Day 3.

Started our day a little late (around 10 or so). It was raining in the morning but it did not seem that the rain would prevent us from going to the Hoover Dam today. The cooler temperatures actually seemed very inviting. But first things first ... After our morning ritual trip to the java detour coffee shop, we pick up our bubble rental and headed to the Whole Foods market! So exciting. It is located a mere 2 milled up the Las Vegas Blvd. I was supposed that none of the vegetarian/vegan blogs that I was consulting before our trip mentioned it. I just stumbled upon it myself, and this made me very happy ;) The store was amazing! Since it was my first trip ever, I am amazed and wanted to spend all day there. Not only do they have an amazing variety of deli style food available, but also friendly staff and free Wi-Fi ;) It was almost impossible to pick what to eat. So many coincides. Eventually, I got the Health Starts Here Vegetarian Wrap, with wonderful assortment or veggies, mushrooms and hummus, and Ewa got the T's Spicy Vegan Grilled Cheese, with avocado, jalapeños and Daya vegan cheese ;) So amazingly delicious! 

After our wonderful meal, we picked up some snacks and beverages for our trip to Hoover Dam. First, a quick stop to the Post Office, where besides mailing postcards, I also had to charge my phone since the GPS seems to drain my battery quite quickly. 

The drive to the Hoover Dam was very pleasant and scenic. The dam is located about 30 miles from Las Vegas, just on the outskirts of the Boulder City. The view was magnificent, and the concrete monstrous dam very impressive. Ewa and I got tickets for the tour, and we got to go inside of the dam! That was really cool. The history of the dam is quite fascinating, and it seems to have a positive impact on the communities around it as well as other states (like California, Arizona, and even Wyoming) and even Mexico. The Colorado River with all it's dams is a crucial source of water for our agriculture, viable energy source and recreational activities. We are both glad we got to see it. The cool thing about the Hoover Dam is that it is exactly between two states, Nevada and Arizona. So if one stands exactly in the middle, one can be in two states at the same time ;) 

Just across from the dam is a magnificent concrete bridge called Memorial Bridge. Ewa and I took a short drive there so we could enjoy a wonderful view of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Colorado River for the top. The bridge is incredibly high, and it was super windy on top. I was a little scared to look down but I did at the end and it was worth it ;)

It was a long long day! By the time we got to our car it was after 6:00 pm. We arrived at the dam around 2:30! 

We headed back to Whole Foods market to pick up some dinner. We decided on some sushi; I got vegetarian avocado an cucumber roll, and Ewa Spicy Crab and avocado California roll. We also grabbed some inexpensive Chardonnay form Harthill Farm in California and we headed back to our hotel. The hotel has free parking and valet service. It is quite convenient. 

The plan was to head to the Bellagio Hotel after the dinner, but after the wonderful sushi and wine feast (while watching Olympics!), Ewa and I decided to called  it a day. After all, we have another long day ahead of us tomorrow ... A road trip to the Grand Canyon!

Nite!

Day 2.

Finally got up around 9:00 am. The day was looking quite gorgeous! Was able to switch rooms to get a double bed room. Different view but still very nice. Had coffee at ... Really good ;) Then did some shopping at the hotel shops. Ewa and I decided to go to the Eiffel Tower restaurant for lunch which turned out to be a wonderful idea. After indulging in some amazing vegetarian crepes and the most wonderful creme brûlée, we headed to the top of the Eiffel Tower and caught a breath taking water fountain show at Bellagio. From there we decided to explore our hotel a little bit. Took a look at the wild life habitat and saw some awesome Chilean flamingos. Got beer at the Sin City Brewery. Ewa got an Amber ale, and I tried Wheat beer. Both were quite delicious. The older gentleman who was the bartender and who helped us earlier with t-shit purchase was very nice.  Overall all the employes that we have encountered so far (except the mean Alamo lady) exceptionally friendly and helpful ;)

One of the negative tags about Las Vegas is that smoking is allowed everywhere :/ It is a hard thing for me to understand, since Fort Wayne is a non smoking city. This experience definitely gives me a greater appreciation for my town.

Now off to explore Las Vegas by night and to see out The Beatles Love cirque the Soleil show at Mirage!

Waked a couple minutes to the Mirage (it is located on the Strip) to pick up our tickers. What a magnificent hotel! It is much bigger and busier that Flamingo. It has a live botanical gardens inside, which Ewa and I saw, as well as an Aquarium, which we hopefully will see before we leave.

After we picked up our tickets, we checked out the Beatles gift shop. What a place. We wanted to buy everything. Ewa bought a book for a friend and a nice set of playing cards for herself. I restrained for now ;)

Then we wanted to pick some quick bite to eat but did not find anything appropriate. We decided to head out to our seats. After a short wait we got to our seats. They were really close to the main stage, which in itself is a pure work of art. Unfortunate there were some obnoxious people (mostly men) that came in large groups and were confused about their seat placement. Also a couple that was supposed to seat next to Ewa and I came in late, which was a little disturbing. Bedside this minor disturbance, the show was incredible! Now I understand, why people,recommended that I experience Cirque de Soleil at least once in a life time. The entertainment value is definitely very high and visually the show is very stimulating. I was amazed by the agility of the performers as well. The choice of songs was really great and the story quite moving. Wonderful experience!

After the show, We headed back to our hotel in search for a healthier late night snack. We ended up sharing a mozzarella and tomato wrap from L.A. Subs (located at the hotel food court, adjacent to the casino). The wrap was surprisingly good, although, this opinion might not be very objective, since we have not eaten since our fabulous French lunch.

Sadly, it is very hard to find healthy/vegetarian options ink the Strip. Being desperate I looked up some healthier options, and tomorrow Ewa and I will make our first trip to the Whole Foods! I am very excited about this discovery ;)

Before going to bed, we watched some olympics coverage on Telemundo (Mexican television). That was fun, since both Ewa and I know some Spanish ;)

Another plan for tomorrow is to go to the Hoover Dam! Only a short drive from Las Vegas. Getting late here. It is almost 1 am. 

Good night, Las Vegas.

Day 1.

Arrived at the South Bend airport a little bit after 8:00 pm in order to make the 10:05 pm Las Vegas flight. Things at the airport went pretty smooth, the Allegiant and TSA people turned it very pleasant. Just a couple grumpy airport concession stated girls. The plane ended up being delayed. So we ended up leaving 45 minutes after our scheduled flight. It seems like the same plane brings people back to South Bend and takes new people to Las Vegas. Boarded the plane. I do did not prepay for our seats to be next to each other so Ewa ended up on a seat right behind me (34A). My seat turned out to be 33C which is the emergency exit seat. I was able to switch seats with a man who was traveling with his friend who was happy to have pretty unlimited leg room (which comes with the emergency exit seat). So in the end I ended up next to Ewa. Out first plane trip together. Since we were extremely exhausted from out move earlier in a day that we just fell asleep. Not the most comfortable seats but the plane got us to our destination safely. As we were flying over the illuminated city, it was breathtaking, but also sad at the same time. Las Vegas is definitely an excellent  example of humans negative impact on our planet and horrible selfishness.

After arriving to the Las Vegas airport (name?) which is huge, Ewa and I go out Starbucks fix (12:02 Las Vegas time, 3:02 am Fort Wayne time). Ewa go a strawberry smoothie and I tried my first green chai latte (thank you for your recommendation Sonja!). Las Vegas airport is huge and very ornate. They are palm trees everywhere and murals are displayed on walls and floors. They are slot machines everywhere! There is even a specially designated glass box for the smokers, which also contains numerous slot machines and such. In order to get to luggage claim, we had to take a shuttle train. When we finally showed up to pick our luggage up most of the other travelers from out place were gone with theirs. Our luggage was thankfully there and we set off towards the car rental shuttle. The driver was very helpful and there were only 3  other people on the buss with us. It took is about 5 minutes to get to the car rental pick up portion of the airport. The airport in self is literally just on the very outskirts of the city, mere 6 miles away from the Strip! 

Ewa and had prepaid our entire trip, including the plane tickets, car rental and hotel stay, however I still had to show my credit card at the car rental place and pay $100 in additional fees (disappointment). More so that the woman that was helping us was so rude, unhelpful and judgmental. I really wish I would have remembered her name so I could write about my experience to Alamo. After some difficulties (mostly me forgetting to take the rig credit card with me, and other issues that I will not mention) we got our car. It turned out that in Las Vegas you have your choice of car in the category that you have paid for,which in this case was compact car. The other people with the Alamo rental place were very nice. (I wish I also taken their names down). Ewa and I got to the row of compact cars: Chevys, Hundays, Mazda, Nissan and several Toyotas. We settled for gray Toyota Yaris. I prefer my cars shaped like jelly beans so I was very happy with this cure little hunchback. The only problem is that neither neither Ewa nor I drive an automatic car! I have driven them before but because of the simple exhaustion (we have been up since 6:00 am Fort Wayne time and it was sometime close to 1:00 am Las Vegas Time, I totally forgot how to drive. One of the very nice Alamo people had to demonstrate for me! How embarrassing, but she was so very nice about it. Slowly Ewa and I were on our way to the Pink Flamingo hotel, which was only 10 minutes away by car. On our way we were mesmerized but all the sights and lights of Las Vegas by night (more life early morning). Arrived at hour hotel at last. The city's full of life at this time of nite/day. We used a valet at our hotel and headed to the registration area. Had to walk thought the maze of stores, restaurants, slot machines and shops first. Check in was pretty standard. Unfortunately the hotel did not have any double room beds at this time so we got a king size bed room on the 7th floor for the night. We were told that we can switch tomorrow, if there is availability,

On our way up in the elevator, we encountered some harmless happy drunks, but nothing to crazy.

Our room is quite spacious and nicely furnished (shockingly very little pink). With a great view of the neon world below us. Even though it was almost 2:00 am Las Vegas time, the room was bright! Thankfully the room is equipped with nice dark shades ;) 

As it was expected, Las Vegas being a desert, all the buildings and even the buss shuttle, are kept very cold (too cold for my liking). Our room was set on 62 degrees Fahrenheit! Brrr ... When I turned it up to 70 the heat kicked in ;) Hahah! I guess, it only takes one Kasia to be cold in a dessert!

Finally in bed! At this point, Ewa and I have been awake more that humanely comfortable, so we quickly feel asleep. Of course, me being me, I was up and awake at 5:00 am. This is when I decided to jot down this long paragraph.

At 5:44 am, as I am typing this, some drunk person is trying to get into our room with their room card. They have been pitting their key car in and out very persistently for good 5 minutes before they walked away. Really? ;)

It is 6:21 am (9:21 Fort Wayne time). I I'll try to fall asleep again. Today, Ewa an I are planing to spend a relaxing day at the hotel  pool. At night, Cirque de Soleil Beatles Love show at Mirage (9:30 pm) and if we have enough energy, some night sight seing of the Strip! ;)

Nite!