A Mostly Downtown Trip 13/2 to 19/2

[The Stig]

Monday 13th Feb


I got to airport and checked in, flight was expected on time. This was good as I only had 1 hour and 50 mins change over in Atlanta. I got through security and I had a drink in the bar before boarding. I got to the gate and I was selected for an extra security search.

I boarded the plane and it was a good flight. I caught up on a couple of films. The latest Jack Reacher film and the Bourne film as well. We made good time and arrived in Atlanta nearly an hour ahead of schedule. Immigration was fairly quick and I collected my luggage and re checked it. Went through security and got the plane train to the concourse for my next flight.

I had some time to spare so I went to get a couple of beers. I found a bar which also served food. I ordered my beer and I was asked for I.D. I was genuinely shocked, I showed my driver’s licence and he served me. After a while I realised that they asked for I.D from anyone ordering alcohol.

I made my way round and was soon boarding a Delta flight for Vegas. I was in Delta comfort and I was in an exit row seat and I was also next to the door as well. So, plenty of room.

I arrived in Vegas at about 6pm and was soon colleting my luggage and got a cab down to the D hotel. When I got there, I paid the driver and give him a tip. He came back at me saying the tip wasn’t enough, that’s when I thought I won’t be using cabs again here.

I checked in and got a room on the 22nd floor, I unpacked and freshened up and got changed. I went down to get a quick bite to eat so it was a quick visit to Mcdonalds. I then headed out onto Fremont Street. My first call was Golden Gate and I had a few beers in there while chatting to the staff.

Next I went to Golden Nugget and went to the bar that has the highest bar stools I have ever sat on. I had a couple of beers in there before moving on to Four Queens for a beer. I finished the night off in the D with a beer or two at the Longbar.

 

[The Stig]

Tues 14th Feb



Despite my long previous day I was awake quite early. I woke up at around 10am. I got showered and dressed and went for something to eat. When I stop at the D I always visit Coney Island. Today was no different I got a hot dog and a Coke to start my day. I went for a walk around and I had a walk up to Main Street and I had a wander about in there. I then went across to the California before walking back down Fremont.

I eventually end up in Toy Shack for a look around, I then walk across to the sports memorabilia shop. I eventually end up in El Cortez to start my VP. I sit at the bar that has been refurbished and added a seating area. I play for about 3 hours and after all that I’m about $20 down.

I walk back to the D and carry on with the VP, I play upstairs though as the Longbar is bad with the VP. I play for about 90 mins. I’m sat in a quiet part of the bar, there are a few people down the other end. After a while a young guy who had been sitting with some women at the other end of the bar move round to where I’m sitting. He orders a drink and next thing two security guys turn up and the speak with him. From what I could gather the bar manager had called them in as he felt he was harassing the women. The end result was come with us sir.

I was getting hungry by now so I went over to the buffet at Golden Nugget. I always get my money’s worth here and I leave feeling full. I head back to the D and back to my room for a rest. I planned to wake at about 9pm to go back out. I awake at about 11.30pm and I still feel tired so I turn over and fall back asleep. The fact that my room was on the side where the stage is and that didn’t keep me awake. Just showed how tired I was.

 

[The Stig]

Weds 15th Feb

After a very long sleep I’m awake and up for about 9am. I get dressed and decide to hit the Strip. I decide to try Lyft as I have had the app for ages but never used it. It was easy and I got dropped off at Tuscany as I was going there for breakfast. I had the eggs benedict which I do like here.

After that I decide to walk it off on the Strip, I have a leisurely stroll and I get down to MGM. I have a walk about and I look in the memorabilia shop and I have a drink at the bar where Level Up is. After that I walk across to NYNY and carry on walking through Excalibur and Luxor. I eventually end up in Mandalay Bay for a look around the shops. I have a look in the memorabilia shop and Pete Rose is in there making an appearance.

I go into Ri Ra for a drink but it’s crowded as there is a convention on and its lunch time. I take a steady walk back through Luxor and Excalibur and end up in NYNY. I head to Nine Fine Irishman for a drink. After there I walk back up the Strip and I end up in Twin Peaks for a nice cold beer.

I walk back to Tuscany and play some VP at the bar. I’m there for about an hour before I get Lyft back to the D. I get changed and grab something to eat at Mcdonalds before having a wander about. I head up to Golden Gate for a few beers. Then it’s on to the Nugget and then the Fremont. I finally end up at the D for my final drinks.

 

[The Stig]

Thurs 16th Feb



Thurs starts off at about 12pm, I hit Coney Island first for a hot dog and a Coke. Then I walk over to El Cortez for some VP. It’s an ok session and after about 5 hours I break even. After this I’m getting hungry so I go back to my room and get changed. I grab a bite to eat at Mcdonalds. I get Lyft down to the Strip. I get dropped at Mirage and I have a walk through there before crossing over to Harahs. I walk through there and into the Linq. I end up in O Sheas for a few, theres a band on so it’s lively in there and I chat to a couple of the bar staff I know.

After there, it’s a short walk over to Tilted Kilt for some more beer and a chat to one of the girls behind the bar who welcomes me back. After there I get Lyft back over the Fremont Street. I end up in the Golden Gate for a few and as I’m leaving I clock Derek Stevens sat at the bar. I go over and I have a brief chat. At this point I’d had a few pints so he must of thought who’s this drunken idiot. He was very polite and appreciated my comments about The D and the Golden Gate.

I headed back to the D and had a last couple of beers before bedtime.

 

[The Stig]

Fri 17th Feb



It’s about 1pm before I get up and get ready for another day. Coney Island is first to kick start me. I walk over to El Cortez for some more VP. I’s about 4 hours this time and again I break even so not too bad. I head back to the D and go back to my room. I crash out on the bed and I awake at about 10pm. I get changed and go and grab something to eat at Mcdonalds.

To wash it down I start in Fremont for a drink before heading over to Golden Gate. I have a few in there and I don’t leave there till about 3am. I walk through the Nugget but the bar is pretty much full even at that time.

I end up back in the D and it’s not too bad so I start having a drink or two in there. It got to about 5.30am and I’m feeling good still so I carry on a little longer. A woman sits one seat away from me even though the bar is pretty much empty. She starts talking but I can’t hear a word because of the music. I move over a seat and it’s the usual lines that I’ve heard before. Then she starts getting touchy feely. At this point I decide to call it a night as she starts pinching my nipple through my shirt. I tell her I’m very tired and I wouldn’t be much use. I say goodbye and disappear quickly.

 

[pebbles]

How was the weather? I heard it's been a chilly winter there so far.

 

[The Stig]

Sat 18th Feb

It’s a late start after a late finish. I surface at about 2pm and get dressed and head to Coney Island but they are queuing out the door. I go to Mcdonalds and it’s quiet in there so I get something to eat in there. I walk over to El Cortez and it’s raining but not too bad. I hit the VP at the bar and it’s another break even. I go to head back to the D, but it’s raining very heavy so I return to the bar and hit the VP again. By the time I finish I’m $50 up.

I head back to the D and get changed and also pack as I leave on Sunday. I have a rest before going down to Coney Island and I get a Gyros and Coke. I head out and up to the Golden Gate for a beer or two. I’m enjoying it till I realise my phone is missing from my pocket after I come back from the bathroom. It was busy in the casino so it must have happened when I went through the crowd to get to the bathroom.

I walk back down Fremont Street feeling pissed off. I get a drink in the Fremont before going back to my room. I get on my tablet and onto my phone provider and report it stolen. The phone gets blocked so that’s one thing. I go back down to the casino and have a couple more beers before bed.





Sun 19th Feb



I’m up at 7am and pack the remaining things and check out. I have to use a cab as I have no phone. The flight to Atlanta is on time although about an hour or so from Atlanta the call goes out.

“Is there a doctor on board.”

There was and it was guy who wasn’t feeling so good, the plane got met in with paramedics at Atlanta. My flight to Manchester arrived early so I was home for about 8.20am. My next trip is in May with the wife who’s not been since 2010. I will have to alter my Vegas way for that one. She won’t let me sit in El Cortez for 5 hours lol.

 

[Joejoejackson]

Nice trip report...sucks ya lost your phone

 

[pebbles]

I'm sorry you lost your phone.
Thanks for writing, I hope you enjoy your trip in May.

 

[hard8]

So you ate McDonalds and hot dogs the entire trip?
You have a strong stomach my friend.

 

[Joe]

Nice report and it sucks about the phone. Just curious about your trip from the airport to D. Cab fare maybe about $28 or so?? If you don't mind me asking, how much did you tip this cabbie, that he complained? I realize tipping is out of control in the US and in GB you have different standards.

 

[Ty]

Thanks for the TR, enjoyed reading it.

 

[DDB]

How much for the Lyft from DT to the Mirage?

 

[The Stig]

Nice report and it sucks about the phone. Just curious about your trip from the airport to D. Cab fare maybe about $28 or so?? If you don't mind me asking, how much did you tip this cabbie, that he complained? I realize tipping is out of control in the US and in GB you have different standards.

He took the freeway and we got caught in traffic, I mostly pay around the $40 mark. I gave him about £3 tip which I have done before and had no problems.

How much for the Lyft from DT to the Mirage?

If I remember right it was about $10

 

[The Stig]

So you ate McDonalds and hot dogs the entire trip?
You have a strong stomach my friend.

Yeah I know it sounds bad, but I'm not a big eater in Vegas. I did one night at the buffet but I couldn't do that every night. I'm pretty much a eat and go person.

 

[Joe]

He took the freeway and we got caught in traffic, I mostly pay around the $40 mark. I gave him about £3 tip which I have done before and had no problems.

Yea, if the pound is about equal to $1.25, so you tipped $3.75 on a $40 fare, I can understand him being a little miffed. But as I said, there are big tipping differences between Great Brittan and the US. Don't be pressured into giving more.

 

[The Stig]

It did me a favour as I switched to Lyft and found them a lot cheaper and cleaner. First time I have had a cab driver complain in all the times I have visited Vegas. Sorry there are no pics on my report as they were on my phone. Mostly VP pics of near misses for the royal and some nice 4 aces shots, two I hit on the same day at Cortez.

 

[smerrian]

Glad you enjoyed hanging out in LV.

 

[CJ's]

How can anyone complain about getting a tip? gives me the shits that does but maybe thats just a British thing
I would have asked for it back to check what Id given him then given him the bird

 

[Flowers]

Other than losing your phone it sounds like you had an enjoyable trip and wound up close to even, which is a winning trip in my book. Thanks for writing and taking us along for the ride. And yes, I think Lyft is great. I see no need to use cabs any more except when I need one of the handicapped cabs as my mom has a scooter.

I hope you have a great trip in May with your wife.