Despite the advantages of a proper bed, my sleep patterns mirrored those of the tent, so even with a minor lie-in I was still up and about pretty early. The kitchen here provided a good breakfast so once the blog was up to date I set out to explore. Despite the alleged distance I walked in and was overlooking the Strip in about half an hour. The National Park training seems to have worked! As ever, where there is wealth there is poverty and beggars were already in situ by the time I got there. Most had a felt pen notice on a piece of cardboard. Some tried for the sympathy vote whilst others tried for humour. One said, “Let’s be honest, I need it for the beer!” but there didn’t seem to be many coins in his pile. Less convincing was, “Apes stole my girlfriend and I need money to buy bananas to get her back.” This was no more successful.
There were plenty of street artists about but not in the same class as Hollywood. There were loads of dreadful Elvis impersonators but a good Edward Scissorhands. One woman was offering a massive Monitor Lizard to be photographed with. In Vegas drinking on the street and smoking are perfectly legal and many seem to take the opportunity to do so.
I wandered both up and down the ‘Strip’ and cruised through all of the major Casinos. I’ve never seen so many slot machines; every building here seems to have some, even this out of the way hotel. There weren’t many people playing on them so early in the day, but none of those who were seemed very happy about it.
All casinos had card games in action with a $10 minimum bet common. The $100 minimum tables were all deserted. The casinos themselves are all themed and impressively vast and luxurious with plush carpets and loads of marble. Tourist paraphernalia was available everywhere and seemed expensive but by midday the Strip was thronging with people. By 2 pm I’d had enough and decided to catch the hotel shuttle. Either was late or the shuttle doesn’t operate until 3pm so another walk was needed. On the way I passed the Gordon Biersch Brewing company and stopped for a bit of lunch. A wedge salad consisting of a quarter of an iceberg lettuce covered in blue cheese dressing, crumbled blue cheese and bits of crispy bacon was good value at $6.50. However, once a beer and the tip is added in, it was rather more expensive. Still both beer and salad were expensive and I completed the walk back to the hotel where a rest and swim seemed to be in order.
Ready for Vegas at night I left to catch the 6pm shuttle only to find it heading off with a full cargo of prospective gamblers or show-goers. So I set out on foot and, taking a more direct route, was back on the strip half an hour later. Things were already hotting up. There were more people about, more were dressed up and plenty were pretty boozed up as well. Truth to tell, it all seemed good natured and I never saw a policeman all the time I was there, although all the Casinos have their own security. On the way through I checked out more casinos and by now the slot machines were far busier as, were the cheaper card games and dice, but roulette doesn’t seem to attract a large following. On William’s advice I arrived at Bellagio’s in time for the 7pm fountain performance. It was impressive but over fairly quickly.
Then I had to wait another hour until the next volcanic eruption at the Mirage but was lucky enough to find a $5 blackjack game at the Outback Steakhouse and, equipped with $60 worth of chips managed to not lose half of it over the next 40 minutes. The other three at the table were mostly playing with $10 and $25 chips and refreshed their kitty from rolls of $100 notes – it’s a different world. The volcanic eruption was achieved by the use of lights and water with flames at intervals. Not really convincing, but definitely a spectacle!
I briefly considered re-investing the chips I still had but decided to cash them in and have a good steak instead. Good choice. I also walked all the way back as well!
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