Some weeks ago, while the weather was still shuffling between winter and almost spring, myself along with 5 other girls headed to Las Vegas for a long weekend.  Vegas is a place that I never really thought I would go and that’s probably because I just never really thought about it at all.  In general the vacations I have thought about taking in my lifetime have centered around Europe, India and the Tropics.  However, when the opportunity arose I had no reservations about taking it.  It had been years since my last vacation and I needed it, plus I knew it would be a prime location for some photos.

Las Vegas definitely lived up to its reputation.  Unfortunately after taking 900+ photos I had to omit a variety of ridiculousness. Stories that will not be visually told in this forum include and  are not exclusive to Big Ham, the variety of questionable business cards, French Canadians, alcohol induced Wheat Thin shenanigans and who the Bachelorette really is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some shots of our hotel, the PH Towers.  Having a high-end mall attached to the lobby can be a dangerous thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Paris hotel and casino was located on the block adjacent to our hotel and across the street from the Bellagio fountains.

 

 

Just about every bit of food and drink we consumed on our trip was fantastic (Mango Mojitos….).  However my favorite place, which I think was also everyone else’s, was Mon Ami Gammi.  We had the perfect dinner sitting outside looking over at the fountain show every 15 minutes, followed the next morning with the perfect breakfast.  As well, sitting outside looking over at the fountain show every 15 minutes while noshing on fruit covered crepes and mimosas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something that I really enjoy in any city is a good street performer and Vegas is swarming with them.  However, there are two things that stood out to me about the performers in Vegas.  One is that the costumes are way more elaborate, presumably to stand out from their already elaborate stage, and two a good deal of these “performers” don’t actually do anything.  They stand on the streets in their elaborate costumes just waiting for  people to give “donations” in exchange for a photo, they don’t even provide the photo that’s on you.  And it works, we did it and so do thousands of tourists everyday.  I guess that just goes along with the mystery of Las Vegas spending, along with happily paying $15 for one roller-coaster ride.

By the way how cool is this combination of musical styles?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To me these two so perfectly represent the spirit of Vegas.

Bits of the Bellagio and its garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, the Bellagio fountains are amazing and very entertaining, however I could not help but be distracted by the ducks swimming through them.  I wonder if they are annoyed every 15 minutes or if they rather enjoy riding the waves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sleeping lions at MGM.  If one hadn’t started licking the glass I’m not sure I would have been convinced they were real, especially considering there was a trainer cuddling with them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a classic buffet breakfast and took a walk, not at all because we were lost, through Old Vegas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Old Vegas we searched for the Pawn Stars pawn shop.  After finding it and quickly deciding we were not going to wait in the block long line we went into an antique shop on the adjacent block.  It was one of those places where the walls were lined with glass enclosed cases filled with everything you could think of, including a Denis Rodman action figure and a watch with OJ Simpson’s face on the face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then to Circus Circus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After exploring almost all of the main hotels and casinos I decided Encore was my favorite.  The classic yet edgy style was just my thing plus I had the chance to walk around alone for about 30 minutes and just take photos, which I always enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The picture frame in this photo is worth over $4000.  After I noticed the price tag, leaning in as close as possible to make sure I was reading it correctly, I needed to comment on it to someone, anyone.  So a turned to the sales women and asked her what photo could ever live up to this frame.  She said she would put a snapshot of her dogs in it.

 

 

 

Outside of the company and the experiences we got to share my favorite thing about Las Vegas was the people watching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The combination of kitch, relatively free vip treatment and general merriment made for a great first experience in Las Vegas.