This report will be slightly different than usual.
Visited LV from Dec. 12-18. Weather was cooler than usual for December.


Things we'll remember are:


1. Flight was delayed out of Phila.. Was arriving from Manchester and had equipment problems.

JMT......Could you please give me a few examples of equipment problems as opposed to mechanical problems. Have an idea, but would like to hear your version.

Fred and I took full advantage of the new rocking chairs in the airport terminal and checked out the Mall. Lots of very nice shops. Saw a buckwheat neck pillow I would like to get, but will look for a lower price elsewhere.


2. Flights out and back were very empty. Thirty empty seats going out and 50+ empty seats on the return to Philadelphia. This was one trip where "coach" had it all over first-class. I would have been upset if I were someone who paid for first-class or an upgrade. Coach was definitely the way to go this time......could have three seats to oneself. Many aboard had a full row to sleep.


3. Stayed two nights at T.I. and 4 at Sam's Town. Decided to change hotels after we received four free nights for Sam's.


4. Visited friends from Michigan who are spending four months in LV this winter.


5. More than 100 models from around the world converged on LV to participate in the Ocean Quest International Model Search Finals to be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the LV Hilton. They were having a bowling tournament, reception, swimsuit contest and photo shoots and interviews at Sam's throughout the week. One lady mentioned that she hoped the men getting on the elevator during the week had strong hearts. Those models certainly did not spend much money on clothes. Happened to be present when one decided to get a photo with Santa (on Santa's lap) in a shocking pink bikini.


Ocean Quest has a contract with the Fox Cable Network to produce 10 tv shows over the next 12 months. The Las Vegas venue will be the final segment of the "Ocean Quest" plot which will air in February.


6. Ate at the Orleans buffet. Fred definitely plans to return for another helping of the peanut butter, caramel pie.


7. Visited Sunset Station and Ethel M's Cactus Garden.


8. Checked out the new Paris. This is where Fred tried to offer a very helpful retail clerk a tip after he made a phone call for us and then escorted us approx. 1/4 mile to a particular shop we were trying to locate only to have the tip refused. What a pleasant surprise!


9. Finally got a visit to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. Fred opted not to visit, but to wait, so I went by myself. The cashier very sympathetically said, "Are you alone?" She then said "Merry Christmas" and handed me a complimentary pass. Another pleasant surprise.


10. Had a very enjoyable evening with Ed & Irene Rey and Gail and Joe Sacco at Michael's in the Barbary Coast. Can't thank Ed and Irene enough for this evening of great food, superb service, and lots of laughs. Ed arranged to get all six meals comped. Way to go, Ed!!!!!!!!!! Those waiters really are invisible and ever so attentive. Believe we had filet of sole, lamb, veal, filet mignon and petite mignons. The desserts and sweets were non-stop. Meal ended with our receiving one gigantic bowl of fruit. Meals are usually not a priority with Fred and I while in LV, but we're sure glad we had this great opportunity. Sure hope someone else (Ed, Irene, Gail or Joe) will post the fine details if anyone is interested.


Really enjoyed seeing Ed, Irene, Gail and Joe once again.


11. Took the Las Vegas Limousine from the airport and the return from Sam's. Upon arriving the driver mentioned how surprised he was at how little traffic movement there was around Paris. It was also rather empty the day Fred and I visited. Crowds must be down because of the holiday.


On our return trip to the airport we had a very nice conversation with the driver who (with four others) has been working on a Las Vegas web site for the last seven months. It just went on board last week. Upon arriving at the airport, he opened my door and he and I stood talking while we swapped internet cards. We were having a great time when I realized Fred was missing. Under my breath, I was saying a few choice words as I had no money readily available for the ride or the tip. That was to be Fred's responsibility. Even asked the driver if he knew where Fred might have gone. It was becoming embarrassing when we discovered Fred knocking on the window of the limo. The child-proof locks were on so we all had a good laugh. Fred said it wasn

Really enjoyed your trip report. We just got back last night so I identifed with everything. We did visit Sam's Town this trip. That atrium area is beautiful. The slots there were not good to us however. Interesting that you said it was cool. It was 64 everyday for the 5 days we visited. We've been there in December when it was freezing. This time we left our jackets in the car the entire time.

We too saw Alaska at Omnimax and thought it was fantastic - would say everyone would love it, but obviously that is not true. <g>

Where are your friend spending 4 months in LV! Condo? I'm trying to find a place for 1 month and finding it difficult.

Anyways, thanks for your TR - loved it! Joyce

Enjoyed your trip report. Hope your friends will post one after their 4 month "visit". Wow!

Joyce,

Friday was the warmest day for us. Beautiful temps and no wind. Great for walking the strip. Unfortunately for us, it took all week to warm up.

Our friends are staying in an efficiency at Budget Suites. There are several located in the Las Vegas area. They have done this for the past three years.

Glad you enjoyed the report. Wrote it rather hurriedly, but it would have been harder to do had I waited until after Christmas. I already realize some things that I should have included but forgot.

As for the Omnimax, I got a laugh with Fred closing his eyes as I'm usually the one who get motion sickness. He doesn't think it's at all funny.

Glad you enjoyed the report. We'd love to hear about your trip.<g>

Best wishes to you for the holidays.

Beth

Gregg,

Unfortunately, our friends won't be posting a trip report. They don't even own a computer. For 11 years they lived in a motorhome in LV for 6 months of the year. The past three years they've rented for 3-4 months each year. They are now talking about finding a permanent place to move to LV. Michigan can get even colder than we do here in PA and tonight it's bitter cold and windy.

It's tough when they keep telling Fred and me that we should stick around LV for at least a month or two. If only they knew, how much we'd love to. Probably would have to hock the farm the way the gambling goes sometimes.

Thanks for reading the report. Enjoy the holidays and good luck in the New Year. Hope to meet you sometime at a TalkVegas meet.

Beth

Beth & Fred,
Great trip report! Thanks for taking the time this busy holiday season!
What airline did you use? American West?
What rocking chairs at the Philly airport?

Beth, I've seen you lock Fred in the trunk before, but locking him in the limo and still making him pay the fare? Poor Fred! LOL

So....What month is the next trip???




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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Lee,

Thanks for reading the report.

We flew US Airways non-stop out and back. Managed a day flight home which we prefer after those sleepless nights in LV.

White rocking chairs now line the middle of the New Pennsylvania Market (the mall) at the airport. They must have 30 shops or more, including Godiva chocolatier. With your back to the mall area, we sat in a row of 8 that overlooked the tarmac area. Watched them fuel planes, shuttle luggage, take off, land, etc.. It was our relaxing entertainment while we waited for delayed flight. Could have slept in the rockin'chairs. Nice feature, I think!!

They have real nice shops. Made a list of many of them but can't locate it at the moment. Even have a nice food court for a quick bite.

We're planning to head to LV in March once again. Flying National for the first. Do not have hotel reservations as of yet. Plenty of time for that. We took the $221.50 RT/person plus airport charges & taxes. Total for 2 came to $498. Better rate than we can usually get for a non-stop out of Philly.

Oh, yes, and don't feel sorry for Fred. I treat him wonderfully!!!!!!!!!!

Hope we can get together soon!

Beth

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited December 24, 1999).]

Beth,
Thanks for replying! As I guess you and everyone else knows we've been flying out of Harrisburg for so many trips, we haven't seen Philly for a long time.
We "knew about the Godiva Store however" [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]
A decent place to catch a bite, is something Philly needed badly!
Flying national for the first time?? Are you going to upgrade if possible?


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Lee,

Makes very little sense to me to constantly check for low airline rates to LV and then spend an additional $480 RT for 2 to upgrade to first-class. That would have been a total WASTE this past trip as we had so much more room per passenger in coach than they did in first-class. That's a pretty good sum of money for gambling.

Beth, couldn't agree with you more. But you don't have to upgrade both directions. and you could always ship poor Fred as cargo and then splurge for your upgrade! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]
ROTFLMAO

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Thanks for the nice report.

Was Santa smiling for the picture with the bikini girl? [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img].

You didn't mention gambling. I'll assume that emans you just broke even at everything [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img].

I was on an empty flight like you mentioned once. Had my own row to sleep. The flight was supposed to originate on the east coast but they couldn't get past Columbus the night before because of snow on the coast.

Glad to hear you enjoyed Michaels, I'd love to try it some time.

jm

Beth, I have to agree with you on the Bellagio conservatory. It was nice with all the red & white poinsettias, but I was expecting spectacular. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img]

Beth, Thanks for taking the time to post your trip report at this very busy time of year. Last year we were impressed with the conservatory

Jeff,

You can bet Santa was smilin'!<g>

The gambling was so-so.....win a pot and then lose the pot. Still came home in the red.

Happy New Year to you and Patti!

Beth

Daisy,

Thought it may have been my expectations were a little too high, but it certainly did not come near last year's beauty. Nice to know it wasn't just me.

Sorry we missed you this trip.

Beth

JohnSr,

IMO, the Conservatory was not decorated as nicely as it was last December.

Sam's has some work done, but a good deal to be completed yet. The mess did not bother us as the messiest areas were outside the casino.

Yes, the Emporium is gone, but nothing had been started in that area of the casino while we were there. Just a few odds and ends remaining to be sold. There were some nice pieces of antique display furniture, but the prices were elevated.

A Happy and Lucky New Year to you and Joanne.

Beth

Beth, I was disappointed in the Christmas decor almost everywhere this year...it seemed that all anyone did was put out some nice red & white poinsettias.......I only had one in my house, but I think I may have had more per square foot than most of the casinos. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img] I'm sure I'll run into you and Fred somewhere in the next year<g>.

Beth and Fred: As usual you two sure got around town! Speaking of getting around, would you use the LV limo service again?

Beth: What did you think of Madame Tussaud's? As you know we had a blast there, but then you had to be there to understand <G>.

Beth, you really didn't have to be there to know why V enjoyed MT so much....there are pictures! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]