It's been a while since we've been to Vegas during the summer, and now I remember why. It is hot! Very hot! We woke up to 100 degree weather with temperatures rising at least 10 degrees throughout the day.
Local residents told us that we were coming in at the tail end of a heat wave; it was hot even to their standards. But we made the best of it by staying indoors and seeking shade as much as possible.
But let's take a few steps back first.
Back in Honolulu, we excitedly boarded our flight via Omni International (Vacations Hawaii package). We had seats in the middle row, with me stuck in that dreaded middle seat. However, no one came to claim the seat on the right of me so I happily moved over a seat and the Hubz and I immediately had more room!
We pulled away from the gate and started moving toward the runway when the head pilot announced that we needed to return to the gate for some mechanical issues. As the minutes went by, I began to feel a sense of deja vu. You see, my parents flew Vacations Hawaii a month prior. They boarded and sat on the plane for two hours before they were instructed to de-plane and wait in the boarding area. After another hour, they were told to go home and return the following morning. However, for their inconvenience, everyone was given a $200 voucher for their next trip, which they could stack on any Mahalo check they had! So if my parents are lucky, they can get up to $400 off on their next trip!
Back to us ... after waiting for an hour an a half, the pilot announced they had identified the issue, the part was on its way and we'd be taking off in 15 minutes. Yay!
Despite the almost two-hour delay, we only landed in Vegas an hour after our estimated arrival. We landed a little before midnight and we started our vacay!
After we dropped off our carry on luggage in our room, we headed down to Market Street Cafe for a late night meal. For some reason, I always order the won ton min. I know a lot of people order the ox tail soup, but this is my go-to order. After our meal, we played a bit (slots for me and video poker for him) before hitting the sheets.
We got one of the newly renovated rooms in the West Tower. I love the new carpet; it looked like blossums spilling from the rooms into the hallway! Our room was the second to the last room down this long hallway. We walked all the way down to our room, only to find out that our room keys did not work. :-/ So we trekked back down to the front desk and back and made one more round trip to eat and play some games before retiring for the night. Needless to say, the Hubz was a little grouchy when we had to get new room keys (remember, it was after midnight and he was tired and hungry). But he perked up once we hit the casino floor.
Picture of our room. It was pretty nice. Comfy bed and pillows. Modern decor. Huge flat screen TV.
The bathroom was especially nice. I like the bathrooms in the West Tower because there is a lot more counter space than the East Tower (aka Buddha Tower). The tub was replaced by a stand-alone shower. It was really nice!
Did you know The Cal has a pool? Well, they do! And they just renovated it! Although small, it's nice, with nice, bright furniture. While I didn't spend any time there, I did see kids hanging out there throughout the day. It's in the West Tower, on the 13th Floor. The also opened up a gym as well, right across from the pool.
View of the Plaza and its new mural from The Cal's pool deck.
Another pool view.
Looking up at a light fixture while waiting for the elevator at The Cal.
Mannekin Piss, over at the D.
Some pics from the Bellagio summer display. It was an Italian theme.
The "flower photo" coincided with the exhibit the Bellagio had about Muhammad Ali.
I've often seen pics of this art installation at the Aria, and on this trip, we finally found it while walking outside the property. Oh, the things you see when you leave the casino and go outside!
Can't remember exactly where this was, but was taken when we were walking around City Center. Aria? Cosmopolitan? One of these in City Center.
This installation was at the Aria lobby.
View from the Planet Hollywood side.
At Wynn. I could have sworn that this was made up of fresh flowers, but I think it's fake flowers now.
The fountain at Wynn. I call it the "mini-Bellagio" show. I actually like it better the Bellagio show because it plays pretty continuously and you don't have to wait for the next show to begin.
These Transfomer-looking pieces were displayed though the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. They were all made out of recycled materials and could be shipped world-wide! I did not check the prices.
Here's another piece.
Love installation at the Venetian/Palazzo atrium.
On every trip, I say I'm going to do Slotzilla. Every trip, I never do.
We always see pictures of donuts from here; we were bummed that it was sold out the day we went.
Tree house at Container Park in Downtown Las Vegas.
We see more and more murals in Downtown Las Vegas each trip. Love it!
Brooklyn Bridge at dusk.
Toe to toe with Dancing Bliss.
One of my "big" winnings. I was playing the Sex & the City slot machine at the Luxor.
Another big "win." I found this new Frogger-like game at The Cal. I was totally addicted. You jump your Frog across busy streets/rivers, and depending how far you go, you can earn bonuses when you spin the wheel. During the wheel spin, you can land on lily pads that give you nothing, extra credits or the bonus wins, like the above. So addictive! I hope this game is still there when I return!
So that's it on this trip! It took me a while to post, but better late then never, right?
