I just got back yesterday from my short break from Las Vegas. Over the weekend I kind of just enjoying everything that Vegas has to offer. It was a very relaxing break though.
My intention of going there was to attend the wedding of my second cousin from Hawaii. Tita Cora had invited me since last year to come over at the wedding so that she can see me and some of our family. It was been thirty years that she haven't seen any of her relatives from my mom's side. And most of my aunts and uncles came over to have a little reunion as well. It was a fun gathering.
I remember when I was little when Tita Cora used to bribe me with coins to just come near her and give her a smack on the cheek. I was a very shy boy then and her impression of me was still the same. Hahaha. I was just kind of embarrass to shine at the wedding that's why I took it to a low profile.
But anyways, the wedding was fun at all. All my relatives and close family were there and we chit-chatted until it ends. It was nice to see a lot of my relatives there and go talk to them about everything. Now I kind of missed them.
I arrived there in Vegas Friday morning then I checked in at Circus-Circus Hotel and relaxed in my room for a little bit. Then in the afternoon I get to roam around and shopped at the Venetian Hotel and also watched the Gondolas floating on the man-made river inside the hotel while waiting for my night's show "The Phantom of the Opera."
The show was very very good. Fantastically and superbly done and very riveting. I loved everything in it. The fall of the chandelier was even spectacular. It was far beyond compare unlike the one in the DVD. All in all my rave is very outstanding and a must-see-epic-show. I would love to watch it over and over again.
My day was also full of unexpected events. I purchased a whole day ticket for the bus fare only to find out that the machine ate up all the bills I've been feeding so it prompted me to call the 1-800 number explaining my dilemma and demanding for a refund. Then I have to buy for a three day bus fare because it is cheaper rather than buying it per day.
Also, I unexpectedly bumped on one of a Passinhon I never imagined I could see in Vegas. Of all places we met each other at Vegas. It was my mom's former elementary student. I didn't even recognized her at all because she changed a lot. Good thing she approached me first. Hadn't she done that I might probably ignored her at all. She was my big sister's best friend, too. What a small world indeed!
I went back to the hotel very tired after having dinner at Grand Lux Resto in Venetian after the show. I slept the whole night unmindful of the gaiety and pomp outside the strip. It was a very tiring long day starting from my short flight from Los Angeles until my shopping spree at the Venetian and watching the opera show. I also bought a pair of Prada reading eyeglasses and a Chelsi 14K gold and Titanium bracelet.
I woke up the next day, which is a Saturday, at around 9 am. I dressed up and left the hotel going to Bellagio to watch the flower exhibit at the conservatory and the dancing fountains there at the front of the hotel. Everytime I go to Vegas I always see to it that I visited the conservatory and the Jean Philippe Pattiserie there.
The conservatory was loaded with a wide array of beautiful and colorful flowers. It was a very spectacular sight. Their theme right now is about Springtime so they showed different kinds of colorful and pretty flowers like the tulips in varying colors, wild poppies, hyacinths, bell flowers, asters, roses, and many more. They also adorned the garden with bronze sculptures of mega-ants, snails, butterflies, bumblebees, frogs, and ladybugs. It was a very good exhibit of flowers and sculptures.
After that I went back to the hotel to take a short nap and waited for the afternoon to get dress for the wedding party. I had a great day watching all the flowers and the dancing fountains at Bellagio Hotel. There's still a lot of people coming back and forth at the strip as I observed despite of the global recession. People just don't care spending so much money as long as they had fun. The gambling industry really never sleeps. Hehehe.
Sunday, was spent going to church then brunch at my favorite restarant owned by my favorite chef from The Food Network Bobby Flay. The Resto's name was Mesa Grill, an infusion of Southern cooking and American cooking. I really enjoyed my drinks and food.
I ordered a Pink Paloma Margarita as my drink, a Gala apple salad mixed with shredded baby spinach tossed in a spicy ranch dressing and spicy avocado sauce, topped with crushed pecans as my appetizer, their basket of bread with a Jalapeno, corn kernel, and sweet pepper biscuit and muffins, and a Southern spicy corn bread, and my entree which is comprised of grilled Mahi-mahi cutlets with a creamy sticky rice Risotto topped with glazed Pineapple chunks and sweet-and-spicy wine and avocado sauce. It was the best brunch I had ever have!
Then in the afternoon I get to do more shopping at the Fashion Show Mall, Forum shopping malls, and Palazzo shopping mall. I ended up window shopping instead rather than do the real shopping. I was wary about my full luggage when I get back to Los Angeles. I only bought some souvenirs for my friends from Los Angeles and tasted some good ice cream cone at the Gellato Ice Cream shop.
Night time I went down at the Circus Circus Casino and gamble a little bit at the Wheel of Fortune roulette and also played a little poker on the slot machine. Although I haven't won any money at least I've enjoyed playing with my twenty dollar bill at the penny slot machine and also sipping some of the free cocktails they offered at the gambling area. My.... it even took me longer to play the twenty dollar bill having won it back then lose it eventually.
Monday morning was all spent packing and figuring out how to fit all the things I bought and the luggage I brought. It was very mind boggling. I spent four days in Vegas but I always stashed a lot of wardrobes during this trip. And some of it I haven't even worn. It was really funny and odd. I was smiling at myself.
The trip back to Los Angeles was again short and I even forgot what airport lot I parked my car. So I asked the bus driver but he didn't even of much help at all. I totally relied on my instinct and good thing I chose the right bus after waiting for thirty to forty minutes deciding on what bus to take. I got home safe after all.
It was a very remarkable short trip to Las Vegas but it's all worth it. It's nice to see families again after some time and also escaped from the hectic hustle and bustle of the Los Angeles mainstream. It was a fun and memorable escapade and I enjoyed it so much. Thank God I am back to Los Angeles safe and sound.
In two weeks time I will embark again for another vacation. This time it is not brief at all. It would be a three week vacation to France and that I cannot wait to take part. I'm all pumped up now and pretty much excited. I don't know what to expect though. Hope all will be well granting my limited French. Hahaha. But my friend Doreen will be there to guide and fill for me.
How convenient at all and I felt lucky after all. Can't wait till that happens.
No comments:
Post a Comment