Speaking of Vegas you can't not think of all the gigantic casino hotels, which really is amazing how much money people are willing to throw into a desert - not just the people who built the hotels invested millions and billions of dollars, but also tourists and gamblers who got hypnotized by the shiny neon lights, just bring their hard earned cash to a poker table and lose them before you can say "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas". But damn, the hotels sure are pretty.
So starting from the south of the strip, the Welcom to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Apparently it is easily missed since people would tried to avoid the traffic and not drive through the very south point of the strip. But this sign, designed and built more than 50 years ago, is one of the remaining "old" things you would see in Vegas. Being such a heavily invested town, poeple tend to focus on anything new and shiny. So these old treasures tend to disappear one by one as the time goes by.
Ever wondered what is at the back of the sign? Here it is...
The Luxor - the black pyramid with a beam of light shooting straight into the sky. I asked if you actually live in the gigantic sphinx, and the answer is no.
Going inside Luxor you realize the pyramid is really hotel rooms. But apparently Luxor is not popular among Asian tourists - no superstitious Asians would want to live in tomb.
The Excalibur - looks all fairytale-like from the outside, but I've heard inside is just like any other casino. I asked if you really actually get to live in one of the towers, and the answer is no.
New York New York - pretty amazing that I can actually recognize some of the buildings here but I`ve never been to the real New York (probably recognize them from all the movies and games). The roller coaster is a big attraction. And no, you can't live in the Statue of Liberty.
The MGM Grand, gigantic golden lion. One of the most expensive (and secret) villa is housed somewhere on the gounds of the MGM Grand. For $50,000 a night you get a secret entrance that lead you into a villa that would made you forget that you are actually in Vegas.
The not-so-white white tigers of MGM - sleeping, and not very lady-like.
Coca-Cola and the M&M stores - who knew you need two entire 5-story building for those products.
Harley-Davidson Cafe, compare to other building and signs this is actually pretty discreet.
The Bellagio and the fountain show. the entire hotel looks like it is built on water because of the huge pool in the front - how can you really think you are in the middle of a desert?
Inside Bellagio it is a winter wonderland theme - very classy.
The Paris, a ride up the tower costs $16, but I believe the vew is better from the outside.
Caesars Palace with Celine Dion being its huge selling point.
Inside Caesar Palace (Forum Shop shopping mall), the place is decorated with huge stone statues of half naked ladies.
The Flamingo - Donny and Marie!
The Harrahs - very playful carnival theme, but you can tell it really is an older casino, so the people who hangs out there have a different vibe too...
The Venetian and Palazzo. I am really sad that for some hotels I only have photos of them during day-time, because the Venetian and Palazzo really looks so much better at night.
The indoor (really, that is not real sky) gondola. But how can you really get into the mood? You know you are in Vegas and not Venice! Such a novelty.
Inside the Venetian is filled with grand ceiling paintings and gold on everything - quite mesmerizing.
There is a small waterfall inside the Venetian, very pretty autumn decore - falling leaves, fall harvest, and things like that.
The also very new and shiny Wynn and Encore Hotels.
Inside Wynn is a fantasy garden theme (again, look much better at night). Good venue for weddings if you can afford to rent a whole section of the hotel.
The Fashion Show Mall - or as people call it, the Cheap Mall since it is the only place on the strip not filled with high end brands like LV, Gucci, Prada but it has common brands like Macy's, Abercombie, Zara etc. - my kinda place.
Further away from the Strip is the Old Vegas. I have to say it is actually quite a scary place because it feels quite run down, and the dealers there are all retirement aged, well I should say, more experienced. Definitely not somewhere young people hang out. But I am glad to come because the classic Las Vegas icons are here. The Cowboy sign is so classic, but I think his hand is broken...
The Cowgirl sign... hmm...... ignore the "Girls! Girls! Girls!" ads that runs beneath it.
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