tall chocolate fountain...

and this is a shot of the store where it is...I was so upset I couldn't get the camera to stay on long enough to get a picture of the desserts they make here..it would blow you away

never mind...we figured out how to add a video of them. I will make some stills to include in our scrapbook.


After we wiped the drool off our chins, we went back to Bill's where Brian finally tried his hand at craps.


This is something he had wanted to do since we booked the trip back in January but was too nervous to try up until now. Mostly because the tables were usually pretty full and with people playing with more money than he was willing to risk.
That and the fact he had never played before!
We popped back into the Paris for one last look around and then headed back to Caesar's Palace to play the exact same Village People slot machine Brian got lucky on day 2. After getting lucky yet again, we made our way slowly back to TI to get our bags. The porter got our bags and snagged us a cab and that was it...we were off to the airport. Had some extra time after security so we had dinner, picked up some last minute souvenirs for friends and the kids.
After boarding the plane, it hit me like a brick wall how tired I was. After taxiing to the runway and sitting there for 20 minutes waiting our turn to take off (they mus line the planes up nose to tail I tell ya), we were on our way home. Thrilled and exhausted!
I slept most of the way home on the plane while Brian watched a movie.
After landing, gathering our bags, clearing customs and heading back to park 'n' jet, we were in the truck. Stopped at the nearest Timmie's, grabbed a coffee and hit the road. Again, I slept most of the 3 hour drive home. Finally pulled in the driveway at 3:45am Friday. Crawled into bed at 4.

I'll post some odds and ends that may have been missed in this 4 day trip report as well as everyday happenings and goings on.
Till then,

Vegas Day 3

We started our day by heading to the Venetian for a breakfast buffet at the Grande Luxe Cafe...it was very good. After we ate, we went back to the Blueman Theatre and took a few snapshots of the outside as we did not have the camera with us when we were there for the show.
After this, we took the Deuce (a double decker bus that runs up and down "The Strip") to the far South end, getting off at Mandalay Bay. We spent the majority of the day walking in and out of hotels and casinos....just checking everything out, seeing what there was to see in each one. From Mandalay Bay we went into the Luxor. Then it was into the Excalibur...nothing too special here but we did go on a Spongebob Squarepants 4D ride..we each posed with a giant Spongebob...lol! Here are a few snapshots of other hotels from outside the Excalibur...
*you can click on any of the images to see them in a larger format*


Next stop was New York New York.
Brian had read that 'BLT Burger' had amazing milkshakes so we figured we'd better try one. We chose a "Twinkie" flavored one and holy cow...it was awesome!!
We noticed after we ordered that they had some pretty yummy sounding ones with alcohol...seriously, you can get liquor in anything here...lol!
While wondering around, came across this...loved this movie.

it wasn't open but that's ok...I didn't really need to see some girls dancing and singing on the bar.
From New York New York, we crossed the street to the MGM Grand. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and a look around. Secretly I was hoping to bump into some country music celebs as the awards were being held here on Saturday. Even though it was only Wednesday, it could happen right? We did manage to see their lion exhibit...isn't he cute...


outside the MGM I was able to get some better shots of the New York New York skyline...



Next stop of the day was here...

you really can't imagine the kinds of things we saw with M&M's on them. Here are a few snapshots:





and right next door to the chocolately goodness was this:




some sights to see as we continue walking towards Planet Hollywood...


had to take these shots for Reilly...he has a Harley infatuation.
We gambled a bit inside Planet Hollywood and walked around checking out the Miracle Mile shops.
Took this pic of the Paris from across the street...

this is Big Elvis...



Brian had read some good reviews about his show and we have to agree. He was fabulous! He's been performing at Bills GAmblin' Hall & Saloon for 7 years. We found out that he actually used to be bigger. In the last 3.5 years, he has lost 550 pounds!! Can you imagine? (I kinda wanted to ask him what the secret was cause I'm having a helluva time losing 50) Watching him perform for an hour or so was a great opportunity to rest cause we had done a lot of walking so far today. When he was done, we played some slots here and had a .99 margarita on the way out.
Next stop was the Paris. I think this was my favorite hotel. It was so pretty inside.
the legs for the Eiffel Tower outside go right through the building



this is the ladies bathroom. I had to take pictures because it was sooo pretty


Brian said the men's was really nice too but wouldn't take the camera in for some snapshots...lol
We went to the top of the Eiffel Tower to get a good spot to watch the fountain show across the street at the Bellagio. From here, I was able to snap these pics...





I also snapped this pic, which I love...

I actually took it before we went to the top of the tower...I just think it's so pretty.
It was also at the Paris that I paid $15 for a strawberry margarita in a glass that looks like the Eiffel Tower. This thing probably had 2 or 3 inches of tequila in the bottom. Plus it was really heavy. Brian took a pic of me holding it but it didn't turn out very well.
I have no more pictures from day 3 as after the Paris we booked it back to TI where we went to Cirque de Solei 'Mystere'. It was pretty incredible. (I think next time we are going to see the Beatles Love one if it's still there.)
When the performance was over, we realized we were pretty hungry as we hadn't eaten since lunch way back at the Rainforest Cafe. We also left the camera and video camera at the hotel and just went out to enjoy ourselves. And that is exactly what we did. We wondered hand in hand along the Strip just really taking it all in. As we approached Margaritaville, we could here this really great music. Turns out is was coming from a band playing inside. We were quite surprised to get a table actually. We ordered a drink and a platter of nachos. Holy cow...this huge restaurant sized plate came heaping with nachos and all the fixins about 5 inches tall. We both agreed these were the best nachos ever...I'm not usually a fan of guacamole but theirs was amazing. Brian and I had a few more drinks while we polished off the majority of the nachos (we couldn't believe we almost ate them all...lol). It was awesome just to sit and talk and really enjoy the atmosphere. Finally, at about 2 am, we decided we should make our way back to TI. By 3 were were off to sleep. I loved day 3!!
ps: I am going to try to figure out how to add video and will share the fountain show with you if I can.

Vegas day 2

So, it's Tuesday morning and we leave TI and start to make our way to Magaritaville for breakfast. Stopped to take some pics and video along the way...I love how pretty this hotel front is...


the erupting volcano at the Mirage was under repairs when we were there so we didn't get to see it at night.
This is Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville (and for the record, neither Brian or I thought their breakfast was all that wow)

I do love this bar though...

and the chairs...thinking we should get some and paint them for the backyard!

from here we went into the Flamingo (they are attached). The casino is PINK! Carpets, neon lighting...crazy pink!
We checked out the courtyard area...of course they have flamingos

and these cute turtles

this is in the courtyard area too...so pretty


We then crossed the street and went into Ceasar's Palace. Man, this place is sooo big and it's gorgeous inside.
this is a dance floor/club

a wall mural/sculpture

the entrance into one of the restaurants

and the lobby

No expense was spared in the building of this hotel I tell ya...the detailing is unreal.
We played some slots here...Brian got lucky on the "Village People Party" machine...it was pretty fun actually. There are a lot of high end stores in the Forum Shoppes...Tiffany&Co, Gucci, Cartier, Louis Vuitton...places I only took pictures of cause let's be clear...I cannot afford to shop there!!
check out this fountain...

seriously, unlike anything I have ever seen.
kinda like all this gelato...I had to take a pic cause it was so incredible (they were giving out free samples and I tried the reese PB cup...drool!)

After Ceasars, we went to check out Harrah's. It wasn't anything special but we went to the Mac King Comedy and Magic Show...it was great fun and gave us a chance to sit and rest our feet from all the walking. After that, we went to Toby Keith's "I love this Bar&Grill" for a drink and an appetizer (it's also located in Harrah's) I loved this place, just walking through the front door put a big smile on my face!

this belt and buckle is above the dance floor

just a fun neon light

we had the most delicious drinks here. Brian had one called "Toadsuck Pond" and mine was called "Georgia Peach"...the list what's in them on the website so we are going to get the stuff and figure out the ratios (by taste testing of course..lol) of each liquor so we can make them at home.
From here, we made our way to the Venetian. Another extremely beautiful hotel.



You can take a gondola ride either outside or in on their canals and you are sung to as you paddle around...this is on our list for next time. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is also here but we did not have time to go (also on the list for next time)
They have living statues here though...they were very cool.

Time is ticking so we head back to TI and get ready to go out to dinner. We were told to eat at Maggiano's in the Fashion Show Mall. We went there for supper and OMGosh...sooo good! The portions were so big, Brian couldn't even eat the brick of lasagna he ordered. I kid you not, this piece of lasagna was about 4 inches square and 3 inches tall...it was massive!
So, after dinner, we head back to the Venetian for...the Blueman Group!!! I was sooooo excited I could hardly wait. Brian was along cause I wanted to see them so badly. Turns out, he loved it just as much as I did. We were obviously not allowed to take pictures or video (which I am kinda glad about cause it was nice just to enjoy it all. If we had been busy with pics and vid, we may not have had as much fun). If any of you ever have a chance to see them in Vegas...DO IT!! It was worth every penny. We sat 6th row almost center...it will blow you away! (no matter where you sit) I think this was the highlight of the trip for me!
After the show, it was early still so we went to Harrah's to see the dueling piano show. Couldn't get a seat but stood and watched for a bit. Had a hard time deciding what to do after that. Can you imagine...in Vegas and not knowing what to do? We both think it had something to do with being entertained at the Mac king show and Blueman (plus we were pretty pumped after their performance) that we were hoping someone/thing would entertain us. Decided to head back to TI and managed to catch the "Sirens" show they put on their nightly. I will not be sharing any pics of that though as it was pretty riske. Spent a little time playing slots before calling it a night around midnight.
There is day 2 in a nutshell!