Day 73 - 11 Mar - Las Vegas, Nevada

Photo: Part of the Bellagio's water show with the Paris Hotel in the background.

We had a full day yesterday and like most people in this city, fell into bed late after walking our dogs off. We'd bought all-day passes for the bus that runs up and down the strip which really helped. The hotels are so large and encompass so much property and walking from one end of the stip to the other is exhausting as well as taking valuable gawking time.

Firstly, we'd made up our minds that we had to do more than just casino-hop...we need to actually see a show or two...so at 6:30 pm decide to try and get tickets for the 7:30 show to see 'The Devine Miss M--Bette Midler' at Caesars Palace. Now that Celine Dion has moved on, other big names are starting to perform there. Result....we got them and what a show, what a show!!! We had excellent seats and she put on a Las Vegas extravaganza that was fabulous! We laughed, we cried, we were totally entertained for 2 hrs. There were gorgeous show girls, an amazing band, colour and glitter. Definitely a highlight (one of the many) for this trip. Wayne just got off the phone and we are going to see 'O'....the Cirque de Soleil water show at 10:30 tomorrow tonight. That should be another amazing spectacle!

Those of you who have been here will understand how overwhelming Las Vegas is for all the senses! Every hotel/casino tries to out-do the others and each time we went into a hotel, we were awed! Caesars Palace and their shopping concourse has to be seen to be believed....marble fountains, 4-story Roman statues, fresco paintings on the ceilings and on and on. The while tigers in the beautiful gardens of the Mirage were incredible. Tropical flowers and water fountains everywhere. The lion habitat at the MGM Grand was fun...every once in awhile the trainers bring out hamburger and throw balls of it against the windows of the enclosures so you can get great photos of them closeup...teeth and all...taking the food off the windows. For night-time entertainment, the water show at the front of the Bellagio is beyond words! Every 1/2 hour the lights go down, the music starts---everything from Elton John to Mozart---and the small lake in front of the hotel becomes magic as the water 'dances' to the music. We were mesmerized!

We still have hotels that we haven't gotten inside yet and we are determined not to miss any. The Paris Hotel has a huge replica of the Eiffel Tower & Arc de Triumph and the Venitian Hotel has gondola rides...still lots to see. The shopping is pricey but some of the stores draw you in. The famous F.A.O. Schwarz toy store is 3 floors of fun and the biggest stuffed animals I've ever seen in my life. The have a huge replica of the Trojan Horse outside the store...another neck bending, gawking exercise. Wayne & I got caught up in the 'doll nursery' where they have realistic dolls lying in nursery beds waiting to be 'adopted' and the huge floor piano keyboard. Nope, can't do this place in a day!

We have decided to wait until after lunch to head out today and it will no doubt be another late night...and us oldies have to pace ourselves. I'm anxious to see the show tomorrow as it's had amazing reviews. There are currently 3 different Cirque de Soleil shows playing on the strip and while each of them are fabulous, this is the one to try and see. I think Debbie & Corky went when they were here the end of Feb.

The Farkle fatties didn't miss any meals with all that activity....we hit the mega-buffet at the Mirage and it was a good thing we ate early in the day as we'd have slept through Miss M's show. I tried to hit every station...Italian, Latin, Chinese, Fish, BBQ, etc. etc. bypassing only the Salad station and going right to Dessert. Wayne....well, Wayne loves a buffet and between the two of us, we got our money's worth!

Until next time, we are losesome for all of you. We will start to plan the tail end of the trip once we leave Vegas so that we can stay in the warm temperatures as long as possible but be there in time to look after our little Angel while Tim & Kim take a holiday in Mexico. Today would have been Mother's 87th birthday...she would have been a cracker jack and we'd have been hard pressed to get on this holiday without her! Rarely a day goes by that I don't think of her and smile! Also waiting to get the Pinheiro baby announcement....PUSH, MELANIE...PUSH!! xx