738. Las Vegas Strip

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

When: July 4 - 7, 2007

With: Loren and friends

Ahh, Las Vegas. What happens there, stays there and all that. And when visiting for a bachelorette party, that rule applies even more. However, I couldn't have planned a better way to experience this alternate-universe-big-kid-amusement-park than with a gaggle of girls celebrating my oldest friend's bachelorette party. 

From the minute we arrived, this place was surreal. The strip that I had seen countless times in pictures and movies was visible as we landed in the distance, just sort of plopped right into the middle of the desert. I didn't expect it to stick out quite like that. 

Deboarding the plane, there were slot machines in the waiting area. What? And even crazier was that people were playing on them. 

There were also some random sculptures in the airport that we made the bride have to pose with to kick things off right. 

The hotel we were staying at was The Mirage, right in the thick of the strip, next to Treasure Island and across from The Venetian. My brain was on overload as we arrived. Bright lights swirling around, unique architecture representing buildings from around the world, massive fountains with dancing water that went stories high. It literally felt like an amped up Disney World, minus the characters.

The first night out, our bride sadly came down with a stomach virus and had to stay in, but she graciously encouraged us to head across the street to The Venetian for its nightclub, Tao. I was amazed to see how over the top the club went to attempt to match the Chinese religion that gives it its name. It was super dark save for some red ambient lighting and Buddhas were everywhere decorating the walls. It was definitely the most interesting nightclub I'd ever been inside. There was an outdoor rooftop section with a pool, and it was a fun night to get to understand this weird thing that is Las Vegas nightlife. 

After a very late night out, I got to enjoy another Vegas "tradition": sleeping off a hangover at the pool. Luckily, the sound of waterfalls and swaying palm trees in the hot desert shade was the perfect place to nap and get ready for the next night out. 

Thankfully, this one was a bit more "mellow" by the Vegas standards, as we had booked our bride-to-be at the all-male dance show American Storm (the US answer to the Aussie's Thunder From Down Under). The audience was 100% women, and 98% bachelorette parties. It was completely ridiculous, but if we were having a proper bachelorette, you kind of have to do this, right? Thankfully, she was feeling better and up for the fun. 

The next day at the pool, we booked ourselves VIP spots, which meant a bit more privacy and a little more luxury. It was fun to do for a day. It was also crazy how much free stuff they were passing out. This is where I first fell in love with coconut water (perfect for the hot weather and hangover), I got some amazing chapstick, and there was even someone handing out free bathing suits!

That night, we headed out to the Wynn hotel to go to their recently opened nightclub. This is where I truly got to see the benefits of going to Vegas with a group of girls. We bypassed the very long line to get in and were immediately escorted to a table full of guys who had multiple bottles of booze on the table. We were encouraged to drink (for free!) and chat. The best part was, we outnumbered the guys, so I could just sit back on my own and take in the scene. The weirdest part was that when the guys were "done" talking to us, they could wave to a bouncer, who would then escort us to a new table. 

The Wynn was one of my favorite clubs though. It was mostly outdoors and had these massive waterfalls cascading all around. 

It was also very clever as they had professional photographers wandering around snapping shots of everyone. I always appreciate when someone else takes the photo!

The last day was more of the same - relaxing by a pool and sleeping the day away. That night, we had one more dinner to celebrate our bride. 

That night, we headed to Caesar's (this isn't the REAL Caesar's Palace, is it?) for our last night out. While clubbing is still not my thing, this was one fun way to experience it. 

While I only saw a small section of the Las Vegas strip, I feel like I got to experience Sin City in a way that I probably won't get to again. I'm so glad I got to celebrate this lady with her friends.