rrian

[rrian]

hi all

My name is Ian and I live in retirement in coastal northern NSW. I have travelled fairly extensively over the last half century visiting and living in 25 countries and have visited 22 states of the USA in three visits. I lived for seven years in London in the 70s. I have also seen a lot of Australia, spent time in all states and territories, and have driven and explored the coast extensively from Ceduna to Townsville plus numerous deserts including the Birdsville Trail. In November/December 2009 I had my third visit to the west coast of the USA with my female companion and it was wonderful apart from two sad experiences which I will discuss separately on AFF. The major one was in respect of car hire from LAX, and I have hired cars around the world with no prior problem.

regards
Ian

 

[codash1099]

Welcome to AFF.

I'm a fellow retiree and I've found this site invaluable, particularly when it comes to the finer points of travel and flying in general.

 

[rrian]

Thank you codash 1099.

The other point I mentioned in my introduction was in reference to hotel/casino prices in Las Vegas. In my first visit to Vegas in 1978 I left US$300 richer after paying all expenses for the family including babysitting two kids for 5 nights, mostly playing baccarat and blackjack learned as a non card player on the job. And I'm not Irish. My 2009 experience was not so lucky, after 11 great nights, a loss of US$4, but not such a gambler now. A $4 splurge only and lots of great eating sights and shows. I found casino/hotel prices very cheap still but even cheaper booking direct than through vegas.com in advance.

 

[straitman]

Thank you codash 1099.

The other point I mentioned in my introduction was in reference to hotel/casino prices in Las Vegas. In my first visit to Vegas in 1978 I left US$300 richer after paying all expenses for the family including babysitting two kids for 5 nights, mostly playing baccarat and blackjack learned as a non card player on the job. And I'm not Irish. My 2009 experience was not so lucky, after 11 great nights, a loss of US$4, but not such a gambler now. A $4 splurge only and lots of great eating sights and shows. I found casino/hotel prices very cheap still but even cheaper booking direct than through vegas.com in advance.

rrian,

Welcome to AFF.

You are a much bigger gambler than me :!:

 

[drron]

Welcome to AFF-though this thread looks like becoming the Retiree's thread.
Love the Vegas stories.First time we went was early 80s.mrsdrron put a quarter in the slots and got a $100 jackpot.So i put a quarter in and matched her.We decided not to risk any of our winnings.

 

[Grooba]

Welcome to AFF rrian!

My first visit to Vegas I'll never forget (who really does forget their first visit) as I saw with my own eyes number 19 come up on the roulette wheel, 4 times in a row.

I don't remember the exact figure myself and my dad walked out with but it was substantial.

 

[rrian]

hi all

Many thanx for your welcoming comments and stories about Vegas. My favourite memory of Vegas is from my visit in 1978. With two very young kids in tow we stayed 5 nights in a motel on the New Strip with a swimming pool outside the door and found a very nice Mexican babysitter who lived in a caravan out of town. We'd get out at night with ice cream containers full of Eisenhower dollars and check into the Stardust bistro around midnight to eat. After pouring the mandatory iced water and asking if we cared for coffee or tea, the waitress would ask if we cared for breakfast or dinner. We were on the dinner cycle and we'd get an USD1 sirloin and alaskan snow crab main, plus salads, desserts and coffee for $3.95.
This time we stayed 11 nights at the Sahara and NY-NY. I can recommend both. The motel proprietor in LA on arrival asked what we would find there to do in that time. We can't wait to get back to Vegas to finish unfinished business. One helluva town.

regards
Ian