New tour group
Hollywood Boulevard
In and Out burger
Desert
Las Vegas
Party bus
Casinos
Nightclub
Distance:
Total Distance:
Today started with somethings of a shock. I knew this tour would be relatively small- it's early in the American tourist season and there's a maximum of 14 people for this trip. Yet it baffles me to find that there were only 4 of us travelling from LA to NYC! Two Australians and two Brits, two guys two girls, along with an American guide. It's probably as good of a mix up as one would want, with all of us being around the same age and such.
First stop was Hollywood Boulevard. Granted I did it yesterday, but I put that to use pointing out all of the best stuff in the short hour we had there whilst our guide looked after the bus (not easy to park, nor easy to keep safe here). Whilst there we got to see the setting up of the red carpet and celebrity enclosure for tonight's world premiere of Disney's new Jungle Book. I hope that's on the plane when I fly out of NYC, looks good.
Afterwards (well, after scraping through LA traffic and getting on the highway to Las Vegas) we had lunch at In and Out burger. More Animal Fries, more over sized Dr Pepper, and other great burger. Lovely.
We crept across the desert, through areas of scrub, rocks, and fat, water filled trees. We weren't far enough south for the classical Mexican cylindrical cacti with fat arms. But there's still rattle snakes and scorpions about. Nothing as dangerous as Australia has though.
Late afternoon we got to Vegas, the Adult Disney Land. We drove along the highway looking out at the strip. Medieval/fairytale castles, the Eiffel Tower, a glass pyramid, Caesar's Palace, it was all there with lights and bling. We were further along in Downtown Vegas, staying at the Golden Nugget. From here we'd be able to easily (so long as we didn't get lost on the gaming floor) get out to the Fermont Experience- the local street featuring all manner of street performers, bars, strip clubs, music, restaurants, and the world's largest screen- the entire roof is covered in LEDs which play a video every hour during the evening.
Being four we got two twin rooms which had a door in between, which turned out to be incredibly useful. We got an hour of rest and had a short look out onto Fermont boulevard, grabbing some food before heading back to prepare for the evenings entertainment.
Our tour guide had organised a "party bus". A bit like a minibus, but with music and the seats down the sides. Oh, and a pole, for reasons. We took a few beers with us and the bus driver showed us the greatest sights of Vegas- the fountain show at the Bellagio, the little white wedding chapel, the classic diamond shaped sign of lights of "The Fabulous Las Vegas", along with views of the famous casinos.
Finally we made it to the casino where tonight's biggest party was. Our tour guide new one of the organisers, so he got us in straight away for free. It was a big place. A BIG place. Huge dance floor, giant wall of light and video behind the DJ, showgirls as standard, Stag dos as standard. There were a few bars outside but d been told they were expensive ($10-20 for a beer) and I wasn't in a mood to explore that aspect. We stayed for a little while then decided to leave.
Through, erm, this door? Or this door? Maybe it's down here? Me being me I managed to get split off from the group. In the end I would find out that I had found the exit much sooner than they had, but had to walk home, whilst they took another hour looking around and shared a taxi back. I was tired and hungry, but it was a worthwhile walk. Our Casino/hotel was 5 miles away, at the far end of the strip and then some. This gave me a chance to walk the strip in the quiet morning.
The casinos are as shiny, well tended, and lit up as you'd expect. They were phenomenal and I'd love to come back one day for a better exploration. It was the areas between the casinos and between the main strip and our downtown area that shocked me the most though. So much of Vegas looks destitute. Outside of the main tourist areas where the casinos ensure everything is over the top levels of wonderful there's an economic and human wasteland. People living on the street. Empty lots where shops and restaurants should be. There will be the very occasional bit of random sculpture made from welded together car parts, but nothing more. It's a desert in a desert, with only the bright lights of the casinos as a sweet oasis.
When I got back the rest had also just arrived. They'd been worried about me-we really should have swapped mobile numbers!!! The Aussies went to go find food and I went to bed to rest my heavy legs. It was a good sleep in an excellent bed.
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