Blast from the past: Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada

As I indicated in my last blog, I recently had a pretty awesome week of business travel. I went to Vegas and then Portland, Or.

Work required me to go to Laughlin, NV. Luckily for me, Laughlin is a couple hours from Vegas. So, naturally, I went out a day early. While I was there I saw a Cirque Du Soleil show - O. It was so impressive. It is incredible what those performers can do. I was in awe during the whole show. I think the performances were more impressive than those in Love (the Beatles Cirque Du Soleil show), but I loved them all. I would like to see Mystere next time I'm in Vegas.

To continue my love affair with Hertz upgrades, I share with you my awesome rental -- a Cadillac, DTS. The car was huge, but rode really well.

Last time I was in Vegas I stayed at the Venetian, this time I opted for the Bellagio. The room was very nice (Vegas rooms spoil me), but it was much smaller than the room in the Venetian. Although it was smaller, it did lack the old lady smell of the Venetian. Next time, I would like to stay at either the Wynn, Encore, or Aria.

Bellagio during the fountain show. Love it! You must eat at Mon Ami Gabi and watch the fountains. It's one of my favs in Vegas.

View from my room at the Bellagio. The internet discount rate doesn't get you a view of the strip. But, the pools at these casinos are amazing.

The ceiling in the lobby of the Bellagio. Those flowers are made of glass.

Horse in the lobby of the Bellagio.

The atrium of the bellagio. Last time I was there it was decked out in Fall decor. Unfortunately, when I was there it was in the middle of being transformed into Spring.
Small water fountain outside of the Bellagio.

One of the things that I love about Vegas is the food. There is food everywhere. At every price point. And most of it is yummy. During this trip I noticed that people like to make unexpected things out of food -- chocolate to be more specific. I love chocolate. I love things made out of chocolate.

World's largest chocolate fountain.

Closer shot of the chocolate fountain.
Chocolate flowers.

The City Center (which recently opened) is this really neat, high end mall connected to the Aria (new casino). This is a restaurant inside of the City Center. It reminded me of the Jetsons.

I also had the chance to go to the Hoover Dam. I took a few pictures. But, they don't do the dam justice. The scale is amazing.

Eventually, I made my way to Laughlin, NV. It is a couple hours outside of Vegas in the middle of nowhere. Literally you are driving in the desert for hours with nothing and suddenly there is a cluster of casinos and you've reached Laughlin.

I stayed very high class in Laughlin -- the Golden Nugget.

These are the people who stayed at the Golden Nugget with me. Average age? 72.
My work was gracious enough to upgrade me to the waterfront room (it was $45/night instead of $24/night). I saw bunnies!