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Viva Las Vegas!!
Written on: Wednesday January 9th, 2008
A journal entry from: Round the World in 172 days . . .
Well after LA we flew to Vegas and it was absolutely amazing to fly in and see the Strip by night!! This was definitely going to be a fantastic couple of days!! Or was it?? When we got to the airport we called the Grand Canyon tour company to check our pick up time the next morning (James' bday), but when we spoke to someone it turns out the tour was cancelled due to the weather, as we'd have got there and not seen anything - gutted!! Although this conversation took another turn for the worst as the lady claimed to have been trying to contact us or leave a message at our hotel, but they had no record of us booking a room - uh oh - were we to test out the streets of Vegas for our first nights stay?? At this stage of our trip, we we're kind of ready to take on the world, so bring it on Hotel . . . . We got a cab there (The Stratosphere) at the Northern end of the strip and it turns out that we were booked in and all paid for! Maybe the tour company we're trying it on? Who know's and to be honest who cares!
So we weren't able to go to The Grand Canyon, but on the upside this meant we had a whole day for James bday to explore and see what Vegas has to offer . . . . After an early night to get over still feeling a little grotty we got up early on James' bday, grabbed our first American buffet breakfast to fuel us for the day ahead and got a bus down to the busiest area of the Strip. It was amazing and the sky was blue and sun was out - this was going to be a great day! We both agreed that being in Vegas is kind of like that feeling you get as a kid when you walk into a big toy store or sweet shop - great stuff! We checked out some of the Casinos and hotels, had a beer in the MGM and then after a good few hours exploring went back to the hotel to get refreshed for the evening. We started off having a few beers in the Coyote Ugly bar (awesome!!) and then had a really great Brazilian meal within the Planet Hollywood hotel. After this we went to watch David Copperfield at the MGM. As we'd only booked tickets that day we were sitting quite near to the back, but someone was looking down on us, as one of the staff came over and offered us a table right at the front, joined onto the stage! The catch was we had to be part of the show! We basically had to pretend to arrive late and the lights followed us to the stage while David took the mickey for about a minute - it was funny and the seats were amazing, as was the show! I think it's fair to say James had a great birthday!!
The following day we flew to San Francisco, but our flight was delayed for a few hours so we didn't arrive until late that evening. We're currently at Fishermans Wharf after visiting Alcatraz. This was pretty amazing too. Got some great photos, some of which I'll try and add now, or if not once we're in NZ when we have more time.
Thanks from James for all the birthday messages and thanks from us both for so many of you reading our blog so far!
We're leaving San Francisco tomorrow for New Zealand (bring on the sunshine!) where we'll arrive on the 14th Jan . . . .
From yvonne on Jan 9th, 2008
I'm glad nothing's slowing you down, just slightly changing your direction! hope this flight's not delayed. You'll both be glad to get some sun on them bones! Alcatraz must've been wierd in real life,hope you escaped ok! lots of love XXX
From Nanna on Jan 9th, 2008
Shame about grand Canyon, but there seems to be so many things to do and places to see that you had a great time anyway.I'm so pleased you had a FAB birthday James.Will be looking out for next blog, love to you both. Nanna XX
From Mum and Bryan on Jan 10th, 2008
Hi you two sounds like you are having a ball. Great to have a chat. San Fransico sounds so cool. I will try to call you at your hotel before you go to New Zealand if not when you arrive have a safe journey and so pleased that you had a great birthday James. Hope your Flu is clearing Kaori. Love from Mum Bryan Yazzy and Jake xxxxxxxxxxx
From Gill Bryan on Jan 10th, 2008
Had a senior moment but obviously read your minds that you had a great time in San Fransico but actually meant Vegas Speak to you soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From Woody on Jan 10th, 2008
trHello Mother & Father, Glad you arrived safe & sound. It sounds like you are having a fantastic time. Try not to wory about me Karl is brilliant he is doing an experiment to see how big a little dog can get. I get to eat all the chocolate and king prawns (get it "King" prawns! I have become such a funny dog) I want..yummy. Wish I was in Vegas with you I think I might go online an join poker site, Karl has been showing me how to use the internet. Anyway safe travels & if you happen to visit an ancient indian burial site please bring me back a bone. Woof (I know that is soooooooo cliche a dog saying woof!) x
From Jacqui and Linda on Jan 10th, 2008
You two have the perfect attitude to life, when ever there is a set back you take it on the chin move on and make the most of it. Vegas sounds like a lot of fun. Was that the Coyote Ugly bar from the film, used to be your fave film didn't it Kaori? Well watch out New Zealand, here they come and they can take on the world!! Have a good flight and looking forward to reading the next chapter. Lots of love xxxxxx
From Jacqui and Linda on Jan 10th, 2008
Karl you are barking mad!
From Karl on Jan 10th, 2008
Hey you 2, glad to hear you are both having a great time. Although you missed out on your trip to Gran Canyon, it certainly sounds like you made up for it with a day in Vegas, its pretty impressive that you managed to get the front row seats at the copperfield show. Anyway hope you have a good flight to New Zealand and I will speak to you soon. P.S I'm assuming its Mum who is the mad one and put the note on here from Woody, although he is a clever dog so you never know. xx
From Dad/Tony on Jan 10th, 2008
Hi,K and J.I should have read the blog before i phoned.Mind you,having woke you both up,i probably would have rattled on for longer than i did,had i of read the blog.Phew !,i sense you think Kaori.I know i would,if anyone woke me with a phone call.Read the blog Dad thats what its for!.My excuse is,that the air in hertfordshire is similar to that in Norfolk.Mind you we havent advanced to dogs using the internet yet!.I guess the wind must blow predominantly from the east.On a final note.I dont feel to bad about waking you up(you see more of life, when you are awake!)Love you lots from memory Pops.xxx
From Julie and Mick on Jan 10th, 2008
Hi Kaori and James. So glad that you made it to LA. Sorry not to have looked at your blog before but we thought that you would be too busy to start writing yet. Sounds as though you are having a great time and really in the holiday mood. Hope you have a lovely time enjoying the activities in NZ. Belated Happy Birthday to James - thinking of you and wishing we were travelling too! Love Julie and Mick xx
From Lynsey on Jan 11th, 2008
hi guys. sounds like you are having a ball. You're certainly not missing anything exicting here! enjoy xx
From Amy Hall on Jan 11th, 2008
Oh my god, what a start having your bag nicked! Did they get any of the stuff back? Glad to see you r enjoying yourselves and makes me so jealous reading what your doing! Sounds like you had a wicked birthday james? Lots of love Amy and Phil
From geoff & sue on Jan 11th, 2008
hello jimmy & kaori, hope youre having a great time. glad they didnt keep you in on alcatraz !!!
From Mum Yaz and Bryan on Jan 12th, 2008
Hi guys, photos are amazing we feel as though we are with you but wish we were. Lovely to speak to you and that your Hotel is great too. Woody stayed last night and both dogs were great he is agreat guard dog even though we didn't have intruders he was being very alert bless him. For anyone who would like to K and J this number is the whole number including code that allows calls at 2p a minute. aAs follows 08444628181 006493663000 what long number but the connection is in seconds as if you were down the road. We will call you later before you go on travels. Love you lots and enjoy you surfing dudes. xxxxxx
From Rob and Natalie on Jan 12th, 2008
Hi guys, glad to hear after what was obviously a bad start, that the trip is going well. Make sure lots of photos are taken in NZ and if you do get some kitesurfing lessons you have to get photos of that. oh and just to let you know kaori, we have got two board orders..anyway enjoy yourselves and im sure we will send a little message again soon.
From Mum & Dad on Jan 12th, 2008
hello you two, we have just viewed the photos and we can see you are having a great time . Hope you dint spend to much money on the one armers.Alcatraz looks a bit bleak but better than Dereham.Continue to have a great time in NZ will speak later.Nan @ Adie wish you both all the best and have agreat time. Love Mum and Dad xxxx
From Dadams ! on Jan 13th, 2008
Hi Kaori and James.Great photos.I like the look of that cell you were in Kaori,you dont know if they rent them out do you ?.Nice private rooms,like that on its own little island are hard to come by !.I will try and get hold of you for a chat before you leave the hotel for surfing week.Hope the wheather is better there.Get started on the tans,but give Kaori a head start James,considering how easy you tan.Even i am jealous of your tan and i thought i tanned quite easy !.Right thats enough rabbit from me.If i dont catch you for a chat.Hope you catch some good waves.Pops xxx
From Lou on Jan 15th, 2008
Ha James and Kaori, well its certainly interesting reading, never a dull moment, and good on ya!! So u r now just down the road from me, well NZ and I am sitting in Melbourne waiting for u both to arrive and hear many more stories. Jody and I are a little excited, well busting to be honest. HAve fun in the sun and keep up the good work, cant wait to u arrive, Love Lou x