Last Day in Las Vegas

Monday 27 August 2012 – Last day in Las Vegas

Day 137 and 21 days to go

So 9.30am crept up on us today. We crawled out got dressed and by 10.45am we were out on the street and heading for breakfast a strawberry margherita ought to do it we thought so we walked to Casino Royale for a subway breakfast roll and a margherita. We are in Vegas after all.

Once the belly was full we continued our stroll stopping at the half price ticket office to buy tickets to see Human Nature play at the Imperial Hotel tonight. Figures we should support the Aussie lads. We then had to redeem the tickets back at the Imperial. Luckily it was a short walk and it gave us a chance to work out where we would need to be for tonight. With that sorted we were able to continue the stroll north.

We decided we would check out the Wynn and Encore hotel as originally we were going to stay there. The initial entrance is impressive with a large pool or lake and waterfalls. We wandered the shopping area where we found a Wynn desk offering us the chance to join their club, with $10 free credit for the pokies we figured we couldn’t go wrong. Signed up and with red card in pockets we made our way through the mall. I checked out the Manolo Blahnik shoes; pretty. We then crossed to the Encore building where we stopped at the pokies to try out our cards. Sure enough there was $10 on them so we sat playing the 1c machines for a while and were pleasantly surprised when we were given free drinks just for sitting there. You beauty.  The money was soon spent but we did come out with a few bucks so 1 to us and 0 to the casino. Winning!!

With our entertainment complete we left the Wynn and moved across the street passing through the fashion mall and Treasure Island finally making it to the Mirage and to the Siegfried and Roy Secret Garden. This is a hidden wonderland where they have dolphin pools and lion, tiger and leopard enclosures.

Our first stop was the dolphin pool where we could watch the trainers work with the dolphins. You are able to watch from above the pool and below. When we wandered below two dolphins were playing and spinning and would sweep past to check out the crowd they were so beautiful.

We moved on to another pool where the dolphins were leaping and spinning from the water. They were mesmerising. I could have stayed there all day. You could also become a dolphin trainer for a day. I assumed it wouldn’t be cheap.

When we finished with the dolphins we walked through to the big cats, stopping first for a picture. Unfortunately it was on a green screen and Paul was wearing green so they weren’t sure how the pictures would come out, but we did it anyway.

We then made our way past a sleeping male lion enjoying the sunshine. There was a black leopard also sleeping in a cave like structure. When we turned the corner through the white tigers were up and about and parading around their enclosures. They were quite happy to walk up a long the fence and check out the visitors. It was so great.

We then walked through the gift shop and checked out the photos. They weren’t that bad so we bought one before heading out and into the casino. We had a $10 free cash voucher to put on our loyalty cards that we added at the desk and then we found a machine to play on. Once again free drinks were offered that we took without hesitation. Cheers.

We decided not to use all the credit so we could come back tonight and then we made our way back towards the Forum so I check for sandals at H&M to no luck. Oh well. We walked back to the Bellagio shopping mall where I headed to the room while Paul went for drinks at the Walgreens across the road.

Once in the room I changed into my bathers, filled the basin with ice and waited for Paul. He was all hot and sweaty by the time he came back to the room. I left him in the room and went to the pool. I found somewhere to leave my things and then it was straight in to cool off. It really is HOT here.

Paul joined me soon after and we sat in the spa for a short while. It was just too hot to stay too long and we were looking for the cool refuge of the pool soon after. By 5 we decided we needed to head back to the room if we didn’t want to be rushed during the evening.

Once back we showered and changed and then we walked to the Imperial Palace where we decided to have the buffet dinner again. While not as flash as the one at the Mirage the food was still delicious. After stuffing ourselves yesterday I attempted to take it a little easier so I didn’t feel so revolting afterwards.

At 7.15pm we made our way to the theatre and were shown to our seats. Then we sat back and enjoyed the show. Human Nature sang many of the great Motown hits and they had the crowd clapping, singing and dancing along. They were great entertainers even giving insight as to how they began sharing old photos and videos from when they began back in Sydney 22 years ago. Classic!

I was also able to get some great photos and video of the night as there were no restrictions.

At 9pm the concert finished and we made our way to the foyer where we bought there CD and had it autographed while we chatted to the four of them. We then wandered over to the Mirage where we sat and played the 1c machines with what we had left of the free cash. Once again the drinks were flowing and the margheritas were making the night even more enjoyable. I even managed a $16 win on one machine without even knowing what I was doing. So I was well in front. Woo Hoo! Us 2 Casinos 0.

Once the free play had run dry we made our way back to the Bellagio where we decided we should at least play their machines. We put $1 in and played the 1c machines again. With another margherita it made for a great night.

While we didn’t initially think Vegas was for us we have warmed to it over the last few days. You have to look past the sleaze, homelessness, problem gambling and take it as a place where you set the limits. If you can do that then it can be enjoyable. I think if we were here with a few other couples it could become dangerous, think The Hangover. I can see Paul getting up to all sorts of mischief with his mates.

We returned to our room where I started to get things organised for tomorrow’s trip in the RV and by midnight once again we were turning out the lights for one more time on Vegas.