Gondola Ride at the Venetian - Still July 2, 2007

Here are pictures of Joop, Wan, and Dino and Me and Charlie in the Venetian Canal.

Las Vegas - First Day at Paris & The Venetian - July 2, 2007

We had lunch at Mon Ami Gabi on the sidewalk in front of Paris -- mostly because it was too hot to walk any where far being disoriented as we were and we had not stocked any water yet, and needless to say that we were so hungry. Charlie had quiche lorreine and I, spinach and mushroom quiche. Wan had salmon salad and joop, some kind of pasta. It was delicious -- the quiche was very moist and the best I've had in years. Yet it was a bit too rich for such weather. After lunch we were ready to tackle to heat outside (or weren't we?). We walked next door to what Charlie said it was one Alladdin and now part of Planet Hollywood (a little bit of pet peeve-- I really dislike the ph logo -- thought they could have done much better-- sorry-- it's the PR and Brand Manager DNA in me talking --after all it's a multimillion dollar brand -- what in the world do management want to convey with such logo? Wan thought of hp the computer company when she saw the logo...I felt the same way.)

Anyway.... Charlie went to get some presents and I got my long sought after tube for my beautiful showing, summer top that I had not been able to wear for a long time. We took some pictures and Wan found this sun glasses which I thought were so cool -- not that it gives any underlying meaning to our trip or anything...

We then went to the Venetian to get our tickets for the Blue Man show for the next night and thought we would stand in line for the gondola ride. The ride cost $15 for adult for 15 minutes indoor ride and $12 for 12 minutes outdoor ride (with such heat over 100 degrees F. I didn't see any line at the outdoor ride). Well for that prize we got a photo opp. --they sold pix to us after disembarking -- a gondola man named Dino -- who sang beautifully. I was quite amazed by the decor... especially how the sky looked so real and you felt like you were really in another world .. in this case -- Venice. The San Marco Square was so nicely done... well I've never been there so I have to take their word for it. But I had a good time.

Well, day 2 is not over yet. More later...

First Night in Las Vegas - July 1, 2007

Our plane arrived around 7 pm. Charlie and I waited for Joop and Wan whose flight got delayed a little bit. The airport was not too crowded. But when we came out from baggage claim -- we were shocked by very warm weather and wind and a longgggggggg taxi line... so we decided to take a limo... after all why not right? This is Vegas!!! isn't it?

We checked into Bally's and went straight to dinner at the Eiffel Towel -- Beautiful view of the Bellagio fountain, unfortunately I didn't have time to look for my camera so I don't have great pictures to boast. Our host and the waiter was very nice and we got a window seat. Can't beat that. After dinner, we went to walk around but my beautiful shoes did not cooperate so I was ready to hit the sack... The next day (July 2) we have a reservation for dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris and also tickets to Cirque du Soleil show "the Summer of Love" at 10 pm. I'm very much looking forward to this. Meanwhile, here are the pix of the first night.