Sunday night

Back on the deuce, we went 'downtown' to Freemont Street for the night experience!

If you can look carefully, you can see the casino and street signs at the base of the photos and the LCD screens arc across the street from one side to the other. Every evening, on the hour from 7-midnight there is a short light show. The one we saw was set to 'Bye Bye American Pie' and the images detailed the historical highlights of the USA over the past century. It was very colourful! Dave videotaped the whole episode - show ya when we get home!!!

Sunday arvo

Strip views from our walk in the afternoon - Harrah's casino and Casino Royale. Very hot - one of the hottest weekends in Vegas this summer!

Oh - and for the 'foodaholics' who are following this diatribe - had to take a photo of my 'dessert plate' from the buffet dinner we had at ph on Sunday night. As it was our last night all together as a group, this is the one and only time I will relent on this trip - and go to a buffet - they are unbelievable! The range of food and the size of the servings - it's gluttony with a capital G.... I found it very difficult to control myself with the visuals of what was on offer - they tasted 'better' than they looked! (is that possible??) ;-)

Sunday morning

Sunday morning we set off for more adventures down 'The Strip'.

Walked into Flamingo Casino and guess what? They have the nature strip which has - yep, you guessed it - 'real' 'live' flamingoes!!! Here's proof! Aren't they pretty little ones?

In the stream running from this pond were fish called 'Japanese Koi' - same ones as previously referred to that we saw at Wagner's winery. Took a pic of the explanation - hopefully you can read it - to find out just how precious they are!

The Wedding

Saturday night we went to 'Tony n Tina's Wedding' at ph (Planet Hollywood) casino. It was set up like a wedding reception and whilst we were waiting in line, the cast members were mingling with us and talking; and we worked out that this was the groom! So got a quick pic with Dave and Nik. It was an Italian wedding with some 'interesting' family members added in to the mix. One of the bridesmaids was pregnant, the nun was drunk etc; the 'step-mother' was a floosy etc. Quite a laugh! After the wedding ceremony, we were all served dinner and wedding cake and danced to the band - before all family members had a big fight which was resolved by the bridal couple who then left happily on their honeymoon, realising that all that mattered was each other. Ohhhhhhhh! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves too!

We were in the mood for a dance so we went out on the street - and found our way into Paris casino where an obliging young man gave us free tickets to the nightclub! We weren't the eldest people in there, neither! Left soon after because the music was 'too gangster rap' for us. Managed to score a quick photo of the deuce double decker bus on the way back so that when you all frequent Vegas in the future, you'll know where you have to be!

Saturday

Had a slow start to the day - after a restful sleep.

Found the welcome sign and had to get a photo!

+ More!

Friday - began walking today, wanted to go into Bellagio casino and Caesar's Palace casino for a look. Very hot so it was nice to be able to get further down the strip via the casinos and enjoy the air conditioning! Bellagio has glass flowers in the ceiling at the main entrance - very pretty! and interesting shops. Wanted to buy this watermelon purse for one of my friends who loves watermelons, but I'm a few 'million' short, I think! The best we could do was a photo!

Took photos inside Caesar's palace - very beautiful!

Met Nik and Jules and travelled up to Mandalay Bay casino for 'happy hour' - dollar beers and half price appetisers. Excellent food and good value!

Left the boys and headed up to quickly search Town Square shops for some swimwear.... upon return, the boys had partied on with some Scottish tourists - and considering there were some vision problems - were having a ball! (maybe too much of a ball - especially with the 'red' drinks...) Was fun though! and no hangovers.....

The Big 'B'!

Scarlet turned over another year today.... very exciting! My friends treated me to a lovely day, which started with a special choccy croissant from my husband! (calorie-free on your birthday!) Ventured out later in the morning wearing my beautiful necklace - a sand dollar shape. David saw them in the jeweller shop window in Portsmouth and thought they were 'exquisite' - but we didn't go back there. Fortunately when we were in Hyannis town (Cape Cod) he saw them in the jeweller's shop there - so we were lucky to find it!

Spent the day touring, this time on the 'deuce' bus which runs up and down the strip from downtown to the south strip transfer terminal - $3 a trip or a 24hr pass for $7. (We've quickly learnt that the 24hr pass is the way to go!) Beats walking in the heat!

We caught the deuce down to Fashion Show Mall where we found the most awesome Italian restaurant for lunch - Maggiano's. After lunch, we headed back for drinks with Nik and Jules at 4pm. Two bottles of champagne (bought at Wagner's winery back in NY state) with nibbles. Nik & Jules gave me a teapot for my pandora bracelet!!!

Dinner was delayed with a quick trip into Paris casino - to ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower! What a beautiful view - check out the photo! Dave had to use all his skills to get good photos - we were swaying up there! (...and no, not from the alcohol!) Shame on you for thinking that!

Dinner was at the Yolo's mexican restaurant. Wonder what Scarlet's drinking???

A lovely evening to remember our night in LV!

Vegas views

The weather in Vegas is hot and dry - typical for a desert, I suppose. Here's Dave ready to go on a day's outing - off to the premium outlets for shopping (sorry Susan but we can't help ourselves!). Had to orientate ourselves for transport since we don't have the luxury of a hire car - took the monorail down the strip. On the way back from the outlets, we stopped in at our previous hotel, the Las Vegas Hilton - and went to our favourite clothes shop and found a most beautiful shirt for David (Scarlet's 'shout'). Walked up to Riviera casino to visit Scarlet's favourite shoe shop - more shoes!!! Then on to the liquor outlet for much needed beer / margarita supplies. Walked in to the shop - Scarlet says to David, 'What's that terrible smell?' - Tell you when we get home. Needless to say, we left very quickly. Back to our hotel, Mexican for dinner. Yes!

Viva Las Vegas!

Tuesday we said goodbye to the beautiful Buffalo and boarded a flight to Las Vegas, Nevada. Toto wouldn't fit in the suitcase, so he's out travelling! (No Toto - it's not Kansas City!) Good flights but late arrival in Vegas, 9.30pm, stopped over in Chicago for 3 hours. Gained two hours in time, though which was good. Alighted the plane and the vision was poker machines and the welcome sign... had to take a photo. J was amazed.

So here we are for the next 5 days! Wandered around last night and took some night shots. Dave tried to get the Bellagio fountains taking the shot from an overbridge but it has glassed sides so Caesar's Palace is super-imposed over it - rather unsual pic. There's people around but it's not crazy busy, which is good. Hot during the day - might venture to the pool deck some afternoons to cool off. Air conditioning works well!

Hard Rock!

After such thirsty work and all that cruisin' - found ourselves at the Hard Rock Cafe - Niagra Falls. Nik slipped into the Red Lemonade, Scarlet a margarita (you're not surprised, are you). Came complete with the glass! Nik found some memorabilia worth a photo - Madonna and her pointy bra, Michael J with his dancin' shoes.

Dishwasher!

Scarlet hung over the side of the boat to get this 'vision' of what we were motoring towards!!!

Holy cow! It was a 'solid' wall of mist & water! We 'hunkered' down under our blue raincoats leaving tiny view holes out so we could see. Poor Scarlet with her glasses - they got all fogged up and covered with water - she needed windscreen wipers!

We could feel the captain giver her full throttle - we weren't going anywhere! Got a fairly good close-up view of the falls and felt the energy of the water toppling down - it was pretty windy up close - not able to take photos or video - had to keep them warm and dry! Dave reckons it was the closest he'd ever been to feeling like he was in a dishwasher! or a washing machine! After a few minutes, the captain started to turn us around and we headed slowly back to the dock. Amazingly we were not that wet - just our shoes/ feet - and you'll be pleased to read the happy ending - Scarlet's hair was dry!

Walked out on the Observation Deck and took a snap of Nik looking further down the Niagra River.

Niagra!

Monday - after recovering from our awesome day at the football, drove the 20 or so miles out to Niagra Falls State Park. It's such a beautiful place! Booked ourselves on to do the 'Maid of the Mist' tour! 30 minutes, $13 - good value. Lined up and were handed the 'beautiful' blue raincoats, Scarlet was assured that her hair would not get 'messed up' during this process...! Made sure we got on early and were well positioned at the back of the upper deck with a 'clear' view of Niagra Falls. It was an overcast day but humid and fairly warm - and we were excited!!!

Footy Fans!

Unfortunately, our seats were on the 'sunny' side of the stadium - we enjoyed our own personal saunas in the sun. Buffalo is known for it's unstable weather - like Melbourne, four seasons in one day - and we shouldn't complain that we cracked it for a beautiful, clear sunny day! Knew the game had started when the fireworks went off! Had a fabulous time socialising in the stands hey Nik ;-).... (she managed to con some beer out of some passer-by!) and impressed some locals with our accents. Enjoyed the game - lots of cheering, genuine good fun in the stands - watched a 'cat' fight until security arrived... all the usual fare of sitting in the stands I guess. Final score was 33-20 to the Buffalo Bills! Extreme excitement and happiness - it was the first game they'd won at home since October last year.... Hope some Aussie oi oi oi luck helped!

Let's Go Buffalo!

Our friends bought tickets to the NFL game in Buffalo - happened to be a home game for the Buffalo Bills vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Game began at 4pm

We met at 1pm and drove to the stadium for a 'tailgate' party. The car park was full of people with their tailgates open, grills on, esky at the ready! It was amazing! Our friends opened up the back of their Chevy Equinox - it was full! They took out 8 folding chairs, big esky, 2 more cartons of beer :-) AND a bbq grill with sausages, 'dogs' - mild and hot italian sausage and rolls. It was a feast! Girls were most impressed that the 'porta-potties' were within easy reach.

Went into the Bills' Field Training Centre for a look - a veritable 'who's who' of football were in there - I didn't recognize anyone ? - and took the opportunity for a snap to look impressive with muscles!

Then it was almost 4pm and we went to line up to get in to the stadium. Tickets were sold out - 80 000 people!

Saturday night - S'appenin'?

We were invited to join Lesley, Jim, Joe and Michelle at the 'The Inn' (at North Java) for dinner.

We didn't realise it was a 40mile drive from our hotel - we were a bit late - especially when ol' Hawkeye spotted the 'deer family' in the sunset shadows - as we were cruising through the farm back woods of Warsaw and Java - he threw out the anchors in the nick of time! Jules was devastated that there were no weapons available to rein in the deer family but Scarlet was pleased that all lived to see another day!

Michelle's family made us feel very welcome! Great food! We settled in to enjoy some entertainment from 'Roy Orbison' and 'Johnny Cash' - groovin' on to some oldies but goldies (the music I'm talking about...!)

It was 'wicked' good!!!

Word got around that there were Aussies in the house - Jim jokingly was saying to us 'S'appening man?' (instead of the trendy teenage lingo - 'S'up?') and telling us that we should be admitting to everyone that we're from 'West LA' not Australia... well, we thought that was just hilarious!

The beers were good (a shout of 4 pints $9.50); Margaritas - bloody fantastic $5! (at this rate I'm not getting on the plane....). One guy at the bar told us to 'Keep talking! Your accent is like melted butter!' We had a chat about deer hunting - apparently their numbers are a bit like kangaroo numbers - population is almost at plague.... interesting stuff when you've had 2 margaritas!

We had to force ourselves out of there because we had BIG plans for Sunday...... late night and home to bed. Uneventful trip home. Thank goodness. It was cold too - below 10 celsius.

Checking in

Check this out! I know it's the wrong end of a deer - but it's a deer! There were 2 of them in the next lot beside the car park at our hotel when we were checking in!!! Our hotel is across the road from the airport!