No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem! 5000 miles for a concert? Last minute Las Vegas trip!

[Pep]

Originally Posted by sbchannel

I feel like we only just got here and it’s home time already. I got a decent nights sleep as well!

For our final morning breakfast we had to go to Denny’s.

To drink I had a sweet cream cold brew $6.19

I really enjoyed this. It’s how the Starbucks cold cream cold brews used to be.

I wasn’t feeling too hungry so I thought I would go for a value slam for the first time ever.

Super Slam $9.99
(Two buttermilk pancakes served with two eggs, cooked your way, two Apple-wood-smoked bacon strips, two all-pork sausage links and crispy hash browns.)

I just wasn’t feeling it at all. I just want hungry at all so just picked at it.

Jonathan went for the old faithful Grand Slamwitch $17.49 but added avocado $1.49

Jonathan ate the whole thing!

After breakfast, we were really close to MGM Grand so we had a walk to that side of the strip. I wanted to see the M&M store and Coca Cola store.

En route, there was some, erm, interesting cards all over the ground of women is various positions and degrees of nudity. I mean, all along the side walk 🙄
I took pictures but I won’t upload them here!

I suggested to Jonathan he could pick them up and take them home but he was having none of it! He passed the test!

We walked through MGM Grand to get to the strip.

I have to say, both the M&M store and Coca Cola store, were, well disappointing. I remember them being HUGE. But they weren’t at all. The Coke store in Disney Springs is massive in comparison.

I did see Sprite + Tea in the Coca Cola store which I have never seen before. I didn’t buy it. I knew it would be overpriced and I didn’t think we would like it.

We got hassled a lot as well from street folks who wanted to charge to take photos. There were so many ‘showgirls’ and I mean some of them only have a nipple cover…. It’s 40 degrees, are they not worried about where might burn?! I mean good on them they look fab, but it’s a bit much for 11am.

I wanted to go into NYNY as we have never been in there but we also wanted to not be late for the Strat Jump so just walked back to the car with the intention of going back later in the day.

Nice photo of NYNY from the car.

And the MGM Lion

Jonathan was melting when we got into the car. I’ve decided I like the heat. Now it has affected my chest a bit, but even though it’s been 43 degrees, I’ve preferred it to 32 degrees in Orlando. I like the dry heat. Jonathan hates it!

We drove down to The Strat.

I remember being here with my dad when we went on our only family holiday abroad. We went to Vegas, Grand Canyon and LA. I remember there was a racing store at the Strat and this gorgeous Ferrari jacket that was about $500 and I loved it. My dad wanted to buy me it but my
Mum refused! If she hasn’t had been there I would have had that jacket!

When we visited in 2022 I promised Jonathan he could do the Strat jump. But we hadn’t pre-booked and it sold out so I booked it for him this time.

We got there really early so stopped at a Starbucks.

Jonathan had a venti iced black coffee $7.15

I had a venti iced chai. $9.45

No that is NOT a typo. Nine dollars and fourty five cents. Unbelievable.

Now it was a nice chai latte but that’s just insane pricing.

We then headed to check in for the jump. I absolutely would never do this.

There is a wall of ‘celebrities’ who have also done the jump.
Kody and Meri Brown from Sister Wives have done it. I don’t remember seeing it on the show so they must have done it off camera.
I love Sister Wives. I am so glad all but Sobbyn Robyn have seen the light and left him.

Jonathan got suited up.

There is a really great viewing platform for the people to watch. And I mean it’s REALLY, REALLY high!

And then he jumped!

It was so funny, he looked like a sugar glider coming down!

He absolutely loved it. He said he nearly turned back at the top but once he was actually in the ‘air’ he felt absolutely fantastic.

When you buy the jump, you get access to the observation tower free. Companions also get a discount on the tower for $10 (to book this at the roost it was going to be $32) so it was quite a saving.

So we had to do it.

Looking down you realise just how high it is. But the view is fantastic. There is a bar and loads of seating. The heat that comes off the windows is insane.

We got chatting to a lovely couple. They have just bought unlimited flights with Frontier airlines you only pay the taxes. They have had it for a month and a half and have visited 8 cities already. You can only book 24 hours in advance, but they are loving it so far. They flew in this morning and are going back this evening. They just came for lunch!

Jonathan wasn’t feeling the observation deck. I think the adrenaline wore off and it was leaving him feeling really wiped.

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Wow, fair play to Johnathan for doing the jump I don't think I could do it!
Shame it's time for you to go especially when it seems your getting used to the time difference 😕

[ClaireNJ]

Originally Posted by sbchannel

After Premium Outlets we headed to The Boulevard shopping mall to pick up an order of $5.95 single wick candles I ordered and use the 2 rewards I had.

I got the rewards and candles and then upon picking up the candles I got more points and now I have another reward I’m not going to use.

B&BW was absolutely RAMMED. There is a 75% off sale and people were going wild. They ran out of baskets. People were given the cardboard candle trays to shop with. Carnage! I was glad to be out of there. I bought nothing in the sale because I had already gotten everything I ‘needed’ either delivered to the hotel or in that order.

We headed back to the hotel go pack. This was stressful. I’ve not really had to think about out luggage allowances in forever. 23kg is a lot, but I’m used to overloading my cases until they are at busting point. No bursting here. I was also worried they would weigh hand luggage so that had to be weighed. I decided we had to wear all the heavy clothes. Belts, boots, jeans, all had the be on us.

For dinner I had a reservation at Din Tai Fung at the Aria. We have been here before and loved it and Jonathan really wanted to go.

We got all dressed up and got an Uber.

Din Tai Fung is famous for soupy dumplings. They also make it all fresh (as in, you can watch them make them)

Menu:

So you look at the menu and put what you want onto a slip of paper. It is very easy to over order. And we know this from experience.

They also sell pork and truffle dumplings and they are $43 for 6 prices. We did order them last time but they are not in the cards today.

We had:

Cucumber salad $10.50

Absolutely delicious. So fresh and crisp.

Kurobuta Pork XLB $13.50

These were also delicious. They had such a flavourful broth inside, perfectly seasoned. I loved them

Chicken dumplings $13.50

These put Wagamama to absolute shame. They were so fresh, hot, juicy, I liked these more than the pork but only just

I ordered a side of ginger. $3

Now after I ordered they brought you a tiny plate of ginger, so this was not needed. I thought it would maybe like picked or something. No, it was a giant bowl or fresh shredded ginger. Great…. I was eating out of the bowl hoping it would help with being unwell. I would know not to order that again though!

Noodles with diced beef & Szechuan peppers $17.50

These were ok. The noodles were really good but the beef was a little chewy and it was a little spicy for me. Jonathan did really enjoy them.

Pork Chop Fried Rice $24.50

This was wonderful. The fried rice was just so fresh and pork was tender and well seasoned. Nothing beats the dumplings for me but this comes a close second!

I also had a passion fruit green tea with boba as my drink $8

Jonathan had a beer that I didn’t take a photo of. I was tempted by a cocktail but was so thirsty!

Then dessert…..

Chocolate buns $11.50

The buns were so fluffy with a molten chocolate filling. They were delicious.

Chocolate and mochi XLB $17.50

These was divine. They just ooozed a gorgeous chocolate filling. I was so full that I only had 2 and Jonathan got my 3rd (which I regret now looking back, I wish I had made myself eat it)

I also ordered a side of sea salt cream $1

I mean for $1 this was quite a big side of cream. It tasted like salted caramel and was topped with matcha powder. It was really good for the buns but I don’t think it added anything to the XLB dumplings.

This was a really brilliant last meal. I would come here again. There is one in London I think.

After dinner we thought we would have a little casino flutter but I left the cash in the room. I thought it would take out some cash at the ATM in the Aria. But it was going to work out that we got $100 for £93 and I was just not having any of it so cancelled the transaction. Annoyingly it’s pending and has taken it off my balance!

So with that plan scuppered we walked to the Bellagio to see the conservatory display and fountains.

It was the perfect time of night to see the strip.

The conservatory was absolutely rammed. The display changes seasonally. When we were last here is was spring and beautiful hot air balloons. This time was animal themed.

We love the Bellagio. We stayed here for 5 nights as part of our 2022 honeymoon trip so it’s quite special to us.

We then watched the fountain display

We got a short Uber back and went to bed!

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Love your red dress & that dinner sure beats Panda Express
Those chocolate buns 🤤🤤🤤great pics at night & shame you could have a last gamble, maybe at the airport 🙈💰

[ClaireNJ]

Originally Posted by sbchannel

I feel like we only just got here and it’s home time already. I got a decent nights sleep as well!

For our final morning breakfast we had to go to Denny’s.

To drink I had a sweet cream cold brew $6.19

I really enjoyed this. It’s how the Starbucks cold cream cold brews used to be.

I wasn’t feeling too hungry so I thought I would go for a value slam for the first time ever.

Super Slam $9.99
(Two buttermilk pancakes served with two eggs, cooked your way, two Apple-wood-smoked bacon strips, two all-pork sausage links and crispy hash browns.)

I just wasn’t feeling it at all. I just want hungry at all so just picked at it.

Jonathan went for the old faithful Grand Slamwitch $17.49 but added avocado $1.49

Jonathan ate the whole thing!

After breakfast, we were really close to MGM Grand so we had a walk to that side of the strip. I wanted to see the M&M store and Coca Cola store.

En route, there was some, erm, interesting cards all over the ground of women is various positions and degrees of nudity. I mean, all along the side walk 🙄
I took pictures but I won’t upload them here!

I suggested to Jonathan he could pick them up and take them home but he was having none of it! He passed the test!

We walked through MGM Grand to get to the strip.

I have to say, both the M&M store and Coca Cola store, were, well disappointing. I remember them being HUGE. But they weren’t at all. The Coke store in Disney Springs is massive in comparison.

I did see Sprite + Tea in the Coca Cola store which I have never seen before. I didn’t buy it. I knew it would be overpriced and I didn’t think we would like it.

We got hassled a lot as well from street folks who wanted to charge to take photos. There were so many ‘showgirls’ and I mean some of them only have a nipple cover…. It’s 40 degrees, are they not worried about where might burn?! I mean good on them they look fab, but it’s a bit much for 11am.

I wanted to go into NYNY as we have never been in there but we also wanted to not be late for the Strat Jump so just walked back to the car with the intention of going back later in the day.

Nice photo of NYNY from the car.

And the MGM Lion

Jonathan was melting when we got into the car. I’ve decided I like the heat. Now it has affected my chest a bit, but even though it’s been 43 degrees, I’ve preferred it to 32 degrees in Orlando. I like the dry heat. Jonathan hates it!

We drove down to The Strat.

I remember being here with my dad when we went on our only family holiday abroad. We went to Vegas, Grand Canyon and LA. I remember there was a racing store at the Strat and this gorgeous Ferrari jacket that was about $500 and I loved it. My dad wanted to buy me it but my
Mum refused! If she hasn’t had been there I would have had that jacket!

When we visited in 2022 I promised Jonathan he could do the Strat jump. But we hadn’t pre-booked and it sold out so I booked it for him this time.

We got there really early so stopped at a Starbucks.

Jonathan had a venti iced black coffee $7.15

I had a venti iced chai. $9.45

No that is NOT a typo. Nine dollars and fourty five cents. Unbelievable.

Now it was a nice chai latte but that’s just insane pricing.

We then headed to check in for the jump. I absolutely would never do this.

There is a wall of ‘celebrities’ who have also done the jump.
Kody and Meri Brown from Sister Wives have done it. I don’t remember seeing it on the show so they must have done it off camera.
I love Sister Wives. I am so glad all but Sobbyn Robyn have seen the light and left him.

Jonathan got suited up.

There is a really great viewing platform for the people to watch. And I mean it’s REALLY, REALLY high!

And then he jumped!

It was so funny, he looked like a sugar glider coming down!

He absolutely loved it. He said he nearly turned back at the top but once he was actually in the ‘air’ he felt absolutely fantastic.

When you buy the jump, you get access to the observation tower free. Companions also get a discount on the tower for $10 (to book this at the roost it was going to be $32) so it was quite a saving.

So we had to do it.

Looking down you realise just how high it is. But the view is fantastic. There is a bar and loads of seating. The heat that comes off the windows is insane.

We got chatting to a lovely couple. They have just bought unlimited flights with Frontier airlines you only pay the taxes. They have had it for a month and a half and have visited 8 cities already. You can only book 24 hours in advance, but they are loving it so far. They flew in this morning and are going back this evening. They just came for lunch!

Jonathan wasn’t feeling the observation deck. I think the adrenaline wore off and it was leaving him feeling really wiped.

See more...

Great you finally managed a good sleep & Hooray for Denny’s on your final morning, shame you weren’t that hungry, I love a value slam, but Starbucks definitely wasn’t great value 🙄😭Isn’t Jonathan lucky that you let him do that jump 😱😳
I felt dizzy when I was at the top just watching Dave do the rides 🤢
Hope you’ve had a good flight home 🏠 x

[Sparksy72]

I love your red dress and gold shoes! I’m starting to think about packing for Australia and you have inspired me to take some dressier dresses (in my hand luggage!). Dinner looked amazing, we tried to visit their NY location but just couldn’t get a reservation, might have to try and find the London one. I can’t believe you finally got a good nights rest but a shame you weren’t feeling your Denny’s breakfast. Jonathan is a wild man, that looked completely terrifying. 😱 I’m glad you managed to sort out your luggage, I can’t wait to see your travel home outfit! 🤠🤩

[OB1LukeLucas]

What a great last night, your food looks fab. The chocolate buns 🤎 I’m not normally a pudding girl but they sound amazing…can’t believe you did give one up!😆 I have such great memories of our Bellagio stay I loved seeing all your photos, the red dress outfit goes perfectly.
Shame you weren’t in the fettle for Denny’s, I wouldn’t be eating or drinking anything if I was jumping off any buildings! Sounds like he had an amazing time.
Hope your flight home goes smoothly I bet they don’t even weigh the luggage this time 🤷🏻 they will probably be too distracted by your travel home outfit🤩

[scottishgirl1]

I cant believe he did that jump either! What stunning photos, everything looks so beautiful, hope your journey home went okay. Its always so annoying that we cant just fill the suitcases up without weighing them all the time!

[Buggles94]

Oh my goodness - I can't imagine doing that jump or watching someone do it! So so brave! DH and DS wanted to do some of the rides at the top when we were there but I persuaded them that the Premium Outlets were a better idea
Sorry you haven't been feeling your best this week but wow, you have done a lot. The chocolate buns looked delicious. Love the new boots and thank goodness you have your cases back. Hope the journey home was less stressful and you can enjoy the slightly cooler weather here! Thanks as always for sharing a great trip!

[sbchannel]

After the observation deck, we still had a bit of time before we needed to be at the airport so we decided to have a little (and I do mean little) gamble.

We each had $20 for the slots. It was all gone in 3 minutes even only gambling tiny amounts! Crazy. The lucky drums were not so lucky for us. I use MyVegas Slots app and I have billions! I am used to betting 20 million a spin and winning billions back. It’s sets an unrealistic expectation 😂

I realised while Jonathan was doing the jump that the Las Vegas Gateway was just outside do we popped out to see it.

And then we headed back to the hotel to pick up our cases, fill up the car and drop it off.

We stopped at a 7/11 for gas. I left my phone in the car which is a shame because I wanted a photo of the slot machines inside the 7/11. They are everywhere.

I also got a big gulp slush $2.89

When we got to the airport we changed clothes to get the heavy clothes out of the cases.

I felt like every gram mattered. We were over slightly on both hold and hand luggage.

This is my travel back outfit (when I got home I was so hot and flustered to take photos at the airport)

Now wear in mind I also had a thick cardigan tied around my waist, a bum bag filled with B&BW candles what was hugged under the cardigan, my pockets were loaded with power banks. I was loaded down.

This is the new jumpsuit.

The bag is Iydllwind.

Once past security, we found…. Not a lot. There’s not a lot going on at this airport.

We went to Carl’s Jr for food. We both had the Western Bacon Cheeseburger Combo (I had single, Jonathan had double) $37.15

This was ok. It was the best option we had available at the time.

I’ll finish the rest tomorrow… I am falling asleep here on the sofa!

[ClaireNJ]

Originally Posted by sbchannel

After the observation deck, we still had a bit of time before we needed to be at the airport so we decided to have a little (and I do mean little) gamble.

We each had $20 for the slots. It was all gone in 3 minutes even only gambling tiny amounts! Crazy. The lucky drums were not so lucky for us. I use MyVegas Slots app and I have billions! I am used to betting 20 million a spin and winning billions back. It’s sets an unrealistic expectation 😂

I realised while Jonathan was doing the jump that the Las Vegas Gateway was just outside do we popped out to see it.

And then we headed back to the hotel to pick up our cases, fill up the car and drop it off.

We stopped at a 7/11 for gas. I left my phone in the car which is a shame because I wanted a photo of the slot machines inside the 7/11. They are everywhere.

I also got a big gulp slush $2.89

When we got to the airport we changed clothes to get the heavy clothes out of the cases.

I felt like every gram mattered. We were over slightly on both hold and hand luggage.

This is my travel back outfit (when I got home I was so hot and flustered to take photos at the airport)

Now wear in mind I also had a thick cardigan tied around my waist, a bum bag filled with B&BW candles what was hugged under the cardigan, my pockets were loaded with power banks. I was loaded down.

This is the new jumpsuit.

The bag is Iydllwind.

Once past security, we found…. Not a lot. There’s not a lot going on at this airport.

We went to Carl’s Jr for food. We both had the Western Bacon Cheeseburger Combo (I had single, Jonathan had double) $37.15

This was ok. It was the best option we had available at the time.

I’ll finish the rest tomorrow… I am falling asleep here on the sofa!

See more...

Glad you’re home all ok, I’m loving the jumpsuit & the tassel bag too
Bet you were hot wearing all that 🙈😬

[Pep]

Glad you got home ok and made full use of your reunited luggage!