Friday, February 16, 2007 ;
4:55 PM
9 Feb to 10 Feb (fri to Sat)
Las Vegas
Las Vegas, the city of lights.
Indeed the lights were soooo beautiful.. Neon signs, colourful lights, grand and majestic facades of the hotels and casinos, fabulous fountains, unique architecture... It was an experience.
However, I think just a day is enough and I probably wouldn't need to return again. Gambling is not my hobby and I think the smoke is worse. The place we stayed at was MGM Grand and it was grand indeed. It was a sprawling complex by itself. The lobby left us speechless.
It was the most expensive of our accomodation for this trip. First, while I was looking for lodging I had come across cheaper alternatives but the location did not seem ideal. Furthermore, I didn't want to have any "person(s)' approach us for services we do not require. And the cheaper alternatives seem to all be in more sleazy areas.
Next, along the Boulevard (or the Strip), MGM was the only large and reputable hotel that offered a wide range of rooms and we were able to take a resonably priced one. One that did not even have a fridge or coffeemaker or hot water. Just beds and a TV. But I guess we get what we pay for. Just not used to it, because in Singapore, hotels that have such a grand lobby, (think: Fullerton or Ritz Carlton) have really plush rooms that are well-equipped.
One thing though, it made me feel at home to see Chinese words and some atmosphere of Chinese New Year because I saw none in Utah at all. Below shows part of the lobby.
We explored the Strip at night on Friday and again on Sat morning. M&M's World was very fun. They screened a 3D movie on the 3rd floor while we were there but we had enough of that, so we just browsed. There were enough memorabilia and candy to fill 4 floors!
The M&Ms came in so many different colours that I had never seen before (22 colours/ shades) so we got some for the church/ friends back in Utah and some for ourselves. I saw a boy who was really having fun, filling his bag up with a lot of the M&Ms from every single plastic column of colours! It cost US$9 per pound if I remember correctly so we didn't dare to get too much, certainly less than half of what that boy took. Wonder if his mom will get a shock when she paid for it.
Then there was another megastore selling Coca Cola stuff. Haha, no no... even though I love to drink Coca Cola I didn't buy much there. Just a few postcards and a fridge magnet showing the evolution of the Coke bottle from 1900s. They had a Coca Cola cafe on the top floor too, selling Coke and desserts. I didn't buy anything there too, contrary to popular opinion out there, I am not an addict and I can control myself. :-) Jonathan is the one who should take care, right? Not me... hee hee
There was also adidas and other megastores. "New York New York" had a roller coaster, super scary one. There was "Paris hotel" and casino with Eiffel Tower facade, Bellagio with the fountains, Mandalay and so on.
On sat morning, we took a look at the Lion Habitat within our MGM hotel and then left for the long drive home.
rainbows every day, do not worry for the morrow
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