US/Canada July - September 2015

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 27 - (cont)

After the chicken, went for a stroll along a near deserted Main Street. As a single traveler, I'm always aware of not getting into situations that just don't feel right, and as I was walking up Main Street I was thinking I need to turn back, not enough people around, and I probably stick out as a tourist. Made the decision that at the next intersection would turn and head back towards the hotel. Of course about 10 metres before the intersection 2 blokes were sitting having a chat, when one of them asks 'Hey Buddy, can I borrow a smoke? Being from Perth, I'm well aware that nothing good comes from being asked for a smoke. Anyway, I'm a non-smoker, so a quick 'sorry mate, don;t smoke'. In my mind I had thought 'bugger, they know I'm not from around these parts', and hoped that would be the end of it. Then I hear 'Don't lie to me, I see them in your pants'. This could have got tricky, in the front pocket of my shorts closest to the blokes I had my camera, the other pocket I had my wallet. Taking them out of my pocket to show them they weren't smokes wasn't an option, an in hindsight impressed with my quick thinking, I just bashed on my camera and said 'nah, they're not smokes mate', then stepped up the pace, turned the corner and didn't look back.

Had a bit of down time at the hotel, then headed the 50 metres down the road to Auto Zone Park to watch the Memphis Red Birds take on the El Paso Chihuahas. I love sport, I work in sport, my leisure time is spent participating in or watching sport, but Baseball has to be the most boring spectator sport on the planet (perhaps in a draw with soccer).
Got to about the 6th innings, when enough was enough and headed back to the hotel. One thing that did stand out was in a racially divided city, the kids all ethnicities were happily playing with each other on the grass banks.

Headed out to Beale St about 10.00pm, street was sealed off at either end and everyone had to be patted down and the metal detector/scanner waved over your body before you could get onto the street. Another couple of hours of bar hopping and music listening, then back to the hotel.

 

[Magpie10]

Noel a fantastic TR. I am enjoying every post, just caught up from the beginning of your trip and so glad I did. Thanks for the review and photos, great job of reporting what looks like a wonderful trip. Thanks

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 28 - Memphis

Sunday morning, and again downtown Memphis was just about deserted. Walked along the waterfront, then down to the ex concert arena, sports arena, convention centre, and now good ole boy paradise, The Pyramid.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 28 - Memphis

Headed up to the top of the Pyramid, took some photos over the city and looking into Arkansas, not my best work.




Back to the bottom browsed for a while, tried a Moon Pie - fairly ordinary.
The headed over to Mud Island, unfortunately the monorail wasn't operating so walked over the bridge. Ticket to Mud Island included entry to the Mississippi River Museum, an absolute hidden gem.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 28 - Memphis

More river museum







After the museum wandered down the model of the Mississippi River then headed back over the bridge to the city. Saw a Contiki bus parked, and lamented on my lost youth, as I had been on the Great Southern Contiki Tour in 2000.

Headed over to Confederate Park, interesting place, statues, monuments and homeless in the park overlooking the river.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 28 - Memphis

Was early-mid afternoon so feeling a bit peckish and decided to give the Pig on Beale another crack. Glad I did, pulled pork and sides were outstanding


Went strolling and exploring the stores on Beale, A Scwab's a must see.

Walking up the street notice a couple of young ladies together on the opposite side of the street, one of them waving in my direction. Kept walking, she kept waving, quick glance and no one else was around me, so wave was for me, crossed the street and approached the girls. Nice surprise, a couple of sisters that I had taught about 10 years ago. Had a bit of a chat, they were on the Contiki Tour, and had come from an Alaskan Cruise with the family, now they were doing the Contiki with each other.

Headed up to Lansky Brothers, purchased a couple of shirts, then headed back to the hotel for an afternoon siesta


After dark headed back to Beale Street. Unfortunately the Sunday night atmosphere wasn't great, didn't even get frisked going on to the street. Only lasted about an hour before heading back to the hotel, and another early start the next morning to a new location.

Handy Park, scene of outstanding live, free music at night.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 29

Ordered a cab which arrived pretty quickly, and met by a gigantic man doing the driving. Chatting with him on the drive he told me he doesn't ever work at night as Memphis is just too dangerous for a taxi driver. Rough town if this guy was scared to work at night.
The drive to the airport shows off the poverty of the city, with run down shacks alongside the highway.

Soon arrived at Memphis International, again pretty much a ghost town, albeit with heaps of activity from the FedEx hub next door.



Had arrived with heaps of time, so was able to explore the terminal. Not a big fan of art, but was impressed by the display from high school kids and their impressions of Memphis.

 

[kermatu]

Day 28 - Memphis

Walking up the street notice a couple of young ladies together on the opposite side of the street, one of them waving in my direction. Kept walking, she kept waving, quick glance and no one else was around me, so wave was for me, crossed the street and approached the girls. Nice surprise, a couple of sisters that I had taught about 10 years ago. Had a bit of a chat, they were on the Contiki Tour, and had come from an Alaskan Cruise with the family, now they were doing the Contiki with each other.

Amazing how regularly the world can be so small.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 29 - (cont)

More Memphis Airport art

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 29 - (cont)

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 29 - (cont)



Brought a Memphis Tigers shirt, chat with the ladies at the shop who were intrigued by the accent. More than anywhere it was the people in Memphis who were the most interested in the Australian accent, and then wanted to know more about the country.

Bacon biscuit for breakfast, then on to the plane for the short flight to Love Field, Dallas.


At Love, did the Texas thing and has some brisket for lunch.
Soon on to my next flight, and for the first time on my trip I had someone in the seat next to me. Quite enjoyed the flight and the company, a retired prosecutor and his wife, who now ran a ranch. He was quite pleased with his last birthday present form his wife, an AK47, while I tried to explain Australian Rules Football to him, as well as exaggerating the dangers of the Australian wildlife.

Early into the flight passed over the Cowboys and Rangers stadiums, and late in the flight experienced the biggest bounce I've ever had in an aircraft, before landing in my new destination of ......

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 29 - Las Vegas

Not long to get my bags, and a quick shuttle ride to Harrahs. $50 a night, including the resort fee, and a view of the Mirage Volcano, was pretty happy with the deal. A couple I gave a hello to as I got on the shuttle ended up in the same lift as me after check in, a couple from Kentucky having a few days in Vegas.





Quick shower, and then headed out to the Monte Carlo, were I had a free buffet dinner, courtesy of the My Vegas slot game on facebook. Was late afternoon and extremely hot, took a few snaps as I made my way down the strip.



Hit up the buffet, not too bad at all, certainly satisfied my sweet tooth.



Headed back to the hotel, as I was heading to the lifts, Kentucky husband came out, saw me, gave a hoot and threw the hand up for a high 5. Like I was in a Vegas frat movie. He was out for a big night, I was about to go into a food coma.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 29 - (cont)

Another shot on the waddle back to Harrahs


Had a lie down for a couple of hours, then decided to go for a wander along the strip.
The Venetian is next door to Harrah's, saw a nice little Gelato store in there that I put to the back of my memory for later use.


On my previous trip I stayed at Circus Circus, certainly not the most fashionable hotel, but it did the job. Back then The Riveria was open, as was Stardust, Westward Ho, The Sahara, Slots r Fun had tables virtually on the street, and there was a good energy down that end of The Strip. I intended to walk down to Circus Circus and check out how things were now, but after I got past Wynn and Encore, there wasn't much foot traffic, and a dodgy looking strip of shops, as well as an uneasy feeling, so I thought better of it, turned around and went back the other way.

Went through TI, then over to The Mirage.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 29 - (cont)



Continued the stroll, lost a couple of hours in Ceasers Palace.



Over to The Flamingo



Through the Linq, then hit the hay

 

[jastel]

Good report...its like you've stolen my pictures and my diary...at least for the places I have been.
I walk a lot too and sometimes in borderline areas, and get annoyed when I don't think and just say "No mate" when asked for money or smokes.
Have not had any extreme negative reactions from saying No but....guess they are used to it.
I figure if they are going to rob you they will just pull out a Glock...

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 30 - Las Vegas
Wasn't up all that early, however earlier than about 99% of everyone else in Las Vegas. Walked south, and meandered through the hotel/casinos of this side of the strip - Ballys, Paris, Planer Hollywood, MGM, then over the road to New York New York.


The hotels really are huge, and it does eat up a bit of time just strolling around.
I had another buffet courtesy of MyVegas, this time at Mandalay Bay, so through Excalibur, The Luxor, bit of a look around the Mandaly Bay gardens, then off to lunch.



Didn't go overboard and made sure I got some vegetables in as well.


Off I went again, disgraced baseball legend Pete Rose set up to sign autographs at a sport memorabilia store

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 30 - (cont)
My third and last reward from the MYVegas slots game was a ticket to a Cirque du Soleil show at the Vdara. Headed off there to redeem the ticket, turns out a little more messing around needed to get the physical ticket. Phone call and more walking required, in the end decided I couldn't be coughd.

Decided to head back to the hotel for a bit of a rest, the 30 days of walking were starting to take its toll on the feet. Crossed the road to The Hawaiin Market Place, and as if by magic there was a sign advertising 10 minute foot massage for $10. Thats for me I thought, spoke to the lady, and followed her to a shop at the back of the market.

Was a little concerned that I may have inadvertently walked myself into a rub and tug establishment, as there was the stereotypical Asian hardman at the front counter. Fears weren't allayed when was told to lay down, relax, and that 10 minutes wouldn't be enough. Eventually settled for 20 minutes for $20, she wanted me for an hour, at the end was happy to get out of there, wasn't a great vibe. Also, had managed to irritate a small blister on my toe, which caused some issues on the remainder of the trip.

Found my way to Planet Hollywood, saw an advertisement for an Elvis show, and as the Cirque show was out, though I'd grab a ticket for that night's show.


Eventually got back to the hotel, and off my feet, interesting bit of art on a side door of The Flamingo.



Later that night, the Elvis show was decent, a few older ladies in the audience certainly enjoyed it more than most.



Jumped on the shuttle from Harrah's over to The Rio, spent a little bit of time there and at The Palms, before again heading back to the hotel for lights out.

 

[Mahesatchi]

HI, I'm planning my first trip to US later this year and I am flying QF to LAX. Can you tell me how long it took at immigration upon landing? Many thanks.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

HI, I'm planning my first trip to US later this year and I am flying QF to LAX. Can you tell me how long it took at immigration upon landing? Many thanks.

About half an hour tops. We were at a remote stand, so if you have a tight connection, have to take into account the bus ride form the stand to the immigration area. I got on the last of the buses , so probably 20 minutes from arriving at the gate, to getting off the bus, then no more than another 30 minutes until I got out of the terminal.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 31 - Las Vegas

Planned to wander down to Circus Circus and The Riviera, just to see it again before it gets demolished. As you do, turned the TV on as some background as you go about your business, and got caught up watching the developments in Virginia where a reporter and camera man were shot and killed on air in Virginia. Don;t know if it got much air play in Oz, but was an obviously big and fascinating story in the states.

Pulled myself away from the TV, and started the wander up The Strip.


The new resorts are big and flashy, but personally I prefer the older places, have more character and seem to be more open to all sorts.
Having said that, the Circus Circus is a dump, and wouldn't be surprised, nor would it be much of a loss if it was the next to go.



Last look at The Riviera, stopped off at a Ross Store to get some clothes, handed had a chance to do a wash for a little while, grabbed a Cheese Steak for lunch, then back to the hotel to regroup for the rest of the day.