Las Vegas or Bust - Day 1

[Guest]

Sunday 13th March 2005

Marion, our friend, collects us promptly at 7.00am. We have used twilight check in again, we only have hand luggage, and so it is straight through into the departure lounge. A quick look at the shops and we buy some mags and a couple of books. McDonalds for breakfast – bagels for Rick and toast for me.

To save time I write postcards at the airport to the relatives and post them in the airport post box. If I posted them from Las Vegas we would be back before they arrived!

Flight uneventful – we’re fed four times. Immigration at McCarran airport is very quick; there are no problems with the fingerprints and photo. Luggage takes ages as usual, then the usual walk through customs and agriculture with no fuss. The sun is shining as we exit the terminal; it’s a balmy 68F.

Now to find the car rental. We finally discover its off airport and after a short ride we arrive at Alamo.

Whilst Rick is inside signing usual documents I phone home – it is 10.45am at home and 2.45pm in Las Vegas. After 10 minutes Rick has our car and we are off to the Luxor. We valet park and find our way to check-in. The queues are long but finally we are in our room. We have a pyramid room overlooking the pool and we are allowed to use the inclinators. The room is fairly basic but comfortable.

I unpack and then we decide to go out for a refreshing walk down the strip in order to try and stay awake as long as possible. Rick needs the Virgin Megastore, which is located in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. After what seems like 10 miles, but is in fact 2, we arrive at the Forum Shops only to then discover that Virgin Megastore has closed down. This is a recurring theme.

We walk back to the Luxor after getting an ice cream from the Bellagio and a stop to watch the fountains. The music was typically American. Finally we arrive back at the Luxor and in our room by 5.00pm. We manage to stay awake until 7.00pm, 3.00am UK time.