First signs of casinos right after the Nevada state line. Driving on west on the interstate 15 suddenly you see, in the middle of nowhere, the Vegas strip in the distance with all the casinos and he eyecatcher, the Stratosphere tower, more than 720 feet tall and our hotel for the night. i booked this the night before through bookings.com for $ 28,00... After a drie around the strip, we checked in, freshened up and went up in the tower. A breathtaking view from up thee over the entire city and the Vegas Strip. Sunset, so extra memorable. And then, outside and into the streets. Everybody drinks outside, music, lights, people, limo's, homeless next to prostitutes, rich next to poor, decadence next to poverty and above all; come gamble, come drink, come sin! What a city, we saw the Treasure Island show outside, the Mirage vulcano show, the gondolas in the Venetia hotel, fake waterfalls, fake Eiffel tower at the Paris hotel, fake Vatican, fake skies, the Planet Hollywood casino, the Hard Rock Cafe, the New York New York hotel (. 14 dollar for a rollercoaster ride, no thanks), the incredible fountains at the Bellagio casino, the slot machines, the blackjack, the roulette, the Mandalay Bay Hotel, the Luxor Pyramid. We gambled some at the blackjack and the roulette and both walked away with a small but very satisfying win. The cocktailwaitresses really do work for their tips and bring you free drinks as long as you are playing. Another strange fact: smoking is prohibited everywhere, except in the plating areas in the casinos. Of course they dont want you to walk away from the tables for anything. We bring you the frinks for free and please do smoke here, although ou can't smoke anywhere else in this city or country. This place dude, this place...
Next to the hotel is an IHOP (International House of Pancakes). There are 17 IHOPs in Vegas and hundreds if nit thousands in the US. Only thing I knew is that Anthony and Danny ( both ex colleagues Planet Hollywood Helsinki) moved to Vegas like 10 years ago and I thought I remembered worked at IHOP. Turns out the one IHOP I walk into is the one they work at. nthony left for a new job ate the company in Wisconsin though, but Danny worked the nightshift. Incredible meeting him, talked for a while, took a picture together and hopefully we'll see each other at the next PH reunion in Helsinki! Time to sleep, time to dream of Vegas and all its sins. Man, now I have been in Las Vegas, a dream came true, yet another dream came true. So much happens during this trip, not just one thing a day, but many. Very many.