30/8/2013 las Vegas

 Las Vegas the city that never sleeps is very exciting but we are worn out trying to take it all in.  

Last night we went to a live show at Harrars,a casino across the road from us.  It was a tribute to Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins  .  It was based on the beginning of their careers and had all the songs from that era, as well as Peggy Sue songs  It was a great show and the audience certainly showed they enjoyed it by dancing in the aisles.  

Tonight we are going to the B Gees show. Obviously not the real B Gees but the musicians certainly do a great job of  impersonating  these stars.  

We are all Ok and I have now caught up on some sleep and bought a kettle and some tea bags so happiness is !!!!!!!

Photo below taken from our window.  Caesars Palace on the left.  It is rather old now compared to others around the area.  Our hotel has 4000 rooms but we went to the Wynne Hotel yesterday and it had 9000 rooms and it was magnificent.  Most hotels have fresh flower decorations but not how we know them. Some are made into huge flower balls hung from massive trees with lights in the foyers. I will post some photos next blog.

Drinking is allowed anywhere anytime.  People walk around with beer or cocktail glasses of alcohol, some in yard (metre) long coloured glasses,  on the footpath, in shops and even to breakfast.

We are still living the civilised life and confining our drinking to  the dinner table.  So far I have only made a donation of $20 to the pokies so no big loss nor win me unfortunately.

Cheers Pam 

Las Vegas 29/8/13 same day as we left OZ

Feels weird to leave home, travel for a day and arrive in the USA on the same day as we left. Messes with my head and sleep. I've had about 6 hours sleep all up since Thursday morning so figure I will crash soon. Arrived in Las Vegas expecting predicted storms but all good. Fine and hot. Staying at The Bellagio hotel for 3 days. So far we haven't ventured too far.  This is a photo from our hotel window.  I wondered at first if we had caught a wrong flight and ended up in Paris. The hotels here are over the top. This hotel has 4000 rooms but no kettle in the room. Can't make a cup of tea.  Glad I am not a Manager here. Imagine the hassles. The Eiffel Tower opposite us is a restaurant. 

Flying in you could believe you were in the Arabian Desert it is so desolate and then this city pops up like an oasis. 

I realised at LA airport why I dislike flying in USA. Security is tight and very unfriendly.  But I understand their need and glad of it.  Immigration takes forever.  Each person is photographed, ID'd, finger print matched on all 10 fingers and questioned on entry reasons etc.  So slooooowwww. Don't ever think about a quick transit to a connecting flight.  

5am here.  Hope sleep comes soon but I need a cuppa first.  Looks like I will dress and go down stairs. Find a diner or I could ring room service and risk waking David when it arrives. Pam

29/8/13 Brisbane

 Today, David and Pam fly to the USA with our friends, Ken and Anne Edwards to start our USA trip.  First stop is Los Angeles before flying on to Las Vegas for a couple of days of over the top entertainment. Heard the shopping is as great as the sights so looking forward to it all.  The last time David and I were in Las Vegas was in 1991 when we took my Mum there for her 80th birthday on our way to England. We were amazed by the sights then so cannot imagine what we will see this time.  Check back on this blog for our updates along the way.  

From Las Vegas we fly to San Francisco to board our cruise ship.  We cruise down the west coast of America through the Panama Canal, ending the cruise in New York.  We call into ports along the way including Cape Canaveral where we have lunch with an astronaut. The boys are looking forward to that day trip.  David and I have not been to New York before so a week of sight seeing in the Big Apple will be exciting.  As Ken and Anne have been to NY before they are going on to Washington. 

Keryn, the daughter of our good friends, Marion and Rod Gray, will be finishing a camping/coach trip through the USA 2 days after we arrive in NY so we look forward to catching up with her.