Day 7 - 10: Las Vegas

I never quite know what to make of Vegas - One part of me adores the glitz and utter ridiculity of the whole affair, yet on the flip side, it all seems rather fake and undesirable. The fact that it's built in a dust bowl adds to the intrigue of it. I wonder if I would move to Vegas for career, if I ever do make it as a standup comedian. Hm.

I've been to Vegas before, but variables always change the picture - such as the company, the length of time and the hotel. I didn't get to the Grand Canyon this time due to a cockup on my part (like booking the WRONG FREAKIN DATE), but I think Wendy and I had a very pleasant Christmas in Vegas, just enjoying the company, the sights and the various little things that make Vegas what it is. And the Factory Outlet shopping on Boxing Day definitely rocked. :) I enjoyed it - shopping is fun now, especially when you have an encouraging girlfriend. :D

We spent 3 whole days in Vegas, and a 6 hour trip and a short quarrel didn't dampen the mood as we checked into the Luxor. I always wanted to stay at the Luxor (and the price wasn't bad either) but the room seemed a little smaller than I'd hoped and I guess the adage that familarity breeds contempt holds true - It was nice but not particularly fantastic, and our lock broke down the last day we were there, making us stay up till about 3 as they tried to repair the lock. The beds were mighty comfortable though, and I liked the McDonald's there for the cheap food. :p

Vegas is a lot of show and spectacle, but we didn't get to see much shows while we were there - no time, no money and no prebooking. The next stop, if we ever go back, should be Bellagio or Venetian - though Macau awaits and maybe we'll go to the Venetian there first just to see what it's like. :) Oh, and the Grand Canyon awaits too, hopefully with Tris remembering to book the right day this time round. :(

Oh, one more thing about Vegas: It's filled to the brim with ASIANS. Asian people all abound and around. Nyargh. The lifts were routinely filled with Asian people of all ilk, with pale skinners forming a small minority. Often, there were Chinese Japanese Korean Indian etc etc filling up the lobby, the buffet (especially) and the factory outlet (which was no surprise, but still). If you do not want to be plunged into little Asia, do not go to Vegas by any means. You'll feel right at home. :p


Our room - 2 queen beds on the side of the Pyramid. Cool huh. :)


This was the fresco-like thingie in our room. Pretty cool huh.


The view from our window - Nice Sphinx and Obelisk eh. :)


The view from the other side of the room: We were over the Atrium level and got a nice view of the restaurants, and the pretty Pyramid that sat in the middle of the floor.


Wendy enjoying her desserts at the More Buffet - not half bad, and pretty good price. Too much fakey Chinese food though. :p


Wendy outside Luxor. Our room was somewhere below the World I think.


Tris trying to be a Sphinx.


Us outside Excalibur, the castle-themed resort next door.


New York New York, with the insanely slow roller coaster. And I mean slow as in 'see-what's-coming' slow.


Me being stupid. Not as stupid as the PRC woman outside Greyhound trying to imitate the Greyhound, but not far off. :p


The MGM Grand, on the other side of the road from Luxor.


Us outside Monte Carlo's fountain. Well, we think it is but memory proves fallible. :p


Paris - a hotel I didn't see 2 years ago.


A pecan reindeer staring at me in the Bellagio.


The very pretty Christmas decor in the Bellagio.


PCD slot machine! PCD Lounge, sadly, was closed on 25th Dec and closed early on Dec 26th. The evil evil bastards! -rargh- And we didn't go to LAX either because of the faulty lock mechanism.


The Imperial Palace, complete with a karaoke lounge inside! Didn't get to see it though.


Me at a fountain... Somewhere. Think it was Caesar's Palace.


Wendy outside the Mirage.


The ostentatious boastful Wynn resort, named after Steve Wynn himself. How humble.


The fountain outside Wynn.


My girlfriend holding ball(s) at the Wynn Hotel.


The view from the upper floor at the Venetian Resort.


The false daylight inside the Venetian. Vegas has this weird trick of confusing you whether it's day or night - Everytime I walked out of the Luxor room I got super confused as to whether I had woken up or if I'd gone to bed.


Us and the female gondolier in the Venetian - a bit silly but a fun experience. :)


The corridor inside the Venetian.


Random Elvis impersonator across the road.


The light shining from the top of the Luxor.


Rumjungle @ Mandalay Bay - Weird ass music, but ended up as our sole clubbing experience.


Us inside Rumjungle.


The trapeze act inside Rumjungle - Amazingly flexible women performing insane stunts above the bar. Only plus point. Minus points include no free drinks and crappy music and too many Asians.


Lion inside MGM Grand - apparently these are the offspring of the original roaring lion you see at the beginning of them MGM films.


Cheesecake Factory's Chicken n' Biscuits... Tasteless and not good, or even decent. Do not eat under any circumstances.


But the Cheesecakes are to die for - Reese's Peanut Butter Cheesecake, HEAVENLY. Amazing. Delicious. Did I say to die for?


Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. Great if you like Chocolate, but somehow I was kinda gelat. But a good cake too. :D


Us outside the Bellagio.


The fountain show to 'Time to Say Goodbye' by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. Amazing show, amazing time, and a beautiful way to end off the Vegas tour. :)