Las Vegas (Day 1)

Woke up early this morning to chat with people back home in Malaysia. While chatting I had my breakfast, which consisted of left over California Pizza Kitchen ASAP sandwich. At least the flavour was still there.

My room at the Renaissance

The Wynn Hotel with its humongous golf course

The Las Vegas Convention Center, venue of CES 2007

Decided to go out to look at the Casinos and hotels. Took the monorail over to MGM Grand. Stayed here when I first came to Vegas in 95. Much has changed. There used to be a towering Lion that looked similar to the syphnx at Luxor (yes, Sunway Pyramid too). In its place is a small Golden Lion.

MGM Grand

The lobby

The lion outside has been downsized to this.

Went over to look at Luxor from the outside. It reminds me of Sunway very much. Long big road infront of it and big imposing pyramid. One interesting fact is that the pyramid emits a strong beam of light, shooting up into the night sky. Its main purpose, to guide drunks back to the hotel. That's real thoughtful on the owner's part...and I thought Vegas was heartless. So instead of being wasted in the street, drunks can be more productive and depart with their cash at the casino.

Luxor, the real deal. Not Sunway Pyramid.

Took a walk over to New York New York. Its got a big fake Statue of Liberty amidst a Manhattan skyline. Like many things in Vegas, this is just a replica. Its even got a Brooklyn bridge of its own. Inside, the place looks very much like Universal Studios. Nice darksets and restaurants with fake fronts. Had pizza for lunch. Was bigger than my hand!

New York New York

Me standing outside New York New York

New York New York upclose.

The Brooklyn Bridge replica

The interior has a nice theme to it. This is probably trying to copy the looks of Central Park

Lady Liberty doing Marilyn Monroe

This Pizza is HUGE!!

Monte Carlo from the outside

Next stop was the Bellagio. Made famous by Ocena's 11, this is definitely the swankiest casino on the Strip. Its got a fancy fountain upfront. Didn't get to see it in action cause it was too windy.

It's really big

Paris Las Vegas seen from the Bellagio's walkway.

The Bellagio's lobby is one of my faves. Nice use of colours on the ceilling.


It's still Christmas in here....

...and Chinese New Year over here

Lots and lots of gamblers.

The shopping gallery would have been great to walk through if not for the fact that its mainly populated by designer shops.

Lots of people checking into the hotel. Christmas deco was still up. Surprisingly even Chinese New Year lanterns were up ahead of time. Talk about keeping with the times. Can't really say that it is nice and stuff cause it looks much like Caesar's Palace, only more high class.

Caesar's is like a cheaper version of the Bellagio. It is by no means subtle but its got lots of Romn inspired looks to it. The Forum Shopping gallery is must see. Lots of nice shops there. According to my uncle the Cheesecake Factory serves some pretty good dishes, though I didn't feel like spending money on over priced cheese. Was disappointed to find that Virgin Records was no longer there. This was my last stop for the day. By the end of it, I was dead tired and was in no mood to walk any further.

Caesar's Palace from the outside

"All hail Caesar! Now wait until I find the other half of my dress...."

Celion Dion has found refuge under Caesar. But there is only so much one can bear hearing 'My heart will go on'. Caesar is not one to be tested with. Run Celine....run...

The Forum

Inside the Forum

The inner Forum is a nice place to be

A giant Trojan Horse is the front for this Toy Store

While its rear is used for.....other purposes.

The Cheesecake Factory holds many yummy delights

Saw this half naked guy hanging around Abercrobe and Fitch. Weird way to sell clothes by not wearing them.

Even typing this entry is a feat by itself. Thats all for now.

So ends my first day at Vegas. It has been a long one.