Solo by the Fountains Oct 11-14

Thanks for the tip as I usually bring a fair amount of lotions and potions. Lol

 

I bring so many items and I love packing face masks. Not the Covid kind, the "my skin is dry so I want to wear a mask overnight to moisturize" kind. But the bottles are pretty small so I can fit 893748324 different items into a TSA approved size bag of liquids.

 

The Neon Museum tour and Brilliant show were a highlight of this trip. Brilliant first

 

The museum tour after. I'd like to return in daylight to really see it all

 

Great pictures. Thanks. I remember seeing all of those in the glory years except 2. It was a highlight of our trips when the sun was disappearing and the glow began to emerge. Thanks.

 

This trip really reinforced that I hate the loss of social interaction at table games presented by Plexiglas. Playing Pai Gow Poker last night, I couldn't hear a guy trying to chat with me. Three plexi-seats per table, two seats away, masked, background casino noise.... I just couldn't hear him. I nodded a few times, but finally said "I can't hear you." My observation: people sit for briefer sessions - I used to sit for long sessions at Pai Gow, and carny games like Let It Ride.

I saw a $15 craps table at Bellagio as I headed back to my room last night. If theres a $15 table at 1130pm at Bellagio... Maybe I'll find a $10 daylight, weekday table when I walk around today.

Otherwise, this'll be a slots-only trip hereafter.

 

Just dropped off my rental car at Cosmo. Agent was perplexed. Contract closed already. Under $5. System said dropped off at airport yesterday

Maybe it was a lucky free car?! (I'm guessing they'll figure it out.)

 

Underwhelmed by Mon Ami Gabi breakfast.

I'm listening to waiters at other tables. Offering specials... I would have ordered. Not mentioned for me. Service was fair. Food was ok... but I could get same things in any nice breakfast place.

No hurry to return here future trips. At least, not for Breakfast.

 

These scenarios happened to me frequently in any hotel, not just LV
1. Some of the older hotels do not have enough electrical ports. Either guests unplug so they can plug in peripherals, or housekeeping uses these electrical points to vacuum, and forgets to plug back in.
2. If clocks have an alarm set for let's say VERY early by the previous occupant, guests are more likely to just unplug the device rather than piddle with the clocks settings.
3. And yes, I find some of the alarm clocks too bright and if I cannot turn the device may just pull the plug.

 

Park MGM update

1 - it's a tomb on this weekday, noonish. I doubt there were 35-40 people spread across the floor.
2 - they had $10 Craps!
3 - of less relevance to readers than me.... I was very happy to find $10 dice. The gods crapped on my enthusiasm in a rapid, brutal manner. Oh the rejection after waiting so long and walking to take the beating.

 

Some random Vegas musings while relaxing in my room

1. Why can't this city keep escalators working? Public and private... today I walked from Paris to M&M Store on the east side of LVB, across to Park MGM ...back to Bellagio via Aria and Vdara walkway. Passed multiple broken escalators.
2. Wow, are there alot of political ads on local TV. Coming from SF Bay - insanely expensive media market and well known political leanings.... Neither party bothers to advertise. Here in LV... ads are non stop every commercial break... billboards along the freeway, etc. Please, no political commentary.
3. While reopened, a walk along the Strip, through the resorts, makes for a depressing reminder of just how much remains shutdown.
4. Yes, there's a different vibe of the current "clientele" I haven't felt unsafe. Haven't seen anything even unsettling. It doesn't stink of pot as badly as my August visit. But it's apparent.
5. My south facing Bellagio Room windows give an interesting perspective: - the Jockey Club looks really sad and puny, dwarfed by the Cosmopolitan

 

I noticed this too last week. Granted we no longer have cable at home, but the ads seemed excessive as did all the billboards.

 

Our yearly Fall trips are always at the end of October. We have noticed the same thing about the political candidates billboards and radio ads too. To me it's interesting to see some of the positions that the different candidates take on some of the local issues.

 

Ok. Are you telling me the political ads (no politics please) are more prevalent than call me so we can sue them on your behalf on mere principle or some such? Blasphemy!!

 

I'll go you one better. They're more prevalent than late night pharma ads trying to convince consumers that drugs are the answer AND law firm ads that you should sue the pharma companies.

 

Dinner at CATCH in Aria

Mixed.

Maybe the best food of my trip
Trio of fish tartare... salmon, tuna, yellowtail with wasabi, caviar and cream. Excellent. Maybe a bit too cold... but what's the alternative? Served with rice chips

Waiter advised me portions were small as I ordered Octopus . Really delicious. Charred, tender. Over crispy potatoes. Great sauce.

So I added some corn.

Even the corn was great.
Food - excellent . Service: not so much.

Cant make reservation for one. When I arrived at check in out front, they offered the bar. I declined. Told to go in, hostess will seat me. Then, Hostess tried to seat me at bar. I said no again. She put me at high top in bar area. 2 minutes later manager comes over... "did you just sit here? " " no, hostess seated me here"

"Well, I have this table reserved, I'm going to need to move you." So I was moved to a corner table in dining room next to door to a service area. Waiters coming and going...even balancing dishes on my booth as they navigated door handle.

Maybe they're not used to solos. Or still responding to Covid. Service was a bit rushed, perfunctory. No welcome. No description of service, menu. I couldn't solicit a recommendation from waiter when asking about options. They literally cleared the octopus plate as I set down my utensils still chewing. I felt hustled through....

The food was delicious... maybe best of trip. I may try again.... but not solo in Pandemic

 

LOVE!! And great to know it is back!

 

Sorry about the bummer service. What did you wind up ordering?

 

OMG. That service sounds . . . HORRIBLE. Geez. Glad the food was great but GEEZ.

 

I'd had Salmon Benedict previous day... my LV favorite at Bellagio Sadelle's. I didn't want to carbo-overload as I was walking the Strip after... so no French Toast.

I had spinach and goat cheese omelet. It was good, a little overdone.