We started our morning with a walk to Venice Beach. Basically it is about a 50 minute walk south of Santa Monica. The walk is quite relaxing as it is along the beach and the weather was perfect. Upon arriving at Venice Beach the first thing you notice is the amount of homeless people camping out and the lack of cleanliness of the area. Basically Venice Beach is a tourist area full of market stalls where you can buy anything you want - including the "Green Doctors" - who will fix any problems you have - or maybe any problems you want????
Having breakfast at a local cafe alongside the boardwalk, then a walk back to our hotel to check out and then a cab to the airport to head to Vegas!!
We ended up catching a private limo - well sort of a limo - back to the airport . The driver -John - was very friendly and took us the scenic way back to the airport where we easily checked into our flight for Vegas - the only catch bein g we had to pay $25 for each piece of luggage.... A quick trip through their security - which includes taking off your shoes, belts and discarding everything and anything in your pockets- a quick body X-ray, a pat down, and you are ready to proceed to your gate lounge....
Now sitting having a cold Budweiser whilst waiting for our flight to Vegas...
Just skyped Tony, Heather and Brett in London whilst we were having a beer - great to see Zed and Heather enjoying themselves over there. We are looking forward to catching up with them all on the 24th.
Look out Vegas here we come!!!
After a quick 45 minute flight we landed in Vegas!
Interesting scenery as we flew in - very vast open mountainous area and then you see it!!!!
The airport is a crazy place -poker machines everywhere.... What else are you supposed to do in Vegas????
We caught an express train/tram to our terminal to pick up our luggage - no dramas moving around. Whilst I was waiting for our luggage I gave Nadeen $1 to play a machine - located right next door to where our luggage was due to come out on - and yep she turned $1 into $100.... Welcome to Vegas baby!!!
A quick cab ride and we were at our accommodation - the Bellagio.
No problem checking in - after tipping the cab driver, the valet and then our luggage person- we settled into our room, opened a bottle of champagne and watched the spectacular water fountain show here unique to the Bellagio - they synchronise the fountain display to music and you listen to the music through your TV - a great start to our stay here.
We are about to head out onto the strip - who knows where we will end up and what time we get back...
This is Vegas - and remember what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!!!

We did a tour of the main strip and went to a number of the casinos - they are hard to describe - you really need to see them to believe them - anything from an Eiffel Tower to the Statue of Liberty to an indoor gondola ride in an indoor canal from Venice..... This is one crazy town.
The best bit is that if you are playing a poker machine or playing at a table your drinks are "free" - well you just tip the waitress $1 and you can have anything you want - champagne, beer, spirits ...... Get the message?
You have no idea of time and there are people everywhere!!!
We are going to love this town!