From Noosa to Vegas and a bit of a Gamble.

[drron]

Just downstream from the Hoover dam is the Mike O'callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.Originally commenced in 2004 when Janet Napolitano was Governor Of Arizona-she since has become much more recognised by frequent flyers.building stopped in 2006 due to accidents but restarted in 2008 as part of the stimulus package-Senator Reid is the Majority Leader in the Senate and represents Nevada(also why virtually every major road in Las Vegas has been resealed).It is certainly a magnificent structure-

But at present highway 93 really doesn't seem to have much traffic.it is planned to become Interstate 11.

You can walk over it-

But will it be of as much future value as the Hoover dam?
Just a couple more pics of the machinery at Hoover-

But the one thing that you cant avoid is the sound of the constant stream of helicopters doing the Grand Canyon tour from Las vegas-

Next-more lights.

 

[awilcockson]

But of course there are perks-if you have an Amex you can get a discount book for venice and the Forum mall.

Do tell ... I've been living vicariously through this trip report, I really enjoyed my one trip to Vegas and I'm hoping to take my wife one day.

Since I did a walk through the Venetian I swore to myself that I'd stay there next time, and now that it's a Priority Club hotel that decision is even easier But I'm interested in this Amex discount book ...

 

[docjames]

I think Hoover Dam is amazing. Moreso because of when it was built and the sheer amount of rock movement involved.

Last time I was in the US (not visiting Hoover Dam), on the way home, QF had a documentary in their IFE on the building of Hoover dam - which amazed me even more.

Thanks for the (great as always) pics.

 

[TonyHancock]

It's been a long time since I visited Vegas. (17 years to be precise :shock

I loved the Hoover Dam...less keen on the bright lights!

Loving the photos!

 

[drron]

Tony before I leave the USA part of this TR I had already decided to do a post on Shopping and eating tips-Amex will be included.
But back to the bright lights of Las vegas-

Might be a good place to spend New years,sadly I will be starting work again in Tassie on NYE.

It is however a City of contrast.On one side of the street is luxury-

But on the other,as cheap as you can get-

But mainly it is glitz-

And even from the other side of the road the Bellagio water show stands out-

And then the sign that often sums up my feelings in airport lounges or in the air-

Next-What we actually did in Las vegas.

 

[drron]

During the day the strip just does not look the same-

We were going to see if we could go to a show or 2 but nothing really took our fancy.you could get cheap tickets to Barry Manilow behind a pillar and no discounts for Rod Stewart.This you could get discounts to-

But there were 7 versions of the Cirque in town.Besides having been twice we are Cirqued out.
Continuing on with the daylight theme-Treasure Island certainly looks a bit worse for wear in the daylight.

But you can get your drink and just step next door for the Caffeine chaser-

Some of the places do look OK in the daylight with Bellagio's water shows still OK during daylight and here Wynn does a good job of landscaping-

But now looking down the strip from Wynn and second uptown towards MCO from the Forum mall over the road-

So in the endwe ate and shopped but most of all people watched.There were 2 fellows on the overpass between Paris and Planet Hollywood who stole the show.Homeless but with signs reading.I dont lie I will spend any money on beer.Every few minutes the would break into song-
"If you're happy and you know it,
buy me a beer"
They did very well.
As for eats as already said we ate at Otto.But a good casual place was Lobster Me in the Millenia shops were you could get 5 beers for $10 to go with your very good lobster rolls.Also tried a "lobsicle"A Pluto pup but with lobster-was quite good.The rest vwas with chains which i will come to next with shopping and eating hints for LOTFAP.

 

[drron]

I apologise.got busy with christmas and the family but for the last month just didn't feel in the TR mood-actually still dont but this must get finished.
So I promised some shopping and eating tips.first the eating.
when you are in the burbs or out in the country(which I reccomend as there is so much more to the USA than it's cities) then dont be afraid to try the chain restaurants.some of them really are good-and can be pricey.First seafood.our favourite chain here is Legal seafoods-really good and their lobster roll at lunch is just great.Unfortunately they have closed many of their outlets but if around Boston look out for them.
Next is Red Lobster.In every larger town.Not gourmet but they dont ruin their steamed lobster with melted garlic butter.A price that you wont get in Australia.Basically we know what we will get and even with a bottle of wine the bill with tip and tax will be~$US80-90.
Then there are a few crabshacks.Where we have been it has mainly been Joe's crabshack.Especially love the Dungeness crab.
Then Steakhouses-there are lots some quite upmarket.A really good one is Texas Land and Cattle-brilliant,tender,tasty steaks-not as pricey as the top echelon but more expensive than most.
Others we have tried and enjoyed are Bugaboo,Logans and Lone Star.
For more US classic dishes we have tried Bahama Breeze,Carinos-for us the best Italian chain,Tony Romas,Smokey Bones.
For cheaper meals and in smaller places Applebees and Texas Roadhouse are good standbys.
For Asian food we cant go past P.F.Chang's-and for those of you in aadvantage at most locations you can earn AA miles.However got to say in general Asian food in the states is of poor quality.

However when in places like New York city-forget the chains.Any number of fantastic restaurants.if you have ever wanted to go to a Michelin 3 hat restaurant but thought you couldn't afford it try Le Bernadin for lunch-3 courses + a glass of wine will set you back~$100 a head with tax and tip.Fantastic value.Lots more though but that is beyond this brief report.


And the other tip-look up the chain you are thinking of dining at.A lot of them have coupons for discounts or special deals if you sign up for their emails.some of these can be quite good.for example we always get some form of discount when eating at Red Lobster.

For those of you with kids and especially if heading for Disneyland or Disneyworld I can reccomend the Rainforest Cafe-the grandkids have certainly enjoyed it.We joined their safari club which cost $US25 but got us the $25 of our first meal + the standard 10% discount.We joined at Disneyworld where it was going to be a 2 hour wait for a table-the birthday girl desperately wanted to go there.Buying the card got us priority seating so we were at a table in 20 minutes.This is now going but instead there will be the Landry select club-same deal but now includes all Landry restaurants which include bubba gump as well.

Next-shopping tips.

 

[drron]

Some resolution another month goes by.So I will finish the TR and then hopefully some tips on shopping.
Tuesday and our last day in the States.Check out from the HGVC about 1000.Then back to the outlets for some last minute retail therapy.mrsdrron wont be back for nearly 12 months and the withdrawal symptoms are already occurring.So it is off to P.F.Changs for the last meal.Have the lettuce cups and both sorts of pork ribs.Derek our waiter is great.One of the most knowledgeable Americans we have met.Was a Political science major from the local uni.Was not busy so we had a long chat about politics USA style.He got a good tip.And of course got more bonus AA miles.
Now we were told to be back at the rental car centre 2.5 hours prior to the flight as often long delays at security.With mrsdrron that meant we arrived there 3.5 hours prior.35 minutes later we were on the shuttle to our terminal even though 6 Y pax pushed in front of us in the premium security line and I got the secondary explosives check even after being patted down after going through the scanner-boy they have slowed things up.

We therefore have our last Starbucks Caramel Creme Brulee Frappucino.Nothing like a good sugar and caffeine hit.Then people watching at the gate.
AA1707 LAS-LAX.ETD-1655.Push back-1650.Take off-1658.
ETA-1810.landed-1744.At gate-1751.
Walked down the runway with Captain Craig.As we arrived at the plane excused himself with-"I want to get on quick so i get a good window seat".7 empty seats in F.Crew are friendly and efficient.only a drinks service as such a short flight.We got a pre take off drink.A small bottle of chardy then seconds.Finally we get a convenient gate-arrive Gate45,AC is Gate 43 and QF16 leaves from Gate 41.So off to the flagship lounge and have a shower.The food was OK.A nice Chicken Tequila soup then Pork Chops and Veggies.Only in america a fellow brings a naked dog into the Flagship lounge.Fortunately it was quiet and continent.
So a few pictures of our last AA flight for a while-

Take off from Vegas.

Sunset over a small town en route.

A spectacular sunset

On approach into LAX.
Next QF16.

 

[drron]

About 10 minutes before boarding we wandered down to the gate.A typical Aussie scrum had already formed so we went to line up.A lot of families with kids were preboarding.A woman and 2 fellows go to board-probably late 20s early 30s-told by the GA that this is only preboarding where upon the woman clutches her back and starts to limp.The fellow in front turns around suggesting she might be putting it on.Might be!Both of us thought of applauding the Oscar winning performance but discretion is the better part of valour.

QF16.LAX-BNE. ETD-2350.Push back-2346.Take off-0010
ETA-0650.Landed-0744.At gate-0749.
Seats 3A,B-meaning no F seats for J price.10 pax in front J cabin(obviously hoping for an unrefurbed bird).4 in second cabin who they tried to move up-that didn't work.Champagne served on seating but no refill even though we waited just out from the gate a while.Supper was to be served on this sector-the selected leaves for entree(really why do they bother),then I had the steak with mushrooms and a very mushy mash.Steak was very rare-OK by me.No drink service until the meal served-an hour after take off.most pax including mrsdrron were asleep.Had a glass of the LangiGhiran 2008 shiraz.Offered a second but declined,nothing else offered.

Tried to sleep but only napped wakening at 0400 LA time.No movies i wanted to watch so i watched the QF documentary-Stranded.No not the grounding but the Iceland volcano and how QF led the aviation world coping with it!!!Certainly featured a few Prima Donnas.One woman whose son had asthma who had to be on the first plane out of LHR for medical reasons.Hmm.I would have thought the NHS could have coped with asthma.
The second doco was much better-How Beer Saved the World.Proved how all the major advances in Society came about because of man's need for beer.Sounded right to me.Didn't see the CSM but had a good chat with one of the FAs who lives on the Sunny Coast.
Arrival in BNE and as usual we were at the furthest gate.Fortunately my sciatica had ameliorated over the course of this trip so not many got to pass us.Through Smart Gate and to the carousel where we had 3 dogs give us the once over for the Border Security cameras-looks like we ended up on the cutting room floor.Knew we were back in Australia when our priority tagged bags came out in front of only 5 others-all of those were also priority tagged.
Once we had our bags it was quickly through customs and soon we were headed north to home.
Hopefully I will come back with a postscipt re shopping suggestions but tomorrow is my trip to the Dark side.Fingers crossed the knee replacement goes ahead this time.

 

[serfty]

Nice report - thanks for taking the time to do it.

Looks like you know how to avoid the food flavoured cheese in the States.

...

We therefore have our last Starbucks Caramel Creme Brulee Frappucino.Nothing like a good sugar and caffeine hit.Then people watching at the gate.
AA1707 LAS-LAX. ...

FWIW, with a Priority Pass membership¹, the United (nee CO) lounge is available - it is in the same terminal as the AA flights depart.

¹ Complimentary with platinum Amex products.

 

[KitKat]

Love your trip reports.
Good luck and all the best with the knee replacement

 

[amaroo]

TR is fantastic.

Hope you're back running up & down those dunes very soon

 

[steptoe]

Yet another great report full of useful information. Hope the op goes well and Mrsdrron is back in the outlets real soon.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

...... Mrsdrron is back in the outlets real soon.

A very long wait till November !!!!!!:shock:

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Great TR as usual!