I've used this title before and yet it seems appropriate to do so again. Not only did we meet family in Vegas (see Meet Me in Vegas to read about one such meeting) but our friends from California joined us for the weekend. First though, we had to leave family in Aurora. We picked Elijah up from school which delayed our departure for the airport. We weren't worried as we arrived about an hour before our flight left. But, by the time we'd gone through security, etc, the plane was boarding as we reached the gate. The flight was short, about an hour and a half. We flew in over the sprawling city of Las Vegas (see a previous blog, Viva Las Vegas). Not only was the dry landscape of red rocks spectacular, but the expanse of Lake Mead always awes when seen from the air.
The city is about 2000 ft above sea level and is in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Surrounded by rugged mountains (one at least 13,000 ft), Las Vegas enjoys about 300 days of sunshine and we arrived to temperatures in the mid 30º C.
We stayed at the New York New York hotel (NYNY) this time; our first time in the middle of all the action. It is a big hotel with three towers and five large restaurants. We were in the New York tower while Meg and Mike stayed in the Empire. After settling in, we went to supper. Meg's favourite Irish pub in NYNY was closed for renovations so we headed to the Rí Rá pub in the Shoppes at Mandalay Place. One does a lot of walking in Vegas so wearing good footwear is a must. But, it's also a good way to burn off all the extra calories one consumes in food and drink. The portions here are large so often ordering from the appetizer menu is the way to go. On this night, though, we had hearty appetites. I enjoyed their shepherd's pie while Meg had a Dublin Burger. Mike and Glen had their 'small' fish and chips but the fish filled the plate so hardly small.
The next morning, we were up early and had breakfast at a little café, keeping our meal much the same as what we eat at home. We sat at tables arranged along 'Greenwich Street' in front of brownstones much like those in New York City. The plan was to begin the day with Meg and me going to the spa in the morning and Mike and Glen hanging out together until lunch.
I am not a spa person but wanted to share Meg's enthusiasm for pedicures and pampering. I've never had a pedicure before but figured I needed to experience one at least once in my life. Meg told me to warn the tech as then she'd walk me through it. Our appointment was for 9:30 and Meg was taken in for her wrap at that time. She calls it the sushi wrap and assured me I'd love it. I waited for 20 minutes for the girl to do my feet. I hadn't brought anything to read so I sat listening to the soothing music and it inspired me so I now have an idea on how to end the book I'm writing.
I survived my pedicure and even had a design painted on my big toe. There was only one moment of pain for which I was thankful. She said I kept good care of my feet--who knew? Next came the wrap. It was wonderful and relaxing. First, I was slathered with warm Dead Sea mud then wrapped up in layers of blankets and plastic (hence, the sushi reference). I now know why babies love to be swaddled. The girl then massaged my head and face. A quick shower washed away the mud before I was treated to a deep massage using a coconut cream to rehydrate my skin. I almost fell asleep, I was so relaxed.
We found the 'boys' by the pool drinking beer. Fortunately, the beer was in cans so they continued drinking as we walked to lunch (the drinking laws in Nevada are civilized). It has become a tradition we eat a meal at the Rainforest Café so we headed to MGM Grande. The restaurant is nestled in the basement but its rainforest decor makes you feel like you're eating in a jungle. The bugling elephant added to this ambiance. I had a shrimp soba bowl and was shocked I had to eat this Asian dish with a fork.
After lunch, we took the monorail to the Flamingo stop. This train is a great way to travel up and down The Strip. It costs $5.00 per ride but there are multi-day passes which make it a little cheaper. We weren't sure how many times we'd use it so just went with single tickets.
The Flamingo was the first luxury hotel built on The Strip. Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel financed it and named it for his girlfriend, Virginia Hill whom he had nicknamed Flamingo for her long legs and red hair. All the air conditioned paths in Vegas lead through casinos and each has its own unique character. By the way, it's a myth that the casinos pump oxygen into their air but these gambling dens are cooler and often have a pleasing scent.
Our destination was Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. We've been to several versions of this famous museum in the past (our first experience being the original one in London, England). Anna Tussaud learned wax modelling from a Swiss physician and created her first figure in 1777 (Voltaire). During the French Revolution, she made death masks which she showed on the streets of Paris. In 1802, she moved to London but didn't stay long. The Napoleonic Wars stranded her there so she toured the British Isles until finally settling in London in 1836. There, her main attraction was the Chamber of Horrors featuring victims of the French Revolution. Madame Tussaud died in 1850 but her legacy lives on in her famous museums around the world.
The Vegas version lacks the Chamber of Horrors and all of King Henry's Wives (which seem to feature prominently in other museums) but is interesting for its collection of Hollywood celebrities from Elvis to Lady Gaga. Glen enjoyed having his picture (see above photo) taken with Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer while Mike seemed to enjoy mugging for the camera with any wax figure he could find.
It was definitely a beauty day for me when Meg then dragged me into her favourite make-up store, Sephora. A consultant, Mimi, offered me advise and I bought a few products she suggested. Meg knew what she wanted so we weren't long in the store. Mike and Glen found a seat in the shade--it was hot. My legs had begun showing signs of my usual reaction to heat on asphalt so we headed back to the hotel so I could lie down with my feet up.
That night Mike wanted to eat at the Burger Bar in the hotel and we all thought that an excellent idea. Here we drank Rogue Dead Guy, Arrogant Bastard and Turbodog beers and ate chill, mushroom and chicken burgers. Afterwards, Glen and I played video poker and lost $45 in under a half hour so went to bed. Meanwhile, Meg and Mike rode the roller coaster that winds its way through the hotel and its outside environs.
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