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Vegas, Cosmopolitan-style

We made it back to Vegas!  This weekend though we met up with Larry’s sister, Alyssa, and her husband, Jon.  It was a very quick trip and I could probably have stayed longer but we did put a healthy dent in spending money as we ate at some NICE places.  We also stayed at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hotel and damn, that was nice, yo.  As you’ll see in the pictures below, it really was just a spectacular location.  It was so good to hang out with Alyssa and Jon though, and I think we all had a great time, even if the weather was uncharacteristically cool.

2015 05 07 – Flying out to Vegas

07-May-2015 17:54, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, ISO 32
07-May-2015 17:54, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, ISO 32
07-May-2015 17:54, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 2.65mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 40
 
07-May-2015 17:54, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, ISO 32
07-May-2015 17:54, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, ISO 32
Baker
Baker07-May-2015 18:12, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 32
 
07-May-2015 18:12, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 32
Solar Panel Farms beckon us
Solar Panel Farms beckon us07-May-2015 18:16, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 32
07-May-2015 18:17, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 32
 

One of the first things that was different about this trip was that we flew out from Burbank airport.  The drive to Vegas isn’t a terrible drive by any means, but it was kinda nice to just go on a 42-minute flight.  Burbank is also an especially convenient and easy airport to fly from and has absolutely none of the stress involved with an LAX departure.  I wish Burbank had direct flights to NYC from there but I’ll take the small wins when you can.

Getting to Vegas / Riding the High Roller

Our awesome room in the Cosmopolitan
Our awesome room in the Cosmopolitan07-May-2015 19:18, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
Alyssa & Jon as we head to the Linq
Alyssa & Jon as we head to the Linq07-May-2015 21:51, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 640
07-May-2015 21:54, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.059 sec, ISO 250
 
07-May-2015 21:55, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 320
07-May-2015 21:55, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 250
07-May-2015 21:56, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 320
 
07-May-2015 21:56, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 320
About to board the High Roller
About to board the High Roller07-May-2015 22:08, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 250
All 4 of us!
All 4 of us!07-May-2015 22:08, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.059 sec, ISO 250
 
07-May-2015 22:08, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 250
07-May-2015 22:11, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.042 sec, ISO 250
07-May-2015 22:12, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 640
 
07-May-2015 22:12, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 1250
07-May-2015 22:13, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 400
07-May-2015 22:13, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 400
 

We didn’t get into the city until around 6:30 and into the Cosmopolitan until about 7.  Jon and Alyssa met us at the lobby and awesomely our hipsteriffic host at the check-in desk not only got us near their room, but also upgraded our room into a 1-Bedroom and DAYUM, that is some fine-ass living.  You’ll see it in a later set of pictures, but that is some quality shit.  We had a view looking west so it wasn’t a strip view but the accommodations were just amazing.  You may have heard the tagline for Cosmopolitan in their TV ads, “Just the right amount of wrong.”  It’s sort of appropriate for these rooms, as your bedroom has a full on view of the shower and tub.  So if you’re in the mood for putting on a show, go for it!

Anyway, we then had reservations for dinner at Rao’s in Caesar’s, a very good Italian restaurant.  So we walked over there with plenty of time although it was a fun goose chase to find Rao’s as Caesar’s is one confusing layout.  After that delectable dinner, we then went across the street to the Linq area where of course the main attraction is the High Roller.  It’s a great way to see everything from a unique viewpoint, although I think Alyssa may not have loved the experience all that much.  It is a very high, enclosed capsule overlooking the strip.  But I loved going on it for a third time!

Shots From Our Balcony at Night

07-May-2015 22:59, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 400
07-May-2015 23:20, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 1250
07-May-2015 23:20, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 400
 
07-May-2015 23:20, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 640
07-May-2015 23:21, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 400
07-May-2015 23:21, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 640
 
07-May-2015 23:21, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 1250
07-May-2015 23:21, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 500
07-May-2015 23:21, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 1000
 
07-May-2015 23:26, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.042 sec, ISO 250
07-May-2015 23:26, Apple iPhone 6, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.059 sec, ISO 250
 

I didn’t take the following picture but found it on the Wiki entry for the Cosmopolitan and just loved it – so I’m definitely not taking credit for having taken this picture myself:

05-May-2011 21:56, Canon Canon PowerShot S90, 5.6, 6.0mm, 1 sec, ISO 80
 

After that we ended up taking Alyssa back to the room so she could sleep while the rest of us went over to the Aria hotel to see if there was slightly less expensive gambling than $25/table.  Turns out the answer was no.  But Jon stayed there to play some poker while Larry & I walked back to the Cosmopolitan chandelier bar and had two drinks and enjoyed the glitz and glamour of that place during a fun night.  I hadn’t been too buzzed most of the night but after those two drinks, I certainly got that way!

2015 05 08 – Good Morning!

I think we all were a little bit tired so the going was a little slow but we were on vacation so why not?  Jon and Alyssa had tried breakfast at the Henry restaurant within Cosmopolitan but weren’t impressed, so instead Alyssa had suggested a French place they’d seen while walking around the day before….ha!  Of course I knew the place they were talking about as it was Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris LV.   We’d never had breakfast or lunch there so it was going to be a new experience for Larry & me too!  The verdict?  Pretty fucking great food!

Daytime Pics From the Balcony!

08-May-2015 09:27, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200
08-May-2015 09:27, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
08-May-2015 09:27, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 4.0, 6.319mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
 
08-May-2015 09:28, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 5.0, 15.939mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
08-May-2015 09:28, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 11.0, 4.5mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 200
08-May-2015 09:28, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 5.0, 11.63mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 125
 
08-May-2015 09:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 5.0, 15.939mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 125
08-May-2015 09:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 11.0, 4.5mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 400
08-May-2015 09:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 200
 
08-May-2015 09:31, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 5.0, 12.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
08-May-2015 09:33, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 5.6, 25.699mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
08-May-2015 09:33, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 5.6, 48.695mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
 
08-May-2015 09:33, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 4.0, 5.803mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200
08-May-2015 09:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 5.0, 10.591mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200
08-May-2015 09:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
 

Mon Ami Gabi, Breakfast-Style

08-May-2015 10:31, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 320
08-May-2015 10:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 200
08-May-2015 10:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 400
 
08-May-2015 10:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 400
08-May-2015 10:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 400
08-May-2015 10:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200
 
08-May-2015 10:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200
08-May-2015 10:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200
08-May-2015 10:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 400
 

Afternoon Activities

After a great breakfast with mimosas, we sauntered through the Paris casino, observing that some things had changed like the gazebo area which had become a bit more open, part of the Paris Cafe had been turned into a noodle restaurant (note for next visit!), and one of the Italian restaurants in the French Village area got a very modern upgrade.  Walked through Bally’s also and their “Market” in the front area where before it was just a moving walkway surrounded by lawn.  Can’t say I was impressed with what they did – very generic and just meh.  Maybe they’ll figure out what to do to make it a compelling attraction.  Our destination was O’Sheas today though, as it always guarantees cheaper tables and a laid-back environment.  We did get to play blackjack for quite a while and we even got Alyssa playing – and she liked it!  The cards were good for a long time but of course, they ended up turning on us.  Whatever, it was fun for a while and we got to talk to some fun dealers.

08-May-2015 11:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 800
08-May-2015 11:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 800
08-May-2015 11:59, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 1250
 
08-May-2015 15:37, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125
08-May-2015 15:49, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200
08-May-2015 15:49, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200
 
08-May-2015 15:53, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 11.0, 4.5mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200
08-May-2015 15:53, Apple iPhone 5s, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 320
 

LOVE in the Evening

We had wanted them to see a good show and there’s no better show than the Beatles’ LOVE in the Mirage.  So we went back to Cosmo to get freshened up and then had a snack at the Holstein’s restaurant there before taking a cab to the Mirage.  We made dinner reservations for after so we wouldn’t have to rush, as the LOVE show was at 7.  We did have to stress a bit though as we ended up leaving the Cosmo later than we probably should have!  We managed to get the tickets and then had Jon and Alyssa get to their seats while we waited in the alcohol line as if it took too long, at least they’d see the show from the beginning.  Awesomely, we got our drinks in the nick of time, getting to our seats a minute before the show started.  One of the mimes even asked for my beer and took it for a little while!

08-May-2015 17:49, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 800
08-May-2015 17:49, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 1000
08-May-2015 17:53, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 1000
 
08-May-2015 17:53, Canon Canon PowerShot SX600 HS, 3.8, 4.5mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 1000
 

After that, we had dinner at Stack, a very nice restaurant in the Mirage.  These restaurants really spared no expense in their decor and of course pass that cost on to you in the menu.  Ah well, you’re on vacation.  By this point, we were definitely hungry.  We were also “thirsty” and I think I drank quite a bit.  Not extremely sloppy but highly-buzzed nonetheless!

2015 05 09 – Departure Day

On our last day, it was a little bit harder to get up yet again.   Once we finally did get up, around 11:30, it was time to check out and have the hotel hold our bags, as both flights weren’t leaving until that evening.  We met and walked down to the Linq where Hash House a Go Go was, as we thought someplace new would be fun for brunch.  Turns out everyone thinks that as the wait was 1 hour and 40 minutes!!!!  Yeah, so we checked if Mon Ami Gabi was a shorter wait and we could get in immediately, so back to Paris LV for us!  Bloody Marys were on the menu for me this day and they were glorious.

The pool was on deck for Larry, Alyssa and Jon while I kind of stumbled around trying to feel better.  I played some craps and some electronic craps, and that was fun for a good time as I started to feel better.  The blackjack that day was NOT nice to me though and we shall never speak of it again.  😉   But it was a lot of fun regardless and then it was time to have some dinner, and we opened up the Blue Ribbon Sushi restaurant in the Cosmo.  That’s where we had some good food and also said goodbye, as our flight left before theirs did by about 2 hours.

The Las Vegas airport is a ghost town on a Saturday night as no one really leaves or arrives on a Saturday in that town, so security and check-in is pretty much painless.   A very quick but action-packed vacation with lots of good food and drink and a wonderful time with Jon and Alyssa.  Looking forward to another round with them!!!

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