OK, so we got into a cab and it was decided that we'd head to the Bellagio first - I just did as I was told (I know, very hard to believe!). We swept up to this beautiful entrance and I felt decidedly under-dressed (don't get excited - I mean too casual!). This hotel was in a completely different league from the Orleans (and if you want to see it, go to: http://www.bellagio.com/ - crumbs! A beautiful lobby, very white, with lots of flowers, the slots weren't in your face as soon as you came in the door, and the smell of smoke didn't hit your face so much! We headed to have a look at the different things, and came across this Ferris Wheel - as you do! There was a bunch of things that, apparently, could be found (or were found) along the famous Route 66 - and this was one of the first Ferris Wheels - at 40 feet high. Nearby were different trees and bushes from various places - it was very pretty, and if I ever win the lottery........ HA!
After looking through here, we decided where to go to next, we thought about going to see different shows that were happening, but the timing was a bit off, so we decided against that. So headed to see the Dancing Waters (see link above!) as they were due to start soon - I'd heard about these and really wanted to see them. We headed down the slope and got into a good position to watch them, and then - it started to RAIN! Yep, rain, in Las Vegas (people I've told this to can't believe it, but it did, honest!). So we ran back and as we did, unfortunately Donna fell flat on her back and hit her head on the concrete. The rain, even though it had only been falling for a few minutes, had made the ground so slippy, and she was wearing sandals. Fortunately, she was OK, if slightly stunned, so we headed back in, and thought about whether we should wait for the rain to stop. Whilst we were thinking, Sara decided to do some gambling! There was this wheel thing (I am so technical) and you had to put counters on different numbers and guess which number it would stop at. I hadn't a clue what she was doing but gave a bit of advice - as I am wont to do - and she came out slightly on top (I think - as I say, haven't a clue! LOL!). Eventually, we decided that it wasn't raining that badly, so we'd walk to Caesars Palace. The walkway between the two reminded me a bit of Paris - which wasn't terribly difficult as across the lake and just up the road, was a mini Arc De Triomphe and Eiffel Tower - outside the Paris Hotel! Very bizarre.
Anyway, eventually got to Caesars Palace - damp, because it had decided to rain some more. Had to work out how to get in, went up and down in lifts (elevators!) and eventually got in. Again, wow! There are quite a few fountains to look at - we saw a couple. Funny thing is, we were met by the sight of a Roman Centurion, and some other characters standing there, but as soon as we walked in, they walked out. I'll never forget the sight of Sara walking after them, trying to get them to come back to have a photo opp - they were NOT having any of it!
We went through to the area where the shops were (for a look at what's there, visit http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/caesars-palace/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml). And - wow again! LOL!
When you go through there, there are rather posh shops on either side (with posh prices to match - even the food ones!), and then you come to this area where there is a scene like in Athens, and above you is a sky - even though you're inside - it's wonderful! We had a look round the shops (definitely just a look!), and as I was getting quite tired, and had to pack, and get to the airport in the morning, it was decided that I'd go back to the hotel. We all did - had another very helpful driver. As we were driving past all the other hotels - Circus, Circus, New York, New York), I noticed that the waters had started, despite being told over the phone that they'd been cancelled for that evening, so our driver drove very slowly past them (wasn't difficult, the traffic was quite heavy), absolutely fantastic to watch -never seen anything like it, even in Butchart Gardens, and those are really, really great!
Anyway, got back to the Orleans and went straight up to my room and packed all except what I needed for the morning, and went to bed!
Next morning, got up, dressed, packed everything else. Decided to take my case down to where it could be stored, got downstairs on my own with it (for those who didn't see it, it was a BIG pink thing - couldn't miss it! LOL!), but the carpet downstairs didn't like it, so this very kind bellhop put it on his trolley and took it to where it needed to go for me!
I also decided to use the Business Centre for a bit - went online to check my emails and check in to Spottie - see if they were behaving themselves, and to see if everyone had got home). It helped while away an hour or so, and really helped a lot, so thank you Spotties for that.
Eventually it was time to leave and I got my case (or another very nice man got it for me - but this time he wanted paying! LOL!), and he guided me to a cab. The taxi driver was wonderful. He'd lived in Britain about 30 years ago, and was a bit of a Manchester United fan (he actually had tix to go see them play and was so busy messing around with a friend of his that he forgot to go!). He was at Uni in Brighton apparently. He was lovely! Very helpful at the airport as well. The first check in desk for Delta was outside and again I met a very friendly person who helped me to the inside check in, and when I tipped him, he told me I'd given him too much - that was a first! HA!
I was a bit early, so I had to wait for some assistance, but not for long. Soon, a very helpful lady came and helped me through to security, MUCH better than New York, I even had a bit of a joke with the person who checked me over - much more of a sense of humour!
She took me through to the Departure Lounge and I waited there for the plane to come. One plane came in before ours and two rather 'merry' young ladies got off it -just - LOL! Spent some of the time 'talking' to a little girl of about 18 months and her mum. There was an announcement that we were overbooked (AGAIN - what is it about Delta?! LOL!), but it was soon sorted, or someone didn't turn up, as we were all soon on the plane. Was helped onto the plane, my seat was on the end of the row, and I had to move to let a couple into my row, but they were really, really nice. Whilst we were waiting to take off, the captain suddenly announced that we were too heavy, so had to wait for permission to take off from another runway. If we got permission, we'd be OK, if we didn't, it would mean offloading - eek! Prayers were offered, as I had a very very tight turnaround at New York, I got a bit worried at this point! I bet Elinor and Joan did too - they were on the same flight, with Elinor's family).
However, we soon got permission - although we were running about 20 minutes late. As I said earlier, the couple I was sat next to were really nice, they lived in Newark (New Jersey, not Nottinghamshire!), unfortunately though, the husband suffered a bit from claustrophobia so he spent a lot of the flight standing up elsewhere, poor guy. On approach to New York, they pointed out various landmarks to me (not that I could really see but it was nice of them to do that!). On landing, people were told not to stand in the aisle and let people through who had 'tight' connections - ie me, Joan and Elinor! But - they all stood up! Eventually, I found a gap to get through the people and got off the plane, Elinor and Joan had gone ahead, and one of Elinor's sons had to BEG them to keep the gate open for us.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, I was met with a very insistent 'helper' who insisted I get in the chair provided (not mine, hopefully it had been put on the plane ahead of me!), and put the foot pedals down (I don't wear them normally), I was panicking and telling him we had to GO - but Mr Jobsworth was more worried about insurance than me getting on a blooming plane! And then - he walked particularly casually down to the next plane - grrrr!
EVENTUALLY, we got to the plane, and I was the last one on, jet lag was setting in, and as I was walking through business class, exhausted, I cut myself - so there was blood pouring from my finger - which I had to deal with myself. Then my shoe fell off again, the flight attendant asked, eventually, if she could help, so I gave her it! I am so so glad I had a row to myself (well, two seats), as it meant I could spread out, and I slept for quite a bit of the flight (most of it, I think). Arrived back in the morning at about 8.15am (according to my mum, who'd been watching on Teletext! LOL!). Walked MILES to get to Customs. Again they were peaches, really helpful, and I was then handed over to someone who took me to my train to London. Took me to the wrong platform at first, but it was OK, as my train was not for a bit, eventually got to London and was taken to a taxi. Journey through London was OK, went past the Churchill Hotel (can't remember doing that on the way there, but we did do the same route), and also passed the soldiers going to the Changing of the Guard, which was a sight to see - they looked very very smart, very British institution.
Got to Kings Cross, and the driver almost dumped me in the middle of the road! Luckily a very nice Spanish couple took pity and helped me with my case, but then had to leave me when I got in there, as it was their first day in London and they had no idea of where I needed to be. I started to head for Customer Services and another lady, a British student, again offered to pull my case and we followed a long path to CS. I waited in there for assistance to the train, which came pretty quickly, and he was Canadian! He put me on the train (wrong carriage, but it didn't matter), and I was the only one on the train for about 30 minutes - nearly thought it was the wrong one, but it wasn't!
Train journey took about two hours, the guard offered to get me some food, and then forgot me! Some guy offered to get the Chelsea Pensioner opposite me something, but ignored me, and I was too tired to argue. Arrived at York - wooo hooo!
GNER staff were, as always, very very helpful and the lady who helped me actually walked to a wheelchair accessible cab and told him I was there. He was great, he was an Elvis fan (you could tell!), and when I told him I'd been to Vegas, he asked me if I'd seen him - errrm, nope! Got home to find flat still present and correct, tidy, lots of post, and I went to bed (after ringing my mum to say I was home). Slept until the following day.
I had a lovely time, met some wonderful friends who I'd met before, and LOTS who I hadn't met before 'live' as it were. You all rock! Thanks to all who helped in any way to have a good time, can we do it again some time?!
Next - Newcastle to see Donny, and then Cardiff to see his lovely big brother!
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