Las Vegas…nothing like I really expected it to be. When I first booked the trip I had no real expectations. I just wanted to go somewhere I hadn’t been and a domestic trip was more reasonable given the time constraints of a long weekend. So Vegas it was with the added benefit that Tam could easily join me.
Although that was actually taken as we left the Excalibur and walked to the Luxor on Sunday morning, it summed up the character of the
Excalibur. Fun and funky. I’d have liked a better shot of the hotel but because it’s so massive, that would have been best achieved via a helicopter hovering over the strip. It may not be the Wynn or the Bellagio, but it has character. How often can you say you’ve stayed in a castle (or a pyramid as Tam did at the Luxor on Sunday night)? The
spa at the Excalibur provided royal treatment indeed. I’d never been to one before and now I’m itching to go again. I found the spa at the Excalibur to be a lot nicer than the one at the Luxor, although the latter had a functioning steam room which was very nice.Friday night was two shows:
Tournament of Kings and
Thunder From Downunder (could be considered NSFW). Both fun, the latter a bit moreso for obvious reasons. I actually have a polaroid sitting on their laps, but I haven’t figured out how to scan that cleanly yet.Saturday, more spa and some adventuring…Now if you haven’t been to Vegas, what would you think the photo below is? Gallery? Museum entrance?
Nope, entrance to the
Venetian where we went to see
Phantom. Yes, I’m one of those weirdos who’d never seen Phantom here on Broadway. I loved it. The theatrics were amazing including the ‘reconstruction’ of the chandelier before your eyes to take you back in time, pyrotechnics and an amazing custom-designed theatre. Very Vegas. My only complaint? The story isn’t easy to understand for someone who doesn’t know it. I knew nothing of the story going in and when we left I asked Tam for the Reader;s Digest version, which she said was best explained in the movie. I know if you try and explain everything it’s a ten hour musical, but I think the story needs more explaining to stand on its own.From the Venetian it was back down the strip and this was the view in front of the Bellagio
We’d contemplated staying at the new Planet Hollywood and while it would have been nice to be right in the center of everything, it would have been a bit crazy as well as they’ve only just had their grand opening. The Bellagio was beautiful, unfortunately I don’t have any photos of the inside. I thoroughly enjoyed the fountains, which are choreographed to music. I did video a section, however I haven’t yet worked out how to post that. In the mean time:
I like that one as it’s “very Vegas” with Bally’s and the Flamingo in the background.
This one is still one of my favorites. Fountains were amazing, Vegas was amazing. I just wish it were smoke free. I think three days was the perfect amount of time, although a little more would have allowed for sufficient time to visit the Grand Canyon. Next time!
