Friday, 8 August 2014

LV to Zion National Park

After a poor behaviour journey from Rowan....well...being in a car isnt nice. We set off for 3 hrs from Nevada thru a corner of Arizona and then into Utah. Whilst in Walmart we saw 2 ladies in some sort of traditional style dress

I then sent Sarah off to walk up Angels Landing whilst I stayed and pooled it with the kids
Rowan  mastered swimming backwards and was delighted. I then borrowed utensils and lighter to get the fire going as all our stuff was in the car boot with mum. 3 bikers from Connecticut helped us out before Sarah came back at 7.45pm
Xxx

Tournament of Kings video

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/2nurhy3nzhic1s1/AABqxtjUaZrgB3putBWnyPoea

About 80 seconds long

LV - Tournament of Kings

It felt quite extravagant but it was in the basement of our hotel and had rave reviews as the best kid friendly 'show' to do in town. No pics allowed. Mini chicken and potatoes served without cutlery on hot metal old fashioned plates. Sitting in banked rows 5 high we were close and would have a great view of the action. Earth bottomed arena with the audience divided up into sections by country. We were in Ireland.  Russia. Spain. Norway. France and representing evil was a section called Dragon.  Each country had a dashing prince on horseback in appropriate colours. Dragon was all black

Someone dressed like Dumbledore did the intro from his high position to our right in the castle ended section which housed a portcullis where everyone came in and out of. It was air conned cool. Bright lights. Felt like it was going to be exciting. Quite a feat of engineering just to create the arena in the base of a hotel in the middle of the desert. Lets not talk about the carbon footprint.

"My lords ladies and gentleman. Photography and phones are strictly not allowed as they have not been invented yet" (queens clear English)

"This is not a place for quiet. This is a place to be rowdy" ...everyone cheers.

Each knight then rides out and does a couple of circles as he lip syncs to the speech before stopping by his section of the crowd to work the applause.  All the Knights have long hair and look very handsome. I think France was the best looking. I imagine that ours had an Irish accent.  It got me reflecting what would happen if one became bald. Would he lose his job?

Photography was not permitted so I had to be organised. Phone lock feature changed from 5 sec s to 30 mins so as to minimise give away screen light time. Glasses case open double to cover screen. If I reached in with my finger and guessed the screen spot then I could take some. 6 photos and a bit of video later I got a warning from the waiter and thought I better stop

The king on his round table talking to his knights before the table went into ceiling. There  was plenty of fighting with titanium tipped swords to create sparks. Horses charging in races. Hooking a circle. Then jousting with balsa wood easy shatter stick. All very energetic and well choreographed over 90+minutes. The kids were transfixed. Sitting up straight total focus. Some fireworks and bangs made us jump and flames warmed the air. There were also princesses immaculately turned out. At the end after he'd been killed  our knight came over and spoke with a soft American accent. He was really gentle and friendly. They have one year rolling contracts and work 6 eves a week (2 shows a night)


Overall amazing event.
Xxx

LV - Walking the strip

Excalibur
New york new york
French one
Bellagio water fountain
Mirage. Expliding volcanoe hourly
Hot. Lots of mexicans offering business cards to easily access prostitutes. Men touting strip clubs wirh 2 included drinks and ride home for x price. Difficult to walk the street in places. Major intersections done by bridge which then send you into a casino lined with shops. Felt like a caged animal at times. Casinos designed so you cant see the exits. Bikers sitting on their bikes watching the world go by. Lots of women carrying high heels. Dont think I'll go back again
Xxx

Thursday, 7 August 2014

LV - Circus Circus

Ten mins up the strip. Old.from 1968 but very family popular. Has a dome with rides.  And circus tent shaped building full of old style side shows eg throw the ping pong in the bottle. Then every 30 mins they have a circus act for free from round the world

From Argentina
From Russia
Xxx

Wednesday, 6 August 2014

Las Vegas - Excalibur & Pinball museum

The second most child friendly supposedly. Today we went for all u can eat. Reckon 4 visits should get our moneys worth esp when kids dont have to pay

"Again again!" they shouted as they went down the water slide
Then later as Sarah did the kids bed I went out in 90 deg heat at 10pm
150 machines
Used to play in St Ives in Cornwall on our incredible new year holidays from childhood
One is always being fixed.   15% not working. Some flippers not fully up to it.
Doesnt hold same appeal as in childhood but good for an hour all the same. Another favourite with three levels
Plus old ones with non digital numbers.
Xxx

Faces from Vegas


Guy and his four puddings at the all - you  - can -eat buffet 


Esme in her scary as hell pose


Rowan in his butter wouldn't melt selfie.. Minutes later he went wild about the place.. 


And I managed to get in at the last minute