Day 18 & 19 - Las Vegas, Nevada

Day 18 (13 July) - It was a lazy start to the day and we enjoyed the air-conditioned comfort of the villa. It really is strange to arrive in a city that is literally in the middle of the desert. Each time we step outside we feel the dry heat sucking the moisture out of our bodies and I'm convinced that without regular drinks of water we will resemble strips of beef jerky by the time we leave.

To get the complimentary tickets to the show we mentioned previously we had to sit through a time-share presentation on the resort. I was expecting to endure a high pressure and hard-sell couple of hours, but actually it was pretty tame. I got in early that we really weren't interested. The fellow, who I almost felt sorry for, quickly appreciated our interest level and simply went through the motions. We couldn't even be bothered to nod in the right places - and he understood it. Therefore no hard sell, no strong pitches and we were soon out of there with those show tickets in hand.

The afternoon was spent walking up and down the Vegas Strip and looking at a number of the more well known casinos and the free shows. The hot weather and wind cancelled the Treasure Island show (we waited in the heat for 45 mins so were a bit disappointed), but amongst others we did see the indoor Rainstorm in the Miracle Mile of Stores at Planet Hollywood, the fountains and botanical gardens at the Bellagio, walked through Caesar's Palace, watched the gondola's and the singers in The Venetian. We also saw quite a number of people drinking in the streets, smoking in the gaming rooms (which you can walk through with children), a few pan-handlers and other strugglers handing out cards with phone numbers that could get you a girl in 20 minutes. It was a bit strange, though not unexpected, to see the wide range of excess and desperation so readily on display. I'm sure it would be a worse sight in the early hours of the morning compared to our late afternoon and early evening trek. The kids were particularly astounded when we were well inside the splendor of the Venetian and one fellow, who could at best be described as a 'bum', simply stepped over a railing and started walking through a large fountain, picking up and pocketing coins. When I told Chloe that Las Vegas was known as Sin City she astutely replied that it wouldn't have had to work hard for that title.

It was a big day walking around in the heat and we finished with dinner at the Cafe Bellagio. We were pretty tired when we finally got back.

Day 19 (14 July) - Today started in the pool and like every other time the kids were like limpet mines and couldn't leave me be. It is fun, though we soon had to head into the City for a very special event - a live taping of 'Wheel of Fortune.' This long running US (and global) game show is normally filmed in Los Angeles, but just happened to be in Las Vegas to tape its Palazzo/Vegas series. Yesterday we had picked up some standby tickets and were hopeful that we might get a seat. After a bit of waiting we eventually found ourselves in the fourth row on the left hand side of the audience watching the live taping of Show Number 5271 which will air in the US on September 20, 2010. Look out for us! It was a real treat and very exciting, though our hands have never been so sore from all the clapping.

Just as enough feeling had returned to our hands so we could eat our early dinner, we were soon off to see 'V The Ultimate Variety Show.' It was fantastic and we all had a great time. The host was an amazing juggler and comedian who was perfect. He had appeared on a number of the popular late night shows and was very fast and very funny. There were unbelievable Russian strongmen who were acrobats, another comedian whose audience participation was clever, some high-wire flyers, a drummer high up against the theatre wall and two Argentinian twirlers and comics. It was a fabulous night and we were all in stitches and amazement.

It's the final night in Las Vegas and that's enough for us. The majority of tourists, and I suspect many locals, have taken on the persona of Sin City and it just does not seem a welcoming place - unless you are handing over your cash. It was good place to see, but we like the lights in Times Square better and actually feel safer in New York.

Tomorrow we head to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona for three nights camping. The weather forecast looks good and it's time to hit the hiking trails and descend (not too far) into the Canyon. We are back to a higher altitude so it should be about 20 degrees cooler during the day and much more at night. Like Yellowstone, we don't expect wi-fi so you shouldn't expect to hear from us for a few days.