Las Vegas

So on Wednesday had my eyebrows, laser and pedicure done in preparation for holiday then had to go to work. On Thursday on an early wanted to finish on time but left about 4. But luckily Cate told me a few things to do whilst in Vegas but forgot her lonely planets book. Once home had to go to post office to collect parcel and post the ebay clothes I sold. It was then straight to the gym was only there about an hour and running not best as got a stitch so only did 10mins. Completely lost track of time as trying to sort what to take with me on holiday. That I ended up forgetting to go for my spray tan which cancelled and luckily was fine as understood busy packing for my holidays. Once Tiago got home after 7 went to coles to get some meat for BBQ streak didn't look best and sausages. Luckily once food cooked on BBQ tasted fine which was good and nice to sit and use our new Ikea red table on the balcony. Got up 6am on the Friday 6th February to finish packing which took longer that expected about an hour and only weighed 15kgs. Then to decide what to travel in as obvisiously wanted comfort so decided on my skinny jean leggings. Have shower, breakfast, It was then to say goodbye to Tiago at 7.30 dry hair and aim to leave at 8am. But didn't end up leaving til about 8.15 luckily didn't have to wait to long for bus. Unfortunately I struggled to get my suitcase into the luggage hold, so the bus drive got the bloke behind to help me. Once at Wynyard realised didn't have enough money on oral card so had to get a train ticket to airport. Was worried would miss train but luckily made it and only a few minutes to wait for train which took about 20 minutes. At airport didn't have to wait long to check in as no queue also suitcase was under 15kg and got window seats. But unfortuantely not so lucky with security seemed to have to queue a while. Then when got to bag security had forgotten had left Swisscard in my bag so took scissor and knife out of it and let me keep rest. It was then to McDonald's for coffee as didn't need to look round duty free as nothing I needed. I also got a macaroon to go with my coffee and gave me chance to update another blog entry on the free wifi. It was then to speak to Tiago to say goodbye before I boarded the plane at 11ish. Ended up been sat on 35K a 3 seated row with one seat empty in the middle and left on time at 11.40. Read my book for abit based in Vegas a detective book after about 45minutes decided to watch a film. Was quite a few to choose from and went for 'Gone Girl' which I enjoyed was a dark, twisted film yet fascinating mystery/thriller. With just 13hrs left of flight got lunch, choice between chicken and pasta went for the pasta which is all I ate. Gone girl finished 3ish then took abit to choose next film went for 'Captain Phillips' a true story about hijacking of U.S ship by Somali pirates. When started this film over 10hours and 20 minutes left of flight and had to stop film with 30 minutes left to go to toilet and by the time film finished had 8 hours left to fly. Then decided to watch a comedy but not much choice ended up with 'Tammy' was funny in place but not the best and got food during it. Only a sandwich and tim tams, tried sandwich but not the best so only had tim tams. Then watch another recent film 'Nightcrawler' a thriller which was abit weird. I decided against another film and watched TV show 'Suits' but fell asleep watching the 2nd one and had 2 hours on and off. When woke up was just over an hour left to LA got breakfast just ate the scrambled as that hungry and watch the 2nd episode against with another one. Land in LA at 6.20 then have to pick up our suitcases and recheck it in before walking to United check in about 7 minute walk away. Go through security and was abit worried about missing next flight to Vegas and made by 7.40. Flight departed on time at 8am and had little nap for 20 minutes when woke up had complimentary drink then prepaying to land. Landed at 8.42 which was early supposed to be 9.15 and by time got through security my suitcase was there waiting for me. It then how to get to hotel decided to use the airport shuttle only $8 and luckily was first drop off but didn't expect hotels to be so close. Staying at the MGM Grand which looked very grand check in not til 3 asked if wanted to pay extra but said 'no'. But took pity on me and let me check in now without any extra cost. The room was very nice two queen beds and nice view off strip had a little rest and think ended up having about 2 hours. When woke up went to see the concerige about our Grand Canyon trip tomorrow morning, he kindly phoned for me and getting picked up at 7.40am. He also gave me a map so can find myself along the Vegas Strip but first look round the hotel which was very big could easily get lost and unfortuantely the pool was closed. It was then to go exploring outside on the Vegas Strip and 1st stop was the M&M shop which was massive. Didn't want to walk to far and get lost so just went up to Crystal hotel then back to look in New York New York hotel opposite the MGM it even has a rollercoaster in it which looked fun. I then walked the other way toward the Luxor hotel shaped liked a pyramid and then back to my hotel first stoping at Hershey chocolate to get Debbie some chocolate. Once back at hotel realised not eaten do had bagel and latte from Starbucks. It was then to the ticket office to enquire about Cirque du Soleil KA as had an offer and was like but 1 get 1 free. So booked it for tomorrow night for part of Debbie's 30th birthday present. Then back to room to get ready had a lovely relaxing bath, chilled watched TV and Debbie landed at 6.45pm. Thought be nice to meet her when she arrived so went downstairs expecting her to arrive by shuttle bus so stood in that area. But got distracted by a drunk Canadian speaking to me and by 8pm still no sign of Debbie. Which thought was abit strange so went to check at reception and already checked in at 7.30pm. So went to room Debbies stuff there but no Debbie, so tried phoning her but no answer. Thought at this rate would ever meet up luckily she phoned me back and met her in the lift lobby. It was then to go get some food walked up the strip and went to Bubba Gump since Debbie never ate there before. Also if you sit outside on the balcony you get a nice view of the Vegas strip. But their foolish showed us to an inside table first when we wanted outside one, which we got. I decided to have the Mahi Mahi fish with shrimp as last time I had it was when I was in Mexico over 10 years ago. To start our holiday we both had a cocktail then the waiter came to ask us a quiz on Forrest Gump whilst waiting for food and since we did well we got free cocktail glasses. After main we shared the best of the sampler dessert which was bread & butter pudding, strawberry shortcake and chocolate chip cookie sundae. Was disappointed with the strawberry shortcake and the best was the sundae which the only one we ate all off. It was then to see the famous Bellagio water fountains and luckily only had to wait 5 minutes til their came on, which were amazing. Then walk back to the hotel not before getting a picture of the Eiffel Tower in the Paris hotel, bed midnight. It was then early start on Saturday 7th February up before 6am as doing the Grand Canyon helicopter ride today. Had breakfast in the buffet restaurant in the hotel and thought it was expensive for what it was but not much choice early in morning. Luckily the omelette was very good but just a shame not much choice in fruit was very few. It was then to wait for our pick up at 7.40am outside hotel which was on time was last pick up and only a 20 minute trip to maverick helicopter site. Flight at 9am our pilot was Jessie was 6 of us in helicopter 2 in front and 4 of us at the back. We got to sit in the back at first and supposedly everyone would get a chance to sit in the front. Couldn't believe the view was spectacular and since our first time in Vegas thought it be rude not to do a helicopter flight over the canyon. We got to fly over the Hoover Dam, around Lake Mead and into the jar dropping scenery of the Grand Canyon. To land on the base of the canyon was thrilling not something you get to do everyday and scenery was fantastic. Also couldn't believe how quick journey was only 45 minutes and once at base of canyon gave us chance to take lots of photos. We also got to have a glass of champagne and snack but not hungry not sure how long there but plenty of time to do everything. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and a depth of over a miles in the state of Arizona. It was then back in the helicopter to go the fuel station and change who went in the front but not us but was 10 minutes. So we got to go in the front on the last ride back to base and gave an better view, if that's possible. Got back to helicopter site about 11.20 look at our pictures taken but choose not to get them and back to hotel for 12ish. Once at hotel drop things off put suncream on, try the slot machine on way out and go for walk up the Vegas strip. As going to Caesars Palace to have a look round and go to the famous Cheesecake Factory got there 1.30. Couldn't believe how big Caesars Palace was and the shopping was surprised by how many shops there was. It end up getting to Cheesecake Factory til after 2pm decided to share the nachos, corn dogs and fries so definitely room for cheesecake. Was abit too much cheese on the nachos and then was so difficult to choose a cheesecake as so many. I eventually choose the lemon raspberry one and Debbie the key lime one which I actually preferred. Afterwards was time to have a shop but only ended up getting underwear from Victoria Secrets which got fitted for but by time left was 6pm. Then to walk back to hotel not before going through the Bellagio hotel another nice grand hotel. Stop at M&M store on way back to hotel to get yellow babygrow for my new niece or nephew as Sharon pregnant again due July. Got back to hotel 7.30ish chill for abit then time to get ready as off to see show tonight. Watch Cirque du Soleil KA at 9.30pm was very good but at one point thought was going to fall asleep. When the show began was sensory overload so much going on characters dropping from ceiling, performing on moving stage and in crowd. Completely different to one saw in Sydney more martial arts in this one and had more of a story to easily follow. Afterwards food but everything just closing so ended up at the food court and just had a hot dog not the best one and bed 1ish, but texting and writing blog so sleep 2ish. Got up on the Sunday about 7.30ish shower then get ready and go for breakfast at Exacalibur hotel about 5-10 minute walk away got there 9ish. Decided to have their buffet breakfast as one of the top 10 places to eat ion know what's on in Vegas. Fully enjoyed the breakfast a lot more choice than our hotel yesterday but also not rushing to be somewhere. Had crepes with summer fruit and Nutella then had a little rest before more food and foolish tried there coffee not good. It was then to have the fresh omelette which think better than yesterday but hard to compare as different ingredients. We then had to find the bus to go to the Premier Outlet North and had to cross road to Tropicana hotel as bus stop that side get bus ticket $8 for full day. Had to wait abit then bus came but unfortunately wrong one to take us to outlet so had to get off at MGM Grand and wait for next one. Took about 30 minutes and gave us chance to look at all the hotels whilst going up the strip, got to outlet before 12. Is two outlet stores one at either end of strip the North and the South but heard that the North is better with 140 stores, but not sure we went round them all. Got Ellie new Ralph Lauren tennis dress and unfortuantely no cardigan for me as wanted from Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger. Went to try on jeans at Levis which were only $25 I thought then went to pay was $50 so decided against it as false advertising. It was then lunch and nothing fancied in food court so ended up at Stabucks as wanted a proper coffee with a bagel. Since I decided against the Levis instead I got some black jeans from DKNY for only $30, then new nike running pants and then back to Kate Spade. As been in Kate Spade before and was 2 bags I liked a navy blue bag and teal bag in different styles, choose the navy blue. There was also a purse I was tempted with but decided against it and Debbie also bought a red Kate Spade as none liked at Micheal Kors. It was then to the Quiksilver shop to get some new casual blue and white pants, so I had quite a good shop but Debbie didn't do aswell. Then to get the bus back to the strip at 5.30pm and got off at Venetian as wanted to see the Italian themed hotel with the gondola rides. Think this was my favourite hotel so far as just Wow, decided against going on gondola ride as thought more for couples. Then to the Paris hotel to do the Eiffel Tower Experience which is an icon of the city skyline is a 541 foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Thought had to do as Kim from work recommended doing it and said best to do it at night as get a better view of the strip. Luckily only had to wait about 5 mins before we got to go ride in the glass elevator 460 feet to the top and was only $17 before going in elevator you get your pictures taken. Once at the top of the Eiffel Tower observation deck you get an amazing 360 degree view of Las Vegas and especially of the Bellagio fountains. It is definitely worth the visit to just get the pictures at night of Vegas strip and of the Bellagio fountain, which we saw twice. Once at the bottom to stop by the kodak snap shot kiosk to purchase our commemorative photo of you "France in Vegas" experience in the sky. Thought it was a perfect keepsake for an unforgettable moment. It was then to walk back to our hotel and got there 8ish drop our bags off and then straight back out to go get dinner. Our aim was to go to Diablo's Cantina a Mexican restaurant but wait was 25 minutes so decided against it and went to New York New York hotel. Ended up going to their italian restaurant il fornaio food was delicious and reasonably priced with wine would definitely go back if ever in Vegas again. After dinner walked through Hershey chocolate to get dessert 2 different cupcakes and then played on slot machines in our hotel but didn't win but their are quite addictive but Debbie won. Once back in hotel room try our Hershey dessert which were nice but very sweet couldn't eat it all and do our packing and sleep 1ish. Got up 6ish but pressed snooze a few times as didn't want to get up took about 10 minutes. It was then to have shower and get ready to go weigh cases before we left was only 19kg which is fine as get 23kg. Luckily had checked out online which was easier and then to get taxi to airport which had to wait a few minutes and only took 5-10 minutes to get to airport. Once at airport have to check in ourselves on computer screens print boarding pass and just drop bags off. When got to security was a long queue not very organised took a while to get through but at least didn't have to take things out of bag. It was then to get the tram to our gate and then get breakfast but not much choice and didn't want anything to big. Found a cafe where had egg white pretzel wasn't what I expected wasnt a pretzel was more of a bun. Started boarding at 9.15am and unfortuantely no window had the middle seat this time, supposed to depart at 9.45 but was closer to 10am. No TV's so kept reading kindle then nodding off for abit and got complimentary drink but no food. Arrive in Houston at 14.45 so flight only 2hours 45 minutes as was 2 hours time difference. Luckily the gate for Orlando was next door to where we got off so time for toilet stop before boarding at 3.10. But plane not ready so didn't start boarding til 3.40 so was late taking off and sat in middle seat again at 16B. Was still on the runway at 4.30 but at least this time was TV's but not individual one so didn't watch TV just read book and had a little nap. Had a kid sat behind and front of us one behind was fine but one in front started crying at 7pm and didn't stop. Landed at 7.30 which was only 30 minutes later than planned and clocks were an hour in front. By the time got to luggage collection didn't have to wait long for our luggage to arrive and then how to get to our hotel choose to get a taxi.