Nonetheless it was an absolute experience. Like the buffet at Aria where we stayed - it seemed like 1.5 hours wait wasn't going to be worth it, but nonetheless we enjoyed the American Christmas lunch experience heaps. Every imaginable cuisine type - including some Polish Kielbasa, carvery, seafood, Indian, Italian, Asian, and loads of desserts to choose from. Champagne was bottomless and served in (basically) flower vases.
After we rolled out of lunch around 4pm, we had about 6 hours before our second Vegas circus show - the Absinthe at Caesar's Palace. We checked out the MGM Grand, New York New York, Excalibur and The Luxor and stopped for a few hands of low-stakes blackjack at the Tropicana.
Shared a table with a couple of down-home folks from Indiana and picked up a few dollars to offset the previous night's play. Free drinks for players (just tip the waitress) and a good laugh made time really fly.
True to form, we lost track of time and ended up running (literally) to get to the show on time - had a whole 2 minutes to spare. Because we had recommendations for this show (thanks David & Desinta) we splurged on the VIP tickets that gave us a table for 2 right by the stage. Therefore, we featured heavily in some parts of the show, including tap dancers on our table, getting hit by flying bras, being picked on by the MC, and splashed with water from the feature bath on stage used by one hot topless male acrobat. Show was AMAZING - totally worth the money and a great recommendation. Brilliant acrobatics, but also genuinely hilarious (and super crude.) Definely not for the easily offended or prudish.
Boxing Day was an early start - the shuttle bus for our re-booked chopper ride to the Grand Canyon was a 5:30am pickup from the hotel. We had some mild concerns over the strict weight limits given the aforementioned buffet (more so because we got squeezed in for a re-booking based on a commitment to a weight limit). We drove out into the desert for about an hour, and then boarded one of about 30 choppers waiting on the tarmac. Sun was rising as we lifted off and headed out over the Hoover Dam, the Colarado River, Lake Mead and eventually landing on the bottom of the Western Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Champagne Breakfast and lots of photos of what may have been us, but it is hard to tell given the layers, gloves, beanies etc we had to have on just to stay thawed out. The view and the experience was a must-do and great, but not much different to what we expected.
We spent the remainder of the day at the Southern Premium Outlet malls - HUGE mistake.......
We walked straight in from the car park to our favourite store (Colombia Sports) which is no longer in Australia. We subsequently cleaned them out of stock (which we had to wear most of just to avoid excess luggage fees the next day) and then moved on. Awesome deals (thanks Sugar for the tip), particularly during the post Xmas sales.
The plan was to pay for said shopping at the tables at The Venetian after the Jerry Seinfeld show that night, but that part didn't work out so well. To avoid running down the strip like we did the night before, we got to Ceasar's early for Seinfeld. Without spoiling it with the details, suffice to say that Seinfeld has still got it and was the quintessential showman - performed for over an hour without missing a beat and his timing was spectacular. Highly recommend it for when he comes to AUS next year - we will certainly want to go again.
The Venetian was truly spectacular inside and out:
J had one more roll at the Casino before bed, and ended up calling it a night at around 3am before our morning flight. After all is said and done, the total gambling outcome was around $20 down and about a dozen free beers, so we will call it a draw.
On leaving Vegas we agreed that:
- Time has no meaning here
- Going to a casino with your dog is weird (but kind of okay)
- Even the people who are not being tipped or paid are really nice & helpful
- For a party town it was pretty orderly
- Bring an empty suitcase if you come
Off to New York.....
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