Day 1: Highlights: The flight and meeting Jeanne. Weather: windy

Arrived at SJC around 3PM. I did curbside check-in for the luggage. I went upstairs and went through security check (hand search required). I was a little hungry, so I went to McD for lunch [#2 value meal]. There was one exhibit ( Museum of Innovation ) in the terminal that had rolling balls hitting different objects and making noises. Reminds me of some roller coasters I've been on. Saw the plane come in and it's the Shamu plane (see picture). I got the boarding pass. I fly Shamu ( SWA ) [737 500 series -- Gate A6] at SJC.

The flight was good. Last stop was Phoenix. Person next to me is going to Phoenix and didn't realize there was a stop in Las Vegas. There was a little delay (they said 3 to 5 minutes, but it was canceled) before take off. Peanuts and drinks were provided. I sat on the left hand side of the plane in front of the wing. The landing was a bit bumpy due to turbulance. Tried to take pics of strip from plane and didn't come out.

Took tram to get to the main area of the air port (LAS) and went to baggage claim. Lots of stations. My baggage came OPENED. I did a quick check and it seems it was looked at, however, nothing was missing (I hope). Started looking for Alamo office and found out I had to take the shuttle. One end of the driveway (drop off / pick up area) to the other. I guess the bus driver saw me and waited. I got on and we drove off to the Alamo building (5 minute drive from airport). I got to Alamo and waited and waited. I finally, got my keys to the car (Silver blue Nissan Sentra XLS).

I drove to the Luxor . I found registration and stayed in line. I waited and waited. I got to the lady and I gave her my name. She started to look for name in the computer. She told me the system was slow. I waited and waited. Hmmmm...I wonder. I gave her the confirmation letter from SWA. Well...it ended up being a typo (3 letters are mixed up) in the computer and she cannot change it. So, my real spelling of my name was added. I went around the corner, met the guard, shown him my room key, I went up in the inclinator (an elevator that goes up at a 36% angle). My room was above the registration desk. When I got to my hotel room , I called Jeanne Basone at her hotel. (Click for story and pictures) "Cliff meets Jeanne "Hollywood" Basone" story and pictures. After spending an AWESOME time with Jeanne, I went back to my hotel, I ended going out to do some gambling and a little walk. I gambled at the Luxor, the Excalibur , and New York New York . Well, my luck ran out. I went back to my room and went to bed.

Day 2: Highlights: Walking "The Strip", NY NY Roller Coaster, and meeting "Venus" & "Charli"

Cliff starts taking pictures of Las Vegas and takes a stroll on South part of "the strip". Went to neighboring casinos of Luxor. Took ride on New York New York Manhattan Express Roller Coaster . The ride was GREAT. I ate at a pizza place (Sirrico's in the Village Eateries) inside NY NY. They did a great job to make the place look and feel like New York. Part of the roller coaster goes through the shops and restaurant area. After eating, I did some more walking and exploring "The Strip". I walked as far as the street that the Rio is on. I turned around and started my trek back to the hotel room.

Cliff starts going towards Crazy Horse Too to meet his friends (Venus and Charli). I arrived in the area early, so I visited Circus Circus . This place seems much bigger than the one in Reno, Nevada. I stayed there for about 30 minutes and then went to Crazy Horse Too. [Click on picture for "Cliff meets "Venus" and "Charli" at Crazy Horse Too story and pictures.]

Day 3: Highlights: Star Trek: The Experience (Stardate: 9903.05), Stratosphere

Got up a little late. Drove to the Las Vegas Hilton. And, went to Star Trek: The Experience (the story and pictures). Note: Star Trek: The Experience is actually ran by Paramont Parks. There is a little casino outside of it that is not even ran by Las Vegas Hilton.

"Beam me up" to Hilton's Star Trek : The Experience

I ended up walking from the Hilton to the Stratosphere at night. Once inside Statosphere, you buy the tickets on the bottom floor, take an escellator to the second floor, through a long corridor of shops, until you hit the lower entrance. The people take your first ticket (ride the elevator to the observation deck.

A couple shops, a virtual game (modified Duke Nukem), radio station, and another elevator. By the way, these elevators are double decker. You have a choice: ride the roller coaster or Big Shot. Here's my picture on Big Shot and more information on Big Shot .

After I left Stratosphere, I walked back to my car. I ended up talking with the security guard (on bike) outside the Hilton. I heard emergency vehicles, they went to the Stratosphere. I drove back down "The Strip". When I got back to the hotel, I had three messages on my phone. Too late to call them, it was 2:30 AM.
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Day 4: Highlights: My friend's wedding, Rio Casino, Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Cirque Du Soleil's "O"

Got up early. One of those calls was to meet my friends for breakfast at the Pyramid Cafe. I had breakfast with JP (groom to be) and Marshall (I use to work with him at Borland). I found out Marshall was staying 3 doors down from me. After breakfast, we ended up playing some nickel slots. We went back to our rooms to get ready for the wedding. The wedding is going to be in a suite (20 floor in the Luxor). It had a nice view of the airport. The dress code for everyone was "Men in Black" and "Women in Red". I guess they are going to have "Honeymoon in Las Vegas". *smile*

There were about 40 people at the wedding. There was a couple deli trays. It had a small frigerator, so we had most of the drinks in the bathtub. The wedding ceremony was short and VERY sweet. There was a very pretty wedding cake. A red rose was thrown to the "single" girls. And, the "single" guys got...got... wait a minute. We got nothing. :(

The party was winding down. And, some of us decided to go to the Rio and dance at Club Rio. We ended up carpooling down there. I was one of the drivers. Marshall and two ladies (Loretta and Lynn) went with me.

Well, we ended up watching "Show in the Sky" . I even caught some beads and gave them to Loretta. The club was still closed. Some people were getting tired of the place and wanted to leave. So, the four of us went to the Bellagio Hotel (where the girls were staying). We decided to try to see the 10:30 show of "Cirque Du Soleil's 'O'". We had to wait in line for "Will call". Some of us waited in line and others played the slots. We finally got the tickets. They were in the balcony and they were NOT together. Some of us went to the girl's room. WOW !! What a room! Too bad the outside fountain show were not running that night. We got back together and went to our seats. Cirque Du Soleil's "O" was AWESOME!! It was worth the $90 per seat.

After the show, we went to Bellagio Cafe for a late night meal. On the way to the Cafe, you pass through the botanical conservatory . We had an "interesting" experience at the Cafe. The computers were down and one of the meals were cold. I almost lost one of my wallets there. I was lucky. We escorted the ladies to their hotel elevator. We planned to get together tomorrow for breakfast and going to Red Rock Canyon.

[[Oops....MAYBE more to the story....]]

Day 5: Highlights: Red Rock Canyon, L & L to airport, Fremont St., Cliff the bum

My friend Marshall wakes me up. We went over to the Bellagio Hotel to pick up the girls and go to Bellagio Buffett. GREAT food. The Bellagio lobby is great. Picked up the girls and their luggage. And, drove to Red Rock Canyon. We went through the strip and turned left on Charleston Ave..

We then took the girls to the airport. On our way back, we made a couple stops. Marshall needed some supplies. We made a stop by a liquor store and another store. I got a Pepsi, munchies, and a magazine. We talked over to the other store and I didn't go in because I had stuff. So, I waited outside. Two guys came up in a truck by the store. They were pretty drunk. They asked if I watch the truck while they went over to the liquor store. They asked what I was drinking and I said a Pepsi. When they got back, they tried to give me a dollar when they got back into the truck. Maybe they thought I was a bum and broke. I said that was okay. Well, they threw the dollar to me and the wind picked up. I ran after the dollar and said thanks. Marshall comes back and asks what was going on. I started to laugh.

When we got back we tried to reach our friends. We go to there room and started knocking. Nothing. We go back to the elevator and there they were. We finally found them. We were planning to take the bus to Fremont St., however, we changed our minds and drove to Fremont Street (story & pictures).

Got back from Fremont St. and took the scenic trip back. Since everyone left early. John comes back with no passengers. When we got back, we played some slots and we went back to our rooms. I decided to go back downstairs. I ended up playing craps and Pai Gow Poker. Met some people playing craps and finds out the craps pit boss is learning to program and loves the beach. We swapped business cards. I walked around the casino and I find the pit boss manager and he paid for a Margarita for myself and we chatted some more. He also runs vending machine business.

Day 6: Highlights: NY NY roller coaster, LV tour w/friend, ML to airport, T-Rex IMAX (times 2)

Went out to breakfast with Marshall. Tried to reach John...no response. We took Marshall's stuff to the car. We sat by the luxor swimming pool. We tried again to reach John...no response. So, we talked over to New York New York via going through the Excalibur. Marshall pays 25 cent slot and gets a $5.00 payoff. Got to NY NY and went on the Manhattan Express roller coaster . Marshall wanted to sit in front, I sat behind him. Had some pizza at Sirrico's. Walked back. Saw the IMAX 3D show T-Rex at the Luxor. I took Marshall to the airport.

I got back and got hold of John. I met up with John and some of his friends. They were thinking of just gambling. And, we ended up seeing the same 3D IMAX show that I saw earlier. They switch and show different 3D IMAX shows. We ended up doing a little more gambling and I went to bed.

Day 7: Highlights: Cliff's last gamble, flight home

I got up and had some breakfast. I packed up and put the luggage in the car. I went back and checked out. After check out, I decided to play a little more Pai Gow Poker. I played about 5 hands and won most of them. I went to the car and went to the rental car place.

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[[REPORT]] Last construction was: 2009.11.30