Well, we've been a bit slack on the old blog, mostly because we have been so busy trying to fit the most into our trip!

As we mentioned in our last blog, our stay in NYC was extended after we were stuck in the middle of the blizzard, and it nearly happened again! Our flight left one day before New York was hit by a second round of snow, this time not so heavy…. Phhhew!

So, anyhooo OFF TO VEGAS! We were really excited to move on to the crazy city that we had heard so much about, and it certainly stood up to it's reputation. Our first hotel, Excalibur, was medieval themed and looked like a huge Disneyland castle. We hit "The Strip" straight away, and were amazed at how clean the streets were! (Apart from mobs of people paid to shove cards and booklets in your hands advertising local hookers, strip clubs, swingers club etc etc). We donated plenty of money to the casinos, mostly through Blackjack, Roulette and slot machines, but we also got a few wins and plenty of free drinks along the way!

On our second day in Vegas we booked in for a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon. We were picked up at 6am, (Luckily we hadn't had a big night the night before!) and taken by bus to the airport with a group of others. I was super nervous waiting for our turn on the helicopter, especially when the safety video said "It is normal for the helicopter door to open during the flight, and there is no need for alarm". It turns out the butterflies were all worth it as we drifted over the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon, talking to each other through headsets and getting some awesome photos.

Our time in Vegas was highlighted by 2 nights at the opulent Bellagio resort, where our room had perfect views of the infamous fountain shows, with music broadcasted through our TV set. On the Saturday we decided to trek down to the older part of Vegas, Fremont Street, where it all began! Gerard was super excited to explore yet another recommendation from our travel books, so he was less than impressed when I made another crucial wardrobe error. Earlier in the day I had proudly purchased a pair of gorgeous black boots, with a thin 15cm heel, which my darling husband immediately labeled as "stripper boots". In defiance, I decided I would wear them that night, to prove that they would look classy on me. Gerard agreed that I didn't look like a stripper, so I walked on smugly, keeping quiet the fact that these classy boots were causing me a great deal of pain. I lasted for about 15 minutes until millions of cramps were creeping up my leg and basically deeming me paralysed. I felt bad when Gez suggested we go home, especially since we had just spent $20 on a cab ride to get there, so I sheepishly followed him into the nearest drugstore, where we bought some black ugg boots for $12.99. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I insisted that we do the shoe swapover in a dark corner where no one would see me, only to step my bare foot straight into a puddle of what I imagine would have been wee. By this time, we were both in fits of giggles and I made Gez swear he wouldn't tell anybody, only now I'm publishing it on the internet so I guess he's no longer sworn to secrecy and can laugh at me as much as he likes.

So after a shaky start we ended up having one of our funniest nights of the trip. In Fremont street, the casinos use a lower minimum for betting on tables which meant we could bet for longer, and used the free drinks to their full advantage. We decided to leave the tables about 11pm after we'd had a few big wins and headed to good ol' Maccas for late night dinner. We were instantly approached by an old homeless man who asked us to buy him some food. Now, we've run into these guys a lot and generally ignored them or said "I'm sorry" and moved on. But tonight we were filled with alcohol and our big wins had left us jovial, so Gerard decided to buy him a double quarter pounder. Not only did he buy the guy the burger, he broadcast it to the whole restaurant in that loud booming voice he gets when he's had a couple, so it was no surprise when 2 minutes later the restaurant was filled with homeless people with no teeth asking Gerard to buy them dinner too. We made a quick exit and decided it was time to call it a night before we got mugged!

The next day was a day of romance, since we were celebrating our first year of being married together. Gerard spoiled me with some Tiffany and Co earrings that he had snuck out and purchased in New York. We headed out for a gondola ride at the Venetian hotel, outside in the sun, with our gondolier serenading us with her beautiful operatic voice. Gerard gave me a quick leave pass to the shops, where I picked up a few pairs of slightly more sensible heels and a dress to wear on our date. When we returned to our room, we were delighted to discover a bottle of champagne and a tray of chocolate covered strawberries awaiting us. We were even more delighted when we found a small card accompanying the tray with a message from our parents saying "Happy Anniversary". We both got a bit teary and called them straight away to thank them both, it made our day so special.

Our "date night" was about as Vegas-y and over the top that you can get! We went all out and reserved a table at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. We sat with a beautiful view of the fountains and most of the strip and enjoyed a decadent 5 course set menu which was finished off by the most amazing chocolate plate I had ever tasted. This restaurant was probably the fanciest one that we had visited, and the way we knew that was because there was a little man and a little lady in the restrooms, who pulled the towel for you and offered you hairspray, cologne, etc. etc. as you left the toilet!

We topped off the night with tickets to Cirque de Soleil "O" which was unlike any other show we had seen, since it involved a huge pool of water, with performers doing huge dives, synchronized swimming, boat rides, gymnastics, trapezes in and around the pool. Gerard was particularly interested, when we realized that there were scuba divers at the bottom of the pool, providing air to the performers each time they disappeared beneath the surface.

Most of you all know that I'm into glitz and glamour and romantic stuff, so for me, our anniversary day was the highlight of our trip so far (Gerard the softy is still shedding a tear of joy over Mary Poppins on Broadway in New York!). It was a beautiful way to finish our trip in Vegas and will make it an anniversary to never forget (Gerard keeps reminding me "I'm never going to top this one, so don't expect this much next year!!).

THanks for all following our blogs, next stop - San Francisco!!

Love Gez and Nae

xxxx