Viva Las Vegas!

Our Trip to Las Vegas - February 4-7, 2000

Well, we decided to have a short get-away vacation to Las Vegas while awaiting our next big cruise, so here's an account of our visit to this crazy city. We had been there 7 years ago, but there have been so many changes since then!

For instance our hotel, The Venetian, hadn't been built at the time of our last visit.

Fun Things to do in Las Vegas

1. A Gondola Ride at the Venetian

They had done a wonderful re-creation of Venice at our hotel, complete with gondola rides. Our gondolier even serenaded us with Opera arias!

2.The MGM Grand Hotel's Lion Habitat

The Lion Habitat is completely enclosed in plexiglass so you can almost be nose-to-nose with both adult and baby lions! (See the great photo we got--on the right!) It is free to walk through, but if you would like your photo taken while petting a cute lion cub, you can get 1-8x10 or 2-5x7 photographs for $19.99.(photo-left)

3. Walking Around Las Vegas

Just walking up and down the Las Vegas 'Strip' is fun. Each casino has its own theme. For instance, on the top photo shows the outside of the New York, New York Casino which features the New York skyline complete with Statue of Liberty. They also have a roller-coaster ride at New York, New York.

Below is the Paris Casino, complete with an Eiffel Tower! Inside, you are greeted with a cheerful Bonjour!

The New York New York Casino The Paris Casino

4. Going Inside Various Casino/Hotels

As I said before, each casino has its own theme. The Luxor has an Egyptian theme. Here I am posing with 2 giant stuffed camels inside the casino. They even talk to you! The Luxor is shaped like a pyramid so the elevators move diagonally up to the top!

The Talking Camels at Luxor Inside the Luxor

5. Riding a Mardi Gras Float

At the Rio Casino, you have the chance to dress up and ride on a Carnival Float. Here I am posing with one of the dancers and also a photo Joe took as my float passed him.

Me Posing with a Dancer Riding the Float