Las Vegas

Las Vegas Nevada

When a middle aged woman told me "If you have any romance in your heart, you should go to Vegas at night", I was doubtful. Over a year later, I was in a plane at middle of the night. As usual, I tried to sleep a little bit. I found the passengers were quite different than usual, everyone seemed happy. When I heard cheerful chatting, I did look at the view from my little window. After darkness, darkness and some clouds, there it was, in the middle of the desert a fake paradise. 4 am, I arrived in Las Vegas . She was right. You should experience a breathtaking night flight over the Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas from a bird's eye view. Even though it was not crowded during summer season; the airport was full of people from all over the world.

Next day, after a perfect breakfast, my walking tour to Las Vegas started. It seemed like hours passed with deluge all colors, sounds and smells. Day time Las Vegas is absolutely so different than night. It looses all the magic, like seeing behind the stage.

Everything that you can dream of is there. The whole city is like a big circus away from any reality. It is a big Pandora's Box for adults. If you are not into gambling, then you should look for other alternatives to see besides casinos. In Las Vegas , hotels and casinos are all about gambling. Actually, it is all about gambling. Even when you flush the toilet in the casinos, the sounds comes as ching ching. Hotels and casinos are huge and enormous; they definitely buried a lot of money into them, to make more money of course! It is a dream world, go enjoy it, but be careful to not to fall into gambling trap too much.

What does Las Vegas offer to you? Romantic? Go get marry there. If you do not like her or him, you can get divorce as quickly as you get married. You see so many wedding chapels in one street. Certainly you think that whole marriage industry is trying hard to make you an official partner with someone and spending a lot of money to do it.

Dining? There are plenty options accordingly how much you like to spend. Sometimes you will get mediocre tasting food and it will be way too pricey. Occasionally excellent food with great ambiance but, be ready for the bill. The Stratosphere Tower has the great view of the whole city and tasty food. For a life time experience, the meal for four people cost $400, includes memorable photo. Future reference; do not leave any of your belongings near to window. Next thing you will see view changes and your stuff is moved somewhere!

It is a not all, as expensive as it sounds. You will be surprised some of the hotels and dining places offer cheap meals. You will read on billboards, big flashy letters says "breakfast start $0.99", so go ahead.

Shopping and shows are endless. Big hotels and countless gift stores and shops carry so many products that hard to choose what to get sometime. Everywhere has to offer something. Shop for tickets online, you may find extremely good deals.

Las Vegas has natural beauty, the desert is full of cacti, plants and unique trees; The Yucca, the Barrel Cactus, the Prickley Pear and the Joshua. I took many photos of Yuccas. At sunset, shapes and shadows are really amazing. I never knew tiny desert flowers can be so exotic.

I visited Bonnie Springs Ranch , about thirty minute trip from downtown. I quite enjoyed see the petting zoo. Taking photos of large animals, lamas, bison, and playful goats. Did you know goats love to chew anything? I had to fight one of them; all I wanted was to take photos of him. Well, he wanted to chew my camera bag's strap! Riding Stables have great looking horses. And if you like to ride they are for rent.

Next day, I went for walking tour of Hoover Dam. The fact that "The Hoover Dam, built during America's worst depression, spoke directly and profoundly to a people who were afraid and unsure; the massive structure silently addressed the power of technology, the hope for the future, and the ability of man to change the natural course of things." I was very impressed to see a man made lake and a positive power of the government. Childishly I cross the long path to just play between the time zones. Over the dam, Arizona clock and Nevada clock has one hour difference, so I did cross between time zones just for fun. Everyone needs to obey their inner child a little bit.

If you like outdoor sports, Red Rock Canyon is a maze of canyons and mountains, ledges and ramps, and chutes and gullies. It's only 20 miles west of Las Vegas ; it does look like another planet. It is excellent place in order to take photos and climb with all your energy.

I think Las Vegas is a great place to see what money can create. You have to see that atmosphere. I did get bored after walking hotels to casinos miles and miles hearing all ching ching sound, but seeing the variety of the people was fascinating. Every color, shape, age of people are there looking for happiness. Either in the slot machines or in fake paradise.

NUR March 2002