Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas


Pages:
About | Countries | Tours | Trips | Bucket List – Done | Bucket List – To Do | Airport Lounges | Flight History

Travel Categories:
Flight Reviews | Lounge Reviews | Destinations | Short Breaks | World Trip 1986 | World Trip 1998 | World Trip 1999-2000 | World Trip 2006 | World Trip 2009 | World Trip 2009-10 | World Trip 2010 | World Trip 2011 | World Trip 2012-13 | World Trip 2015 | World Trip 2016 | World Trip 2017 | World Trip 2017-18 | World Trip 2018 | World Trip 2019 | Australia 2022 | World Trip 2023 | World Trip 2024 | World Trip 2024-25 | World Trip 2026-27

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 71 – Las Vegas to Los Angeles, USA

    Wednesday 19 January 2000
    Highlights:      Winning a deck of cards 🙂

    Before the afternoon express bus to Los Angeles we had time for one last gambling experience.  While I didn’t win any money on a free slot machine I won a pack of games, lucky me 🙂

    All up we gambled at the Stratosphere, Las Vegas Hilton, Caesar’s Palace, Bellagio, MGM Grand and the Tropicana Casinos.  Jon finish a little up, while I guess you can say I just enjoyed the experience losing money that I could afford.

    Arriving in Downtown Los Angeles I was reminded of why I sometimes dislike LA, far too seedy and dirty at least for those without money.  We are hoping a visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain will be a highlight and get me to like LA a little more.

    We will be staying in LA for 3 nights and then go to San Francisco for 3 days before saying goodbye to the States after 64 days of crossing this global super power.

    , ,

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 70 – Las Vegas, USA

    Tuesday 18 January 2000
    Highlights:     Paris Casino, ‘Viv Las Vegas’ show, The Star Trek Experience

    We slept in today after our 3 am night of gambling and exploring Las Vegas.  Today was about visiting more casinos, starting with MGM Grand and moving onto the Stratosphere Casino which was about 6 kms away.  At the Stratosphere we enjoyed the ‘Viv Las Vegas’ show.

    After more gambling (a real surprise) we visited the Vegas Hilton again we visited The Star Trek Experience, which I loved being a big fan.

    Next up was the exceptional Paris Casino.  The roof in the casino is painted as the sky and you really feel like it’s day time and you are outside.  Although I lost at the craps table this was easily the best casino so far.

    ,

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 69 – Flagstaff to Las Vegas, USA

    Monday 17 January 2000
    Highlights:      Losing money quickly Vegas style 🙂

    An early wake to catch the 7.20 am bus to Las Vegas.  We met up with Mark and Angela for the bus trip.  Arriving in Las Vegas we rang around looking for the cheapest Casino – Hotel which turned out to be the Tropicana up the top end of the strip.

    While Jon was busy taking A shower I quickly went down to the gambling tables and just as quickly lost money.  This was the start of a theme, losing money no matter what I played.

    For dinner we searched for a good buffet, settling for Caesar’s Palace which while expense was very good.  We walked down the strip to the Vegas Hilton visiting and gambling at most of the casinos along the way.  Jon kept winning I kept losing 😦

    By the time we got to the Hilton it was past 11 pm and the Star Trek Experience was shut so it had to wait for tomorrow. The round walking trip was over 10 kms, made easier with a lighter wallet I guess – LOL.

    , ,

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 68 – Flagstaff, USA

    Sunday 16 January 2000
    Highlights:     The amazing Grand Canyon.

    After enjoying the free hostel breakfast the tour of the Grand Canyon left around 9.30 am and took approximately 2 hours to get to our destination.  Our driver and guide David took us to four different points on the South Rim during the day and we then finished at the ‘Grand View Point’ attempting to watch the sunset.

    (more…)

    , ,

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 67 – Flagstaff, USA

    Saturday 15 January 2000
    Highlights:     Nothing today.

    We arrived at Flagstaff very early in the morning.  I had a spare empty seat next to me so managed some sleep, Jon wasn’t so lucky.  After ringing many local hostel’s Grand Canyon International answered and organised a pick up from the bus station.  Checking in at 7 am we slept to around noon.

    The hostel has a trip planned to the Grand Canyon scheduled for tomorrow so we signed up for $38 each.  We also signed up for the hostel dinner.  Before that I explored a little of the town which appeared to be nice and clean.

    The rest of the day was spent washing cloths and watching movies.  The hostel has great facilities and the staff are very friendly.

    ,

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 66 – Santa Fe to Flagstaff, USA

    Friday 14 January 2000
    Highlights:     Palace of the Governors, San Miguel Mission

    A change of plans meant we got a chance to explore Santa Fe.  Santa Fe is the oldest surviving town in the USA that was part of Mexico originally.

    We visited the Palace of the Governors that was for a long time the longest serving centre of any Government in the USA from the mid 1650s until 1906.  It currently houses a Museum covering its and New Mexico’s history.

    We also visited San Miguel Mission the oldest in the USA and the oldest house. The most fascinating thing about Santa Fe was that for a short time the Native American Indians expelled the Spanish and Mexicans and took over the town and surrounding area.  This is the only time Native Americans successfully took back their land via force.

    Our bus trip to Flagstaff left at 8.05 pm for a long overnight ride that is scheduled to get arrive in Flagstaff at 5.15 am.

    , ,

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 65 – Santa Fe, USA

    Thursday 13 January 2000
    Highlights:     Barely surviving a 23 hour bus trip 😦

    Barely surviving a 23 hour bus journey we arrived in Santa Fe around 3.50 pm and walked down to the Thunderbird Inn to spoil over selves instead of staying in the local hostel.

    Santa Fe is just a stop over point before getting to Flagstaff.  We walked around the city and had a nice Italian dinner but really saw little of the town.

    ,

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 64 – Deadwood to Santa Fe, USA

    Wednesday 12 January 2000
    Highlights:     Mt Rushmore, Custer Park.

    We managed to visit Mt Rushmore today, it only took a taxi ride to Stargis, a bus ride to Rapid City and a short term car rental to get there.  Driving in the USA takes some getting used to (right side of the road)  but I had some experience from my 1998 trip.  Jon got to experience this for the first time and did quite well.

    (more…)

    , ,

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 63 – Deadwood, USA

    Tuesday 11 January 2000
    Highlights:     Visiting graves of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill

    Today we visited the historic sites of Deadwood.  But first the locals greet us as we walked around the small town.  This was surprising but apparently getting to Australians in town was news, we must have made an impression playing blackjack last night!

    Deadwood is famous for James Butler Hickok aka ‘Wild Bill‘ who was shot here playing poker ( the dead man’s hand) and Calamity Jane (Martha Canary).  It snowed overnight and again during the day and it sure made a beautiful sight, and was very slippery!  We visited the W.C. Adams museum which covered Deadwood’s varied history.

    After a careful climb we visited the local cemetery which has over 3,000 graves, Deadwood currently has 1,800 live residents. Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are both buried here. The cemetery also gives you a great view of the town.

    We then tried to win car rental costs, for our visit to Mt Rushmore tomorrow, at Saloon 10, the one were Wild Bill was shot.  Nothing so serious this time 🙂

    ,

  • World Trip 1999-2000: Day 62 – Deadwood, USA

    Monday 10 January 2000
    Highlights:      Wild West Gambling!

    After 25.5 hours of travelling, five bus changes, three bus companies, two time zone changes and a cab ride we arrived at Deadwood and our hotel (no hostel stay this time).

    South Dakota is basically very bare and dusty.  Wind storms were very evident. However Deadwood itself was covered in snow and looked like the amazing small west town I had imagined.

    I managed to call home for my birthday, a few days late but still the effort counts.  Mum and Reagan sounded very busy and they had just experienced a blackout before I called.

    After a very welcome hot shower Jon upped his Burger King gift to a streak dinner which I really enjoyed to celebrate my 26th birthday.  I wonder how many times I’ll be travelling outside of Australia on my birthday in future years?

    We then experienced Wild West gambling visiting the Gold Dust Casino, one of many casino allowed in this historic town but only with limited stakes, a maximum of a $5 bet.  Jon won $25 while I generously donated $10 to the local economy.

    ,