Irish and all other eyes still smiling

 

And the story continues as we came out of my birthday with the last 4 standing (rather wobbily) in the Bellagio. One of these 4 was Karen Fitzgibbon who is today's guest blogger. Karen and  I go back to around 1996/7 when we worked for the travel company Flight Centre. It was all very work hard, play hard in those days and we have had some previous experience of partying in far off destinations, Hong Kong being a trip that springs to mind.  Karen and husband Kieron now live in Edmonton Canada so made the hop down to Vegas from that part of the world; both are Irish to the core (one North, one South). Karen can also sing, and whilst this takes us back a few hours in time, I do want to share an example of this talent from the previous night.

(Karen)

Ah, Las Vegas.  In spite of having lived in Canada for 17 years and a mere three-hour flight time, we had never been to Vegas.  It really is quite spectacular - completely bonkers, in fact - and our first time here has not disappointed.  Our blogging effort picks up where Lloyd left off.  We finished the birthday celebrations at Petrossian bar at our place of residence - The Bellagio.  Lloyd and I had some kind of boozy coffee concoctions topped with whipped cream.  Kieron enjoyed his fourth “Old Fashioned” of the night (and declared it the best of the four) and Chrissi rounded off with a Baileys.  We weren’t the only ones a bit merry as a chap behind us took a tumble off his chair.  Off to bed feeling no pain.

Kieron and I woke up on Friday morning at 8:15am feeling slightly worse for wear but, in the words of Katy Perry, “That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas”.  Watched the fountains for a bit from our tenth-floor room and then headed down to the pool cafe for brekkie.  Blueberry and lemon pancakes for me and a lovely omelette for Kieron.  Had a bit of a splash about for a couple of hours and then back to the room before the sun had a chance to properly bake us.  Lovely nap followed by a quick shower, and down to “Prime”, the Bellagio’s renowned steakhouse.  A couple of glasses of champagne, then steaks for two with gorgeous sides of crispy potatoes, carrots, and frizzled onions.  Fabulous!  We had no room for dessert, but shared one anyway. 

Next stop was “O” by Cirque du Soleil.  From the third row, we had a great view of all the incredibly skilled performers. The set was a huge swimming pool and took up most of the stage.  Platforms underneath the pool were raised and lowered to adjust the height of the water.  There were incredible acrobatics, swan dives from dizzying heights, tumbling, contortionists, and a couple of slightly melancholy (though rather endearing) clowns.  Breathtaking. 

As some of our new-found friends had gone to see the aforementioned Ms. Perry in concert, we met up with Lloyd and Chrissi in the Bellagio casino.  I had a bit of a flutter on the slots and was very surprised to walk away with a credit of $33.  Brought our friends up to the room to see the lovely view and watch the fountains.  Everyone was rather tired and in need of a hot drink, so we popped down to Sadelle’s cafe for teas and coffees and talked of our plans for tomorrow. 

Said our good nights to Lloyd and Chrissi and spent the next few minutes losing that $33 credit.  Hardly surprising!  Back up to the room for some more fountain-watching, cleaning teeth, etc.  With the anticipation of our last full day in this amazing city on our minds, we tumbled wearily into bed.  Let’s see what tomorrow brings!  😀

(Lloyd)

So yes, the clock struck midnight, people were falling off their chairs all around us but we stayed firm and saw the first hour or so in of the 29th July in a very cultured piano bar at the Bellagio. Not sure how cultured we were by then, but Karen, Kieron, Chrissi and I ensured that an amazing day was rounded off with a lovely night cap and conversation with old friends.

Woke up a few hours later feeling pretty damned pleased with how 50 was looking, and really chuffed with everything Chrissi and friends had done to make it so memorable.

Today I think is fair to say was a bit of a recovery day, and perhaps in contrast to all the high class surrounds yesterday, we went a bit more back to basics, and dare I say budget Vegas, doing some of those little things Chrissi and I would eke out when here on our own.

This involved me doing a poker tournament in the morning, Chrissi and others down at the pool.  Tom was lurking around as I played tidy, finishing around 16th in a 40+ person event, but way of the top 5. As ever when the crunch hand came, I knew I had to be clever and went with low connectors expecting to be up against high cards. As it turned out this was also against 2 other players, and my odds of a cheeky double up with 5/6 clubs faded very quickly.  No matter, was good fun,with some light but amusing banter at times.

Chrissi enjoying her video poker, but also hungry, so we left Caesars to find Panda Express, one of our guilty secrets when in the US. Chinese food, cheap and without MSG.  I had some lovely orange chicken, Chrissi Kung Po, and I chopsticked it up with the best of them.  Good honest chewy chicken with a bit of zest.

Chrissi went off shopping and I decided a stint at the gym would be sensible, doing a little 5K treadmill. The gym in Caesars a great distraction although the casinos on the way back to the gym did pull me in for a bit of wheel of fortune type action.

Our Vegas on a shoestring day continued as we returned to Harrahs Piano Bar (that of the duelling pianists a couple of days ago) to see Big Elvis, an icon in these parts, singing lots of the popular songs, and encouraging audience participation.  This continued into a karaoke afterwards, which 2 beers in we decided to move on from.

We then played a bit of blackjack and video poker in a couple of other casinos, Flamingo and Cromwell. The latter well worth a look, first recommended by Tom Frost, but now with our own eyes; sleek, modern, not too busy and with low stakes games - a good combination.

Continued down the Strip in search of food, wandered around the market in front of Ballys, and found a Wahlberg (ers) joint, they of Marky Marky and Donnie fame.  I had a favourite of the latter, cheese burger of sorts with a spicy kick, Chrissi had a plant burger. The alcohol not doing it for me tonight so I moved to a tasty strawberry milkshake. And all of this again at pretty reasonable prices in fairly humble surrounds.

Re-engaged with the wild and wacky strip for a while, and then the heavens opened again, so we sought sanctuary in the Bellagio, where we took a look around its scented conservatory.

Found a couple of gamblers after that, mainly a horse racing game which I have loved since a child playing it on Mumbles pier or Butlins, can't remember which! 

We then met up with Karen and Kieron, who staying at a well appointed room in the Bellagio, gave us a first hand perspective of the fountains from the hotel side, and must say, it is the view to have.  Quite epic.

Our quieter day finished with mullings and musings over a coffee and a distinct need to find a little bit of sleep to get us through the action over our last 2 days.

Happiest of Birthdays

 

I don't quite know where to begin, but I am solo blogging today as my 50th birthday really did allow me to take centre stage and enjoy Vegas, friendships and family, both near and far.  It went by in a blur, the photo captures all of that!

New York is maybe the city that never sleeps but as my stylist Crystal told me later in the day, no-one sleeps in Vegas, and with perhaps only a handful of hours under my belt since we arrived, I can't really disagree.  There really is so much to do, and so little time, and that perhaps can be how I view life as I roll through the 50th milestone, and continue as I mean to go on, enjoying every moment.

It did start with a call to the hotel gym where Dave and I did a little bit of cardio work without perhaps ever fully risking too much cardio harm today. On that note, I did sadly see someone on the Linq boulevard getting the full CPR yesterday, no idea if they pulled through, but another timely reminder of the clock that is ticking. And that, is where I turn away from such maudlin thought.

We did go back to said boulevard for an American birthday breakfast, a couple of the recent arrivals having found the perfect booth to start the day. I hit the Las Vegas breakfast for all it was worth, 3 eggs sunny side up with some crisp bacon and a small mountain of little potatoes and peppers to add a little bit of Vegas fairy dust to the taste buds and kickstart the day. The 2 accompanying Americanos and toast complemented it nicely also.

Strolled back to the casino and did a bit of a minor walkabout call to the kids at home, whilst a couple of the lads I am with familiarised themselves with the slot machines, and the Caesars reward scheme.

Determined that the mornings full grooming would be put on ice, and instead went to the less than icy Caesars pool, my oh my, the heat.... but the cool waters of this ancient (ha ha) manifestation helped a little keep the body temperature in check, and I did briefly dive in .. well, when in Rome ....

You then go indoors and find a Game of Thrones video game to play for a little while and relax in the air conditioning environment whilst waiting to catch up with friends for lunch.

I had spoken to the kids and my parents back at home during time at pool, my birthday there was almost over, but not in Vegas, just beginning ..

All of the crew out here assembled at the Cheesecake Factory in the Forum, some of them even had cheesecake. I would have but the clock was ticking, and by the time I had a savoury appetizer (small cheese burger wraps, very tasty parcels of 'mincy' tangy goodness) and opened a few cards and lovely thoughtful gifts from the gang out here. They are sponsoring me to enter a poker tournament tomorrow, I don't fancy their chances of getting a payback.

I had a 3pm appointment with my stylist Crystal in the hair salon here. A very relaxing hour it must be said, not someone who naturally embraces this kind of thing (well I didn't have a haircut for 2 years in the pandemic) but was a great way to get ready for the evening with a bit of information on the way my hair parts, and a lovely head massage that I almost drifted off too. This not sleeping lark can be a little tricky now and again.

Met Chrissi back at the room who had also had some hair work done further down the Strip and we donned our glad rags for an old style/new style night out in Vegas.

 Our first port of call was the swanky cocktail bar Vanderpump Great to see almost all the crew in fine attire, we did manage to smuggle in Tom who is far too attached to his backpacker days when abroad.  The chat was excitable, the drinks really added some extra enthusiasm. I had a cold blooded orange and bourborn cocktail and a spicily and rudely jalapeno kicking one entitled checkmate bitch!

Very quickly our carriage awaited, and most of us (after many photos) had an hour in the party bus to let the cocktails do their work and to tour the downtown and northern strip parts of Vegas. Chrissi and I got married in these parts so our driver kindly did a swing past the Little Chapel of Flowers for us.

Our eventual destination was the Italian American club, old school rat pack, crooning and cavorting type of place. It was amazing, the ambience immense, the service top class, the food to die for. And no-one got taken in to 'the office.' In fact the accompanying cabaret sang many songs for us and my mate Karen stepped up and dueted on Viva. My that girl can sing.

The food I had; a starter of banana peppers, no bananas and some spicy sausagey, tomatoey substance that really laid some strong foundations for the rest of the evening. My main course was penne rustic which almost felt healthy in terms of the amount of green spinach that I fought through the jungle of in every mouthful along with the pasta and meat itself, in a delightfully light sauce. Too much for me to eat though, as it was cocktails all the way with an 'old fashioned' and limoncello. A rendition of happy birthday and a couple of bites of Italian dessert cannoli.

Didn't want to leave the family establishment, best to be part of this kind of family I think, I was in full Mob narrative by the time we ventured back outside. 

The heavens had opened again, torrential rain, but our Uber safely took us back to the Cosmopolitan and the Vesper Bar.

From rat pack it was onto 60's style James Bond, we were looking the part, I felt the part and the Vesper cocktail was the finishing touch in this stylish establishment. Connery, eat your heart out.

People were beginning to tire by now but 4 of us still managed to wander over to the Bellagio for a piano bar night cap and some further reminiscences.  I think that took us outside of my birthday, and maybe that's for another day and another blog.