Today we toured the highlights of the Las Vegas Strip. We strted by walking to the Stratosphere where we went up the tower. It is the highest point in Vegas so we had great views. It has a couple of rides we didn't do - one is called 'insane' but I think that all three were insane. Hanging in space 1000 feet above ground and being spun around, bounced up and down or see-sawed.

From there we headed to the Sahara monorail station and ventured south to the MGM Grand. Between the Stratosphere and Sahara there is a little 'seedy' area which surprised us with a shop selling pot to smoke - legally I presume.

Starting at the MGM Grand, we checked out Luxor, Excalibur, New York New York, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, Venetian, Treasure Island and Wynn. I had also planned to go up the Eiffel Tower in the Paris but a thunder storm commenced in the afternoon.

The hotels where you could spend lots of time and money are Bellagio and Caesar's Palace. They are opulent, extravigant, awesome, fantastic and any other word meaning over the top. Excalibur had the best buffet we have encounterd in our travels. Bellagio had the greatest water and garden display. Caesar's Palace had the best shopping precinct in its Forum, with the Venetian a close second (they look like they used the same architect)

And now some disapointments of the day:

1. Cirque du Soleil have taken the week off as a holiday

2. The pirate ship war was cancelled do to inclement weather (it had been raining but they must have considered it too unstable - but I would have said it was OK to go)

3. We tried to book in to Le Reve at Wynn but all tickets were sold and we did not fancy waiting an hour to see if we could get a standby seat - c'est la vie.

Las Vegas megahotels have so much to see that a day is not enough - but we nearly packed it all in. Maureen noticed that today was a bit long and wearing. She wants a new pair of legs, but the old ones should get a rest tomorrow. We strike out north east to Death Valley National Park.