Random Ramblings from Las Vegas

Well we've been here almost a week now, and I don't feel like there is that much to report. It has been VERY relaxing... I've even managed to change my wake up time to 7:30 from Dark o'clock. Trust me... 7:30 is a sleep-in!

The King has played in both his tournaments. No cashes this time, but there will be more chances (other years, I mean!).

We have walked up and down and all around the strip, and let me tell you it is HOT. I can't make the capital letters big enough to tell you how hot it is! Pretty much every day the high is around 39 or 40 degrees celsius, and the low is only 28 (at about 4 in the morning). This causes me to do two things:

1) Spend lots of time in the pool. Even better if I can find a shady spot in the pool!

2) Work out the ways to wander around the strip that involve the least amount of time outside.

Inside walkway from the Signature Suites to the MGM

I don't know if I'm getting old... but the heat is harder to handle than it has been before. The first few days I made the mistake of going up stairs in the blazing sun which resulted in an intense need for an icy drink! I think I've worked out the route from The MGM signature suites all the way to the Bellagio and across to Bally's that involves the least amount of outside time. Of course it would be infinitely faster to just walk outside... but that is not a good option!

Aria... part of the City Center complex. Just look at all those rooms!

You can shortcut from Monte Carlo to Bellagio by taking a free tram. While you wait this is your view. It got us to thinking about how many rooms there actually are in some of these hotels. So I looked it up... enquiring minds and all that. I found a website from 2012 that shows the number of rooms in the 25 biggest hotels in the world. Vegas had a staggering 20/27 of those hotels! The MGM has over 5000 rooms not including the three signature towers which have over 1700 rooms! Imagine being in charge of making sure all those rooms are clean and well maintained!

When you walk off the tram at Bellagio you have to go past this famous chocolate shop on the way to the Conservatory. Everyone is taking photos of the chocolate fountain... but I'm partial to this chocolate dress. I kid you not! The whole dress is made of chocolate! (I wish there were chocolate shoes!)

One of my favourite places to walk through is the garden in Bellagio. Each time we come they seem to have a different theme in the conservatory. This year it is "Under the Sea".

We noticed it looks totally different in the day, then it does at night. Yesterday we took pictures during the day, and will go back to take night pictures another night later this week.

It's pretty amazing that they've used real flowers to create the displays. The mermaid has tons of red carnations making up her tail. (I have to be vague because I can't remember the number, although I read it on a little sign.) Ok, Steve just informed me it is 1500! Unbelievable... 1500 carnations!  This also makes me wonder how often they replace the flowers? They always look pristine. I have been very tempted to touch it... it looks so pretty... but so far have been able to restrain myself.

The other very beautiful part of the Bellagio (besides the fountain, obviously) is the glass display in the lobby. You can't really capture it in a photo, but the Handsome Man took his best shot!

(Also the bajillions of people are always in the way!)

Another favourite stop has been the Shake Shack. Having not been to the real New York yet, this was our first experience with it and I'm definitely a fan of the black and white shake! The burgers are also quite tasty... and the fries... and the caramel shake... Okay, maybe I've been more than once 😉

I also enjoy wandering inside the casinos like New York and Paris and pretending they are the actual New York and Paris. Now I know they don't compare, but I have quite a good imagination!

We also had one of our free buffets at the Monte Carlo (compliments of MyVegas). I can never get my money's worth in a buffet... except when it is free! It wasn't too bad for a buffet. The food tasted good and there was a pretty good variety. Now I'm not saying it's a fancy buffet, but it was definitely good anyway.

I had forgotten how expensive Vegas is and definitely underestimated the budget... but the King has convinced me to live a little anyway 😉 You can always get more money...