San Francisco/Las Vegas - Day 3,4,5

Taken from private diary entry (written by J in 3rd person perspective, pictures inserted by Joanne)

Friday 26/06/09
Joanne and Jason wake up early in the morning. Today they go to Las Vegas! They’re a little late, and decide not to risk it and catch a cab (as opposed to drive themselves) to the airport.
The flight to Vegas was quick and easy. Joanne slept the whole time!
As soon as they land, they’re greeted by oodles of pokies machines – the usual Vegas welcome.

#1

Pokies machine at Las Vegas airport

Jumping on a $6 airport shuttle, they plus the many other holiday goers on the bus visit the various hotels dropping off passengers.
They’re dropped off at the luxurious, 5 star Trump hotel – just 5 minutes off the main Vegas BLVD strip. It is an impressive structure, reminisce of a giant gold bar rising from the scorched dessert earth.
Check-in was easy, they’re up at the 54th floor – a nice studio apartment, complete with their own personal spa, in-mirror tv, massive king size double bed with, and kitchen facilities. The studio was magnificent, Joanne falls in love straight away and jumps on the bed.

#2

Trump Hotel

#3

Trump Hotel lobby

After settling in, they headed to Harrahs to collect tickets their Mac King comedy show tickets. After collecting the tickets at the box office, they have a small snack lunch at Ming’s Chinese restaurant in Harrahs.

They then decided to try their fate at roulette. Joanne broke even at Roulette.

#4

On the Las Vegas strip

After that, they went for the Mac King comedy show which started at 3 pm – excellent seating.

#5


#6


The show was a combination of magic tricks and comedy. It was very funny and the tricks were quite impressive.

#7

With Mac King himself

They then made their way to New York New York, stopping by Caesar Palace and losing more money at roulette (Jo: We didn't play that much, probably about $20 each)

#8

Pirate ship at Treasure Island Hotel

#9


Rest in peace Michael Jackson. You will be greatly missed by millions. Taken in front of Madame Tussauds wax musuem, the Venetian Hotel

#10


They had a very bad late lunch of Americanised Italian food at Serendipity – pasta (which was red), and Caesar salad with more cheese and sauce than salad. (Jo's note: Do not eat there, ever!)

#11

Very buttered, red pasta

#12

Cheese and sauce with salad as condiment

At New York New York, Jason has a Ben and Jerrys ice cream – it was massive!

#13

Inside New York, New York

#14


They collect their Zumanity of Cirque du Soleil tickets at New York, New York.

The show was interesting... It was very adult. Combined explicit sensual acts with circus acrobatics, but the focus was on sex themes (Jo: hm, it was little too raunchy for our liking. We didn't expect so much sexual connotations/jokes. But the acrobatic acts were still very good. Only that they did it half naked)

#15

Zumanity stage

#16

Outside New York, New York

On the way back, they dropped by Excalibur, MGM Grand, M&Ms shop, Harley Shop, and Bellagio Hotel.

#17

Harley Davidson restaurant

#18

Motorcycles of patrons

#19

The strip at night

#20

Paris

#21

The Wynn

#22


#23

Bellagio fountains

#24

Excalibur

#25

M&Ms shop


#26


Saturday 27/6/09
They were rudely awakened by the apartment emergency alarm
“Your attention please. There’s been an emergency. Please evacuate the building. The lifts are closed”
It was a mad rush of bodies trying to get down the building. Joanne and Jason, along with a very bleary-eyed group of tourists realise they’re on the 54th floor! They have many flight of stairs to the ground level.
There is a little bit of tension as the stair well heats up. This was due to the radiating body heat, however people are nervous that there was a fire.
Jason’s thinks “My parents don’t even know I’m in Vegas!”
They’re relieved on the 20th floor when a gentleman sticks his head in and says it’s a false alarm.
Jason and Joanne returned to their room.

They then head out to buy tickets for Jersey Boys

#27


They had a nice lunch dinner of pizza and pasta at Venitian Lux Café

They gambled a bit more – lost more money on roulette (Jo: Jason lost money, not me :P)

They headed back to hotel to relax. They went for a short dip in the pool.

After that, they went to California Kitchen at the massive Fashion Strip complex for a nice dinner of barley and pea soup, Singaporean prawn style rolls, and pasta with chicken.

They had great seats at Jersey Boys. It was a fantastic production describing the life of the group “The four seasons”. Very entertaining for its live music, and dramatic story. (Jo: It's rated as the top show in Vegas. If you can only make it for one show, I highly recommend that you watch this one. For Melbournians, Jersey Boys are hitting Melbourne this month till the next few months. Go grab your tickets!)

After the show, they have oyster shots at an Oyster Bar.

Sunday 28/6/09
Another late wake up. They head down to the pool level and relax for 3 hours in the blistering heat. They have an afternoon lunch of fried chicken wings, and a ham sandwich.

They go for a swim, and relax under the umbrella.

#28

Swimming pool area

Time flies by quickly. Before they know it, they realise its already 3:30pm and they have to check out by 4! After a quick room inspection, they return the key cards and give their bags to the bell boy. Their airport shuttle is due at 5:30. They shop in the fashion centre across from Trump. Joanne buys a nice $50 jacket and $20 guess sandals.
Shuttle to the airport at 530.
Flight is at 8.14 pm
Land in San Francisco International Airport
Take BART (train) to city. Get out at Powell Station.
Stop by a take-away pizza shop for take away pizza.
Back at hotel.

Las Vegas video


Las Vegas Tips
Stay on strip. Can stay off strip if planning to rent a car. A hotel off the strip may be cheaper but if you take into account the cab fares/car rental and inconvenience, you may be better off paying a little more for a hotel on the strip.

To walk from one end of strip to the other end (MGM Grand to Circus Circus hotel) may take up to 1 hour! And this is walking with sneakers (as oppose to high heels). It is that long!

Half price tickets. Don’t buy your tickets at full price! Buy on the day itself at one of the many half price ticket booths that’s abundant along the strip. Basically, you can buy a ticket at a heavily discounted price for a show that night itself.
Just make sure you get your seats allocated as soon as possible! You buy the ticket, then go to the box office of the hotel where the performance is, and get those seats allocated ASAP!

Also, some half price ticket agents do package deals - get discounted tickets plus a 3-course dinner at 50% off.

Recommended shows = Mac King comedy shows (afternoon shows), Mystere Cirque de Solei show and definitely Jersey Boys! (Jersey Boys is hitting Melbourne from July till October. Grab your tickets! It’s a must watch)

Some of the best deals require you to be 25 or over. (free Mac King tickets if you are over 25 and if buy a drink valued at $9.99 or more. Free tickets can be collected at Harrah’s box office or information desk).