Mobbed and Stripped

Sun 6th

Jet lag didn't do me any favours as I really didn't get any sleep after 3am. I did update this blog and finished the first book that I have read on my Kindle.  Normally I'd take at least 4 actual books with me on a trip like this, even though I am a member of the public library in Houston. However, this trip I took none and had a couple loaded on the Kindle instead. It made a noticeable difference to the amount of space in my case and also the weight. The Kindle just slips into my hand bag.  I bought another couple of books on the Amazon site this morning, and downloaded a freebie that wasn't available in Australia.

It was about 8am when I was finally up and dressed and I then had a short bus ride to the nearest laundromat. On the way back, I talked to a girl who was working at the Mob Experience display at the hotel. It is in preview mode and entry is only $10 at the moment.

I went down there about 11:30 and she signed me in for no charge - even better. It was interesting enough - about the history of the mob and how they started Las Vegas as a way to make "legitimate" money only to lose control when the big corporations took over instead. However, I'm not convinced it would be a good deal at the full price, whatever that may be.

I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering up The Strip and got as far as Treasure Island. It was quite a long walk,(about 3 km each way) especially as I haven't done much lately due to my knee. By the time I was finished both my knee and my back were sore. There wasn't the dazzle that you get at night but a lot of the hotels here are still quite spectacular. There are also numerous people dressed in all sorts of costumes - super heroes, cartoon characters and more than 1 Michael Jackson impersonator.

I managed to get to the Bellagio just in time for their water fountain show (see movie below)  on the way up the strip and had some Mexican for lunch on the way back.

My camera also seems to be on the blink. As the photos show it is taken pictures correctly but the view screen isn't working reliably, if at all. I had a few "whiteouts " last night but thought it was just a bright light overwhelming the night sensitivity. I had to shoot blind as it were today. Sometimes a sharp tap will get the display working for a bit but it is hardly the best solution.

I checked out a lot of the cheap ticket places for a grand canyon tour for tomorrow but didn't book anything. Once back in my room I called Thrifty thinking another day at $18 base rate would be the cheapest option. However an extra day added to my existing  4 day hire doubled the cost and just a single day hire was almost as expensive. I then checked the web and found out I would have had another $43 entry fee even if I drove myself. In the end I booked a bus tour through a web site. This was actually cheaper than the so called cheapest tickets on the strip.

I managed to get about an hour's nap before getting ready to go to Zumanity tonight.

Zumanity is a Cirque du Soliel production and like most of these has acrobats, dancers, singers and  clowns. This particular show also has sex, lots of bare chests and bare breasts (not very big ones though with a couple of notable exceptions). It was as spectacular as the others and I enjoyed it a lot.