The Las Vegas Story

Finally. Ok, here's the deal. Neither Jeff nor I are gamblers. We do, however, enjoy good food, accommodations, service, shows and hiking.

My lovely Jeff arranged everything. And boy, did he choose an excellent hotel! The Wynn is a beautiful, new, very tall hotel that he saw and liked the last time he was in LV. We had a room on the 57th floor, which had floor to ceiling windows with a view of the strip and environs - and a gorgeous view of the surrounding hills. The room was bright, cheery & spacious with fun floral-themed artwork, 2 flat-screen TVs (one of which was in the large bathroom across from the tub), and a bed with down everything. The display-phone shows your name, so does the main TV when you wish to check your bill details. Really spiffy! Did I mention the amazing gym the hotel has? It looked nicer and better equipped than many regular gyms I've seen!

We ordered room service multiple times, twice ordered a bottle of wine and snacks...which we consumed while in bubble baths for two (the tub was large)...and watching Chinese and Japanese game shows without subtitles. It's a game to see if we can actually tell what the object of the show is. Ha! Culture! Oh yeh, and the TVs get Fox News, so you just know we were watching the opening remarks in the Alito confirmation hearings.

Did I mention how much I love room service? The service was so pleasant! They ask you if you want them to open the bottle and pour you a glass, or pour you some coffee, and they set up the little table nicely and chat amicably. The cleaning staff is very good too, doesn't skimp on or forget amenities. In fact, the first night, while we were out at dinner, they came in and turned down the bed AND gave us more amenities.

We also ate at several very good restaurants. Maggiano's, which is a traditional, New York-style Italian restaurant, which Jeff said we just had to go to, and for good reason. Fabulous food, cozy atmosphere, good service. We also went to really good Korean and sushi restaurants, at Jeff's brother's recommendation. I just love Asian foods. Then, one afternoon, we lazily had lunch with wine at one of the casino restaurants. Cool.

We also went to a Cirque du Soleil spin-off production called Zumanity. This was a risqué review of acrobatics, contortionists, little comedy skits, and basically boobies (all apparently real and mostly small, if you'd believe it!). Fun! My favorite parts were the various overhead acrobatics (like - don't fall!), esp. one with a girl twirling multiple reflective hula-hoops while being hoisted up into the vaulted ceiling. One of Jeff's favorite pieces was the pink-haired girl in the revealing Catholic school girl outfit very effectively cracking a long bull-whip - go figure. Anyhoo, fun!

Jeff's brother kindly took us out to do some hiking in a place call Valley of Fire, with stunning rock formations - you would not believe the colors! It was a very nice introduction to a place I wish to revisit sometime soon!

Ok my maiden voyage to Vegas-Land was a total success! I do want to go back, but I'm not completely convinced that we should move there...we'll see!