Day Six - Vegas Baby

Day Six - 17th May - Vegas Baby!

Mes lectuers fantastinque! Here are some things that you ought to know about Vegas – from the free stuff to the nightlife (and no, unfortunately I did not do all this in two nights but I did do my research and I have found second opinions for a number of things). It's a long one so kudos to those who read it all!

FREE FUN

Almost all the big hotels and casinos have something unique about them that’s open to all of us, regardless of our gambling habits!

The Bellagio, for example, has a number of things that you can go see, including a stunning Conservatory that’s open all the time. Cultivated by a plethora of different horticulturalists, the artificial garden is elegant and elaborate – actually reminding me a lot of Willy Wonka’s chocolate garden only inedible. Bright and airy, it’s a nice place to walk around if you’re not in the mood to deal with the blistering outdoor heat but still want to see daylight rather than the usual yellow gloom of the casinos. Similarly, remember those Fountains that I mentioned last time? Those are free too. Just outside The Bellagio, you know them from the end scene of Ocean’s Eleven, the ten-acres of water shimmer gently in the daylight but from 3pm to Midnight on weekdays (last one 11.55pm), they spill up in choreographed motions full of light. Described as a ‘symphony of light and water’, they run every half hour until 7pm and then every 15minuted after that. On weekends you can even go see them at noon, though I’d always recommend the night viewing just so you see the full effect of the dazzling colours along with the fountains themselves.

Others include animal features:

Caesars has a water tank full of fish that you can see being fed at 1.15pm and 5.15pm each day by a diver inside the tank. They also have a weird show called ‘The Fall of Atlantis’ which includes water and fire effects around three creepy android-humanoids that are meant to represent the King, his most loyal, semi-nude female huntress and his most disloyal, fiery counterpart. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re a farcry from sober when it could be fun BUT if you are in the area you can still check out the Forum Shops which really are amazing. I’ve never seen an H&M look so swanky. For the record though the ‘Fall’ show happens every hour on the hour from 9am to 11pm (Sun-Thurs) and 9am to Midnight (Fri-Sat).

Then there are Lions that you can see being fed at 11.15am and 430pm at the MGM Grand. Opening at 11am and closing at 7pm, the wild beasts roam their habitat throughout the day, stalking the pen as guests and visitors click away on their cameras. You can find them inside the MGM located at the end of The Strip.

If I remember rightly, there are also Tigers at the Mirage. They’re found inside, in Seigfreid and Roy’s Secret Garden. The exotic, wondrous world inside this hotel ‘zoo’ also contains other big cats and there’s a Dolphin Habitat too. You do have to pay for this one though so it’s really a small aside.

Talking of amazing things though, if there’s the ONE REASON I WANT TO COME BACK TO VEGAS: THE SHOW IN THE SKY  at the Rio.  Oh yes – here is something that could actually bring me back – a sensual, upbeat, exciting journey through the greatest celebrations of the world  in their own massive daily festival. Dancers, costumes, masks – you can be part of it too either as a bystander (free) or as part of the parade itself ($12 BARGAIN). If you  want to do this then you should make your way to the Masquerade Village Main Stage thirty minutes earlier than you would just for the show. There are only twenty-one spots though so probably arrive EVEN EARLIER to guarantee your spot. Doing this means you end up in costume and ride in the show. Yup – I want to be part of this so bad

NOT SO FREE STUFF

 I have to start this with the Stratosphere Thrill Rides. At the top of our hotel was a bundle of rides that you can go on right at the top of the  108 storied hotel. $16 will take you to the top of the hotel for a view and $34 will give you a day pass to all the rides. If you’re not scared of heights and you like a little danger – this is probably for you as you hurtle off the building in a spinning harness or plunge down from the X Scream. The best are probably X Scream,  Big Shot and Insanity. You can also do what I wanted to do and pay from $109 to jump off the building properly – careening towards the earth from a terrifying 855ft . As you plummet, you’ll have the best view in the house of the Strip and the surrounding desert – plus you’ll have your five minutes of fame and probably earn yourself a drink or two from awed friends who were secretly more scared than you were.

You can also pretend to be in a different country by going to the top of the Eiffel Tower  for $10 (until 7.30pm) or $15 (after 7.30 pm) , or Take a Gondola Ride at The Venetian for $16  (rides last around a quarter of an hour)

TRAVEL

We used three kind of transport – the Monorail ($5/ride – discounts for multi-ride/all-day passes; starting at 7am/ finishing 2am-3am); the Duece Double Decker Bus (from Freemont St to the South Strip – it’s $7/day and you NEED EXACT CHANGE unless you’re able to blag your way on like my friends and I. We paid $8 between seven of us); Taxis – they will try to con you if they think they can but they should NOT COST MORE THAN $20 ANYWHERE. Vegas isn’t that big, especially not the places you probably want to be.

NIGHT LIFE

 We didn’t actually go out to any of the clubs or bars – preferring to  drink and party around the casinos. It’s easy enough to peruse the floors during the day and be given free entry or queue-jump passes  so keep an eye out for people with multicoloured bands in the casinos. Some of the places we wanted to go though were The Rio’s Rooftop Voodoo Bar that claims the best views in Vegas. The Ghostbar at the Palms also hails a whopping 55-floor view and the Skin Pool Lounge which you can see all the way through the transparent acrylic floor. The one we were most tempted to find on the first night was The Pussy Cat Dolls Lounge at Caesar’s Palace as it’s supposedly pretty chilled out but with a great vibe. The boys were also enticed by the burlesque dancers that come out every night, pretty much every thirty minutes. If you’re more of a high-end club goer though, we had a great time finding out about LUX the ‘destination of choice’ for everyone . From A-listers to the real socialites of the world, DJ AM and Vice pump out the beats at Luxor’s renowned club.

Others you might want to look up:

1.       Studio 54 (MGM GRAND) – 10pm opening Tues-Sat. Two storeys of pop and house. DRESS SPECTACULAR. Tuesdays are their EDEN (erotically delicious entertainters night) and Thursdays are their DOLLHOUSE night with live body dancers and all female DJ lineup.

2.         The Fountain Room (MANDALAY BAY) – “Great music, great music, great service and great view “ – just note they say nothing about the people.

3.       Coyote Ugly (NEW YORK NEW YORK) a la it’s namesake – see the movie and you have an idea of what you’re in for.

4.       Rain in the Desert (PALMS) – fourteen foot fireballs lighting up the elevated dance floor – this is supposedly the haunt of the under-30s – with a “slicker and edgier feel to it”. Great lighting and extraordinary layout make it exciting for even the seasoned night owl. MTV-friendly and mainstream.

5.       Marquee (COSMOPOLITAN)  - one of the biggest mega-clubs of the city and voted as 11^th  best club in the world and number ONE in North America – this could be worth your time. Drinks are expensive (albeit large and apparent fabulous). You will want a line-jump for this one as it can take HOURS (NB PLURAL) to conquer the queue otherwise!)

So that’s Vegas. My advice and gift and love to you. Also – the Skyjump was cancelled so I can’t do it – the winds are cray-cray tonight and they won’t let you jump when it’s  over 44mph winds which apparently it is. Oh well – another reason to come back right? We’ve had so much fun and I’ve loved it here. I don’t feel like I ever want to gamble again, it’s kind of boring even when you’re winning, but it is a laugh and it’s been a blast hanging out with all the guys, seeing all the absurdly designed casinos and basking in the wonderful dry heat. I’m not missing the Carolina humidity right now.

If you’ve read this far WELL DONE AND I LOVE YOU. I’ll write again soon. 

Je serai poète et toi poésie, 
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