Las Vegas - We're coming back! Day 2

[abiknox]

Day 2 – Friday 27th March 2015

Index is here

I woke up this morning at 6.20am, Aaron was fast asleep so I quickly got dressed and headed out onto the strip for some early morning sunrise pics. I was probably about 15 minutes too late but the lighting was still really good. The strip was very different at this time in the morning. Some runners were around and the cleaners were out in force at the casino. I wondered around a bit but did feel a bit uneasy on my own so headed back into the hotel and was back in the room by 7.30am.

I managed to get Aaron awake by 8am and we got ready for the day whist watching Friends. It was obviously a relaxed morning as I my notes say we left at 9.30am. It doesn’t normally take us that long to get ready so I put it down to Laura not being ready

We stopped at Starbucks on the way out for some breakfast. OJ and a bagel for me, coffee & granola yoghurt for Aaron and water and an almond croissant for Laura. Mine and Aarons came to $21 and Laura paid separately for hers. Pretty pricey for a couple of pastries!

We head out to the valet and tipped $5 when we were handed the keys, this was the first time we had ever valet parked and I loved it So easy and convenient and well worth the few $.

Our first stop this morning was the Number 1 Gold & Silver Pawn Shop from the TV show. Me and Aaron had been back in 2012 but as Laura was a big fan of the show she wanted to see it too. The main parking lot was closed as they were having some work done but the next one along the stip was offering free parking for tips. There was no line at the shop so we just had a quick look around, Laura managed to get Aarons granddad a couple of copper coins and we took a few pics.

Back in the car we head over to Red Rock Canyon, the sat nav was playing silly ######s with us and wouldn’t find the road names but we got there in the end. We paid the $7 fee and parked up for the visitors centre, had a quick look around and used the restrooms. We bought a small humming bird hanging decoration which is really cute $12.50.

We drove the scenic route stopping a couple of times, the first stop was the most stunning though and we spent a fair bit of time there getting some photos. Laura suddenly had a burst of energy and started walking off ahead of me and Aaron. She was determined that she wouldn’t be held back on this trip and before I knew it she was clambering up a rock, right on the edge of the canyon because she had seen some young lads doing the same! We quickly ran down to her as she isn’t steady on her feet and told her she wasn’t to stand up! She really is like a child sometimes. She got herself completely stuck and Aaron had to climb up and help her down Tut!

We walked back up to the card stopping a few times so Laura could catch her breath and completed the loop with a few other stop offs.

[abiknox]

There was some kind of bike race going on while we were there and this fellow was cheating a bit! We followed him like this for about 4 miles until he came to a downhill part, let go and swiftly cycled past all the other riders who were probably questioning where his sudden burst of energy came from!

It was 1pm by the time we left and we were ready for lunch. This would be the first of the MyVegas rewards we would use and I was really looking forward to it. The buffet at the Red Rock Casino. Aaron has never been a buffet fan and had tried to talk me out of it, but I stuck to my guns and was determined to get a Vegas buffet under my belt. DaytonaBabe had also messaged me the week earlier to confirm how good it was so I was quietly confident I could change his mind

We parked at the hotel and head inside to locate the reward desk, it probably took about 5 minutes to get my card printed and I was also given the voucher for the buffet.

We head over to the buffet and after paying for the 3rd buffet (the women on the payment desk weren’t particular friendly) Wr were seated in the restaurant and greeted by a lovely waiter. The price of the buffet amazed me, I was expecting to pay about $30 for Laura but it was only $12! Bargain of the holiday so I paid, I also didn’t realise drinks would be included!

I had an AJ, Aaron had D Coke and Laura had Sierra Mist, the closest they had on offer to her normal Sprite. It didn’t take us long to hit the buffet and although I was looking separately to Laura and Aaron I knew they couldn’t fail to be impressed. There was so much choice and it was all beautifully presented and looked very fresh. There was a salad bar, soups, Italian, Chinese, Roast meats, plenty of potato choices and veg, BBQ’d meats and all the desserts you could want! Just incredible value even if we had paid for all 3 of us! I only took pics of my food but Laura and Aaron each had 3 or 4 plates each too and we all agreed it was amazing. We tipped our waiter 20% based on the full cost as he was lovely.

We quickly head back into the casino before we left as I had been given $3 free play on my card, I turned it into $4 and cashed out making our visit there even better value for money

Onwards we head to the south outlets, we had a good look around and Aaron as usual did the best out of us all, 2 pairs of jeans in Levi’s @ $85 & 2 pairs of Vans @ $75. Me and Laura both left empty handed as I was too worn out to look for anything by the time we got to my shops. It was 6pm when we left and the temperature was reading at 89 degrees!

We drove back to the strip & instantly noticed how busy it was, I guess all the weekend crowd had driven in while we were out and about.

The Planet Hollywood parking was a nightmare and the valet was closed to hotel guests only so luckily we could use it. I left Aaron and Laura browsing in the hotel gift shop and headed upstairs for a bath. They arrived back a couple of minutes later and Aaron had bought me a gorgeous book titled ‘Las Vegas then and now’ as I had been looking at it the day before. I find the history fascinating with how quickly the city has become what it is today.

We head back out of the hotel at 9pm, betting around $10 in the casino and getting two rounds of drinks for our troubles with a $6 tip each time. Laura stuck with the Chocolate Martinis and me and Aaron had Long Island Iced Teas. We had decided previously that we wouldn’t walk far tonight, feet were aching from the walking today and yesterday and Laura’s feet especially had started to swell quite badly. As we’d had good service the day before on drinks we head back to Cabo Wabo this time sitting in the restaurant.

We weren’t too hungry having had the buffet at lunch so we just went with cocktails and a combo starter between us. I ordered the Iced Tea without reading the description, presuming it would be Long Island but it was actually a traditional iced tea with rum & mint so more like a Mojito. Aaron had a pear margarita and Laura stuck with a Sprite. The food was good & service too. The bill was $62, Laura just paid for her share as she hadn’t had cocktails and we covered the rest.

We walked the strip back to the hotel and it was busy! We were in bed by about 11pm and asleep not long after.

[daytonababe]

Lovely day, I am glad you all enjoyed the buffet, even if we don't have vouchers for there next year its definitely somewhere we will go to eat.

This trip really brought home to use just how much better value it is eating off strip .

[Enchanted]

Love the early morning pics, so quiet and peaceful. Think we'll try Red Rock maybe next year!

[PrincessBower]

Glad to hear the Food at Cabo Wabo was good, we went a few years ago and had to send one of our plates back...we've been wanting to go back but haven't wanted to try since, think I'll give it another bash this Sept.

[florida girl]

Lovely photos of Red Rock Canyon. The strip looks so deserted first thing.

That was a good deal for the buffet might have to use some of MyVegas rewards for there.

[PIGLET38]

Great pictures first thing in the morning - can't believe how quiet it looks. Red rock canyon is still on our maybe list - looks lovely.

[SuzyM]

Great photos of Red Rock Canyon - it looks amazing

Suzy

[abiknox]

Originally Posted by daytonababe

Lovely day, I am glad you all enjoyed the buffet, even if we don't have vouchers for there next year its definitely somewhere we will go to eat.

This trip really brought home to use just how much better value it is eating off strip .

See more...

Absolutely, amazing value, I couldn't believe the price and then the quality & choice!

Originally Posted by Enchanted

Love the early morning pics, so quiet and peaceful. Think we'll try Red Rock maybe next year!

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yes, it was lovely to be out on the strip so early, it had a completely different feel to it.

Originally Posted by PrincessBower

Glad to hear the Food at Cabo Wabo was good, we went a few years ago and had to send one of our plates back...we've been wanting to go back but haven't wanted to try since, think I'll give it another bash this Sept.

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Oh thats a shame, we actually go back to Cabo Wabo on tomorrows report too

Originally Posted by florida girl

Lovely photos of Red Rock Canyon. The strip looks so deserted first thing.

That was a good deal for the buffet might have to use some of MyVegas rewards for there.

See more...

Absolutely, its a great place to use a voucher!

Originally Posted by PIGLET38

Great pictures first thing in the morning - can't believe how quiet it looks. Red rock canyon is still on our maybe list - looks lovely.

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Red Rock is very easy to get to and a lovely break form the strip. Obviously if your planning the Grand canyon its probably not worth doing both but its a lovely respite form the busy strip for a couple of hours.

Originally Posted by SuzyM

Great photos of Red Rock Canyon - it looks amazing

Suzy

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It was a beautiful place

[k4ti3-x]

You got great pics of red rock canyon! Cabo wabo sounds good need to try it next time I would love be be part of the weekend crowd and pop to Vegas for the weekend!