Vegas is not the place for me.
After all what is there to like about a seedy, flashing pit out in the middle of a desert? Popping tokens into a slot machine with a 22 stone mother of eight with a perspiration problem perched next to me is not my idea of fun. Neither is rubbing shoulders with mafia daddies... somehow this just doesn't excite me. And I won't even start on the Elvis impersonators.
But somehow I approached this trip a little differently. Mum and I had deliberated (as we do best) as to whether or not we should make the trip and clearly the conclusion was 'YES'. I was excited about the drive and the ridiculous sights we would see... Las vegas was not a place I could take seriously. My mother on the other hand was not quite sure what to be excited about as by the time we had made the decision to head to Las Vegas she had convinced herself that she would not like it. And so with a mixture of dread and curiosity we headed out into the unknown....
We had not emerged from our hotel until about 10pm the night before and had decided to stagger down the road towards the main strip. vast building sites lined the road where huge new multi-million dollar complexes were fighting their way up from their foundations. The old school 'Circus Circus' blasted the street with psychedelic lighting displays that covered the circus tent-like structure at the front. The remanants of scruffy old 1960's and 70's concrete structures and signs look cluttered alongside the sleek curved wall of the Wynn. The luscious, prim garden and sweeping drive drew us straight in to have a peek. The porters on the door and the Ferrari showroom gave hope that there may be a stylish side to this notorious city.
After a few drinks (straight to the Ed!) and some sushi we had staggered out to see the next installment on the Las vegas strip. Floating battleships nestled up to the rocks built up on the front of 'Treasure Island', the 'Eiffel Tower' flashed over the strip alonside 'Paris' and in the distance the 'Empire State' and 'Chrysler' buildings were visible. This is a giant theme park.... and it is incredibly bizarre to walk through it late at night on a quiet Monday night. My mother walked around in awe as we entered the 'Venetian'.... gasps coming from her mouth as we found ourselves overlooking a canal with punts floating on the surface and a fascinatingly recreated amalgamation of Venetian structures. The first floor indoor canal topped it off and mum could hardly speak let alone walk by the time we headed home!
On our second night we ventured into the 'Bellagio' hotel and casino. The idea was that we would either go to see 'O' by 'Cirque du Soleil' or go for the buffet that had been recommeneded to us. Now to me the buffet brings the 22 stone mother of eight with a perspiration problem back into my mind.... plates piles high and 'mayo' dribbled down her chin. But we had been assured that this one was good.... and having found that 'O' was not on that night, we were forced to go for plan B. The buffet.
Sushi, asparagus, roasted vegetables, large shrimps galore, roasted duck cous-cous, soy salmon, confit of duck, chicken wellington, filet mignon, soup, lobster claws, chinese shrimp rolls, dim sum, teryaki chicken, five pasta dishes, seaweed salad, Greek salad, sea bass.... I have lost my will at this point to carry on listing the foods that were available and I have not even started on the puddings. Noone in the restaurant seemed to be talking because this was about FOOD. I started to feel self-conscious as I kept on walking back for another plate and by the time I had had my seventh course I decided enough was enough. Out for the count. MERCY!
That was amazing.... but I never want to see another buffet again....
As for the 'Bellagio' itself... it pipped the post in our minds. This affair was far more stylish than any we had seen yet. Everything in sight was panelled and painted in cream and white tones from the walls to the ceilings, to the backs of the chairs. Patterned fabric was used throughout to fill the wall panels and create luxurious pelmets and canopies... in fact the designers clearly felt that you could never have too many canopies as they were pinned up over every bar and doorway. If you stand in one spot for too long they pin one on you too, have no doubt. However the canopy-free lobby was filled with flowers and a vast display of colourful glass fans was rigged up to the ceiling and backlit to stunning effect. At the end of the day this is still a casino and there is still something incredibly tacky about it ( I could put my finger on it quite easily if I had the desire to carry on typing and bore you out of your seat).... but this is Las vegas.... throw the money at the interior designers.... make it bigger and better than the 'Venetian', 'Caesar's Palace' and all the rest....
"we need more canopies"!!!
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