This is our Second Las Vegas Trip Report Blog
Although we have been to Las Vegas many times.
Although we have been to Las Vegas many times.
Sunday 4th
Nov 2012
- Trip from English Riviera to London Hilton (Gatwick Airport)
Up early as we are being picked up by Clare at 8.20am. A very cold (British November) morning, but all ready by 8am. A miracle, gave Clare a phone to
say - ready when you are! Lyn had just
previously given her a call to remind her and I guess to ensure she was awake, that's mum's! So she arrived a tad early, to take us to Totnes station in her new VW
Golf. Very nice and loads of space, no traffic issues. So, as only we can do
arrived around 40minutes early for the train, but the day we do not do this, is
the day we need the extra time for delays.
Cold on the station platform, colder in the
waiting room, but the sun came out, so not too bad. Train arrived on time
9.07am, we had got a good deal in first class H coach, lovely leather seats, it
was almost empty, so no problem stowing the luggage. I went off to hunt for the Buffet Car, to get coffee
for us all. Apparently in first class tea/coffee and biscuits are complimentary, even
better, they even threw in a bag of crisps (potato chips) each. We repeated this once more
during the journey. Good banter going on, always exciting when we first set out
on a trip to Las Vegas.
Arrived Reading 11.49am headed for our connection to
Gatwick airport only had 11minutes and Reading station is huge. Got on the
correct train, although this was luck rather than judgement as it was poorly
signed, the coach was freezing, apparently there was a problem with the air
con, it was blowing out cold air, it was awful, our feet and noses soon ceased
to receive any feeling, it was very uncomfortable. As this was a Sunday, the rail
company were working on the line, so we had to disembark at Reigate and take
the shuttle bus to the airport, this quite a relief as it was much warmer, only took
about 15 minutes, although it was very crowded.- we think the driver thought he was driving a rally car instead of a gi-normous double decker bus which made for an exciting last leg of our journey to London.
Got to Gatwick, headed on the short walk to the "Virgin" South terminal point to check
in for flights, we made use of the twilight check in, so got rid of the luggage. Checked in quickly with no queue, as the flight will not be leaving
until tomorrow, then set off via the undercover walkway to the adjoining Hilton Gatwick for the night, a bit of rest.
The
room was a large family room - 2 single bed and one double, idea for 4 adults,
quickly opened wine, put on the TV watched the film Kelly’s Heroes, absolute classic one!
After the film and a chill out, we strolled over to
the South Terminal again to grab food and beer in Wetherspoon's / Beehive.
Ollie
had the ultimate double chicken burger,
Simon had the same only beef,
I had
fish and chips
and Lesley a BBQ chicken melt. Beer's all round, very good for an
airport watering hole, back to hotel for hopefully some sleep. All crashed by
about 10pm up at 7am, well Lesley was.
Monday 5th
November 2012 (Day 1 of 10) - Onwards to Las Vegas
For some reason our usual precision to get ready in
harmony did not work today, not sure why, but we ended up battling against the
clock, but made it, all went down to breakfast, well Simon opted to stay in bed
for a few minutes more instead of breakfast. Breakfast was good at the Hilton,
buffet style, so getting us ready for the Las Vegas buffet’s, we had a table in
the conservatory so had a glass ceiling, so we could see the planes as they
were climbing after takeoff.
Packed up, checked out and back to the airport,
through security which was very quick. We didn’t have to take my shoes off this
time. Just needed to organise the bottles of fluid, all less than 100mls into
separate bags, apparently we had too many in one bag!
Once through security, we purchased water, then our
flight was called, this is always a bonus of the twilight check in the night
before as we only need to arrive at the airport 50 minutes before departure not
the 3 hours usually required, so off for long walk to the gate.
Plane was called English Rose, a refurbished Virgin
747. Simon was pulled to one side by security for a second, more thorough check,
poor thing.
Once on the plane, seats etc looking good, the
entertainment system very good, loads of films, which you can watch when you
like, you can pause to visit the loo, or eat, etc without missing anything -Excellent! Not sure on the seat
pitch, I think they have pinched some space, so felt a bit cramped. Food edible - no change there then.
Took off early, what a bonus. Las Vegas early great
news 40 minutes extra.
Huge queue/line (in America now) for immigration, must
have had more than just us landing at that time!
Limo waited for us, lovely super stretch, this is
always a nice experience to look forward too after a 10 hour flight. Driver
Wesley a lovely chap, chatty, offered to take us to liquor store or Las Vegas
sign, but we were still reeling from the wait in immigration/customs, maybe
next time.
Arrived at the Luxor, got lucky in that we were
upgraded to a king suite in the west tower, with an adjoining room for the boys
with 2 queen beds, so with their door open, both bedrooms led into a huge
lounge area, large sofas and comfy chairs, great, even had a fridge for beer, a
wet bar a huge bathroom.
Floor 4, so not much of a view, well the pool and
mountains. (rooms 4247 4248).
Next job open champagne from the limo, chilled for a
while, drank the champagne, then we all got washed / changed and unpacked,
despite being exhausted now 7pm USA time which is 3 am UK time, we headed off down
to the Luxor casino.
Headed for the MJ slot expecting good things and hit this disappointing bonus spin win. Still a win is a win and the evening has only just begun.
"The Mummy" Slot Bonus - Luxor Las Vegas
Treasure room feature. Nice win for 80c bet, after just one spin.
The night is young and more to come.
The night is young and more to come.
"Wheel of Gold" Slot Bonus Spin - Luxor Las Vegas
Not that much of a win but better than nothing for a few 75c spins - so still up.
"Lord of the Rings" Slot Bonus spin win - Luxor Las Vegas
8 free spins and an extra "Troll rampage" spin (till you win), plus "pay that again" multiples, plus "spin multplier" 30X final spin. Not bad for a 70c bet after only a few spins in.
Cocktail service very good, (Boys well on the way now), we
decided to toddle over to the Mandalay Bay, had a few spins here, Lesley and
I lost a little, boys no losses and already they are on first named terms
with the cocktail waitress, so soon!
"Wheel of Fortune" $ Slot Bonus spin win 1 - Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
No guesses for what the wheel hits on this one
No guesses for what the wheel hits on this one
"Wheel of Fortune" $ Slot Bonus spin win 2 - Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
Can you guess what the wheel hits on this slightly better spin?
same machine, after a couple of spin out pushes...
Lesley and I had an enormous Bailey’s coffee and cream in the Mandalay Bay, to try and stay awake, it was brilliant!
We hit a wall of exhaustion at 10 pm USA
time (6am UK time), so we had been awake for 23 hours. Getting a bit old now for this - the
boys are well oiled, so started thinking about some food before crashing,
always seems such a shame to go to bed before midnight in Las Vegas, but needs
must.
Boys decided to purchase a large pizza at Bonannos in the Luxor and bring it back to the suite for us to share. We went on ahead. chicken BBQ pizza arrived, we sank into the comfy sofa and chairs eating pizza – heaven. Off to bed 11. 20pm US time 7.20 UK time, so on the go for 25 hours now!
Boys decided to purchase a large pizza at Bonannos in the Luxor and bring it back to the suite for us to share. We went on ahead. chicken BBQ pizza arrived, we sank into the comfy sofa and chairs eating pizza – heaven. Off to bed 11. 20pm US time 7.20 UK time, so on the go for 25 hours now!
Hadn't heard of "Bonannos" before
so took the picture of the empty box on the suite table the following morning.
Tuesday 6th
November 2012 (Day 2 of 10) - USA presidential elections and Lesley and Vegasnix met 30 years ago today!
Woke 4.30 am, thought oh no, need more sleep, it was
very hot, so put the air con on cool, then slept on to 6.45 am, this is un
heard of for our first night, so all good, I headed off to get coffee’s all
round, decaff latte for Lesley, latte’s for us chaps. Chilled in bed with
coffee, beds in the Luxor where really comfy.
Decided to get a breakfast buffet at the Mandalay Bay. We caught it at change over, so paid for breakfast and got
lunch choices as well; this does usually work for us, so good start.
Multiplayer Wheel of Fortune slot spin win - Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
Lost a little in the Mandy casino, so headed back to the Luxor. Obviously played a few slots in the Luxor on the way.
"Spartacus" Bonus spins win - Luxor Las Vegas
Spartacus Bonus 8 free spins win feature - not "Bad" for only 50c bet
Only edited in the last 2 spins as this is not the 1st one I have displayed before.
"Gorilla Chief" Slot Free Spins + Re-trigger - Luxor Las Vegas
10 free spins awarded for this Bonus - all wins doubled. The bonus also
re-triggered - not too bad for a 40c bet a few spins in but could have been better for 20 spins.
The fun continues at the Luxor Casino.
"The Mummy" Bonus feature slot win - Luxor Las Vegas
The fun continues at the Luxor Casino, a regular favourite of ours.
We went to check out the pool, as temperature in
the 80’s, Simon got a beer and went back to the room to chill in front of the
TV. The rest of us went to the pool, pool was nice, water a bit chilly, but sunbathing
nice for November, stayed for a while.
"Wheel of Fortune" $ Slot Bonus spin win 3 - Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
late morning spin just after breakfast at the Mandy Buffet.
"Wheel of Fortune" $ Slot Bonus spin win 4 - Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
late morning spin just after breakfast at the Mandy Buffet.
Day 2 of our 10 day stay - late morning spin just after breakfast at the Mandy Buffet.
This was on the multiplayer cent denom machine @ 80c for our spin/s hitting the 1000x multiplier so giving a meager $10, but a win is win and helps folk decide if it is worth them playing?
This was on the multiplayer cent denom machine @ 80c for our spin/s hitting the 1000x multiplier so giving a meager $10, but a win is win and helps folk decide if it is worth them playing?
Hangover slot Bonus x 2 - Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
Mr Chow Bonus and the extra deal in the desert bonus - find Doug - on Hangover slot Bonus x 2 - Mandalay Bay Las Vegas. Small payout due to poor pick but lets you see how not to do it and was still good fun. Continues our day 2 on the November 2012 10 day Vegas trip.
The best "little" bonus - on Hangover slot Bonus - Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
The clue is in the word "little", Small payout due to poor picks on my part, but lets you see how not to do it and was still good fun. Continues our day 2 on the November 2012 10 day Vegas trip.
"Lightning Reels" strike slot win - Mandalay Bay Las Vegas
Ok hit for a 75c bet within a couple of spins - so still up on the day.
Lost a little in the Mandy casino, so headed back to the Luxor. Obviously played a few slots in the Luxor on the way.
"Michael Jackson" Bonus spin slot win - Luxor Las Vegas
Spin win with multiplier - quite "Bad" for a 40c bet
Spin win with multiplier - quite "Bad" for a 40c bet
Spartacus Bonus 8 free spins win feature - not "Bad" for only 50c bet
Only edited in the last 2 spins as this is not the 1st one I have displayed before.
10 free spins awarded for this Bonus - all wins doubled. The bonus also
re-triggered - not too bad for a 40c bet a few spins in but could have been better for 20 spins.
The fun continues at the Luxor Casino.
The fun continues at the Luxor Casino, a regular favourite of ours.
Gambling so far today, up and down, no serious losses and
played some high end machines, so good all round, after freshening up, we
headed over to Excalibur.
"Pinball" slot win - Excalibur Las Vegas
We had some good hits in here, this is a first for
Excalibur, now around midnight, pickup 12 Krispy Kreme donuts on the way back.
We all got a bit tired so decided to skip any plated food and eat the donuts
before bed 1.30am. Will eat in the morning, the problem or not depending on how
you look at it, is portions in Las Vegas are huge, so we usually only eat once
a day.
Continued in Part 2 - November 2012 Las Vegas Trip Blog
"The Mummy" slot win - Excalibur Las Vegas
The fun continues at the Excalibur Casino, another favourite of ours.
http://vegasnix.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/las-vegas-november-2012-trip-report.html
