Today was an early start, up and out hotel for 5.30am for our helicopter tour to the grand canyon! Yip we decided to go all out and book a tour to see the sights! Our taxi bus drove to Boulder city, which is about 30 mins for las Vegas. Normally flights go from the strip but the deputy prime minister was coming to Vegas and all flights were grounded, how rude of him making it inconvenient for us! He he! Anyway got to boulder city, got told to wait for the safety breifing then 5 mins later got put on the helicopter! Was a bit apprehensive as had no time for our safety briefing but ah well! Was 6 of us on the helicopter and our pilot was a very attractive lady pilot ( which pleased Graeme)! We were sitting in the front so had amazing views. Firstly passed lake Mead and Hoover dam then cruised for about 20 mins. We really were in the middle of nowhere! Was interesting as there was a random town that used to be a military station but was then the houses were sold cheap and people now stayed in them! It was like 3 and a half hours drive from las Vegas and had no electricity which is not our idea of fun but some people must like it! got to grand anyon and was spectaular! Great views and really interesting to see got some great photos! We passed the skywalk which is like the glass floor viewing platform and it looked so teeny! then went on for another 15 mins or so and landed to drop a couple of who were going mining (coincidentally they were from christchurch so also had some nz chat with them). Had some champagne and took more photos! Then headed back to helipad. Was an awesome ( omg we sound american already) and great experience! Back to hotel for a nap then went round hotels that we missed like Luxor, Exalibur and Mandalay Bay. At Mandalay bay we went to the shark reef which was a big aquarium with sharks etc! Back to hotel and headed to airport to head back to LA. Las Vegas really is a great place, we loved it! Only downside was probably the heat, we must have lost some weight sweating lol! But the hotels are all air conned and sprinklers in the street! Quick flight, only 45 mins then headed to Santa Monica! Had dinner at an ihop near the hotel, gadz it was stinking. Another fab but tiring day!