Off to Vegas today, it's about a 4.5 hr flight. Flew with Delta and they don't have luggage as part of ticket so had to pay $25.
Anyway got to Vegas ok and got pickup from airport to MGM. Was only a 5 min drive. Entered MGM, my god this place is crazy, absolutely packed with people, there is a big boxing on here Saturday night so more people than normal in town, I may try to go, see how I am after long day at Grand Canyon. There must have been 15 check in counters and another 10 spots for concierge, all had about 5 people at each person lining up to check in or book tickets for shows etc. Finally got checked in my room is in the West Wing, on floor 11 which is the top floor and room 511, found the correct lift (there must be about 20) and then had to walk down a corridor for about 2 minutes to get to my room and there is probably another minute walk to the end felt like i had walked 2 New York blocks. Room is ok no view of the strip found out later that these would cost double. Had a rest for a while, there is a time difference of 3 hrs so it is really about 6pm but time is 3pm. I have a night tour tonight at 8 pm till 11pm which is like 11pm to 2 am. Then tomorrow I have a 6.15 am pick up for the Grand Canyon, so it's going to be a long night.
Went to look at the Lion enclosure but found out it closed at the end of last year. Tom Colicio's from TopChef has a restaurant here in the MGM as well as 2 Starbucks, McDonald's, Nathans Hotdogs, heaps of other restaurants and the Grand Buffet which i think i will go to as only $20 and should be better food than all the other junk around. Went down the strip to see where the tour leaves from tonight. I thought the MGM was crazy the street is even worse, never seen so many people walking all drunk and with beers or cocktails in their hands, the cocktail glasses are all shaped differently, I saw some with glasses shaped like the Eiffel Tower. Then there is the guys that try to hand you cards for the hookers and strip clubs. They are everywhere and they click the cards (don't know why)and try to force them into your hands. I saw 3 Michael Jackson's but only 1 Elvis, a few transformers, Batman, Gene Simmons and a few Elmo's and 1 Hello Kitty. Found the spot and then walked back to hotel, too crazy for me. On the way Back i stopped in at Paris to see Gordon Ramsay's place, lots of advertising and looked pretty swank. Will try to go for lunch on Sunday.
Went back out at about 7.15 pm for the night lights tour. This was ok we went to the Pirate show at Treasure Island then the Volcano eruption at the Mirage. We then went to the old original part of Vegas called Fremont street where the Golden Nugget Casino is. Then we went down to the Welcome to Vegas sign and then to the last spot which was the Bellagio fountains. This was a pretty good cant remember the song though, will see it again Sunday night after Cirque du Soleil.
Also Trump has a hotel here not a casino though because the law in this state says you cant have a gambling license if you have been declared bankrupt.
Still lots of people around. Back to hotel now to try to sleep as its about 11.15 pm.