After an early start on Monday 10th March 2008 through the wind, rain and storms i arrived at Gatwick soaking wet. The plane was delayed by 2 hours, DELAY!! Then it was a long >10 hr flight to Las Vegas, but i was quite happy as it involved my favourite hobbies - sitting, eating and watching TV. Hard life. I was staying at "Americas Best Value Inn", which was very near MGM and Hooters, but looked a little like those motels in scary murder films.... I went exploring, and found the whole experience very confusing it was just like a theme park. Went and visited Tropicana, Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay.Was probably walking around looking a little gormless (makes a change) but after being awake for 24 hours it was rather disorientating.

Next day woke up quite early, good old jet-lag. First American brekkie - sausage, egg, fried potatoes and pancakes, mmmmm. All for $4.99. Then hit the strip, as i was only there for 2 whole days wanted to do the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, so got dragged into a booking area where mad Valerie began selling it to me. She was quite a sight - blonde, loads of make-up, really wrinkly, huge big teeth, long painted nails (and lives with 2 cats) really over the top excited-american. Shhhhh, you're confusing me. But bought the copter flight for the next day. Then went nosying at the casinos. Paris was really good with the ceiling painted like the sky. Had the all you can eat buffet in Harrah's. Made an impressive effort - 2 big plates of main, and 1 dessert. Mmmmm. There werent as many big fat americans as i'd expected/hoped for. Venetian casino - amazing, with canals through the place. First innard issue in this hotel - probably due to the amount of food i'd just eaten.....

Walked to the Statosphere (big tall tower with roller coaster and other ride at the top), went up to the top to see the strip - really cool. Then walked ages to the old part (it looked nearer on the map) to see Fremont St experience - big overhead light show thing. When got home was so tired, had heat rash and wrinkly toes from sweaty feet. Nice. And had early start the next day for the helipcopter flight, was being picked up at 6.15am.... eek!

Maverick helicopter co picked me up at 6.15am on the Wednesday, 6 of us to a helicopter. We flew upwards (with a little contained whimpering from myself of course) at sunrise. AMAZING. Flew over the strip, then HOover dam, then to the Grand Canyon. We parked (do you park a helicopter??) somewhere for a champagne breakfast. Was my first "i'm no mountain goat" moment, walking across rocks and stones to get nearish the edge. Then flew back over the strip again. Was back by 10am. Then looked round MGM, the lions were asleep (cage of lions in a hotel -obviuos choice). Excalibur downstairs was just like Clacton with a whac-a-mole, and racing camels! New York New York was cool too just like an american street. Bellagio water fountain performance - also cool, and had interesting ceiling made of glass flower things also looked like jelly fish. Went to TI (treasure island)sirens show - scantily clad birds on one pirate ship, scantily clad men on other pirate ship, lots of acting, water and fire. Managed to steer clear of the gambling - didn`t get it!! That was the end of Las Vegas, then a bus ride on the greyhound to LA next day..... (photos to follow when find PC with a usb)