Viva Las Vegas!

sancho proudfoot · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject:

I won't do a lengthy Trip Report on Vegas - done it before - but will instead highlight a few things we hadn't experienced previously.

"The Fremont Street Experience" - downtown. Fremont Street is "old" Las Vegas, where it all started really, and did get a bit left behind with the explosion of the Strip. The area is a curious mixture of modern hi-tech offices ( the Courthouse where you go for your marriage licence is there - but it is also the main Courthouse, so there's plenty of shady characters loitering. When we were there OJ was being sentenced, so the car parks were full of TV crews) and sleazy strip clubs, bail bondsmen and cheap liqour stores.

Many of the very old casinos are still there - Binyon's, Glitter Gulch, Golden Nugget - and what they have done is roof over about half a mile of Fremont Street with a massive curved video screen. Every hour, on the hour, they switch off all the casino neon and have a magical video show on this enormous screen, with accompanying music. great fun, and well worth the effort to get there ( take the Deuce)

"Minus 5" - probably the current trendiest bar in Vegas. It is in the Mandalay Bay hotel, on the mezzanine level, by the walkthru to Luxor. Minus 5 is what it is - a below zero ice bar. They issue you with big fluffy white fur coats, boots, hats and gloves as you enter. Inside everyting is made of ice - the bar, the tables the seats.....................wierd.

"Big Elvis" Big Elvis has been a fixture is what is currently called "Bill's Gambling Hall". for over 6 years. I was surprised when I saw him, as he didn't seem to be ..err......big. Then it was announced that over the last 3.5 years he has lost 560lbs in weight (40st by my calculation) and is aiming for a further 140lbs - 10st) Well, good on him, being that big must have been a health risk, but by slimming down to 'normal' size he surely loses his USP, and becomes just another Elvis impersonator.

"P F Chang's" a chain of American Chinese restaurants. SOme locals sneer at PF Chang's saying they aren't 'authentic' but we had a brilliant meal there - we ate at the Planet Hollywood branch.

"China Grill" great Asian Fusion cookery at Mandalay Bay. Go for the chef's taster menu option, where you get a portion of everything - smaller than if you chose that item from the main menu but there's so much of it, course after course after course that you will not go hungry.

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medot · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject:

oh i really do want to go. there is so much more to see there than i expected...i just wish it wasn't so far away!!

Tango Bunny · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:28 pm Post subject:

Dot you wont be sorry....I loved it and we are going back next year....just waiting for the Virgin flight's to come up for our dates and I'm booking it.....where did you stay this time Sancho
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sancho proudfoot · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:

Silverpixie (Admin) · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 3:10 pm Post subject:

Thanks Sancho, it all sounds wonderful.

Vegas has changed so much since I was there last, I'd love to go back but fear I never will without someone to do the driving.

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Tango Bunny · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject:

My god Sancho....$736!!!!!!!!!
That's a brilliant price for 2 weeks stay.....don't you get bored with the same hotel all the time though....I'm not being critical in any way just curious
we stayed in 3 different hotels over our 14 day stay last year.....didn't find it a hassle to move at all....we are only doing 10 nites next year but plan to split it in 2 hotels prob one at the north end and one at the south end
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sancho proudfoot · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:49 pm Post subject: