Oot & Aboot: Leaving Las Vegas

Today was my last day in Vegas. What better way to enjoy the day than go on my pre-booked shopping tour. I was pre-warned the outlets just outside of Vegas are meant to be good so I thought I’d give it a whirl. Turns out, they were. One thing I was very conscious of getting was a carry on suitcase. I learnt since being over here all airlines accept a back pack as a personal item, so I can take my lap top backpack plus another carry on bag, which I need! So I bought myself a rather cheap carry on bag for my future travels. I mainly stocked up on winter warmies for when I get back, like trackies etc at American Eagle Outfitters, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch. Quite frankly, these stores seem to all stock exactly the same stuff and are even the same company but just at different price points. I got it all for a super bargain and left satisfied. I didn’t want to spend too long there as I still hadn’t checked out the MGM Grand pools so I headed back at about 3pm. Luckily with daylight savings, it hasn’t been dark anywhere earlier than 7.30-8pm.

I managed to get down to the pools at 4pm. MGM Grand has about 5 pools and honestly, you could spend you whole time just chilling by the pools. You can even drink alcohol in the water, which surprised my square side a little. MGM Grand had just opened Wet Republic, a pool bar which I wanted to check out, but alas, it wasn’t taking in new punters by the time I had got there. I hear they play the music underwater; now that would be cool. I was stuck sitting next to some Aussies at the pool who really just needed their head’s kicked in. They were so full of themselves. Imagine the types who live in Bondi and wear those plaid little boxer swimmers because they are ‘vintage’, and think they are hilarious. Shame, shame, shame. After lazing about for a couple of hours I headed back to my room, changed, and went to sort out dinner.

I was hoping to check out Ghost night club at Palm’s Casino later on yet discovered early on during my time in Vegas that Palm’s is actually off the strip, and not in walking distance. Anywhere that’s off the strip is quite hard to get too unless you want to get in a taxi and be stuck in the constant traffic along the strip. I cancelled thoughts of Ghost night club as I couldn’t be bothered with that. There is a bus called The Deuce that runs along the strip all night. You can get a 24 our pass for $5, and it’s totally worth it. You can walk the strip, which I did on my first day, but it really is quite a distance, especially in the heat.

I decided to go to Planet Hollywood for dinner which is situated in Caesar’s Palace. After about 10 minutes of not being able to locate the dam thing and being absolutely starving, I landed on what was closest, The Cheesecake Factory. Don’t let the name fool you, it is a restaurant that’s famous for their cheesecake, but they have a large menu of other foods. After a quick dinner I thought I’d check out Pure nightclub that is situated in Caesars’ right next to the Pussycat Doll’s Lounge. I know many a men who would have liked that place! I got there only to discover a line about 100 metres long for Pure. I found out why. DJ AM was the resident DJ at the time and he’s huge in the US. By this point I had learnt my lesson, buy tickets to clubs before hand, it’s worth it!

I went outside, grabbed myself a nice cold Corona and slowly walked back to my hotel. It’s slightly surreal being able to openly drink on the streets; I kept thinking I’d get busted.

Got back to my room and headed to bed, I was heading out of Vegas tomorrow morning.

What I learnt in Vegas today:

Las Vegas is an awesome place to visit, but for the ultimate time there, it’s best to have some buddies with you, it’s just one of those places I would have loved my gf’s to experience with me.
The clubbing and show scene in Vegas is on the way up, and better than I had expected.
The outlet shopping is good in Vegas, but I suspect it will be better in NY. You could probably miss it if you are ever going to NY or even Chicago.