Another tourist day in Vegas. This time I slept in hit the pool and then the long walk began. In my first few travels of the Vegas strip there was so much to take in I didn't really take in photo's or video the one's previously in this blog were taken on this day.

I met quite a few friendly chatty strangers on this day, everyone from different countries or different states of America, but everyone happy and smiley. I decided to head out to a typical American burger place today, not Mc Donald's but Wendy's. The chips were great, cut like fries but still with the skin on, very tasty. But the burger was only a slight step up from Mc Donald's not good at all.

I spent the rest of the day trying to see as much Vegas as one could in a day. The strip looked considerably different during the night. So many lights that often it's blinding, to the point where it seems like day time. But fun none the less. The beers were cheap and everyone was in party mode.

After a long day of having fun but walking many a mile. What better way to relax than hotel room delivered beer and pizza, the holiday continues!

Day 3:

I was still really enjoying my new routine of waking up early, going for a walk, having a swim and a big three meal breakfast. So today was no different!

After brekie and a chat to a few more locals about fun things to do in Vegas. I grabbed a donut and a coffee -when in rome- and lounged back at the pool.

I had a quick chat to my buddy Ryan Lawley from Texas, about how his business was going and about my plans to come visit in a few weeks and then it was over to meet my new friend Dave Lockwood.

Dave and I meet through mutual admiration for a friend on youtube, Rob Chapman. Dave and I follow each other youtube and suggested I give him a call when I got to Vegas. I didn’t really think anything of it at first because I honestly didn’t believe a somewhat stranger would be so kind to me.

It was so extremely nice of Dave to pick me up and give me a guided tour of Vegas. Dave lives and works here with his family. His stories and inside information about Vegas was invaluable. It was all extremely fascinating. 

Dave drove me to “Five Brother’s Burger’s and Fries”, a sort what new franchise of burgers in the USA that has swept the nation by storm. Dave was such a gentlemen he even shouted the meal. I vowed that if he returned to my country I would greatly return the favour. Traveling on a shoe string budget this was a huge deal to me.

We must have chatted about life and guitars for hours at the restaurant.
Then we drove back up the strip and I filmed a brief interview with Dave. Asking him about what it’s like to live here.

The whole experience was amazing, I’m extremely lucky Dave took the time to spend an afternoon with me between shifts. Although it was still early about 7pm I went for another evening stroll and hit the hay. What a brilliant day.

After my long 10 hour slumber, I was ready for an action packed day. I started by heading down to the pool, lying in the sun and swimming (splashing really). The pool is about 100 meters from the hotel room, in the afternoon it is filled to capacity with a bar and DJ. But in the morning it is pretty much empty. I wanted to stay all day but didn't want to risk getting burnt so early on the trip. 

Being winter in Melbourne it had been a long time since I jumped in the pool, it was nice to lounge around for a while.

I next went back to the hotels buffet but this time paid, $17 was a great deal considering I normally have three meals when I go there. Then plan was to get there at 1030 have breakfast and at eleven have lunch. 

Meal 1:
Scrambled Eggs and Bacon
Potato Onion Mix
Waffles
Crossants 
Orange Juice

Meal 2:
Sugar Snap Beans
Penne with Salsa Sauce
Baked Fish with lemon parsley sauce
Rice

Meal 3:
Beef Stirfry
Fried rice
Lots of Carrots
Baked Potato

Unfortunately all that looks good on paper but all the breakfast foods were old and dry. Not good.
After a man sized breakfast it was back to the hotel to pack for a big day.

The main plan for today was to spend as much time as I could walking the strip and seeing all the attractions. I saw the Solid Gold looking Trump Tower, the Encore, the Wynn and the Mirage. And then I stopped for a break, I wasn't yet used to the intense summer heat. It was 35 degrees today, I wasn't quite acclimatised just yet. I visited Fashion Show, a huge mall bigger than any I had been in Melbourne. I brought a cool blue baseball cap and some sunnies to help with the glare.

I then head over to the Venice styled Venetian. It was so bizarre seeing people riding the gondolas around the front of the hotel, crazy! 

Then I head to Paris Town to check out the Eiffel Tower. And finally the roman themed Caesars Palace. But the day was won when I went to the Bellagio. 

The Bellagio was definitely the biggest highlight so far. A spectacular water feature that explodes every half an hour, complete with epic composed piano music.

The Bellagio also had a stunning botanical gardens, it really was amazing! This is the spring one but every season has a different set up in the gardens

The other highlights of the consisted of meeting up for dinner with my old university buddy Chris and his partner Philly. They were staying in the Golden Nugget which was in Old Vegas Today. It was a beautiful Hotel complete with a shark aquarium that you go through on a water slide!

We walked through Old Vegas and finally settled on dinner, pizzas at Pizza Rock. 22 Inch pizzas so very tasty and Cookies and cream fudge cheesecake.

A brilliant second day, couldn't have been better!

The plane ride was a challenge I was so amped because of all the caffeine needed to get me out of bed after working the late shift that I just couldn't sleep. So I decided to watch many many movies instead!
I watched The Grand Budapest hotel which is an absolute master piece, just stunning. The hilarious LEGO Movie, Secret Life of Walter Mitty (quite fitting with my trip), Training Day and a many episodes of The New Girl and Modern Family. 

The rest of the time was spent trying to sleep or at least just relax a bit. The food on the plane actually wasn't that bad there was lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, snack and breakfast again. Not bad tasty just to small for my ample monkey man body. 

Once arriving in LA, although my fears about USA Customs were washed away because every single person I spoke to could see how happy I was and treated me accordingly. So far it seems the general consensus is that I'm 18 and European. A complement for sure. One of the final USA Customs Officers complete with gun and badge explained to me how to get into various Hotel Pools without actually staying there! 


The flight from LA to Vegas took only about forty minutes and two apple juices. Once in Vegas the first thing you see when you get off the plane is Slot Machines, inside the airport. There's no second guessing where you are!


After getting in my first Taxi, the view of Vegas was spectacular. Flat, flat desert and giant larger than life Towers. Each completely different from the next. The weather was also brilliant, perfect for me like an intense Melbourne summer 30+ Degrees, zero cloud cover, so very warm!


After checking in an having a great chat with a lady at the front desk who had moved from New Orleans to work here. I was in my apartment and ready to sleep after two days with none.  

After a few hours sleep it was over to the Hotels Buffet to enjoy the sights of smells of the American Casino people. I was not disappointed!

Meal 1:
Consisted mainly of me finding what ever was near my table and putting it on my plate as quickly as possible.

Pepperoni Pizza
Mash Potato 
Steamed Veggies
Corn Muffins
Mac and Cheese

Everything was extremely tasty. I didn't really look around the whole buffet as it was a huge room, for my first plate. But I did for the second time round!

Meal 2:
Roast Beef
Sweet Chilli Salmon
Roast Veggies

But I wasn't full...

Meal 3:
More delicious roast beef
and Roast Veggies

Meal 4:
Apple Pie
A Brownie
And some fruit

After this huge amount of food my body starting going into hibernation mode, I quickly let the buffet whilst I could still get up under my own power and head back to the Hotel. I planned my next day and slept a solid 10 hours. Mission accomplished, I made it to Vegas!

The giant pink circus domes complete with carnival rides and games.

My little portable laptop rig for the trip!

It began with coffee and energy drinks to make sure I made it to the air port on time.

And now I'm so wide eyed and wired I'm worried I''ll attract to much attention at border security!

I was dropped of this morning after a wake up at 0430, by my lovely mum and beautiful girlfriend. I really am so lucky to have such an incredibly supportive family.

The Skies are pristinely clear at the Melbourne airport so hopefully there's no weather delays on the end.

Although I'm utterly exhausted from working so hard to get myself overseas, I cannot wait to watch a movie or two on the plan. I'd love to have a snooze but I'm just to excited to do so.

My wonderful bought me one of my favorite foods in the world for the trip -movie popcorn- ......but I demolished it last night, I'm not made of stone.

Wide eyed and pumped full of caffeine and adrenalin, let's get this flight over with!

Pat

Eagerly Awaiting the Flight.