Vegas 2008

VEGAS 2008

So, here it was, Monday 8th September, 11 months and a couple of weeks after starting the planning, we where actually leaving for the promised land once again.
Bit of background to those who haven’t read my reports before. We are just a normal couple, mid 40’s, not rich by any means but we work hard all year and take 2 foreign holidays, 1 is a beach type holiday and then our Vegas trip, seems to work for us.
I still remember walking thru the Wynn not long after it opened and us saying to each other-“lovely but a shame we will never be able to stay hereâ€, well if they keep sending these wonderful offers we will make it 3 times next year  Point being we aren’t really “Wynn†people , more your “Tropicana†type, more because of me being “shrewd “ with my hard earned cash  We are lower than low rollers, when we stroll thru a casino we both might put a few dollars in a machine here and there but over the 8 days we are there its nothing significant. If we can win enough to put in the next machine we are happy, play for entertainment more than anything.

Will get back to the Monday soon I promise.
This was a first for us as in normaly I book the hotels myself but leave the flights to the travel agent. When I went to book flights my normal travel agents shop offered me a choice I think of 5 flights, all more expensive than I had looked at myself on expedia and all that got into Vegas at times like 2200 etc- that to me is a lost evening so no good. Anyways short of it being I booked the flights myself, Northwest which we used before and flying via Detroit. Into Vegas for 1700-that’s better. Oh and the small point of it cost me around 200 euros less than it would have thru said agents-so I doubt ill ever use a travel agents again.

And to the Monday.
Up like 2 kids on Christmas morning at 0330 and off to airport we drive. Dave has the great idea of using one of the bubbakegs we bought for Jamaica-fill it with coffee and we are sorted for in the car en route to airport. Well we would be if someone hadnt knocked the cap so that it leaked all over the car floor- good start. Who cares, its only coffee/car, we are going to Vegas.
Id checked us in online so we had boarding passes but weren’t quite sure where to take the cases-as we walked in to the terminal there was the baggage drop off so we were sorted. Within no time we were up and away. Arrive ontime in Detroit where we have 3 hours or so before our next flight, suits me fine as theres a bar in the airport where we can eat drink and smoke, which we did. Flight to Vegas was on time leaving and arriving and at about 1700 I dived outside where all the limos are for a quick ciggie while waiting on the bags to announce to the world we were there. Well I might have done if I hadn’t been shocked at what I saw-it was raining, only a wee bit but wet stuff was falling and going by the puddles around it had been quite a lot. Trip 5 and weve never seen rain in Vegas (Miracle mile excluded  )
We had been chatting about all the trips we had been on and we had never had a problem with bags going missing-guess whos bags where last coming thru, heart was in my mouth but they appeared eventually. All good.
Long taxi line but it goes by very quickly and we are off to the Wynn. This was a special offer they sent me about 6 months ago, $119 a night. Too good an offer to turn down, even better than last years. We knew exactly what we expected and that’s what we got with the Wynn, wonderful place to stay. Checked in no problem, they gave us a wonderful view of the golf course after just asking nicely. Up to room , exact double of last years, unpack, shower, dressed and downstairs for a drink. Weve now been on the go over 24 hours so I didn’t want us to get comfortable sitting anywhere within the Wynn otherwise we would end up going to bed so after a drink at the bar closest to the elevators off we went a walking. Aim was to end up at Hooters and use the special offer expedia threw in with the deal and get $200 to play some machines and maybe try the wings I read they are famous for. So we stroll down to Harrahs, taking in all the sights sounds smells as we go. I did suggest just walk the whole way but wifey wasn’t having it, so jumped on the monorail at Harrahs to the MGM and walked round from there. I still think the monorail is vastly overpriced and hardly “handy†but that’s just my opinion. As we walked thru the MGM there was a place selling “jellos†, obviously filled with various booze type drinks. Weve never had 1 of these, seen them on US tv shows etc so stopped and got a couple- nice, could see how they might be a wee bit dangerous 
Hooters, weve never been in here for no particular reason other than weve never seen the need to go to a booby bar type casino when theres so many others in Vegas that we would rather try/see. Has to be said we were both pleasantly surprised, it was ok and the wings were very good. Had a bucket of 20 wings and a pile of sauces and just melted our way thru them-nice. The 200 bucks to play the slots was as I thought it would be, fixed bank of machines which you’ve virtually no chance of winning, but we went thru the motions and had a drink and a few laughs. Left there quite content. Climbed in a taxi and back to the Wynn. Had a wee go on the monopoly machine which was our favorite last year and then went to bed- 29 hours is enough and knowing I would be up anytime around 0500 then I was ready to sleep. Wifey will back me up here as 1 minute she was lying there doing her nails and me channel surfing the tv and next she looked over and im fast asleep, remote still in my hand pointing at tv 

Note; nice 1 Expedia. I have no affiliation with this company but this was the first time ive ever spent that amount of money online and was very slightly nervous-no need, not 1 hitch on the way there, and I don’t care about the return trip-that’s going the wrong way 


Tuesday 9th September.

I guessed wrong about waking time, made it as far as 0300 then was wide awake. No problem , its my favorite time of the day in Vegas so up and shave/shower and then down and wander around the casino. It always fascinates me people in the casino at all hours, wether it be in shorts and t-shirts, suits and dinner dresses, cheap expensive, all walks of life all gambling away in various forms-love it. Wander around for a while then take coffee up for wifey. She arises and off we go to stroll up to the Peppermill for breakfast. Last year we tried to avoid places we had been before just so we would try other places, this year was a case of go anywhere we liked and we liked the Peppermill last time we had brekkie there. Didn’t disappoint this year either, had a huge breakfast and left there quite content. Made our way to Circus circus as I wanted to make reservations at the steakhouse for Sunday brunch. Cant do that till 1300 or so so we left and went to slots r fun. We always have fun there and she won a few bucks and in turn got the dirty hands. Never understood someone complaining about winning money  Headed for the Sahara next as we wanted to get tickets for the Platters/Coasters show show on the Wednesday. Too early so wandered round, had a drink, won $90 each on the eBay machine by which time their box office was open. Got our tickets and strolled off and headed for Ceasers. Stopped off at TI and Mirage for a look around and a drink and eventually make it to the box office in CP to pick up our tickets for tonights Cher show. Wifey went off to find a toilet while I stood in line. 2 older ladys who had flew in from San Diego for tonight’s show were standing next to me. They were staying at the MGM and had been told the show was cancelled and were there to get a refund. Me and the guy in front of me made comments to them that there was no sign up saying anything was cancelled or so and eventually I was served and there was no problem, girl behind the counter had no idea where this rumour was coming from. Oh well.
Jump in a taxi and off we go to the Hard Rock, aim being to get tickets for Billy Idol on the Friday which we duly did. Went to the Pink Taco with a view to having a drink and a bowl of nachos which we like. Seated straight away, gets a drink and a menu and as we are looking down said menu for the nachos a waiter comes along and dumps a bowl of nachos and dips on the table. Oh says we  Somehow we then feel obligated to order some “proper†food . we got caught out like this last year at the Tuscany but no problem, these are luxury problems  Order a appetizer platter which was great, not sure what a lot of it was but it was tasty. Leave there and wander round looking at some of the exhibits, weve seen them before but some are still impressive/thought provoking. Well they are to me anyways. Leave the HR and head for what im hoping will be great-the double down saloon. 5 minute walk and we are there. Open the door and walk from the blazing sunshine into what seemed like total darkness. Eyes adjust and the place is empty, as in theres the barman and us . Anyways we had a good time, I was a punk way back in the late 70’s in the UK and to be stood in a bar in vegas with the Clash and sex pistols etc coming out the jukebox just kinda gave me a thrill. Youll either understand that or not. Barman was great and over the next couple of hours we consumed a few jack cokes and several of the house speciality ass juices. Played some pool which wifey cheated at obviously but noone cared-nice time. Got my t shirt id had my eye on since seeing it on their website and staggered out of there with a view to returning when other people might be there. It didn’t work out that way but we will return an other time. Helped each other up the road to the HR again and jumped in a taxi and back to the Wynn. I said at the start of this we aren’t really Wynn people, im sure they would agree if youd seen us staggering thru the casino heading for the elevator- all good  made it to bed and had a wee siesta . Up , shower, iron, yes I am a modern man and iron my own stuff, in fact I did hers too and off we headed for a coffee before strolling down to CP for the Cher show.
Cher, easy summery would be , great show but no “wow†factor. We enjoyed it a lot but it wasn’t breathtaking. Id recommend the show to anyone but im glad we paid the cheapest price for tickets. Yes she does a lot of costume changes leaving you with videos but it was still enjoyable. Not the longest concert either at around 90 mins but ok, she is getting on a bit 
After show we strolled up to the Venetian and headed for the Grand Lux café. I had something called a sloppy joe which was meat on roll-was great actually, cant remember what wifey had but we were both happy and full of food. Oh and completely shattered  Walked thru the Palazo for the first time, has to be said we weren’t that impressed. Just another casino is what we both remarked. Now the Venetian is my fav place, don’t ask me why it just isn’t. Yes the ceiling artwork is wonderful and the theme of the place is nice enough, its just not my fav place and the Palazo just came across as more of the same to me. Just my/our opinion.
Strolled back to the Wynn and straight to bed. When we got to the room we found we had had the turndown service again. Im still not sure if this is something people pay for (ive always been scared to ask in case they decide to charge me  ), last year they did it all 4 nights but they didn’t do it on the Monday so I was surprised. Must admit its nice tho  Long day but been a good one.

Note. Heading out of the Venetian we just happened to walk into the line of gondoliers all doing some sort of silly walk and singing an equally silly song, was quite amusing. Im guessing that was them finished for the day and this was some sort of tradition.

Wednesday 10th September.

Up at 0500- both of us and head out for nice stroll down the strip. Original plan had been to head for Bouchon for brekkie but we ate late last night and weren’t hungry enough for a full breakfast. We got coffee and stopped at McDonalds and got a sausage and egg roll thingy to eat as we stroll. We don’t get these in Europe, well not in Holland anyways so we enjoy the odd one when in the USA. In fact I usually really don’t like McD but these things are nice  Stroll on down, thru Harrahs then into the Flamingo and go have a look at the birds and find the Bugsy memorial which id never actually seen for real. O’Sheas, Bills, Miracle Mile and then Excalibur. Original plan had been to take their poker lesson and then play in their follow up tourney but they went all digital etc a few weeks ago so that plan went up in flames. Went and checked it out anyways and it looked ok. Was busy enough, I think a tournament of some sort was being played. New plan was id read the Luxor did a poker lesson at 0900. We got the wee train thing and got to poker room at exactly 0900. Noone there except 1 guy who I presume was running the room. He said they had stopped the lessons but he would answer anything id like to ask. Wasn’t quite what I was looking for so we headed off. Had a drink at some bar in the casino , got wee train back to Excal and crossed to NYNY. Stroll thru the casino but far too much noise coming from whatever they are building so we made our way into the ESPN zone which just happens to be somewhere we love to visit whilst in Vegas. Nachos, frys covered in cheese and bacon, several pints of Guinness and a few Jacks and coke, nice chat with the barman, some baseball on the screens-life is good.
Strolled up to the Bellagio and stopped in to see the conservatory. Has to be said much as it was nice around the outside the big middle bit was a bit plain and boring. If you’ve seen it recently youll know what I mean. Plus we were under the influence a wee bit remember so maybe it was really wonderful  It seems I wasn’t getting away with walking all the way back to the Wynn so a taxi was gotten and once in our room we headed for the pool. Lovely relaxing place to be and the hot tub is heaven on earth but the sun was just too hot for us to be there for too long. Relax in room for a while then its get sorted and off to the Sahara for the Platters/Coasters show. Strolled up there and headed for the bar for a drink beforehand. Had a very strong drink and headed into the show. Great wee venue and what a great show. We really enjoyed it, would tell anyone to give it a go. Maybe its us getting old but if so then so be it, was a great evening. To finish it off I had booked a table with limo pickup at Casa Di Amore. Meal was at 2200 with pick up at 2145. If you read my other trip reports youll see im honest enough to admit when I screw something up even if it makes me look stupid etc. Well, we were at what I took to be the 1 valet area the Sahara has. E mail had said the Paradise valet area. When going there that evening I just presumed there was only one-turns out there is 2 and obviously we were at the wrong 1. Come about 2155 I tried to ring them, being organized I had the number, being and idiot I didn’t have any change so tried to use my credit card to make the call. That didn’t work and some operator jumped in and told me the card was no good. She rang the number and they accepted the charge and told me the limo had been waiting at the other valet place. Ooops  Anyways the limo which by now was heading home turned round and came back and got us. No big deal the driver said so off we went. Lovely warm place with some wonderful smells coming from the kitchen. We had 2 pasta dishes the waiter who was great recommended. Mine was wonderful but wifeys was just ok. The pasta was too big as in the pieces where too big for her tastes-oh well. Had a coffee and she had a Tia Maria with hers, there was a fly in her drink which they quickly replaced for free. Very reasonable price, even given the fly in drink etc we will return and she will try something else on the menu  Limo back to the Wynn and as strolling thru casino there was a seat at the rapid roulette table so I sat there and walked away 10 mins later 45 bucks richer. Nice. I know roulette is the easiest place to lose money in a casino but I like the rapid 1 and only play $20 so if that goes im off. Lower than a snakes belly roller that’s me  Bed at sometime around 0200. Another very long but great day.

Note—no turndown again , maybe they saw the state of us yesterday. 
Since starting this report ive seen pics taken since we were at the Bellagio conservatory-seems they were in the middle of change hence why we saw the middle bit as just being a huge slab of moss – it looks better now 

Thursday 11th September.

Slept all the way thru to 0530 ?? Again having eaten late neither of us was hungry so after coffee we set off for Planet Hollywoood as I saw a sign there saying they do poker lessons. So you understand, ive been playing poker online for a couple of years now, also played live in Vegas last year but was keen to do a lesson to see if there was anything I might pick up etc. Went into the miracle mile on the way and ended up faced with the “creperie†(sp?) were we decided one of them would do us each for breakfast. Both of us enjoyed them very much, tasty without being too heavy. Off to the Poker room at PH. Again it was deserted except for the room boss, no matter, I sat and had a good poker chat with him for a wee while, the guy impressed me so much with his honesty etc id quite happily go try their poker room out for a game or 2.
Left there and walked up, thru Ballys and back to the Wynn. Played a few slots then took off to the pool for as long as we could handle. The hot tub makes it worth going to the pool alone.
Every year as I make the plans for the holiday I put Mac King down for us to go see, we stayed in Harrahs for 9 days and never managed it so come the time in the afternoon we mustered up the energy to sort ourselves out and stroll back to Harrahs for his 1500 show. Over the yeas I must have had 50 cheapo ticket offers for his show, we got them daily at harrahs but now we actually want to see the show you can guess we had to pay full price for our tickets. No matter, wasn’t expensive and having now seen the guy id say id have paid double-he was brilliant. Anyone gets the chance to see this guy then do it, he is really funny and entertaining. You know it’s a good show when your disappointed when its coming to an end. Very good. Back to the Wynn to get ready for our dinner, something weve been looking forward to since I found the place on the internet-the Melting Pot fondu restaurant.
We love fondu when we do it in the house which isn’t often but never had it in an “official†place. It’s a taxi ride away which was around $35 and on the way we had to help the driver actually find it which as it happens is very easy. Arrives and are seated, nice place, friendly waiter who proceeded to help us thru the whole meal wih tips and advice etc. We had the “big event†which consists of a cheese fondu followed by the meats and fishes fondu followed by the chocolate fondu. This with a bottle of wine alongside which as it happens was probably the most expensive bottle of wine ive ever bought but has to be said probably the best wine ive ever tatsed. What a meal is all I can say, fantastic. We will go back next year, I cant say better than that. Oh and it only took till the second bit of bread on the cheese fondu before wifey stabbed her finger and drew blood  Taxi back to the Wynn where we wandered round the casino for a while, had a couple drinks and headed for bed, bellys full and quite content.

Friday 12th September.

This was move hotels day but no rush whatsoever so we decided to walk over to the forum shops. Perfect for me as they are all closed at that time  Anyways when the food court opened we decided to get a roll or so as we hadn’t eaten breakfast. This was a common theme which is strange as I happen to enjoy our breakfasts in the US. I use brekkie to try different places and a place has to be real bad to manage to screw up breakfast.
Id read on the msg board I use for vegas info a thread about philly cheese steaks and where was good etc. someone had mentioned the food court at the forum shops and there in front of me was the place. Now ive no idea what a philly cheese steak is, I deliberately didn’t google it or so as I knew it involved meat so that’s enough for me, ill judge by the taste. Approaches counter and started realling off my order. Sorry we are only doing breakfast now was the reply. I just laughed and walked away. 2 shops along is a “wraps†place so I had a philly cheese steak wrap instead and wifey had a gyros one, both lovely. Back to Wynn and wander about sort of mentally saying cheerio, hope to see you again  Get the cases we had packed before going shopping and checkout. Done in seconds, into taxi and off we go on the adventure that is downtown.
Weve been downtown several times, always had a good time, eaten well, got drunk but never stayed there so this was a trial of sorts. Checked into the Golden Nugget and in no time was heading for the south tower. Got into room and its fine. Very hard or unfair to judge when coming from the Wynn, not really fair to compare but the room was clean, beds felt comfy enough so we were happy enough. Unpack and off to explore. Stroll up and down Fremont till we come across some stalls set up opposite the main stage thing. Anyways they had bbq ribs etc on the go so we got a box of ribs and frys and stood at the tables there chewing away, lovely stuff. Seemed very popular as everyone around was either eating them or asking where to get them. Had them, walked along an theres a stall selling giant Cajun style shrimps so got a pot of them, oh they had a bite to them, great stuff. Had a few drinks and wandered around until we decided it was siesta time.
Once awake again and sorted it was into a taxi and off to the Hard Rock for the Billy Idol concert. Ive liked him since he started his career and saw him years ago at an outdoor arena and it was terrible, sound was awful so I had big expectations for tonight. Wifey might disagree here but it was a great concert. She stood in front of me bopping along with the songs, 99% of which she knew but hadn’t realized it was him. I know what I saw and know she had a good time  Great venue for concerts this place, would quite happily go there again. Left there and walked outside to the taxi line from hell. Passed quickly enough tho and off back downtown. Idea was we were hoping the stall with the ribs was still on the go (yes they were that good) but it wasn’t. Ok what now, stall next door, a lady looks at us and says-you want some ribs? We say yes and she hands us this box full of ribs, warm. They were closing up too and rather than throw away the cooked food they were just giving it away, we struck lucky. Took box back to room and sat chewing ribs whilst watching the tv before passing out-long day again but once again great.

Note. Rooms in GN when you come out of toilet and turn right towards bed theres a dressing table type thing. I wakes in the middle of the night and head for toilet, oh, silly woman has left the light on, does my business and switches light off, walks out toilet and smashes into said dressing table. Mmmm. Wifey found this all quite amusing.

Saturday 13th September.

Up at 0515. This 1 was planned tho, we were off to watch Rangers play Kilmarnock in a football match and were going to watch it at the LV supporters club which is based in a place called Pugs Pub not actually far from the strip. Got there even with a taxi driver who had to keep consulting an A to Z. Got in there, got a jack coke, met up with the guy I met last year in the same situation, met a few of the other lads, watched us win the game and got drunk, cant put it any simpler. One of the lads gave us a lift back downtown and we staggered into Magnolias for breakfast. I do remember we were quite happy and very full when we left there so all was well. Bimbled round the GN for a while then headed back to the room to sleep it all off. As long as we were at Hugo’s for 1800 then no problem. Credit goes to wifey here somewhat, in the last 24 hours she has humoured me thru a punk concert and a football match, ok she had the lubrication to see her thru but credit where credits due—thanks honey 
Weve eaten at Hugo’s before and had what I describe as 1 of our best meals ever there hence why we were going back, they didn’t disappoint. Wifey had the scampi then beef tornados , I had the lobster bisque then Hugo’s chicken, all good. We didn’t have wine as we were felling this mornings activities catching up on us. 1 wee criticism of Hugos, we asked for 2 coffees so off waiter went to get them. Another waiter brings the bill. 15 mins later waiter is hanging round obviously wondering why we are making no moves to pay so I pointed out we were still waiting on our coffees. He grabs the folder with the bill in it, a bill that didn’t have the coffees on it, other waiter comes round corner with the coffee followed by waiter with folder and new bill-same as the other plus 2 x $6 for the coffee. I wish I hadn’t bothered. Other times I could have got a bit uptight about this but I wasn’t going to let it spoil a lovely meal. Leave there and go get a slushy from La Bayou, I always get the jungle juice and wifey gets whatever takes her fancy. Last year we got our drinks an got out of there quick, it was stinking, seems they’ve washed the place or something as it ddnt smell so bad this time. Morning was soon forgotten as we got the drinks down  Strolled up Fremont and watched the 3 motorbikes in the round cage-impressive. Went to the Plaza for a while-good vibe in there. Went to Mermaids and got the deep fried oreos and a chocolate covered banana-banana was lovely, oreos sickly. Golden Gate and then headed for bed, wasn’t quite midnight-earliest we binned it yet this holiday, shattered but happy.


Sunday 14th September.

Originally we were going to have the brunch at CC steakhouse but had never made the booking and to be honest couldn’t be bothered going back to the strip, were quite happy bumbling about downtown. This always happens and I suppose its natural, we start real busy and slow down as the holiday goes on. It works for us.
Both awake by 0500 so up, coffee and walkabouts by 0530. took some pics of some of the neon, twice (2 different mornings) as I was walking towards the signs in the middle of the street on east Fremont did the bloody lights go out!!! We then walked a huge circle away out, not actually sure where the hell we were but I kept the big F on top of fitzgeralds as a ref point in the distance. Was a great walk, again wifey might not agree but afterwards agreed it was at least interesting. Ie, in Europe we have things like “adopt a monkey†and “adopt a penguin†etc etc, someone gonna explain what the hell “adopt a block†is all about??  ive the picture of the sign as proof. What was a shame is the run downess of a lot of the area. With huge investment downtown much as its wonderful it could be so much more. I guess given the economic climate that might be a way off yet. Anyways ended up at Main Street Station. Played with the idea a breakfast buffet but neither of us could justify it, agreed if we saw a McD or similar we would get a brekkie burger, walked out onto street and theres one by the Plaza, gets our roll and headed back to GN aiming for the pool. Manages to get two beds next to each other, in an ideal world you wouldn’t be packed in like sardines but at least they’ve got the pool. Of course now we are there weve got to try the slide thru the tank-wow, now that’s fast. You are not going to be stopping to admire sharks on your way down that’s for sure. Its was fun so we did it again, just as bloody fast but all good fun. Lay in the sun for a while and then went got changed and looking for some rubbish to eat. A decision was taken in the morning to just generally chill out, eat rubbish, and drink, we were supposed to be going to Mystere that night and there was tickets on sale at the cheapo ticket place but we decided against it, quite happy downtown. Mystere will still be there next year  So, over the next hours we wandered around, had pork rolls, hotdogs, more ribs, drank jack cokes all over the place then got “big drinks†from a bar they had set up outside the Fitz. Wifey wanted a American football of pina colada which she got, as its getting poured we noticed the rum I sometimes drink back home, asks could he do that with coke-well, he did. This thing had at least a half bottle of rum in it, coke managed a dribble to colour slightly-wow. No matter, ill struggle thru.  Carried on a wandering, played a slot here there and everywhere, win, lose all 10 bucks or so, great entertainment. At some stage wifey finishes her football and desires another-we go get a refill for 10 bucks, im ok with what ive got, still a third of mine left and im quite merry . End up in the GN, I think this was me getting “steered†after I went over to some guy with a Celtic and whispered in his ear –“whos top of the league?†and wandered off, looked back to see him puffing and panting-was amusing  Anyways headed for bed, drunk but happy. Now personally I felt very drunk but quite in control, get to bed, put tv on and fall asleep would be the usual plan, gets as far as the bed and wifey is telling me how drunk shes is, bursts out laughing at something stupid I said and then next thing she is howling and crying, tears streaming down her face- what the hell, I dives over to comfort her thinking maybe she is about to be sick etc. Next thing she is laughing away again, 2 minutes later more tears, wow, im drunk remember, this isn’t easy to keep up with. Its just the drink and eventually she calms down with some tending loving care, well as best as I could given the rum and she goes off to sleep. Me too. Talking the next day, weve been together 20 years and ive never seen her that drunk. We put it down to she got the second pina colada thingy but cause she was drinking them so fast it all caught up-the 1 would have been enough. Oh well.

Monday 15th September.

Up early 0500 seeing as we, um, had an early night last night, relatively clear heads considering. Went took a couple more pics and ended up at the Fremont buffet for breakfast. This was an unexpected spur of the moment choice so we just thought we would give it a whirl, well for $7 how wrong can you go? Well it was great, great choice of food and everything we tried was tasty etc. quite happy with that 1. Not long after that we decided on an early siesta- all the drink etc catching up on us, so we retire for a couple of hours. For dinner neither of us wanted to get dressed up but we wanted a meal as opposed to junk food so we headed for MSS buffet. $10 for a dinner which was great, huge selection of tasty foods, left there more than content. Spent the next few hours just wandering, LV club has to be the emptiest casino downtown. We ended up at the Grille in the GN cause wifey expressed a desire for some wings. Theres an old lady serving there, she alone must be the worst example of customer service weve ever encountered in the USA, almost growled at us, not a smile, left the food waiting while she finished her chat-as it happens the wings were good but be warned-she was scary  We went and played the “piggies†machine, a lot like the ebay machines where the bonus involves everyone, has to be our fav slot whilst we were there, some of the bonus rounds are hilarious, and then headed for bed. Neither of us wanted to drink too heavily as a long journey home was almost upon us.

Tuesday 16th September

Waken, sort ourselves out, go for coffee and a last walk around. Neither of us hungry as that sickly feeling of having to go home was setting in. Packed up the cases and checked out via the tv, took all of 30 seconds., taxi to airport and begin the trek home. Standing in line to check in at norwest a lady comes and asks us have we tried the machines, I said no, why not she replys. I get picked for special security every year which means I end up going to the desk anyways. She grabs my passport and swipes it thru the machine and declares its working. So we made our way from the front of the queue to the machine and she walks off. I shouts after her what do I do now-she says just push such and such button, I does an 2 bits of paper appear. So again I shouts what do I do with these, oh take them to the desk she says! Grrrrrr, you mean were I was 10 minutes ago before you interfered??? Anyways we get checked in no problems and straight thru security, not too long and we were off via Detroit back to Amsterdam.
1 thing, at Detroit we came out at gate 70 or so, and had to be at gate 24, they were boarding the Amsterdam flight as we came into the terminal so a decision had to be made, do we go try the wee monorail train or just set off down the terminal, we went for option 2, that’s a long terminal—they were calling our names out as we steamed down the walkways, made it with minutes to spare. So much for the ciggie inbetween flights. Took off and landed 45 mins early, straight thru and into baggage hall where bags were already there, bus car and back to our bar. All well whilst weve been away except our dog was attacked the night we were flying home, couple of wee wounds and a lot of bruising, as I type he is almost back to normal so alls come good.
Great trip as usual, all I can say is roll on 2009.

Notes- downtown on all doors at entrances to casinos its written pull or push, why don’t they do this on the strip then I could stop making a fool of myself 
Why do no toilets have toilet brushes in them??

Quite a few things we didn’t do that we planned, major 1 being I didn’t play poker. Went several times to the poker rooms in several places but the circumstances were never right. The 1 time it was good I was a bit too tippsy to be playing cards, no matter, poker will still be there next year.
Mystere-after last years mistake I was determined we would see it this year- once downtown we were quite happy staying there except for anything we already had booked or paid for.
Downtown- great place to stay, weve stayed onstrip and offstrip but this has just opened up a pile of options to us, saying that would quite happily return to the Golden Nugget, was a nice place to stay.

Dave

1700-10

 

Great report. I really enjoyed every word.

 

Thank you kind sir. We enjoyed it, the trip i mean. Roll on next year.

D

1700-10

 

excellent - reminded me that I need to check out the double down... I'm gonna put on all the clash songs... twice!!

 

Awesome! Thanks for posting.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who's done the valet mix up at Sahara....lol

 

oh year - post the rest bear - love to read them (got that 3 week itch....)

 

Nice report. I loved reading it. Glad to hear there are people out there like you, we are from Holland also and love to go to Las Vegas. We go two or three times a year for 8 years now. And still we are not bored with it. Wish you lots off pleasure on your future trips.

 

Great Trip report...thx for sharing.

 

TR

Great trip report, I'm getting more excited about my own trip next month. What attacked your dog?

 

Another dog, a pitbull who was loose, got a hold of my dog before its owner catch it. I could have made a big deal out of it but was just happy my dog was alive.

To the others that have responded thanks for the kind words.
Anyone want the 2005/6/7 reports?

D

1700-10

 

post em up Bear... we are always hungry for more!

 

Great Trip Report

Thanks so much for your trip report.... wow I just have 2 days to go...
Reading your report just makes me so happy and so excited... I go every year and sometimes twice a year and never tire of it and just know that I never will. I keep finding something new each time I go.....

 

Very nice. Thanks for posting.

later, GVJ

 

Great trip. Thanks for sharing with us!

 

Great report. I've had my run ins with those football drinks downtown. They sneak up on you and drinking two that's just asking for trouble.