Despite a horribly bumpy flight from Austin to Las Vegas, we arrived successfully in one piece at our destination for what I have declared Vegas IV: The Pirate Vacation. No buzzphrase has been formulated yet such as last year’s bullseye spotting. Give it time, we’ve seen some funny things already. Haven’t really gotten around to any gambling because I was up all night before the trip so after a quick meal at TI’s in-house breakfast buffet (which is quite good), I had an all-afternoon nap. Overall, Treasure Island is a really nice place, possibly one of the Strip’s better kept secrets but it’s too soon to say from my initial impressions. My only complaint is the lack of useful furniture in our room, namely a dresser for us to put away our clothes that don’t require a hanger. If this is my only gripe with TI, then it has a great shot at becoming my regular hotel. Luxor was great if only its location at the end of the Strip didn’t prove to be a problem and Aladdin became the property of Planet Hollywood and Clear Channel, ‘nuff said there. I’ve also noticed more and more of the fallout as the casinos are devouring each other as they have fewer and fewer owners (really corporations, bring back the Outfit!). For example, there’s all the cross advertising of attractions for Rio on the Paris marquee, what the moronic executive caste calls synergy in their Newspeak. I call it the ugly side of monopolies but as long as the prices for food and entertainment don’t go through the roof, they won’t kill the goose that lays the golden eggs…they’re bordering on it.
Back to the positive. With the nap completed and a nice hot shower to wash away the funk of air travel, the wife and I walked from TI down to the southern edge of the Strip, Mandalay Bay. Somara wanted to see Luxor namely. We also scored tickets to see Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère for $20 through New York New York. Yes, there’s a catch. We have to sit through the two-hour pitch for some time-share nonsense called Tahiti Island. Somara wants to see a Cirque show so badly that I’m putting up with these time burglars for it. However, the rest of this trip will not be set to a schedule, other than her Friday-night surprise. I think she is still in the dark about it or else she’s faking her ignorance well, there are numerous billboards around Vegas capable of spoiling it. I found the sportsbook this morning while getting my morning coffee. Flyers are on at 4 pm, how I LOVE Pacific Time! I can place my bet, see them lose and still can go to dinner and drinks by 8 pm! I scored the updated betting line for them too. Their opening odds were 12-1 against on winning the Cup. As of Monday, they’re 50-1. I think Treasure Island’s handicappers are being too kind.
As for the rest of Vegas IV? The James Bond movie, the new Star Trek attraction, eating, drinking (I have been here for over 24 hours now without a drop of booze, aigh! I’m turning into a complete square!), reading fiction, writing (like this), gambling and the most important thing, relaxing! Don’t be too jealous, it’s very cold, around the mid 40s F, single digits C during the day, upper 20s F, single negative digits C at night, and windy.
I’ll close on Day One with this movie from Somara’s camera. This was done with iMovie 5 which is still as nice as version 6.
Treasure Island was where my wife and I stayed on our honeymoon/destination wedding trip to Vegas. I’ve liked it the best so far of all the places I’ve stayed, and the buffet is excellent. (The only better one I’ve been to involved another of those time share burglers, to get free eats at the Stratosphere and a show as well. The food was great, the show was good.)