After a 6 hour bus journey from LA Vegas suddenly appeared out of the sand in front of us, it was all a bit random!! We were staying a Circus Circus, at the South end of the Strip. We spent our first night exploring our hotel, which along with the casino also had an AdventureDome under a big pink metal tent. It's the worlds largest indoor temperature controlled theme park, pretty cool. There was also an area called Midway, where different circus acts performed all day, such as contortionists and clowns. The trapeze artists were the best.

We had told to sign us as members at all the casinos as it is free and they give you loads of stuff, such as key chains, token books, t-shirts and slot play. So on our first day we headed on to the strip. Straight away we were hit by the immense heat - we had forgotten that we were in the middle of the desert. Our first stop was the Riviera where we got free slot play. Which we procceded to loose by checking our balances - good start!! We then went to Treasure Island which was really cool, with a lake and pirate ship at the front surrounded by decking. This theme was carried on inside. We were given $5 free slot play from here. It can only be used at TI which is a shame as it belongs to a group of casinos including The Belaggio and MGM which meant we would not get anything free there. Next was the Mirage which had a huge lake, volcano and dolphin statues at the front, very pretty. There was also a dophin habitat inside. The Venetian was just across the road from the mirage and walking up to it, transported you to Venice. There is the Grand Canal outside that flows through the building as well as St Marks Square and the Realto. Inside it is very opulent and grand with painted ceilings and chandaliers. It was definately a favourite of ours. We went to the buffet at Circus, Circus that night, and after paying $14 Sam didn't get her money worth as she suddenly wasn't feeling well. We spent the evening using our Circus circus free slot play and making a profit.

The next day we went down to the MGM Grand which was very impressive although it was a mission to find the entrance. Inside we saw the Lion habitat where there was 2 gorgeous lion cubs playing with their keeper as well as the adult lions. That afternoon we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3 which was excellent. From there we went to the Coca Cola shop and M and M world, which was so much fun and both had lots of really cool stuff to buy. Across the road was New York New York which was so amazing from the outside, with it's NY skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. Inside, the casino was all on fake grass with trees as if it was in the middle of Central Park. After the Monte Carlo we headed into the Belaggio which was gorgeous. It had glass flowers all over the hotel lobby ceiling. There were lots of expensive shops and fresco paintings inside. Outside there were spectacular fountains where the water 'danced' to music. It was really beautiful to watch especially at night with all the lights. We next went to Paris with it's replica of the Eiffel tower and Arc d triomphe and little cafes outside. Inside it is like a Parisian street with the ceiling painted to replicate the sky, it was rather bizarre to go out into the dark after an hour or so inside.

On Sunday we had a chilled out day at Circus Circus, before heading to Denny's to get some food where we spent a couple of hours chatting and eating delicious burgers! From there we headed to the Stratosphere which had 3 rides at the top of a massive tower-none of which we were inclined to go on!! We then wentto the Sahara which has a rollercoaster going through it. We spent a while in here on the 1 cents slot doubling the free play money we were given!

Monday saw us back at the Venetian playing our free slot play for a couple of hours. Sam and Fi both broke their macjines and had to call an attendant as they had run out of tickets toprint their winnings!! Oops!! We then headed to Casino Royale, Imperial Palace, Harrah's and Bally's, before stopping at the Flamingo where we watched a wedding and saw all the pretty flamingos and little baby turtles. Before headed back to Circus Circus we headed to Planet Hollywood, which has replaced the Aladdin hotel. It is really nice and modern inside.

The next day we headed out to the strip around 4 to the Luxor, which was so cool inside with an egyptian theme and sphinxes. We then wandered into the Mandalay Bay where we got the momorail to the Excalibur, which is just like a castle inside with stained glass windows and suits of armour. We then went to the Tropicana where we got a free pack of cards!! We then caught the bus to the Freemont Experience where we signed up at a lot of places. We got a lot more at these casinos than the ones right on the strip, we ended up with 2 t-shirts, a pack of 4 Godiva chocolate drinks, slot play and 1/2 price buffets!!! The offer of free food was too much for us to ignore so we headed to the Main Street Station Casino where we got a 1/2 price buffet, it also happened to be the steak night so we got it all for less than $10 each-bargain!We watched the lights above us, which were not quite what we expectd but still cool. We decided this area was a lot more 'showgirly' than elsewhere!!

Our last full day in Vegas startyed with us being woken by our annoying neighbours, trying to break through the wall/door!!! We headed out for some final souvenir shopping before going into Caesers Palace, which with its pillars and statues was very regal it also had a mini coloseum outside. We headed back to the Circus Circus via the Fashion Show Mall where we purused the shops. We stopped at Denny's again for dinner and spent the evening in Treasure Island doing some final gambling.