A trip of "firsts"

Although there was nothing that was explosive or oh so crazzzyyy, this trip, from 9/29 to 10/4, was packed full of firsts for me. The “main purpose” of this trip was for a wedding.

Beginning with accommodations- Aside from NOBU & Cromwell, Flamingo and Rio were the last of the CET properties on my LV CET property bucket list to visit (Paris is booked for my trip in two weeks, for the first time). I was able to get a Go room, which was comped for the 5 nights, so I ran with it. After hearing/reading over and over about how people did not like Flamingo, I was rather leery about staying there. Being that there was a rather long line for check in, I was happy to see a designated Platinum (& above) check in area. When I went into the check in area the guy working told me he was giving me a room on what they call, the executive floor, in the Spa Tower. All I can say is, wow, what a view! In addition to the amazing view of the fountains, there was a fridge and a coffee maker. I was extremely and pleasantly, surprised by the room, as a whole. While I know it is not like a room you’d find say in the Octavious Tower at Caesars, I personally, would be delighted to stay in it again. Plus that hike from the tower, to even the front of Caesars, aye yie yie….

Although it was only 9pm when we checked into the hotel, coming from NJ, my BF ( who is a great guy but kinda lame) was tired, so we grabbed a bite at Ellis Island then basically came back and went to sleep. As a side note, in “real life” I work midnights, so I am up all sorts of hours. No gaming, no partying, just in and to bed ( that’s a first )

9 a.m. Friday morning we had to meet a group of people at the Hard Rock (HR), as I said in the beginning, this LV trip was to attend a wedding, which was a first for me, at least in Vegas. About half the guests loaded on to a shuttle and off we went to Las Vegas Boat Harbor, holy carp! There were so many of them and big too!! Here they had rented 3 pontoon boats for a few hours and off we went tooling around Lake Mead and over toward Hoover Dam. (Again, another first). After we were finished on the lake, the shuttle took us over to the expansion bridge (which was being built the last time I was near H.D. in 2010). Interesting to see the dam from both sides! After our outing we went back to Hard Rock. That evening was the bachelor/bachelorette party. My BF went with the guys, I went to Fremont. It just so happened that a friend of mine from Az, was visiting LV for the weekend too, so I met up with her downtown. We were at the Plaza, where I was playing DDBJ, with in a very short while (maybe 25 mins) I managed to lose 500. (unfortunately this is not a first, lol). With that, I decided time to get up and change games, well, pretty quickly the Jagger shots were flowing, as well as other adult beverages, and I was making my money back! The next thing I knew a man came up to me and introduced himself, somehow I managed to attract the attention of the shift supervisor and before I knew it, he was handing me a reservation confirmation for my upcoming trip in two weeks. ( I was going to stay at MSS for a night, for a fee, but hey why not at Plaza for 2 for free?) This again, was a first. I would say I was there a total of two hours, did the up down thing with BJ, in the end making a 700. deposit to the Plaza ( also a first,lol).

After saying goodbye to my friend and her people, I headed to GN, where I continued to give my money away and partying like I was 21 not 46. From there I headed back to Flamingo. By now it was probably about midnight, my BF was back from his event (and already in bed) I, on the other hand, took another 500. from the safe and ran as fast as my legs would carry me to the casino floor. Next thing I knew, it was 5:30 am and having just lost a 1000. on one hand of BJ, the pit boss suggested maybe I should go get some sleep. I could not have agreed more! The great thing was, with my 500 buy in at Flamingo and even after that last substantial hit, I was able to walk away ( using that term loosely) from the table with all the money I lost DT, plus my buy in, and another 500.

Saturday I slunk off to the pool, where I swear to God, the most chatty in the world, ever, older man plopped down next to me and talked and talked and talked. Finally, I just had to go. Saturday evening was the wedding, off to HR we go. Neither BF or I were feeling much like a party. We get on the shuttle and over to the chapel where “Elvis” was the master of ceremony. I got to say, the guy was good and the wedding itself was unique, entertaining, and quick. Back on the shuttle and off to the HR. For the reception, they had rented out the Real World Suite at HR. Personally, I never watched that show but I have to say it was pretty darn nice! The bar was well stocked and had two bar tenders the food was ok, nothing fancy, but easy. There was a decent sized hot-tub, pool table, three bathrooms etc. The big hit of the suite was the bowling alley, as I am sure most of you can imagine, more alcohol=more shenanigans. Based on my previous 12 hours, I stuck with water and Sprite but BF took one for the team.

Sunday morning was painless and pleasant, finally made it to Peppermill Fireside (yes, another 1st). It was as swanky as I imagined and enjoyable too. Eventually, we made our way DT and over to Container Park (1st), it was cute but I’m not sure what all the fuss is about it. My big goal DT was getting into Gold Spike to play supersized cornhole, Jenga, and Connect four ( my last trip to LV in March left me a bit of a hot mess by the time I got there to check it out, and well….they wouldn’t let me in, oops!) (Yes that was a first and a last! ). So now I can check that off my LV bucket list! BF and I went to a place called Therapy for dinner, well after waiting 20 mins for someone just to take a drink order, we got up and walked out (a 1st). Ended up back at EI to try the BBQ (a 1st), which has been recommended to me time and time again. I have to say, although I am not a big fan of BBQ it was pretty good. From there went to Harrah’s, BF ( who really does not gamble, lost 100 and announced he was going back to Flamingo and going to bed.) I, on the other hand, sat tight and gave away some money to them. Soon I made my way back to Flamingo. At the end of the gaming session I gave back the 500, plus 1600 more, ugh.

7:15 am, Monday morning, we were being picked up by Blazin’ Paddles, a new Kayaking tour company out of Henderson. I got a Groupon for the two of us for a ½ day kayaking trip down the Colorado River ( a 1st). It was awesome! Pick up and drop off were smooth, the guide was fantastic, and on the way back, I believe it was the owner driving us, stopped so we could take some pictures of the bighorn sheep (a 1st) grazing at a kids play ground. I would say, if anyone has any interest, check them out, I was really pleased and could comfortably recommend them. After we got back and cleaned up we walked down to Mandalay, I had gotten a MyVegas reward for two for Shark Reef (this was a first for BF). Honestly, he would rather hike, kayak, look at the animals etc, than gamble, wish I felt the same way…), Again thanks to MyVegas, after shark reef, we went to Bayside Buffet (a 1st ). I didn’t expect too much based on the reviews, but over all I would say it wasn’t so bad, granted not Bacchanal but considering we paid 32. bucks for two crappy sandwiches the day before, Bayside was a welcomed dinning option at 35. for the two of us. After dinner, we walked over to Luxor, I sat at a lousy BJ table (yes I know, shame on me..6:5) but managed to turn 200 into 600 pretty quickly. Again, thanks to MyVegas we went to see Fantasy. It was, yes you guessed it, “a first”. It was ok, not exactly sure it was what I was looking for, maybe Zumanity would have been the better choice but hey, I give credit to anyone that can get in front of a group and perform, with or without a top on! After the show we went back to Flamingo and called it a night

Tuesday morning, need to leave for airport by 11 a.m. ( at latest). I decide to lick my gambling wounds and plop at the DD game, lost 200 got up and moved to the next table which was a 3:2 10.table, well this was the best move, literally in 45 mins I made back all of my losses, plus another 100. So with that, I decide time to go. Everything I had done during my visit was paid for with cash, I made my money back, plus a smidge more. Bf came and sat down, he too won his small losses back, plus 160. So he was really thrilled. I would say this was a very different trip compared to my usual and really quite enjoyable.

One last first, I convinced my BF that checking in his bag would be “so much easier” than lugging it around the airports ( we had a quick lay-over coming home) (he, personally, has never checked in a bag) don’t you know, when we got to Newark my bag was on the belt, his got left behind, oops, lol. Luckily, Southwest delivered to our house the next day but…

Hope this TR wasn’t too long, if you made it to the end, yay you!

Thanks for reading~ Happy Gaming!

HG
Ps- Here's a few pics, too.

 

Excellent report, thanks for sharing your eclectic mix of firsts - awesome!

 

HG - very fine trip report. Thanks for taking the time to write it up. Seems like y'all had a nice adventure. Hope the upcoming trip is awesome.

later, GVJ

 

Sounds like a great time. Always nice to come home with money.

 

Nice trip. Great report.

 

Funny! That's how my bride describes me! (Minus the "great" part, though...)
Great report and pics! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure for the good of the Board!

RICHARD

 

Loved all the 1st's! Was fun to see how much territory you covered and that you pulled out the win at just the right time, thanks for taking us along!