Day 11 - Las Vegas and Love by Cirque du Soleil

[fillmore]

We woke up and reluctantly finished packing. The car was loaded quite quickly and after a quick sweep of the room it was time to leave beautiful Zion

Last night when I was packing we started watching Eight Days a Week to get in the mood for our Cirque du Soleil show. This was an anniversary present from my MIL and FIL. DS had learnt about the Beatles in school over the summer too and he likes their songs so it was something we were really looking forward to.

We called in at Denny's in St George for breakfast. This was amazing! DS was so impressed that our breakfasts came on 2 plates! DH and I ordered cooked breakfast with pancakes and DS had a kids breakfast. We then set off for Vegas. In all the times we had been to Vegas we had never been to Hoover Dam so this was our first stop. We could see the Vegas skyline and zoomed past on the way to the dam.

As we approached the dam two men on motorbikes cruised past us, obviously carrying guns. They were pulled up at the security checkpoint. We certainly noticed more evidence of weapons on this trip compared to our previous ones.

As soon as we got out of the car we realised how hot it was compared to Utah. We bought tickets for the power plant tour and we were both told off by the security. I was walking towards the metal detectors wearing my hat and DH told me to take it off at the same time as the security guard told me to come forward. So I hesitated, about to take my hat off when the guard snapped at me "Ma'am listen to the guy who works here!" DS was in his element that the grown ups had been told off!

We really enjoyed the power plant tour. It was very busy but we had plenty of time to see what we wanted and appreciate the vastness of the construction. DS enjoyed playing with the hands on exhibits in the museum area then we braved the outdoors. It was hotter than Navajo Bridge and DS and I couldn't stay out there for long. We made it to the middle of the dam and crossed into Arizona then hot-footed it back to the cooling fans near the car park. DH walked to the other side and said it was so hot he almost couldn't hold his phone any more.

Back in the air con of the car and it was time to drive into Vegas. DH was a bit worried about this but Sygic got us there in one piece. I was feeling worried as I really wasn't sure what our hotel was going to be like. I had found a really good deal at the Jockey Suites and nothing else was even close price-wise. We were given a very warm welcome when we arrived and DS was even given a kids goody bag. There was no time-share pressure at all and all the staff we encountered were really friendly and helpful. Our room was a bit dated decor-wise but was huge and clean. There was even a closet! I loved that. DS was very impressed that the suite had 2 TVs. But the best bit was the view:

We quickly unpacked and changed for our early evening showing of Love. We were quite close to the Mirage but I hadn't remembered how long it takes to walk anywhere in Vegas - the crowds, the roads - so it took around 20 minutes to get there. We called in to a Starbucks in the Mirage to grab a quick sandwich before heading to the theatre.

What can I say? I don't want to give anything away but Love was amazing and very cleverly done. We were spellbound from the very first scene. I would go back to Vegas just to watch Love it was that good!

After the show we were lucky to see the Mirage's volcano erupt - another first for us. We called in at a CVS to pick up some cereal, milk and supplies then headed back. DS really liked the party-town vibe of Vegas and loved all the lights, street performers and general excitement of the place. It was good to be back.

Tomorrow: exploring the strip

[Mary A]

We've seen love 4 times, going to Vegas next year. Guess we'll be seeing it again!😊 fantastic show