DAY 1
Papa, Mama and I flew to Las Vegas this weekend. It's my second time in Las Vegas, the first time being my trip with Mama, my Lolas, and Tita Sam in January 2005. This time, Mama will be reuniting with her grade school classmates in Las Vegas, some of whom she hasn't seen in almost 20 years. Her account of the reunion can be found here.
Living in our new home in Louisville has its perks, among them is having a huge airport where a direct flight to Las Vegas is available (via Southwest). Yipee! No lay-overs!
This was taken by a very nice man who volunteered to take our picture. We sure were glad he was on this flight, and not just to take our picture. I'll tell you why in a while.
It was a fun plane ride because the Southwest crew were really entertaining! Normally, when the safety rules are being recited over the PA system, no one actually pays any attention. But who could ever ignore this flight attendant's (FA's) entertaining recitation:
FA explaining the emergency exits: There are 1000 ways to leave your lover, but only 6 ways out of this airplane.
FA explaning the No Smoking rule: As you all know, this is a non-smoking flight. But for the sake of our smoking guests we have made some exceptions. If any of you wish to have a smoke, you may do so at any time. All we ask is that you please step outside.
FA on questions: If you have any questions regarding the safety and security features of this aircraft, please do not hesitate to ask any of the flight crew. If we don't know the answer, we will do our best to make up one for you.
FA on the PA system as the plane touched down (turbulently, i might add) on the Las Vegas airport landing strip, until it slowly taxied down the runway: Whoa, big boy, easy easy (as if calming a raging stallion). Tokotok-tokotok-tokotok-tokotok (FA making horse trotting sounds as the airplane was slowing down).
Papa, despite his nervousness (on the turbulence) couldn't help but laugh.
Anyway, aside from the funny cabin crew and the turbulent flight, the flight also became interesting because halfway towards Las Vegas, an FA inquired quite urgently over the PA if there was a doctor on board. Apparently, an old lady was having a diabetic attack! Our nice photographer guy suddenly stood up. He was a doctor, pala! Needless to say, we arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule because they wanted to turn the lady over to the paramedics waiting at the airport ASAP.
One thing about Las Vegas that day, it was soooooo hot! When we arrived, it was about 100+ degrees. Whew! We couldn't wait to get to our hotel.
Oui oui, gay Paris!
We stayed here at the Paris Hotel. Such a pretty hotel! Also, being located at the center strip, it was very accessible to everything. Unfortunately, they gave us a bad room. The key wouldn't open the door! Oh mama was so mad (she was crankier than I was). The hotel manager game us another room instead. Well, at least we got a bigger room! Still no view, though. They were charging an extra $60 for view. Duh! Haha!
After successfully checking in, we walked to the nearest McDonalds and had "merienda". After all, we just had some biscuits and peanuts on the plane (cheap airfare, can't expect a gourmet lunch). Tummies finally full, we walked the down the strip and proceeded to Bellagio so we can watch the dancing fountains.
On route to Bellagio, this is me and Mama and the Aladdin hotel behind us. (We stayed there on our first Las Vegas trip! Ahh memories :D)
The dancing Bellagio fountains! Nice!
Papa and me after the fountain show.
This time, with Mama naman.
At around 830pm, we proceeded to meet with Mama's friends at Todai restaurant. Despite paying $29.99/tummy, for my Mama, seeing her friends again was priceless!
Photo taken with Tito Jonathan's (third from left) camerafone.
After dinner, mama's friends babysat me at our hotel room while papa met with his long-time friend, Tita Winnie and her husband, Tito Jao, downstairs at the casino.
Meanwhile, mama and her friends caught up with the kwento, while I made my rounds meeting each and everyone of them, my favorite being Tito Jhay!
It's already way past my bedtime but I have to be part of this momentous occasion! Besides, they need someone cute in the picture! (Btw, Tito Jhay is the tall guy in grey.)
Finally, it's bedtime for me!
DAY 2
Breakfast! La Creperie, where else? They boasted of the best crepes this side of the hemisphere. I had to try it!
Yes, they were right. The crepes were excellente!
Everybody met for lunch at the Fantasy Market Buffet at the The Palms Hotel (the hotel, according to chismis, was bought by Pamela Anderson). The buffet here is cheaper but just so-so yummy for me.
Just enjoying my kanin and lumpia with Papa and Mama.
Mama's friends decided to go to the new Wynn Hotel. Unfortunately, we weren't able to go with them because we had to pick up our rental car at the airport. Tito Arvin and Tita Judith drove us there.
We needed a rental car because Papa planned some extra activites before leaving Las Vegas on Monday. I'll tell you more about it later.
We caught up with Mama's friends at Bellagio and had our pictures taken. Bellagio is really a beautiful hotel, both outside and inside!
At the courtyard, Bellagio had a replica of the Liberty Bell, the original being in Philadelphia. They also had a giant eagle which was impressive, as well as a nest of baby eagles (which actually scared me).
This is me, hot and cranky!
Bellagio's lobby ceiling was decorated with beautiful glass flowers! Ganda!
Tito Jonathan took this picture from beneath us.
Because it was sooo hot, everybody accepted Tito Jonathan's invitation to hang out at their house. Pool party!! Unfortunately, mama was not able to prepare for this so Papa and I didn't have a bathing suit! Well, that didn't stop me. I went in my nappies! Don't panic, I changed! But I have to tell you, it got really heavy after a while, hehe.
Here I am, playing with Tita Ayee. My papa looks so inggit that I am swimming hehehe.
When we get home, I want a pool! I want one just like this!
That night, Mama went out clubbing with her friends at Club Rio. This time, Papa babysat me.
Party people!
Unfortunately, I gave Papa a hard time because I chose tonight to have LBM, hehehe! Papa and I spent the night changing nappies every 30 minutes. Maybe it was the boiled rice at Palms? On her way home, Mama dropped by at Walgreens to get some Pedialyte.
Finally, my tummy quieting, I fell into a nice deep sleep.
DAY 3
We woke up early to go to mass. Afterwards, we met with my mama's friends again to have their goodbye lunch at Aloha restaurant.
Bye everyone! Nice meeting you all!
Before parting ways, they decided to drop by at the nearest Outlet Store for some shopping. Tito Jhay and Tito Jeng, and Tita Judith and Tito Arvin went ahead because they had a long drive ahead of them. What's next? Frapuccino break! Yehey!
What?? No cofee for me?? It's unfair!!
Tita Bambi, Tito Abner, and Tita Teenah were all waiting for their evening flights. To pass the time, Tito Jonathan brought us to the Las Vegas World of Coke and the M&M Place.
The last people to leave.
As it turns out, Tito Jonathan used to work at the World of Coke, so he treated us to giant Coke floats!! Yummy!! It shows in our pictures that our tummies were happy!
World of Coca-cola Entrance!
Las Vegas, Coke style!
Hey, it's this guy again!
As night ended, and friends parted, Las Vegas fulfilled a lot of our dreams.
But the night wasn't over yet!
For dinner, this time we met with Papa's friend, Tita Winnie and her husband Tito Jao, at Ah Sin, an Asian restaurant located at our hotel in Paris. Mama said it was yummy! (I wouldn't know, I slept all throughout dinner and dessert).
Wow, Tita Winnie is so tall!
That's me, sleeping! (Good thing, Papa and Tita Winnie are seated in this picture, hehe).
Tomorrow would be our last day. As I fall into bed, I look forward to our plans for tomorrow... more pasyal!
Continued here