Morrigoon's Vegas Trip Report 7/2-7/4 (photo heavy!)

[Morrigoon]

Okay guys, first off, I apologize if some of the pictures are not perfectly aligned... occasionally I was in motion as I took them so it was that shot or nothing. Anyway...

Talon and I just got back this afternoon from a little trip to the city of Lost Wages (and boy did we lose 'em!). We headed out at about 5am Sunday morning from OC, and were at the state line (Primm) in time for breakfast at Primm Valley Resort (formerly the Primmadonna... they should've kept that name!)

Got a really pretty view of Whiskey Pete's across the freeway, bathed in mid-morning light

Primm Valley Resort is the hotel that is attached to the outlet mall there, and right where one rolls into another is where they now keep the Bonnie and Clyde car (to be specific: the car they were in when the cops shot them to death - pleasant, no?)

Just beyond the car (and another vehicle which belonged to a gangster, but I don't recall who) is the entrance to the outlet mall, which for some odd reason appears perpetually decorated for Christmas, though those lights are really only in that one spot


So after a quick breakfast buffet (the cafe had a huge line), we hopped back in the vehicle (and I returned to napping), and headed the rest of the way into Vegas.

(cont'd)

[wolfy]

Nice pics so far.....Didn't know they had a mall out there now!

[Morrigoon]

So, coming into town, we have the Mandalay Bay (snooze...)

The Luxor's giant pyramid and giant not-so-pyramid hotel towers

The Excalibur


The New York New York (with Monte Carlo beyond it)

Here's another view (from Vegas Blvd, this time) of NYNY

[Where's Barbie?]

photo heavy?? there was only 5?? Did you have to pawn the camera to cover your loses?

Oh, I see you are going to continue

[Morrigoon]

This is the closest we got to the Hooters Casino. Somehow we never made it over there. Not that the San Remo was much to crow about, but it'll be interesting to see what changes they made. Well, another trip I guess.


The MGM Grand




A view of NYNY from the front side


The Monte Carlo

[Morrigoon]

M&M World, (across Vegas Blvd from NYNY)

[Morrigoon]

Bellagio, as ever, was all decked out for the latest holiday, July 4th (of course). This Liberty Bell was in the shopping wing, right inside the Flamingo Rd. valet entrance

Talon wasn't trying to look all chic here, he was actually trying to find out where we were meeting his friend and her husband (I'll give you a hint... no I won't, just read on)

[Morrigoon]

See? I didn't make you wait long for an answer! The buffet, of course!


Now a word here about the Bellagio Buffet. I love it. Best one in town in my opinion. On holiday weekends, they tend to raise the prices. Luckily, they often increase the offerings as well. This time was no different. They charged more, but added crab, which is not usually offered at lunch. The downside is, instead of offering separate lunch and breakfast, they do "brunch" through the holiday weekends. Well, this doesn't work for the 'Goon at all, because while all the food there truly is excellent, one of my favorite items, the acorn squash ravioli, is replaced by breakfast stuff like eggs and bacon. Granted, very tasty eggs and bacon, but I can get that stuff at a $7 buffet... for $30 I'd very much like my ravioli please. But don't take this as a condemnation of the Bellagio buffet or even their brunches. That's just a personal rant.



And the shrimp there is still second-to-none This was the plate that "defeated" me, LOL.

[Morrigoon]

Bellagio's Lobby

The famous Chihuly glass ceiling


The Conservatory, just off Bellagio's lobby, is always a sight to behold, but I do believe this time they've outdone themselves (though I always say that each time they change it). The theme this time, in keeping with the holiday, was a model train (G scale, I think?) layout, and representation of different parts of America... all constructed from plant materials, of course.

At the entrance, Bellagio itself

[Morrigoon]

Overhead, several bridges for the model trains to travel on. If you look close, you will see the trains in some of them.






Mt. Rushmore is represented

Look at the scale of these things!






Some more lovely kites like you saw behind the front desk, only this time floating around the Conservatory ceiling


Some more of the cute train setups

Notice the whimsy in setting some of these scenes... even the Three Little Pigs are represented (hey! A Disney connection!)


The back section of the conservatory often has a walk-through area, and this time was no exception. Often they'll incorporate water arches over the walkway.

[Morrigoon]

You can see why I chose not to walk through the walk-thru itself... packed!




The Capitol building (again, remember that they did these all in "natural" materials!)

[wolfy]

Did you stay at the Belagio? Or just visit and eat there? Would love to see pics of the rooms!

[Club 33]

Woah! I just got back from Vegas on Sunday. And moreover, a friend of mine also just got back to Vegas?

Love the photos!

I guess everyone is just in that 'Vegas' mode. I'll be posting my own trip report soon, look out for it...

[wolfy]

Train pics...Spectacular! Worth a trip to Vegas just to see that in person....do you have any idea how long the display will be up?

[Morrigoon]

Talon and I mugging it


If you've never been to Bellagio, one of the things you really must do is look down - the floors are amazingly detailed! Here's just a single sample


Talon had heard that the world's largest volume chocolate fountain was on display in a chocolate store somewhere in Bellagio. We found it off down the wing where they used to have a station for the monorail to Monte Carlo

Here's a side view


If you can read it... a few facts about the fountain


And here is the fountain from the front


And coming down from the ceiling


So any store with a fountain like that is bound to sell lovely desserts, right?




(But be forewarned they are priced accordingly!)