Nathan's Insights

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

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  • 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.

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  • 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.