Las Vegas

Right at the beginning of our Grand Tour we met a Fab 4 (Barry & Meryl and Gill & Sharon) on the Palace on Wheels - the train journey around Rajasthan. Our new American friends live not far from Los Angeles and said they would drive up to Las Vegas to spend the weekend with us... what fun! One of the highlights of the weekend was to see the Cirque de Soleil's new show at The Mirage - entitled "Love" and based on the music of the other Fab 4 - The Beatles. This show is a must and if ever it comes to anywhere near you..... you simply must book. It is probably the best show we have ever seen. Great music, acrobatics, ballet, roller skating, gymnastics, choreography, timing.... you name it!

We discovered recently that Master Howe to be will be born in the Chinese Year of the Pig... but not just any old pig ... the Golden Pig, which only comes around every 60 years. The Chinese were celebrating New Year bigtime at The Bellagio and had a magnificent display in their conservatory.

Las Vegas itself doesn't need any explanation... gambling and money in general prevail - hotels based on every venue theme you can think of - Luxor, Caesar's Palace, Paris with an Eiffel Tower, The Venetian has its own gondolas and Rialto bridge,

New York New York with a Statue of Liberty - and all the way - shopping big time!

The boys took themselves off to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to be driven around the circuit by professional drivers in Indy cars at 180 mph! They enjoyed themselves, of course!

And yes, on the last night we went gambling and won! Not a fortune... but we put our last few bucks on the roulette wheel on the new grandson's expected birthday - 29 and yes - we won $380! Great fun and walked away whilst winning... it certainly paid for dinner that night!

The six of us had a wonderful last dinner in The Hotel - in a penthouse overlooking Vegas... what a view!

Doug wasn't the only one to celebrate his 60th... Meryl did as well... that week! Happy Birthday Meryl!

Thanks Gill & Sharon, Meryl & Barry for making the end of our trip as great as the beginning.... we look forward to seeing you again, soon, somewhere! Hopefully next time our other travelling companions from the Palace on Wheels, Carol & Tim, can also join the party.