Who pulled off the heist in Las Vegas this time?

 

Burning the candle at both ends does have a shelf life, and I suspect we have come close. Still wandering around Fremont Street in the early hours, a little bit of kip, and then up to enjoy our last few moments in Vegas.

Needless to say the partying does take it out of you so just a short stint in the gym before checking out of our room (online) and then leaving our gear in the Brady's room (who are staying on for a bit)

Will miss our Roman Spa Bath for sure, all adds to that other worldly feel.

Pretty understated day as is the way on a last day, and quite happy for that to be the vibe.

Had a bit of french toast on Linq Boulevard, and a final gathering of the remaining 8.  First mishap of the trip (that I can remember) as Andrea took a sober stumble and ended up with a limp on the Linq.

Chrissi and I walked to the Bellagio with Karen and Kieron to say our farewells. Could not resist a little further gambling, although it has been all one way traffic for me on this trip with no returns, but Karen seemed to be a bit luckier.  They do talk about the luck of the Irish don't they?  A bitter sweet goodbye of course to them, and then back onto the gamblers (with a couple of free drinks) to emotionally recover.

Chrissi and I then went further down the Strip, did a bit of shopping, and wandering around Planet Hollywood. Met up with the remaining 4 (who had not managed to roller coaster at New York, New York due to the weather; the flash storms we have witnessed on this trip do come and go in the blink of an eye but they do ground the city to a halt)

We had our second Panda Express of the week, honey chicken, spicy beef, noodles, all good fortifying stuff the journey ahead.  A couple of new converts in our fellow travellers.

We did one final walk through Cosmo - Bellagio - Caesars, its funny how certain routes become the mainstay of trips to Vegas, often different each time, but strangely familiar.  And so much to learn each time, the murano glass at the Bellagio (very expensive) catching our eye this time.

Farewell cocktail for happy hour in the Trevi Fountain bar in Caesars and then Uber to the Harry Reid airport. Note name change of airport to honour the democratic senator for Nevada who passed away last year.  (from previous senator Mccarren)

Check in a bit slow, what do people do at the check in desk?  We can get it all done in about 2 minutes, but it feels every other passenger has a million requests and conversation pieces.

No Wifi in the airport was a mild disappointment but the quick boarding and push back made up for that, and we were soon rolling down the runway and taking some last glimpses of the neon lights.

We had spent a bit more on Premium Economy for the return and it worked a treat. Perhaps I didn't take full advantage of all the service and kit, but the leg space, comfort and early support meant I pretty much fell asleep half way through my meal, woke for a visit to the business class toilet, and then back to sleep until we were about 2 hours out from Heathrow.  Took that time to watch the heartwarming Belfast movie.

Into the airport at Heathrow, no time in immigration, and baggage all back quickly safe and sound.

Back to Purple Parking and Dave took the wheel again, a noted thankyou to him for ferrying us back and forth, and making the necessary service stops.

And then we were back, hugely content and happy with another Vegas experience that will live long in the memory. A different one for me this time, less poker, more partying.  Time with friends, frenetic but fulfilling. But still some quirky moments and individual experiences eked out from running, to museums, to mob restaurants to wheelly good views.  There is always something different every time we go, and basing at a different hotel (this was our sixth) provides a unique identity and backdrop. More visits to come I hope, Vegas will always be what you make of it. And, as I hope the blogs show, something for everyone. Let me leave the final words to those other members of the mob out here who have yet to make their presence felt on the blogs due to keeping a low profile in the criminal underworld; but they have shown that everyone can find something to their liking in Vegas...

(Anthony AKA Jimmy 5 Bellies)

Have loved every minute of Vegas but all the best moments have been shared with good friends -  being greeted in the bar with cheers, hugs and a welcome beer on arrival after a long, tiring and delayed flight, celebrating Lloyds 50th in style with cocktails, great food and great music including Karen’s amazing performance, joining David and Andrea in having our senses bombarded at the brilliantly surreal Katy Perry show, not missing our Saturday morning running rituals by doing a hot and sweaty desert run to the Vegas sign followed by breakfast in Eggslut, and the amazing night we all had together at Fremont street. Thanks guys for an amazing trip, we are now ready for a quieter few days visiting the Grand Canyon for our silver wedding anniversary before our final day in Vegas. Missing you all already.

(Kieron AKA The Irishman)

"I had avoided going to Vegas because I didn't think it was my kind of thing but the trip was amazing and it was worth it to see Lloyd and Chrissi. Really enjoyed meeting everyone else and looking forward to the next birthday celebration" (edit if it could co-incide with Billy Joel in New York perhaps ....)

David Somersall AKA 'The Wheels'

After what has been a whirlwind trip to Vegas it's time to reflect on the experience.

Firstly it seems the Vegas experience affects people in different ways. For Lloyd Williams who at the time of arrival was approaching his 50th birthday, it seemed to roll back the years, and even when we arrived and  we were standing in the immigration line for well over an hour the very fact that his feet were on Vegas soil made him act like a child in a sweet shop. While as for me, pulling my suitcase through the middle of Caesars Palace casino at 9pm in the evening trying to find my room that was a good 10 min walk away made me feel like a rabbit in the headlights and this was not my first rodeo!

For me I never really got the pull of the Casino, although I would have loved to bring home a few grand winnings I just didn't get the thrill of the chase.

Fortunately Vegas has so much more to offer. It gave me an opportunity to confirm my dislike of heavy metal during our visit to Fremont street, while at the same time singing along to some great "soft rock" classics around a revolving bar. I got to see Katy Perry "Play" at the fantastic Resorts World Theater, an experience not to be missed. 

Most importantly I got to celebrate Lloyds 50th birthday with him, along with great friends both old and new. The celebration meal was held in an Italian restaurant some way off the strip which had a great local feel, it almost made you forget the bright light of Vegas. The meal was accompanied with a pianist playing great old time crooner songs on request and to top it all off we arrived at the restaurant in a party bus with a pole! 

I should add that Vegas has not been the best place for me to try and get my running fitness back; however a short run to the Vegas sign was achieved. 

I do think Vegas this time seemed a little quieter and this could be an effect of Covid. Drinks around the play tables didn't seem so frequent and when we strolled into the Casino at 1am on Saturday night it seemed a little quiet and on checkin nobody rushed to take my bag to my room. I guess we are all still recovering from the virus.

  But that doesn't take anything away from the experience and overall it scores high on the best holiday ever list.

So that's it ... until France in a couple of weeks ...