We said an early and sad farewell to the Diesels as they set off for their flight back to Miami. Gray said he will really miss our clothes and dish washer, vacuum cleaner, broom, fruit and kale sourcer, navigator and mom.
We had breakfast and then caught the shuttle to LAX. We had been booked on first class, I could get used to this. Our 80 minute flight to Las Vegas took 55 minutes. The Vegas airport was by far the most flashy we have experienced anywhere with big ads and slot machines everywhere.
Driving into Nevada’s resort city in the desert, we got the feel of vibrancy and excitement, especially down the 4 mile strip of themed hotels, from castles to treasure island to pyramids, there were elaborate displays and shopping centers.
We arrived at our Palazzo Hotel and casino and were blown away by its sheer size. This hotel is the second largest in the world, bigger than the Pentagon, and houses hotel rooms, casinos, shops, restaurants, spas and conference centers (this week Microsoft has a convention for 30 000 people).
The Palazzo is like Sun City x 10 on steroids, with an Italian Renaissance ambiance. They have gondolas floating through parts of the hotel. Shops to die for – Kirst, Robs, Al and Tania, all the top brands. Everything is big, bright and loud, kind of kitch, actually very, but fun.
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We spent the whole afternoon just exploring the hotel, it was too hot go outside (around 38 degrees of oppressive desert heat).
Gray felt like steak for dinner, so we ate at Morels, a steak house with great steaks, a good Zinfandel (a local red wine variety we have become partial too). Best of all was the macaron ice cream sandwich desert.
Before retiring to our huge hotel room on the 28th floor, with a stupendous view, we wandered back through the casino, watching people loose money.
Pandas in Africa 