17 May 2017
We are at the Detroit Metro and ready to go. Three hours early as usual. The border crossing was as smooth as silk today and so was the drive to Detroit Metro. Yay! We are lucking out so far. Here is my son and I. Mike is traveling with me to Vegas. We are spending the first night together at the Rio and then he has some friends coming in to join him and I will move downtown to the Plaza.
Wow...what day. I am so exhausted and ouchy I can barely move but it was wonderful.
Our Spirit flight out of Detroit was on time and perfect. I had intended to buy some treats for the flight attendants and crew but kept forgetting. I decided I would ask Mario to stop at Tim Hortons on the way to the airport and I would bring them a box of Timbits.
However as I was packing I was digging around in my closet and came across a huge bag of chocolate covered almonds. I can't remember how they got there, so I decided they were meant to go to the crew. They seemed shocked and appreciative.
I could not get the wifi at MCCarran to kick in strong enough to summon an Uber so Mike did it for me. He has data, lucky guy.
We made it over to the Rio by 1:30 pm. I asked the reservation girl if there was any way we could upgrade to a Masquerade suite until Tuesday. I was thrilled when she said yes , for $100 night. My son and his friends are very happy with that price. This room is awesome! I could stay here forever.
After we ran around the suite exclaiming over every inch, we mixed a drink of Gentlemen Jack and toasted each other. We were thinking of taking the shuttle from Rio to Bally's but learned that it has been discontinued. They only go to Harrah's now. So we Lyfted to Caesars on Mike's account because the wifi was still not connecting on my phone.
Video of the Masquerade suite at the Rio.
I had a 100 dollar Diamond celebration meal to use so we ate at the Bacchanal buffet for the first time. It was as wonderful as we expected it to be. Lots of unusual dishes to try. Mike loved it.
I had been talking about how much fun the slot "Lighting Links" was to Mike and we stumbled across two empty ones just outside of the buffet. We played for an hour but they were very tight and did not give any good bonuses. At 6 pm we met Michele, a member of my forum, LasVegas4ever.com, her sister Stacey, their mom Kathy and their friend Teri at the statues in the lobby. Otto, another forum member, had offered his suite for a small meet. It was a really nice room in the Julius tower. Mike and I only had an hour before our Celine show so we didn't get to talk long but I enjoyed the time we had together. Michele gave me a lovely bracelet with red jeweled hearts on it. I love it! I will likely wear it the entire trip.
After we left Otto and the girls we limped our way over the the Colosseum. ( I limped...Mike walked.) I was really in a lot of pain by this point but still enjoyed Celine tremendously ....except for the Jazz part. We decided to leave a few minutes before the show ended to avoid the crush of people both leaving the show and trying to get cabs home. it turned out to be a smart idea. Went back to the Rio and to bed.
18 May 2017
Mike's friends , both the ones he is rooming with and two others who are getting their own room, took some incredibly early flight and arrived in town while we were still taking our morning showers. We waited until they made their way to the Rio before we went to eat. It was fun watching their reaction to the Masquerade Suite. It turned out that they were able to rent the adjoining room so the gang is all together. The other fellas didn't feel like eating so just Mike and I went downstairs to the buffet. Apparently it is only open for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday now. I think I had read that somewhere but I forgot. I was sad I didn't get to use my LVA coupon. The only places open at 8 am were Hash House a Go Go and a deli next to the sport book. We decided on the deli. Their breakfast " special" was twelve dollars for two eggs, meat, potatoes and toast. Not a good price IMHO. I paid 4.50 for a bottle if Orange Juice . Yikes!
Again on this trip I am having issues with Uber and Lyft accepting Paypal as my method of payment. Even though there is nothing wrong with my PP account at this time they are still refusing to accept it. I have some free rides coming to me so in order to use them I had to put my CC number in. Frustrating....but at least it worked and I had free transportation over to the Plaza. I still need to figure out why this is happening.
I was able to check in at 10:30 am so that was great. I inquired if they had a relationship with a scooter company and they do. The staff at the Bell desk showed me the prices and said they would arrange one for me if I wanted it....so that was nice.
Plaza pictures...
After I got settled in my room I put on my swimsuit and went to the pool. I would have been heading for the pool anyhow but I had the added bonus of getting to meet some lovely members from the Everything Las Vegas Facebook Group. I got to chat with Michelle L, Craig, Jon, Michelle S and met a whole gang of new people so that was fun.
Jonathan Jossel, the CEO of the Plaza, told me that the pool heater was out of commission for two weeks awhile ago but it fine now. The pool was lovely and warm, just like a really big hot tub. So that felt wonderful on my ouchy joints. The real hot tub always seemed crowded with drunk fellas. I figured I had better come inside after a few hours so I didn't burn. I got cleaned up and went downstairs to check out the changes in the casino. The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous new chandeliers all over the casino floor. They are so beautiful and make the casino much brighter. The next thing I saw was that there are tons of new machines. I was sad to see that my favorite VP machine was gone but it could just have been moved. I never took note of the number...I wish I had now.
I settled in at the Lightning Links...my new favorite machine! It was generous for awhile and then it took it all back.
As I was playing Jonathan Jossel, Gary, and another manager came over to say hello. They showed me the new Event Center and looks like a great party or meeting space. He said we may even do our fall meet in that room. I said I did not care where it was as long as it was a quiet private space.
I decided to try the new Brightside Cafe that night for dinner. That is an excellent name for it because it is a very bright and appealing place. I ordered a Mushroom Swiss Burger and it was very yummy. The burger was only eight dollars but your players card takes another dollar off.
I also signed up for the Luau slot tournament that starts tomorrow. I have not been in a tournament in many years.
Likely I will be sticking pretty close to the Plaza for the next few days because of it.
There is another ELV meet down at "Whiskey Licker" at nine pm and I am having an argument with my body about whether or not I want to limp down there for it. My head wants to, but the rest of me....not so much. I rested from 6 to 8 30pm and then I decided to break out the cane to help me get down the block to Binion's. I managed to say hi to a few more new people but it is a pretty noisy spot and there was nowhere to sit so I could only stand there for about half an hour.
Binion's
I stopped into the ABC store and bought some Dr Pepper (or cokes as Spiny would say) and a snack. Then I went back home to the Plaza to bed with my cream rub and my vibrating heating pad.
19 May 2017
I played some Video Poker this morning but did not get any deuces. I just completed the first session of the Luau slot tournament. I got a low score.
I completed the second round of the tourney at 2 30 with another poopy score.
After that was done I walked over to Pizza Rock to meet with the ELV gang again and also because I knew/hoped that Scott Roeben (the head of marketing for Fremont Street Experience and the author of Vital Vegas blog) would be making an appearance. Sure enough he did come and we got a chance to chat a bit then he had to go take pictures of the classic car event that is happening on Fremont right now.
The classic cars....
It was great getting a chance to know the ELV ladies ( and fellas) better. I am really happy I went. And that Pizza Rock pizza was amazing. We walked back to our respective hotels and I am just resting right now. I should probably stay in for the night but the pull to go back out again is strong...ha ha.
I did go back downstairs and played for awhile. One good $90 bonus was the best I did.
Where is my luck this trip?
Just talked to Mike. He and his friends spent the day at Encore Beach Club. $75 to get in, $75 to rent a locker ( what?!) and $156 for a bucket of 12 beers!!! Holy crap! Well they had fun, that is the important thing. And there are five of them sharing costs.
It is only 8 pm but I am in for the night now. I am pooped.
I forgot to mention that on my way to Pizza Rock last night I went to Walgreens in an attempt to buy Robax, the pain killer with ibuprofen and muscle relaxants in it. I find it helpful when I am in a bad way. Well apparently anything with muscle relaxants is "prescription only" in the States. I was surprised at that. I always thought you guys were more liberal about drugs than us but not this time. Had I known I would have bought more before I left home. Oh well....Tylenol arthritis formula will have to do.
I am not having many adventures so far this trip. This morning I have another slot tournament session, and this evening is the awards ceremony and Luau pool party here at the Plaza.
My room view. I look directly out on the pickle ball courts. I am in the North Tower. Very quiet...I love that.
Being the nitwit that I am , I ordered a new phone from Virgin Mobile and had them deliver it to the Plaza. I have been here three days and I just now remembered to go ask for it. I had to pay six dollars to pick it up at the Bell desk. It is nothing fancy but it is a half a step up from what I am using while in the States. I initially attempted to charge it without inserting the battery first. That did not work...ha ha. I think I have Vegas brain. I finally realized my mistake and it is charging now. My number will remain the same.
So I got yet another crappy score in the tournament. I was hoping I would have earned enough points to play in the fourth round where they discard your lowest score, but after standing in a line for twenty minutes I discovered that I hadn't. The awards ceremony is at 6 30 at the Luau. Unless they give prizes for the lowest score, I won't be getting anything.
After this morning session I decided to take my daily bankroll and go to a VP machine at Binions that has been very good to me on many other trips. Sadly it gave me no premium hands this trip. My luck is truly putrid this trip....sigh.
I ate lunch at Binions on my food comps. Had a club sandwich and potato salad. They are so huge they are enough for two meals. Love Binion's cafe!
Dinner tonight will be a buffet at the Luau. I am excited for that!
I was having a rest in my room around 3 pm when I got a call from Mike asking if he could come visit me. When he got here it turned out that the guys had been on some kind of pub/ pool crawl. Everywhere they went Mikes attire was acceptable except for when they got to Rehab at Hard Rock. They would not let him in because they said his shorts were not real swim trunks. They were trying to make him go buy some $75 trunks in their gift shop. Mike got annoyed and decided to take a break and come visit me.
It was a good thing I think. He is getting pretty tired. He re-hydrated with some water and had a nap..then I succeeded in getting VIP bands for both of us so he joined me at the luau for dinner. The green bands gave us free booze too...but Mike had had enough alcohol. I enjoyed a few Malibu rum and pineapple juices to keep with the tropical theme of the evening. After he ate he went back to my room and went to sleep and I stayed with the ELV ladies. I put on my swimsuit and got in the pool. It was really lovely. I love swimming at night. The food was excellent too. They also had Polynesian dancers and they finished up with the fireworks. I went to bed at this point but the party was still going on.
Some pictures from the Plaza Luau.
This is the Plaza's picture.....
Mike ended up just sleeping at Plaza tonight. Likely he will get more rest that way than in his room at the Rio with four other guys floating around. I am glad he took a break.
I gave him a key in case he wants to return for another rest.
Interesting observations on the trip. It is amazing how different people are.
At the airport I sent Mike to the baggage carousel to grab my turquoise suitcase and his black one. He grabbed them both and brought them over to me. Turns out he grabbed the wrong turquoise bag. An older man came running over and snatched it from him and said " Nice try, kid!" Mike was shocked and annoyed. Couldn't he have said " Hey I think you may have grabbed the wrong bag?" Did he really think we wanted to steal his old man undies? So rude!
Another incident....I am in the Plaza gift shop buying a Dr Pepper and a bag of nuts. I was going to use my debit card but then realized it was upstairs in the safe. I was explaining to the cashier that I wasn't sure if I had enough money...I would have to count it out in ones. ( that was all I had left in my wallet at this point). A tall black man who had cashed out before me stuck his head back in the store and said " I will pay for your stuff". I declined because I did have enough in ones...but omg...isn't that sweet and amazing? Who does that?
The cashier asked if I knew him and I said I had never seen him before in my life!
Every night I use a vibrating heating pad on my messed up hip that I brought from home. I did not last night because I was afraid of waking Mike. Likely a bomb would not have woken him but I wanted to make sure he rested. I think I paid dearly for not using it.
We walked down to Binions for breakfast and also managed to find Mike a pair of REAL swim trunk that fit so he won't get kicked out of anywhere today.We found them at the store that is kitty corner to the D...can't remember the name but they sell lots of souvenirs. They had a rack of what they were called men's shorts but they had the " ball grabber" things so they were actually swim trunks.
(is there an official name for that?). He also bought some jewellery and souvenirs for his girlfriend. ( he is such a sweetie...) The guys are going to Wet Republic at MGM today.
As an added bit of excitement, Mike and I witnessed a robbery on Fremont. We walked out of Binion's and saw a skinny guy booting it down the street holding something white (a purse I assume) with a big strong guy running after him hollering. He yelled for someone to "stop that guy" but no one did. Then he walked back to the poor young woman on the ground. I am guessing that the thief either yanked on her purse so hard it knocked her over, or he shoved her down. I felt so bad for her and amazed that they chose to rob a young able bodied person. I hope she didn't have everything in that purse.
Mike was freaked out by this incident and kept warning me to be careful. I make sure that most of my stuff is locked up. My cross body purse only holds a small amount of cash, a phone, sometimes a camera and my drivers license. Nothing that can't be replaced.
I warned him not to drink himself into a coma today....lol.
He took a Lyft from the D back to the Rio to join his buddies.
I had it in my head to catch some free Fremont Street wifi outside of the 4 Queens and Uber down to Ross but I just could not get a strong enough signal. (I have to get data someday. Maybe when I am rich. Ha. )
By the time I got back to the Plaza (with their strong wifi) to call an Uber I was in too much pain to go to Ross so I am up in my room using smelly rubs and the heating pad and attempting to get mobile again. GRRRR...it makes me so frustrated to be incapacitated.
I rested an hour, drank a tumbler of whiskey, and took a handful of pills and finally Ubered to ROSS. I am so glad I did. I found lots of nice tops and some makeup. Practically the only time I get new clothes is when I shop here. I was contemplating eating at Peppermill but it was a madhouse so I just used their wifi to call an Uber to get home. Now I am resting again.
( I am so exciting, I know...lol)
Here are my purchases. 4 tops, 2 floaty things that go over your tops and some makeup.
I took a nap after my shopping excursion and then went downstairs to gamble. I already spent most of my daily money at Ross, so gambling only lasted one hour. I tried some goofy Crazy Money wheel thing. Entertaining and loud but not lucrative. Tried a twenty in my beloved Lightning Links but they were not cooperative. Tried playing nickel VP for a bit but it ate my twenty too.
Oh well.
I grabbed a chicken quesadilla from Baza for dinner and ate in my room. Watching Sixty Minutes. I think I am in for the night.
My dinner
22 May 2017
I woke at 4 am. I had a appointment for a massage at the Golden Nugget Spa at 9 am. There was a Groupon for $115 and I had a code that brought it down to $85 and I figured I was worth that ......ha. Of course I tipped my girl a twenty so that brought it up again. I should have tipped her more...she was that good. Since the Spa opens at 6am I decided to wander over there at 7:45 and see if they could take me early. They couldn't but it still worked out well because it was empty and I was able to sneak around taking pictures of the inside of the spa. I love the robes they have. They are so soft they feel like a hug. They had apples and trail mix out so that was my breakfast. They also had this cool water dispenser that had lemons and oranges floating in the center of it flavouring the water. Refreshing!
Now to the massage...omg...it was amazing. The girl was so nice and helpful, trying to figure out where I hurt most and how to help. She thinks I have sciatica...I do too. All her manipulations were very helpful. I wish I could see her every day. Her name was Naylani.
I intended to go in their hot tub but it was closed so I did the sauna and the steam room. The Groupon also included access all day to the Golden Nugget pool so I went for a swim. I just wanted to see what it was like up close. Of course there were no chairs so I didn't linger. It is a beautiful area but I feel bad for those sad fish. Even worse I saw three small sharks in a very tiny area just swimming in tight circles. (I hate that)
Anyhow...I enjoyed the swim but I would not want to hang out there. Too crowded...etc.
Not my thing.
Pictures from the GN Spa...
Then I walked over to the Four Queens and saw my favorite bar top was open and the progressive was huge so I felt sure it was meant for me. Ha. Did not happen. Not even any deuces. So today's gambling stake went there. They have done something weird to my seat and I could hardly stand to sit there. They have installed some wall of cold air right along there. It was ninety degrees out and I was FREEZING in that location. I made myself stay because I thought for sure that machine would be kind to me.
My now "freezing", favorite seat at the Four Queens.
Bring a parka if you plan to sit here!
Next I walked over to the D because they had given me sixty dollars in Freeplay to use. That disappeared into a Lightning Link like magic. Normally I can recycle my money and play for hours. That sure isn't happening this trip.
I walked back to Binions and ate lunch on my food comps, then returned to the room for a nap.
Texted Royal Flusher but he was busy.
I did nothing last night...just lolled around the room. Dinner was the other half of my Binions sandwich from lunch.
Can you stand the excitement?
I had such a fun day today!
The kind of day that you are supposed to have in Vegas!
I didn't feel too bad today because of the after affects of yesterday's massage.
An interesting side note is that the leg cramps that have plagued me the last few trips are no where to be seen this time! I guess my body figured I had enough to handle.
I agreed to meet Flusher over at Main Street Station buffet at ten thirty...once again forgetting that they close at that time and boot you out at 11. I wanted a leisurely meal so we opted to wait until lunch. I am glad we did because we had a nice long conversation and the usual yummy meal.
When I met Flusher outside of the buffet and we were about to go in I asked him if he needed to pee. He seemed to find that hilarious. MIke just left yesterday so I guess my brain is still in "mommy mode". Actually I think it is always there.
Flusher's meal...
My meal...
I divulged to him the secret method for getting pecan pie.You have to ask for it! So we both had that for dessert.
He had been telling me what fun he had been having on some goofy Flintstones machine at the California so I asked him to show it to me. There were two machines so we both decided to play. It was a hoot but my machine was more cooperative than his. Eventually he stopped playing and just watched me. I had the machine up to 59.00 when suddenly everything froze. The power had gone off to all the progressives it seemed. After a while I managed to cash out and we said our goodbyes. I did not leave the building though. I played a nickel 3 times, 5 times play machine and had some luck on that too. Their A/C was out too so it got so warm I had to leave.
Came back home to the Plaza around four and started playing nickel VP machines here. I played until ten pm!!!
I finally had some fun and some decent hands. I did not win but I managed to play the whole day on hundred and fifty dollars! Plus I had lots of cocktails and was really enjoying the music at the Plaza...both taped and live.
This is the first fun gambling experience I have had since I got here!
Dinner is this bag of peanuts I am eating now...lol.
24 May 2017
I am lying in bed trying to devise a plan for today. I have free Diamond shows I can attend on the Strip and free Uber rides to get there. I am thinking maybe I will be all ambitious and head for the Strip later.
Thanks to that massage on Monday I feel good enough to go wandering today. Thank God I scheduled that thing!
I decided to Uber to Harrahs around noon and used the LVA coupon to get a Mac King ticket for one o'clock. ($15.00)
I had two Diamond shows coming to me so I got the Bronx Wanderers today at 5:30 pm and the Tenors of Rock for Saturday.
I went to the Harrah's showroom right away and tipped the usher five bucks and she let me sit wherever I wanted. I plunked myself down in the first row because I wanted to take pictures of him but then they announced no pictures. So I had to content myself with taking pics of him after the show. I have seen him many times but he is always entertaining.
When that was over I slowly walked over to Cromwell. I was pretty excited just to be able to do that with little pain. It is so much easier to make that walk now that one hotel flows into the other.
When I got to Cromwell I had few hours to kill before my next show so I went to the back where the nickel Video Poker is and drank pina coladas and fed most of today's stake into those machines with little to no result. At 4:30 I walked over to Bally's and got a chili cheese hot dog from Nosh for dinner.
I remembered someone saying the lineup for the Bronx Wanderers was crazy. I went to check and sure enough, it was so I went back downstairs to Nosh to wait until 5:25. Supposedly the show started at 5:30 but actually they didn't even let anyone in the showroom till then. I got preferred seating because I am wandering around with this cane.
I really enjoyed that show. The father is very good, not many men can pull off Frankie Valli's falsetto...but omg...it is the young fellas that I enjoyed the most. They KILLED Bohemian Rhapsody and Uptown Funk!!!
Just awesome! I also got a hoot out of watching the groupies they seem to have acquired...my age or older....practically swooning when dad came near.
After the show it was my intention to just return to the Plaza. I almost screwed myself today and I learned a lesson. Apparently a phone charger must be in my purse at all times.
I left my room this morning with the phone at about 85 %. I had some difficulty connecting to a strong enough signal to get an Uber to Harrah's. After I finally succeeded my phone was at 48%. So I turned it off completely to conserve the battery. I did not have trouble calling an Uber to go from Bally's to the Plaza.....but for some unknown reason after about ten minutes the first driver canceled on me. And charged me five bucks! (I had that reversed!) I am not sure I understand completely about "moving the pin" and making sure the drivers can find me, but I did have my phone in my hand so he could have called.
Now my phone is down to about 15% and I was panicking. I am using Uber this trip because I have a few free rides with them. I wanted to use my free ride but I wasn't sure if my phone would let me summon another driver. It just barely had enough juice left to do it and then it died.
I got my free trip home. Yay!!
After I got back to the Plaza I knew that I had $20.00 Freeplay at the Golden Gate and another $20 left in my wallet. I went over there and managed to play two hours on a Buffalo Gold on that $40 so that was fun, if somewhat deafening. Geez that place is loud! Then I came home to bed.
Tomorrow I check out of my beloved Plaza and into the D. I always worry about moving there because sometimes they give me the Internet code and sometimes they don't. That is why I love it here...I have fast strong wifi...no question. I guess if you don't hear from me for awhile...I have lost my wifi. I used to sit outside the Four Queens and try to use the free stuff but that signal is very weak.
Howdy people!
Today was another excellent day!
I got cleaned up and packed up for my move down to the D. I was concerned about how difficult I would find dragging my suitcase down the street today. As you know I got a new suitcase for Christmas and I did not really realize this but it is one of those spinner types. I could push it with one finger all the way down Fremont. I was thrilled. So the move was easy. I also managed to get all checked in at ten thirty am and they gave me the Internet code so I don't have to worry about it. Maybe they have changed their policies and give it to everyone now?
My room is great except for the fact that I am facing the Downtown Events Center and there is a lot of concerts going on this weekend. I am enjoying the new view...but I am sure this will be noisy.
I like the D I but I prefer the Plaza. My rooms are always very quiet there. And I still hate the elevator system here at the D.
After I got settled in Flusher and I made plans to go to Ellis Island and eat lunch and use our Las Vegas Advisor coupons. He asked me to play blackjack for a minute with his money in order to use the coupon that I wasn't going to use. He sat beside me and told me when to hit or stand...etc. He came out a little ahead on it. We played VP and he did well. ( I did not). Since the Ellis Island BBQ doesn't open till four we ended up eating in their coffee shop to use the two for one coupon. It is my first time there. I had an incredible salad with walnuts, cranberries, goat cheese and chicken. Yum!!!!! Flusher had a chicken fried chicken sandwich. He said it was good too.
My salad
Flusher's meal
Flusher had set up a small meet with a few people who wanted to meet him at the Palace Bar at 4 Queens at five pm. So we came back from EI and went there. Actually I went there first while he parked the car. I went to get some seats and was surprised to see some Vegas lovers I know from VMB and FB by the name of Oxygenator and his wife at the bar. We also met up with "Laura loves to bowl" from VMB and another couple whose name has escaped me already. I got my first quad of the trip there. We enjoyed chatting with these people then we split up and went own ways. I came back to the D and gave them the rest of my days funds. In bed by eight pm. ( Dinner is just some nuts)
I left the room at 9 am in search of breakfast. I texted Stephanie (another board member) to see if she was available to join me but she didn't seem to be...so I just used my D food comps and had breakfast in the D grill. Chicken and pancakes....yum. Too much food but very good.
When I left there I wandered around the second floor and decided to play nickel Keno...but I couldn't remember how. No seriously...not kidding...lol. So I just said screw it and started playing Double Double VP. It was my intention to low play but for some unknown reason my hand just kept hitting "max bet" which was twenty nickels. I might as well have been playing quarters. Anyhow it started hitting some good hands so I played it for two hours.
Then I walked over to the Grand to use the ten dollar LVA coupon over there and did the same thing at the Four Queens. No exciting results to report.
OH and by the way..you know how people are always saying you can avoid ATM fees by getting cash back at Walgreen's and CVS???? The cash back limit at the the Walgreen's downtown is just twenty dollars...which does not help me at all. Someone had said the limit was 200.00. Nope.
Heart Attack Grill, where I have heard they have an ATM with cheap fees was not open, and the cheap ATM on Third Street next to the Jerky store seems to be gone...
so I bit the bullet and paid 6.00 US to access my own money. Annoying.
I wish someone could tell me if they have successfully done cash back for $200 somewhere. Still wish they had not gotten rid of Travelers Cheques.
I decided to rest in my room until 3 or 4 and then head to the Excalibur to use my MyVegas buffet. After that I was going to Zumanity...also from MyVegas.
I went downstairs around three to call Uber for a ride to the EX. I figured that would leave me plenty of time to have a leisurely buffet and wander over NYNY for the show. It took me an hour and fifteen minutes to get one. Very busy time I guess. Twice this trip I have had Uber drivers cancel on me for no reason and then charge me the cancelation fee. These people did not try to call me or anything, so I don't know what that is all about...but I contested both charges and they reversed them.
By the time I got to the Ex and hit the MLife desk..( no line ups thank God) it was 5pm before I got to the buffet. I must say I was very pleasantly surprised. I find it to be a very attractive room. The food was hit and miss...like all buffets. The ribs were great. I really liked some Mexican dish. The oriental noodles were blah. Desserts were amazing!!
I REALLY liked it and would go again.
Best Red Velvet cake I have ever had!!!
I forgot what a maze it is to get out of Excalibur and over to NYNY. First they make me go downhill, then they make me go uphill...then they make me walk on cobblestones! Grrrr. Anyhow I made it and after many twists and turns located the Zumanity theatre. I played a really fun machine called Haunted House while I waited and managed to score a drink.
I was in a good frame of mind when I went to the show, but that did not last. It just wasn't my thing. I liked the comedic aspects. Hated the singer. Could live without the rest if it. Would never ever return....lol.
I was worried about how hard it would be to get an Uber back but NYNY has free visitor wifi so I had no issues calling one from inside the hotel. (Brought my charger this time.) It was bedlam outside at the UBER stand but I found my driver with no issues. Without exception all my Uber drivers this trip have been very nice and friendly. And thank you to anyone who used my Uber and/or Lyft codes...I really needed some free rides this trip. Sadly sometimes I get free rides that expire before I can use them. I hate that.
If you plan on using Uber or Lyft for the first time on your next trip..please use my codes. They give us both a discount!
Lyft credit for NEW users
Uber Code for NEW users
BONNIES1078UE
One more whine...why did they take away all the porn slappers and replace them with " face cream people"? The next person that comes at me with a packet of cream in their hand gets a cane upside the head!
Once again I am in bed a lot earlier than I would like to be. I rather be downstairs playing but today's allotment is gone with the wind.
Theory of a Deadman are playing right under my window. Thank God they quit by one am.
I didn't leave the room till 11 am today. I decided to go next door to eat at Magnolia's because apparently I had 25 dollars of free food there. I had my usual bacon and crab omelette. Magnolia's was mobbed as you might expect around noonish on a holiday weekend. There was a wait to get in. When I was seated I was facing the entryway and could watch the poor woman smuggling to seat the masses. It kind of ticks me off how discourteous people are. When ever I am in a restaurant that is that crazy busy, as soon as I am done eating I leave...I don't sit there socializing for an hour when they are obviously desperate for the table. Go yap somewhere else!
Bacon Crab yumminess
Oh and the noise level in there was insane. I had to come back to the D to get some peace and quiet. When have you ever heard anyone say THAT?!
The punk rock bowling festival just started under my window. They started with Hurts so Good, then played Sweet Home Alabama....and now they are playing Folsem Prison Blues!!! This is not what I expected at all. I did not expect to recognize anything! It sounds pretty good!
I can't decide whether to fight my way to the Strip tonight to see the Tenors of Rock or to just stay downtown and do something here. PLaza is having another pool party I could attend if I wanted to. I can get free/or almost free tickets for shows down here. Hmmmmmm.
Hey..now they are playing Footloose. WTH?
After I ate I was looking around the D to see if they had that Haunted House slot that I was having fun with yesterday at NYNY. They do...way off in a far away corner. Incredibly I managed to play that for two hours with forty bucks. That makes me happy because even though I hate their elevators...I still like the D and want to continue to get offers and I need to give them some play to do that.
Scratch what I said earlier about the music being normal.
I guess that was just some warm up band. Now there are much different noises coming from the event center and my whole room is vibrating.
I decided that whether or not I went back to the Strip tonight to see the Tenors was contingent on my being able to get Lyft to accept PayPal as my method of payment.
They still won't. I have called and talked to PayPal..my account is fine. I have emailed Lyft and done what they suggested ... doesn't work. I only have two free rides left on Uber...one to get me to Aria on Monday and one to get me to the airport on Weds.
I want to save them. If Lyft would have worked I would have gone.
So I decided to stay downtown and do something else. I have been wanting to check out the Dome at Container park. I went and bought a ticket for the 7 pm show then went over to El Cortez to use my LVA coupon and play until it was time for the show. I tried a few things but settled in at an old 4 card Keno machine that I could understand. I was betting forty cents a spin on dimes. And guess what...I actually got six out of six for 1600 dimes! Whoo hoo! I couldn't believe it. So I was in a happy frame of mind after that.
The Dome is very cool. You recline in comfy recliners and watch the show projected on the ceiling. I went to see the Led Zepplin one. It was very beautiful...but it also makes you quite dizzy and a wee bit nauseous. I enjoyed it though, despite that.
As I came out of the dome I saw everyone gathering because the praying mantis was about to go off so I stayed and watched.,it was around 8 pm.
I came back to the D and had a coney dog and then played Buffalo for awhile. This is a crazy crowd here this weekend!
I thought the Punk Rock Bowling thing was just one night....but no...lucky me.....they are out there yelling under my window again tonight. I have made some interesting friends in the elevators.
They all talk to me. " I bet you came here for Punk Rock Bowling, right?"
Yup...that is it. You got me. That is why I am here..lol.
I had another fabulous day. Bob from the board called and woke me up but I am glad he did because it was eight am. Don't want to sleep the day away. We were going to try and connect today but it didn't work out.
The D had given me a fifty dollar food comp and I went downstairs to ask if I could have two twenty fives instead, but they won't do that. ( which makes no sense) They will split $150 into 3 parts...why not split the $50 in two for a solo traveler? I am going to suggest it.
Anyhow a very nice waitress was trying to help me spend it, I got coffee and juice and a breakfast entree and a turkey club and some cheesecake for my dinner tonight. I brought them upstairs and put them on ice in my sink to keep them cool.
I decided that today would be the day that I would go up the Strat. I have not been there since 1997 and I never went up it. I broke down and put my CC number into Lyft so that I could get a cheap ride over. It was about eight dollars but I had a discount of five dollars so it only cost me three and a tip.
I was quite impressed with their casino. Somehow it was nicer than I thought it would be. I went to get a new card and amazingly they still have me in their files from twenty years ago. I wandered around trying a few machines. Tried four card keno again and won thirty bucks. I decided to throw caution to the wind and play normal/ quarter VP for a bit. I sat down at a machine and was dismayed at how sticky it was. I didn't feel feel moving closer to the dude who was next to me so I just spit on a Kleenex and attempted to clean it off.
Well....I am very glad I stuck out the stickiness. I got two sets of deuces! My luck finally kicks in near the end of my trip! I played a good chunk of it back in...just messing around until 4 pm when Level 107 s happy hour starts. For some unknown reason the waitress on the floor brought me one drink...and then, without asking, she brought me a double that was so strong it was practically pure whiskey.
Did I look like I needed alcohol or something? Strange...Anyhow I was feeling no pain by the time I got up to Level 107. That may have had something to do with how relaxed I was about the height. Then I ordered two Mango Madnesses......because the drinks are two 4 one at their Happy Hour.
Everything is so pretty when you are toasted! Lol
I returned to the D after that and had to take an actual cab to do so. 
It was $13.00.
There is no free wifi at the Strat sadly.....so I could not use Lyft or Uber.
I ate half of my sandwich then went to play Buffalo. They were generous at first but then took it all away.
At 8:30 I went to see Kevin Burke in Defending the Caveman. He had been chiding me on Facebook for staying at his hotel and not coming to see him. His show is always entertaining. He seems like a really nice guy.
My review....
“Defending the Caveman” Will Put a Smile on Your Face
And now I am in bed...waiting for midnight when the party outside dies down to a dull roar. Oh and tomorrow I move to Aria for two nights. I am excited about a 360Vegas meet I am going to tomorrow, Scott Roeben (Fremont St Experience , Vital Vegas) will be there, and Michael Movestro (Vegas Bright), Marc Meltzer (EDGeVegas, Travel Vegas, TravelZork,Covers,etc) and a bunch of other bloggers and podcasters etc. It should be fun! I fly home Weds.
Packing up to move to Aria. Lots of places are doing the "email check in" thing, as are they, but I love how they command you not to approach the registration desk for a key until you receive the email that your room is ready! First of all, there are still people in the world who don't travel with a bunch of appliances and second of all there are people like me who don't have data. The only way that I am going to receive an email from you is if you have free wifi property wide! Hope they do!
I checked out of the D at 11 and I was thinking about eating someplace different for brunch, but the D was giving me more free food and I can't say no to free. So I ate at the D grill yet again. I had planned to hit the gift shop to buy a bottle of pop and some nuts before I went to Aria but I forgot. Likely a bag of nuts is ten thousand dollars here.
I took an Uber over to Aria. As I explained before they tell you NOT to approach the desk without receiving an email telling you your room is ready. I had not gotten one before I left downtown so I assumed I would have to give my suitcase to the Bell desk to hold. One little problem though, there is no bell desk at the north entrance where Uber drops you off!! I had to drag my stuff all the way thru the casino to the front entrance and give them my bag. It is almost like they want to punish you for using ride sharing. You used Uber? No bag assistance for you!
I came back inside, sat down and pulled out my IPhone to connect to MGMs visitor wifi. After I connected I saw that I did indeed have an email so I could go get my keys. I dragged my bag to the bell desk for nothing. So I limped thru the casino again to the Mobile check in desk and got my keys. Then limped back thru the casino to the elevators. My room of course it at the far end if a hall. By the time I finally got in I was pooped and ouchy.
I did the mobile check in thing so I didn't ask for anything but if I ever come here again I will ask for a room near the elevator. I did not realize how enormous this place is. I need a scooter to get to my room.
I see what they mean about the Aria beds....they are incredibly comfortable. I decided to lie down for an hour and fell asleep. Then I freshened up and began the trek to get to the podcasters/bloggers 360 Vegas meet at Bellagio.
I traversed the long hallway back to the elevator, thru the casino to the Crystals door, out the door and over to Crystals. Up three different escalators to the tram level. Rode the tram. Walked fifty miles thru Bellagio to reach the casino. My God.....that is no easy trek for a person with walking issues. I felt like I needed to leave a trail of breadcrumbs to ever find my way back. I located the Baccarat bar but did not see anyone I knew at first. I decide to sit at a slot and play a twenty and get a free drink. The machine hit nothing so my free drink was actually quite pricey.
Finally I saw some familiar faces starting to gather. Scott Roeben and Micheal Movestro were there...my homies. Lol. I was happy I got to meet Marc Melzter who writes for many different Vegas publications. I got to have a chat with Chris from the Aces and Faces podcast; super nice fella who bought me what I am sure was a very overpriced drink. I met Vito from Cousin Vito's podcast and his sometimes sidekick. I saw some of the people who do the Vegas 360 podcast but didn't really get to converse with them. I met lots if other nice people whose names have already escaped me.
I was great meeting all those people. But standing in the the middle of a very crowded and noisy Bellagio was not a ideal location. We were supposed to be seated in the Baccarat Bar but something went wrong with that.
Scott was giving out dice from the Frontier hotel.
After a while the group moved to their next location which was Wahlburgers. There was no way I was going to be able limp across the street to Bally's ...I was already in pain. So I bid everyone a fond farewell....and went about the long and agonizing process of getting back to Aria.
I had it in my head that I would go play a bit at Cosmo...but I was too tired. As I walked thru Crystals the coffee at Starbucks smelled very good so I got a coffee and some yougurt hoping that would revive me. It didn't. I played a bit in Aria but had no wins and no real playtime. Not really surprised.
Staggered up to bed.
My only plan for tomorrow is to relax. I have a free buffet to eat and I hope to visit their pool.
Good morning.
I have been awake two hours and I can't seem to extract myself from this Aria bed!
Omg...the most comfortable bed I have ever been on.
Well...if I want that free buffet I do have to get dressed.
I have been looking for the Flintstone game in every casino I have been to and can't find it. Apparently it is at Cosmo but I did not realize that until it was too late. I played Sharknado last night and while I agree it is amusing...I could not get a three shark bonus. Likely because I am in Aria...lol. I find the slots here to be very tight.
This place is lovely but it is overwhelming for me. I should have just stayed downtown. This is not worth a forty dollar resort fee to me.
So it is my last day in Vegas and I feel like I should be tearing off to do something exciting but that likely won't happen.
I will be returning home dead broke again I am afraid.....hopefully I can scrounge the funds together for October.
This has almost seemed like two trips. The first part being when I was reeling in pain and wondering if Mike was still alive. And the second part being after the massage which made me feel better. I am always sad to leave Vegas. But I know I will keep returning, no matter what kind of screwed up condition I seem to be in...lol.
After I got my butt out of this glorious bed, I looked out the window at 8:15 am and saw how deserted Cosmo's pool was and came to the brilliant conclusion that Aria's pool would be equally slow. So I threw on my swimsuit and cover up and went "running" down there. I went to the pool that was the furthest away from the entrance and there was only about 15 people there. Perfect! The sun wasn't hitting the pool yet so I guess all the sun worshipers were still in bed. The pool is heated...not as warm as the Plaza but still comfortable. (the Plaza's is salt water too..this one isn't ). So I had an nice swim and did all kinds of stretches to help the sciatica if that is what this is. I did not attempt to sit on their lounges, so I don't know if I could get off them or not. I think I could. I think Aria's pool area is prettier than Cosmo's because they have all these trees planted around it to make it look tropical. Next I moved over to the hot tub and there was only four people in there so I did not have to fight my way into it. It had a perfectly positioned jet to shoot warm water on my sore butt so that was nice.
I came upstairs and showered and then went to the Buffet and stood in an interminably long line.
I got in eventually and had a nice lunch.
The Aria Buffet
Then I debated whether I felt ambitious enough to go to Cosmo. My room is right above this short cut people speak of between Aria and Cosmo, so I have been studying it and it doesn't look very safe for pedestrians. Especially ones who are incapable of scampering.
I decided to just stay here. Maybe I judged Aria too harshly. Maybe the casino will be kinder today? Mm..no. Their casino is filled with money sucking monsters that give you almost no play. I don't know if Cosmo would have been any better...but it couldn't have been any worse.
Just a little comparison for you...
The price of a bottle of Dr Pepper
Plaza Gift Shop 1.86
THe D gift shop 2.25
Bellagio gift shop 3.50
Aria gift shop 4.50!
AND in the Elements gift shop at Aria they have face cream people! She shoved a sample of cream in my hand before I knew what was happening. Then she began to try and coax me to the back of the store but I claimed I was late for something. Well..I have a sample now. I can see for myself what it is like. It is called Forever Flawless. Right. Let's see if I wake up "flawless" tomorrow!
I wonder if they are all pushing the same brand?
The walk from the elevator to the room is just insane. I am trying to zone out and just keep trudging. I did that so effectively last night I walked right past it!
May 31, 2017
I am home...safe and sound.
I love seeing the attempts made to clean up after I have been gone two weeks. Someone did dishes. Someone took a stab at cleaning the bathroom... it is cute. Not my level of cleaning...but I appreciate the effort.
The Southwest flight was very good today. But even though I was a pre-board person there was still a mad crush around the jetway door when the announcement to board was made. I don't like that part. I scored a row with no one in the middle...always exciting when that happens. I just chilled and watched Bridget Jones Baby and the flight was over before I knew it. There is definitely about two inches more legroom on SW compared to Spirit. I think the seats are equally narrow but SW may have a tiny bit more cushion to them.
Came home completely broke.
That last day was spent just swimming, buffet-ing, and a brief but miserable foray into attempting to play at Aria.
(Don't think I will do THAT again anytime soon!)
I am looking forward to my October Halloween trip.
It can't come soon enough!
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