US/Canada July - September 2015

[Mahesatchi]

OH. Thanks. If I make my connection 2 hrs later I should be good. Read your entire post btw. Loved your trip. Funny I'm thinking of doing the KeyWest 4/3 night tour ( YVR rtn) . Was it took hectic?

 

[Noel Mugavin]

OH. Thanks. If I make my connection 2 hrs later I should be good. Read your entire post btw. Loved your trip. Funny I'm thinking of doing the KeyWest 4/3 night tour ( YVR rtn) . Was it took hectic?

If the connecting flight is on the same ticket wont be a problem, you'll just get put in a later flight - I missed my connection, no problems put on a flight a couple of hours later.
Also be aware may be a bit of a walk between terminals, International is separate from the domestic. Have a look at the terminal map to see which terminal you need to get to.

Key West tour well worth it, lot of time on the bus Day 1 and 4, rest of it is quite a nice pace.

 

[Mahesatchi]

Won't be on the same ticket. Got me a HBA - LAX rtn early in the year using my FF points for J, which I'm really stoked about. But only just decided my first 5 days is best spend in SFO. I hope to get a flight with AA to earn a few more SC, but thanks for the tip. You have been a great resource for a newbe like myself.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 31 - Las Vegas
Jumped on the Duece, and headed Down Town. Visited The Mob Museum ,well worth doing.


Valentine's Day massacre wall.


Interesting sights on Fremont Street.


Didn't partake

 

[PLANT]

Have you, did you walk the whole strip(old Vegas) and back in daylight? I have and it was a bloody long way!

 

[kermatu]

Have you, did you walk the whole strip(old Vegas) and back in daylight? I have and it was a bloody long way!

When I first went to Vegas I got caught out by how long each 'block' was. Having semi-planned where I'd be able to walk based on "it's only two blocks" it was a bit of a shock! Great fun though.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 31 - Las Vegas






Didn't try a twinkie, had the deep fried oreo though

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 31 - Las Vegas

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 31 - Las Vegas

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 32 - Grand Canyon

Back in 2000, a 2 night visit to The Grand Canyon was included in the Contiki Tour. I was a bit meh about that component of the trip, however when I got there was just blown away, so another visit on this trip was a must.Picked up in a 12 seat van for the day trip, young fella from Chile who had done part of his medical training in Sydney, 2 Mexican ladies who spoke no English, 3 young ladies from Singapore, myself, and a late 20ish bloke form Melbourne, who to my dismay when I asked him who he followed in the footy, gave me the' I'm not really interested in football'. Long day. Plus the driver/guide who gave his commentary in English and Spanish.



Had a bout a half hour stop at McDonalds for breakfast, time for me that would have been better spent at the first stop of Hoover Dam.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 32 - (cont)

Had about 20 minutes at Hoover Dam, and only at the spot where the photos were taken. Would have liked more time to be able to explore, but not to be.
Quick fuel stop at Kingman, then another half hour on the old route 66 town of Seligman.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 32 - (cont)

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 32 - (cont)

One my first view of the Grand Canyon way back when, I was blown away, the second time around, not so much. Still a very impressive feature, and something that everyone has to see at least once in their lifetime.

Now, as then, pictures don;t do it justice, but I'll bore you with some anyway.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 32 - (cont)

Bit of a thunder storm on the North Rim, echo coming across was quite haunting

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 32 - (cont)

 

[kermatu]

Day 32 - (cont)

View attachment 74573

Stunning pic.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 32 - (cont)

Walking back to the van with no people around and by moonlight and virtual silence was a calming feeling, and put me in a bit of a drowsy mood for the long drive back. Through my headphones and Ipod on and eventually got dropped of at some time around 1.00am. Was a long day, and for me not enough time at The Grand Canyon, If you have the time, I would suggest hiring a car and a t least spending a night there.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 33 - Las Vegas

Bit of a write off of a day, didn't venture far from the hotel, do recall having a stromboli from an Italian place close to the hotel.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 34 - Las Vegas

Headed out without my camera and within 10 minutes regretted it, as sky was a vivid blue, and missed some shots meandering through the Flamingo gardens. Had seen water jet massage places around and decided to give it a go. Had 30 minutes, then they sat me at a bar with the oxygen tubes, massage was good, the oxygen didn't really see the worth of that. However while I was a the Oxygen Bar, they put a little massage device on my back which I could control the different feelings and pressures, now that was worthwhile.

Strolled through Paris, went past a roulette table, and thought 'this tables got a good feeling to it, I'll be back later'. In the meantime grabbed a ticket to a Carrot Top show for later that night.

Headed out late afternoon, 1st stop Paris, and the roulette table I saw earlier. Not a big gambler, gave myself $50, and $10 per spin, played the 14 and surrounds. 3rd spin, hit thew 14, cashed out and off I went to Shake Shack to have a quick bite before the Carrot Top show.



Carrot Top was a good show, no photos allowed, has been doing it a while and knows how to entertain the crowd.
Afterwards another stroll around, taking snaps here and there.






Headed down to The Venetian looking for the gelato shop I found earlier in the week, but to no avail. Highlight was walking out, went to open the doors of the casino, as I did the doors were pulled from outside, and 4 huge African-American fellas were coming in, absolutely dressed to the nines, and looking like they had come off a movie set. They parted sideways and let me through having a laugh and telling me I was getting the VIP treatment tonight. Gave them the thank you and have a good night, and they the same to me, bit more of a stroll, then off to bed.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 35
Last day in Las Vegas, and more than ready to leave. Much had changed in 15 years, and from my perspective not all for the better. Not as much action from the casinos spilling out on the streets. You now have to go in and find the fun I found, and catering a hell of a lot more to the people with money. Sad that places like Stardust, O'Sheas, The Boardwalk are not around anymore. That's progress though and nothing stands still, and glad I visited again.

Took my camera this time, unfortunately the sky wasn't as clear as yesterday, good to see a reminder of home though, with WA's emblem cruising around the Flamingo garden.


Just meandered around,getting a last look at things and picking up a few bits and pieces for people back home.


Treated myself to one last buffet, this time at The Bellagio.


Few more snaps, more wandering , then off to bed for an early start next morning.