Polo Towers

After a long but uneventful flight we arrived at McCarren International Airport, Las Vegas, NV.  A quick hello to the tortoise in the terminal

IMG_20160306_182934

and we were taking a  short cab ride to our destination, Polo Towers, in the heart of the strip.

polo towers

Polo Towers is a time share resort. There is no casino but we had a lovely one bedroom on the 14th floor.

PT_2011_Bedroom-2_1661

There was a huge bed in the bedroom and a pull out couch in the living room. We also had a full kitchen with fridge, stove and microwave.

There is a shuttle to some of the malls and a grocery store but we were content to pick up our provisions in the little mini mart in the resort.

There is also a pool and a fitness center although we didn’t get a chance to use either.

Upon arrival we were treated like VIP’s.  Everyone making us feel welcome.

It had been a long day . We left Albany Airport at 11 am but didn’t arrive in Las Vegas until 6:30 pm. We quickly got checked in and settled.

DSC_2406 copy

We took a quick look at the views of the strip from our room and then headed out for dinner.

DSC_2408 copy

DSC_2412 copyOur meal was enjoyed with the elephants of the Rainforest Cafe before we returned to our room for the night.

IMG_20160306_200151 (1)

IMG_20160306_200149

Time enough to explore in the morning.

Oh Oh Crazy Time Again

Sorry I’ve missed a few posts. Work just got crazy again. Here it is only March 3 and I have more deals in the works then I had all last month! Spring Real Estate season has arrived.

Redfin property photos; 511 Park Rd, Rockville, MD 20850, Friday-Saturday, October 4-5, 2013.

Redfin property photos; 511 Park Rd, Rockville, MD 20850, Friday-Saturday, October 4-5, 2013.

My posting may get a bit sporadic now but I’ll always come back.

las vegas

The countdown to  Vegas has begun too so I see more posts in the near future.

Beautiful Bellagio

I don’t know Vegas well enough to say what is the most beautiful or the most sophisticated or the most anything. Everything we’ve seen and experienced so far in Vegas has been over the top but I did love everything about the Bellagio, from it’s dancing fountains to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

I have a video of the fountains but so far have not been able to complete an upload so until then here is a still photo to share the experience with you.

DSC_0581 copy

Chihuly in the lobby

DSC_0554 copy

DSC_0553 copy

 

DSC_0575 copy

The Gardens decked out for Chinese New Year.

DSC_0570 copy

DSC_0567 copy

DSC_0565 copy

DSC_0564 copy

DSC_0560 copy

DSC_0558 copy

DSC_0557 copy

DSC_0556 copy

 

Time For The High Roller

We took our time over lunch at the Venetian but finally it was time to begin our trip back toward the Linq. We had show tickets and we didn’t want to miss out on riding that huge Ferris Wheel. The High Roller.

IMG_20150117_174420

The High Roller is at the bottom of the Linq promenade which makes it fun just to get to it with all kinds of shops and fountains along the way.

IMG_20150117_174753

We bought our tickets from the concierge at the Linq. The price changes from the daytime to nighttime rates at 5 pm. It was 4:30. We would get the day rate while enjoying a desert sunset.

DSC_0510 copy

From the first time I saw the High Roller all I could think of was Star Wars. The white pods just made me think of something from one of those movies. It only needed a storm trooper!

DSC_0513 copy

Inside wasn’t what I expected. I had heard of wedding parties renting the pods and bars set up in them but they hardly seemed big enough for a crows, especially a rowdy crowd intent on drinking. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never been on a Ferris Wheel enclosed like this.

DSC_0538 copy

The wheel is 550 ft high and the ride from start to finish is about 30 minutes. The pods move at about 1 ft/ sec and it never stops turning. Unlike a Ferris Wheel at a fair where it stops and starts to let passengers on and off, the passengers on the High Roller enter while the pod is slowly passing them by.

IMG_20150117_175208

Inside is like command central with 8 monitor screens letting you watch the pods above and below your own.

DSC_0524 copy

Plus there the “talking head”. I found him very funny but Joe thought he was quite annoying. You’ll have to go and make your own decision.

DSC_0525 copy

But no matter what, taking this ride at sunset was a perfect time. It was relaxing and beautiful, The huge windows allowing an amazing view.

DSC_0539 copy

DSC_0517 copy

Alas, all things must come to an end and too soon we were back to the bottom preparing to step off the moving pod to good old terra firma.

DSC_0550 copy

I highly recommend this. Even for my sister, who says she is afraid of heights.

Lunch in The Courtyard

I was very thrilled that I managed to get out of the gondola after our ride and not fall into the canal. I was assured that they hadn’t lost a guest overboard yet that day and I didn’t want to be the first.

Decorations for the Chinese New Year were everywhere. We plan to see the Bellagio Gardens eventually but the display here at the Grand Canal Shoppes was pretty amazing.

DSC_0487 copy

DSC_0485 copy

After taking our fill of pictures of the Year of the Sheep we headed back toward the exit.

DSC_0488 copy

Since it was lunchtime we decided a good place for  lunch was in the courtyard by the canal. We hadn’t been seated very long before costumed performers took center stage. The performances were marvelous.

DSC_0490 copy

It was easy to forget you were just inside a well decorated mall.

DSC_0497 copy

The way the facades were lit and the ceiling reflected light, it was easy to think you were outside, canal side in Venice.

Of course you can’t forget the food. Cibo molto buono!

IMG_20150119_141734 copy