Where's the Mouse - Day 2

[Guest]

Day 2 Sunday 27th August 2006.
Cast – Dollar Bill – AKA Bill or Billy, and Jools – AKA Julie

Written by Jools, Posted by Bill (again)

I awoke with a start at 2.30 as Bill was having a nightmare and was making a horrible noise in his sleep. After giving him a good slap he woke up and stopped the racket. He went straight back to sleep and I lay heart pounding in fright for what seemed like ages before dropping off again. Then the phone rang. Not knowing where I was I was trying to switch the alarm off my mobile before realising it was the phone in the room. I picked it up to be told “ it is now 5.15, here is your early morning alarm call”. We were not impressed by this. It’s a good thing it was an automated message and not a real person as my reply was less than complimentary and cannot be written into this report as it is a family board

By 8.30 we were all ready and checked out for the short walk to the airport terminal. We were flying with Airtours/MyTravel, and had booked Premier gold seats for this flight. There were only two people in front of us in the Premier Gold check in queue and we were checked in after the check in lady had ensured our hand luggage was within the allowed size limit. We then decided to go for breakfast. We ate at the Brasserie which was very tatsy. We then went on to departures and security checks. Now we thought this may take a long time but it really didn’t. I don’t think it took longer than 10 minutes in all, although departures was very quiet on this Sunday morning.

Our flight was due to leave at 12.10 and it was on time.We boarded at 11.45 and waited for take off. At 12.30 the Captain announced that the paperwork had not been received from the US to allow the plane to take off. We took off t around 1pm so were 50 minutes behind schedule. The flight itself was fine.there was a good choice of films/TV etc and the food was surprisingly good. We had some vegtables and cous cous stuff and a very tasty cottage pie. There was a chocolate sponge thing for desert but we didn’t fancy anything sweet. Our seats were nice and comfy. I was a bit cold so unwrapped myblanket. This was in fact a duvet and it was really warm. There were also really comfy pillows with good neck and head support supplied and we both slept for quite a lot of the flight (a first for me).

We arrived at McCarran at 3.10 pm (8 hours behind the UK).We had to wait on the Tarmac for almost an hour as the airport computers had gone down and they were having to check in all departing passengers manually. This was causing considerable delays and meant the stand we were supposed to occupy still had the BMI plane which should have departed ages ago on it.


We finally disembarked and waited for our luggage. Whilst in the baggage hall I was talking to a lady who had been on our flight. She was unhappy about the delays we had had and told me they always go to Florida and wished they had this time also. I did not share this opinion with her at this time. Eventually bags collected we went to the line to pick up the car voucher.From there we stood in a line for to be bussed to the Dollar Car rental place. Then we stood in a very slow moving line to get the keys (around 45 minutes and I was also wishing we’d gone to Florida). Bill didn’t get any keys they just gave him a contract and told us to go outside to pick up the car.

When we got outside the scene was of absolute pandemonium. There were lots more lines which were prety much a free for all. The reason being Dollar did not actually have any cars and were having to wait for returning customers to drop one off before washing it and assigning them to the baying pack – er I mean people who had pid for and thought they would just pick up a car. There was a woman in the queue who had been waiting outside in the 100 degree heat for almost 4 hours for her car. Most had been there for around 2 hours. Not what you want after a long day. There was one female dollar employee who clearly did not know what to do and told peopleit was there own fault if they were overlooked because they were in the wrong lines! We stood for around an hour and half before finally being allocated a Chrysler PT Cruiser. We then set off for our hotel – the Luxor.

It only took about 5 minutes to drive from the airport (if we ever come back we will get cab from the airport and pick up a car the next day from the hotel).We valet parked and went off to find the check in desk. Whilst at check in a couple who had been on our flight came and stood behind us. They got their car the same time as we did. They told us the always go to Florida but decided to have a change this time. They went on to say they were wishing they’d gone to Florida but it could only get better from here on. My sentiments exactly. I’m pleased to say we were checked in really quickly and were asked if we wanted to upgrade to a suite for an extra $50 per night. We didn’t wish to do this so headed off through the Casino to find the elevator to take us to our room.

The room itself was lovley. Very spacious with a nice big bathroom and large walk in shower.

The room overlooks the pool which is good.
We showered and got changed before going to find somewhere to eat. We decided to just stay in the hotel. As we wandered no doubt looking bemused we were approached by a member of the hotel staff who asked us if we needed any show tickets. We were slow to reply so he said we could have 2 tickets for $20. Oh oh I thought he wants to sell us a timeshare. Anyway the upshot of it was we agreed to go to see a resort the following morning at 8.30 in exchange for 2 tickets to see Mamma Mia at the neighbouring Mandalay Bay hotel. The tickets would have cost over $100 and we would have he said a “complimentary hangover breakfast”. We had no idea what he meant and were too tired to ask. We still had not had dinner and it was 4am UK time. We went into a shop in the hotel (there are loads of them) and bought sandwiches, crisps and Mountain Dew and went back to our room to eat them. We finally fell into bed at 9pm (5am UK time) and slept very well.

[Guest]

Not good about the delays. Your hotel looks stunning.

[Bob_and_Dawn]

Not the best of starts Jools but at least you had a good nights sleep for once.

It wouldn't be a holiday without a time share tour,

Dawn

[highlander447]

the Luxor looks great, sure it will all feel better after a sleep

[Guest]

Not a good start to your hols - waiting for a bay for the plaine, waiting for a car - whatever next!

[Jools]

Hi everyone, it certainly did get better, and we were lot happier the following day. The plane delays were minimal really and they couldn't be helped. But dollar - grrrr! What a bunch of cowboys.

[Michelle]

Aww Jools...nightmare or what getting the car!

Glad you got your tickets

[Guest]

Ooh, I'd like a Cruiser...what do you think my chances are for my trip?

Glad things are looking up for you both...can't help laughing at the thought of you slapping dad for having a nightmare though!

[Guest]

Highwind,
You've got a Dodge Magnum, not a cruiser, sorry.

[Jools]

David, I much prefer a Dodge Mgnum to the cruiser. The seats in the one we have are really uncomfortable