From Noosa to Vegas and a bit of a Gamble.

[drron]

AA1650. DFW-MCO. ETD-1100 Pushback-1115. Take off-1125.
ETA-1430. Landed-1432. At gate-1435.
This time a B757.Seats 4E,F.Boarding began 10 minutes early.It was Veteran's day-flags everywhere,desk at gate had photos of service personnel,medals etc.They certainly do have a sense of pride.Also with F boarding was a call for military personnel active or retired.The next call was for EXP,OWE and OWS.After boarding was complete we sat at the gate for 15 minutes-no reason given.however we certainly knew what was holding up the plane at the next gate which had also boarded-

And soon-'look mummy,no wheels"-

We did a Dash 8 take off-no stopping as we turned onto the runway and immediately went to full throttle.Once again a very efficient and pleasant dFW based crew.Soon after take off lunch was served.a chicken cobb salad for Mrsdrron-

and a 4 cheese enchilada they callede it this time(had the same thing on a later flight with an entirely different name)-

Then of course a hot cookie.The wine we had was a South African SB.Half of the full F cabin were Japanese off AA176.After deplaning it was a long walk to the shuutle to the main terminal.Once again our bags off first.Then a long walk to the Avis Preferred stand.This one was booked via the UK site and prepaid so name not on the board.Offered a choice of cars.i dont like SUVs so we took the Chevvy Impala as the largest of the sedans available-we had only booked an Intermediate car.Then off to the HGVC Parc-Soleil.Review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-reviews/hgvc-parc-soleil-orlando-34571.html

Next-our stay in Orlando.

 

[TonyHancock]

Then a long walk to the Avis Preferred stand.This one was booked via the UK site and prepaid so name not on the board.Offered a choice of cars.i dont like SUVs so we took the Chevvy Impala as the largest of the sedans available-we had only booked an Intermediate car.

It could have been worse you could have finished up with a Mercury Grand Marquis!!! That was my recent upgrade at CMH. It needed mooring rather than parking! :shock:

The food looked OK on the AA flight. (I have never flown F on AA domestic...or international for that matter.)

 

[drron]

Tony AA in F is a different airline to AA in Y.I do like their meal options and their salads certainly better than anything I get in QF J-and domestically QF J= AA F-but who cares by calling it F mrsdrron gets a lot more SCs.Just wait and see the snack we got on the next flight-leaves Medheads beetroot chips for dead!
So again back to the story.After checking in we are feeling tired so just go to Walmart,get some supplies including some lean cuisine which becomes our dinner.There are some positives in having a kitchen.Get to bed at 2000 and sleep well.
Saturday and off to the Convention centre to register-27000 cardiologists and we are only using 1 of the 3 wings of the Centre.The International association of Theme Parks is using the other 2.After registering it is off to the Florida Mall for some retail therapy for Mrsdrron.Lunch is at Red Lobster where I have all you can eat shrimp-$16 for 4 dozen.Mrsdrron has the Scallops,Shrimp and Lobster Tail.With a glass of Pinot Grigio and a beer + tax and tip-$58.
Sunday-Off to the outlets as Mrsdrron single handedly trys to save the US economy.We have a problem in the Gap outlet when the assistant doesn't recognise our RACQ card as being able to get the AAA discount-the manager soon puts her right.It was then off to the Millenium mall for lunch at P F Changs-our favourite Asian change which becomes even more popular a few days later when we learn that it has earnt me AA miles as part of the AA dining program-you just register your CC and if you use that at a participating restaurant your points automatically post.We have the spare ribs,San Choi Bau,2 soups,honey chicken and shrimp in lobster sauce + a glass 0f Pinot Grigio and my favourite beer -Yuenling lager-$55.After that it is time for me to get educated!
Monday and I am at the conference.Dinner Bahama Breeze.Mrsdrron has the Florida stone crab claws,me ribs + a bottle of SB-$85.
Tuesday-dinner at Black Angus.Share a mushrooms stuffed with crab then mrsdrron has their signature steak and I have a cowboy cut of the prime rib-quite good.The wines are more expensive here so with a bottle of SB-$100-also this was very close to Disneyworld so they added the tip-was less than i would have given so they lost!
Wednesday and it was back to P F Changs for dinner.Ribs + calamari(overcooked) for vappetisers then VIP duck + honey shrimp and a bottle of SB-$95.And again AA miles.Apart from the calamari the food was great.
Next-Last day in OPrlando and we fly to DFW.

 

[TonyHancock]

Saturday and off to the Convention centre to register-27000 cardiologists and we are only using 1 of the 3 wings of the Centre.

I stayed at the Hilton at the Convention centre in May, pretty good. Close to everything Disney and Universal...if you have a car!!

Lunch is at Red Lobster where I have all you can eat shrimp-$16 for 4 dozen.Mrsdrron has the Scallops,Shrimp and Lobster Tail.With a glass of Pinot Grigio and a beer + tax and tip-$58.

Red Lobster gets a bit of stick as a chain restaurant, but I have to say it is not bad at all from my experience.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I stayed at the Hilton at the Convention centre in May, pretty good. Close to everything Disney and Universal...if you have a car!!

I was there in Feb, great hotel. I think a car is essential in MCO. I did get lost once on my way from the Kennedy Space Center to the Florida Mall. Orange Blossom Trail was an "interesting" road

 

[drron]

I was there in Feb, great hotel. I think a car is essential in MCO. I did get lost once on my way from the Kennedy Space Center to the Florida Mall. Orange Blossom Trail was an "interesting" road

Too many red lights!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Too many red lights!

Yes and gun shops, police cars and the worst sign of all :no beggars at most of the intersections
Loving the TR btw

 

[drron]

Just a little reflection on convention life.It was 30 years ago I first attended an American medical conference.In those days breakfast and lunch were supplied and it was very easy to get a free dinner and things such as Bay cruises(it was San Francisco) and tours to Muir Woods etc.Of course it was on this tour I made one of my many faux pas.At the end the tour guide was at the bus door,he extended his hand so I shook it and said"Thank;s Mate".I later learned thar was not what he was expecting.
Now nothing is supplied.There were at least a dozen food courts scattered around the concourse including in the Trade Hall.Not even morning or afternoon coffee!
Anyhow back to the story.We were up early on thursday,had our brekkie and set off.Called in at Walmart for some last minute shopping and stock up on over the counter meds-much cheaper here.Then to the airport.Now as you may be aware mrsdrron is a definite TypeA.We are there just over 3 hours before our flight.Very nice agent at checkin-our flight number does not exist-the schedules had changed the day before.Not a big deal as instead of departing at 1355 it was now 1400.However this meant it was not a lunch flight but only a snack-more of that later.

Off to security and very long lines-we of course went through the Experienced Flyers line-though some were obviously not that experienced and it still took us 15 minutes to get through.One fellow had an obvious suitcase-the TSA agent tried to get him to go back and check it in=he just refused and through he went.For the first time I went through a body scanner that worked(and I am sure I saw the TSA lady laughing).No problems.So off to the shuttle and a wait at the gate.It was interesting people watching.
Now to boarding-a real scrum at the gate-the GA went down the line telling people they would have to wait as it was First class only to board.The fellow behind me complains loudly-"but I am EXP and not only do I miss out on my upgrade but now I cant board first."The GA quickly replies-"Sir,there are 30 EXPs on this flight."

Now to the snack-mrsdrron had a chicken salad-

I had a cheeseburger-

Much better snacks than QF.
Next the flight.

 

[drron]

AA 567 MCO-DFW ETD-1400. Push back-1358.Take off-1415.
ETA-1555. Landed-1547. At gate-1558.
At boarding mrsdrron boarded then I had to wait for a woman in a wheelchair and a marine in uniform to board.As soon as she boarded the WC lady was easily able to get up and go to the loo straight away.I felt I had more mobility problems.
The crew were great.Geoffrey and Jean-Ann.Friendly,efficient and kept my glass nicely topped up.Another Dallas based crew.
For a change we had good visibility across the gulf and gulf coast.

Until we got to Texas-lots of fires which have been going on for 12 months now.

Then good views of DFW as we flew past.

Airports though are not the only thing big in Texas-

We had to wait a little while for gate to clear.

Next-Dallas,or strictly speaking Grapevine.

 

[drron]

Now this was a transit through DFW,just a 21 hour one.Organised this way so that mrsdrron would have another outlet just in case.Our bags were out 1,2 and 4 so it isn't just priority boarding AA gets right.We are soon in our Avis car.As this one was booked through the Aussie website we go straight to our car-a new Chevvy Impala with 700 miles on the clock.Of course I then make a 180 degree wrong turn and take an extra 30 minutes to reach the Sheraton-top floor with lounge access.But no time for happy hour as we have to get to Grapevine Mills.We make it by 1800 so 3 hours of shopping.Then to Joe's Crab shack.Unlike our previous visit the wait staff were young and silly but the Dungeness crab was great and mrsdrron enjoyed the lobster and snow crab.With a glass of wine and a Rolling Rock(by the Latrobe Brewing company so I just had to have one) the bill was $75.

Friday and a relaxed breakfast in the lounge-juices,cereal,yoghurt,fruit,pastries and 5 hot dishes-though one was unrecognisable.Then back to DFW-2 tips if you have a rental-get your gas off airport-the Shell station near rental car returns is 50 cents a gallon dearer.Second-if you are north of DFW you can go through the toll gates-no charge returning a rental.
Once we give car back we look at departure boards and find our flight is missing and the LAS flights listed all go from different gates.There is one going from C terminal at 1255 which is the closest to our original flight.Fortunately we are on that flight.Once again a great ticketing agent and we are soon in the AC.

Next-off to Vegas.

 

[drron]

The prority security queue was pointless-there was noone else going through security when we did.Once again the priority queue leads to a scanner,the general queue did not.So my second scan in 3 days.This time I had the added pleasure of a pat down.Now I thought that you got a choice of sex of the person patting you down-there was a young Hispanic agent and a very large older african american male.i did not get a choice and i would have picked differently!First I was asked if I had a knee brace.Yes I wear a right knee support.Though it doesn't extend to my groin.
Then I was asked if i was wearing a large chain-no.So my chest gets padded down after which the agent exclaima-oh,just your man coughs.Now where do i complain.
Once again going in to the AC we get 2 T-mobile cards and each get 2 drink coupons-mrsdrron in an act of random kindness gave hers to a young woman who sat down near us-I doint know who was surprised,me or the young woman!No wrries with the lack of food in the AC as we know we will get lunch on board.Go to the gate a little early.A fellow comes up in his pilots gear.Has a chat with the gate agent,goes away and comes back in civvies with his partner.after we boarded they came on,stashed their gear in the F overheads and go to the first row of Y.A little later he comes up and has a chat to the flight crew.I notice his AA badge with standing out in red-union pilot.
AA1021 DFW-LAS ETD-1250. Push back-1300. take off-1314.
ETA-1350. Land-1353 at gate-1359.
An MD80 and we are 4A,B again.Our bags fit in easilo the overheads even though this is the side with the smaller overheads.at 1240 an FA comes up from Y saying no more room for rollers in Y so rest have to be gate checked.

So now to lunch.A very nice Italian pinot Grigio accompanies it.Mrsdrron has the chicken cobb salad though it also comes with corned beef and there is more of that than chicken-

I have what is described as a beef Quesidilla-

however I recognised it from a week before.no beef and it is the 4 cheese quesidilla.Still better tasting than it looks.Now we both started with the hummous with pita chips and now I am having refried beans.Mrsdrron is dreading tonight!To finish a yummy coconut and caramel warm cookie.I then slept and woke 30 minutes before landing.Unfortunately I had forgotten the A,B side was the wrong side for the Grand Canyon.but we have seen it before from the air.We flew into the new terminal-the last time we flew into LAS was 1981-boy has it changed.train shuttle to baggage collection.Our bags are 3,22 and 23.This is certainly different to most baggage collection halls-

Next-the bright lights of Lost Wages.

 

[drron]

Las Vegas-the Green House Gas producer extrordinaire.But it is fabulous-mostly.

The last picture is a symptom of the problem that bugs me most being in Vegas.24 hours a day anywhere on the strip and you will be accosted by people handing out cards for "entertainment"agencies promising a girl at your door within 20 minutes.If you indicate you are not interested then they offer you a boy in the same time frame.It bothers me a lot more and is more persistent than on the streets of Patpong.
Anyway,next-eating in Vegas.

 

[drron]

Las Vegas truly does offer a virtual smorgasboard of meal options from the classical Las Vegas-

To downright gluttonly-

To virtually all celebrity chefs.We chose this one for our special dinner-

We started with fried sweet potato and cauliflower-

Mrsdrron had the pork shoulder-

and i had the cavaletti with lamb ragout and mint-

With a bottle of pinot grigio,tax and tip it came to $145-but we really enjoyed it.whilst dining they put on a show,the rerstaurant is inside Venice-

Las Vegas continues next.

 

[amaroo]

We ate at Otto in April - how did you like the sound track?

 

[lmere12]

loving your trip report and all the foody pics, look forward to the next update

 

[drron]

We ate at Otto in April - how did you like the sound track?

We actually ate around 3pm.The Venice Minstrel show was on so we listened to Opera by classic Italian artists-

but also variety acts-the juggler was good-

But I did like Mario's humility-

 

[amaroo]

We actually ate around 3pm.The Venice Minstrel show was on so we listened to Opera by classic Italian artists

Ok, we went for dinner and they played a pretty wild range of music - LOUD

The food was good as was the gelato purchased near by Wolfgang Puck's, Postrio.

 

[drron]

I will continue our time in Venice-typical of the over the top casinos.The interior is mind boggling-

You can of course have a gondola ride-

But there is a lot more outside-

And in the shopping precinct there were even more ways to waste your money-

But of course there are perks-if you have an Amex you can get a discount book for venice and the Forum mall.
next an afternoon out of town.

 

[drron]

It had been a long time since we had driven to Lake Mead.then it was a long way out of town.now there are new developements everywhere.This one was literally just over yhe hill from Lake Mead.

of course the country in it's natural state is quite desolate-

But water brings life.Las Vegas and California would not exist in their current state if it were not for the waters of the Colorado River.Lake Mead is just one of the dams.

Our trusty steed-new Dodge Charger with less than 300 miles on the clock-

The water level at the moment is quite low as this shows-

It still attracts a lot of bird life-

As well as human life-

Next-the Hoover dam

 

[drron]

At the head of Lake Mead is the Hoover dam.Proposed by President Hoover and commenced in 1931.It was the beginning of Fiscal stimulus of the 30s.It really worked then?

Certainly a magnificent acheivement for the time and has continued to stimulate the Nevada economy despite not being effective in ameliorating the Great Depression.

Not only water but electricity generation-

The scale is apparent when you compare to the cars and people-

The new Visitors centre-

and you can see why it was a great spot for a dam-

next a modern contrast.