Las Vegas: Where Excess is Success

Caesars Palace

Sometimes the Yanks get it right. And sometimes they get it f_cking spot on.

For us, Vegas was insane.

After the majority of the last month spent living in a tent, we felt we owed it to ourselves to splurge and book into one of the 5 star strip hotels. Nic being the booking genius she is got us a standard suite at the Venetian that didn't break the bank but it sure as hell did ruin all other hotel rooms for us.

Finally a pool we didn't have to sneak into!

We are used to having the bed take up 95% of the floor space, and definitely no space to swing a cat, but this had everything. A bathroom bigger than most rooms we have stayed in, a living area we haven't seen since Whistler and a king size bed that is going to make it hard to go back to the tent. There is just something about being able to stretch your legs fully that you don't really realize until it's taken away from you.

Slightly bigger than our $20 tent

Given we had splurged on the room, we thought it pertinent of us to try and do things on the cheap in Vegas – if that's possible.

For most that have been to Vegas there are usually two ways – spending a shite tonne of money and having the time of your life, or keeping things under control and having the time of your life.

It is so easy to go down either path it just depends on which one you want. As most would know you actually shouldn't really be paying too much for your alcohol in Vegas. Being on the casino floor, playing any game you like, grants you access to the complimentary drinks on offer. It doesn't matter if you're playing 25 cent black jack, or putting down a gorilla, you are more than welcome to pretty much any standard drink you can think of. The difference would be the frequency at which your server returns to you. I also think throwing down a G may get you some more benefits but you get my drift.

We took on the 25 cent blackjack machines, and putting in $5 and getting about 6-7 doubles out of it, it doesn't really matter if you come away with any of that original $5 if you ask me.

Spin that wheel...and bring me back some more drinks!

We also got on board the brunch buffets, and that train just keeps on giving. We found a place that sold vouchers for the buffet at the Mirage for half price. So for $15 we spent a good 3-4 hours at the best buffet we have ever gorged ourselves at. I have previously written that I lose all self control when it comes to buffets, and when you throw in unlimited beer and wine, and good beer at that, there was no way I was walking out of there with my dignity in tact.

I actually didn't embarrass myself too badly, and I do endeavor to go back.

Just a few quiet ones with all our mates

We spent our nights walking the strip, dropping into which ever casino took our fancy. The fact that you can walk down the street with a cold beverage in your hand, drop into a casino to check out their feature attraction, or play a few hands of cheap blackjack and sample a few doubles, is what makes Vegas what it is – unbelievable!

The Strip - The Wynn & The Venetian

The canals of the Venetian, the hanging gardens of the Wynn, the volcano of the Mirage, the sheer size and audacity of Caesars Palace, the conservatory and water fountains of the Bellagio, the flamingo park of the Flamingo, the colours of the Excalibur, the cities within themselves that are Paris, New York New York and the Luxor, and Mandalay Bay, a building that is more resplendent in it's golden shine during the daytime than at night; it's where excess and decadence meet and its awesome!

The Strip - MGM Grand, New York New York & the Excalibur

When we first looked into booking Vegas we ran into a slight problem – the weekend we planned to be there for was EDC Weekend. Electronic Daisy Carnival, a music festival that only Vegas would put on. The festival runs over 3 nights, gigs don't get under way until the sun is well on is way towards the horizon and don't stop until the sun is well on it's way back up again. Only in Vegas! Have a look online at some of the scenes that come out of that weekend and you'll get an idea of how crazy it is.

Probably the two most photographed scenes in Vegas!

Anyway the prices over the weekend were too far out of our price range so we planned on spending the time out in Death Valley. Problem with that was that the temps were going be in the range of 50°C, and high winds at night wasn't quite what we were looking for.

So in the space of 5 minutes we made some 'well' informed decisions that may or may not have turned out to be the right ones...

But that is a story for another day.