Las Vegas

July 4th long weekend traffic pileup on I-5 enroute Las Vegas from Foster City. It was a long 8 hour drive from the Bay Area, Northern California to the city of lights in Nevada State. As it was the first long drive it was an enjoyable experience. We were four in all who decided to go to Vegas for some weekend fun. We rented a Chevrolet Malibu and left at 5-30 AM Friday. It was 3 -30 PM before we reached the Stratosphere hotel where we stayed.


The Stratosphere tower on the night of July 4 2008.

The view of the 4 mile strip from 1149 ft high above the ground.

xScream - Third highest thrill ride in the world

All the more fun if you sit in the first row. I did, but after a few drinks in the Broadway bar on the 3rd floor of Stratosphere.

The sin city amidst the desert.


The big shot at 1081 feet is the highest thrill ride in the world. You are shot up 160 feet in 2.5 seconds at 45 mph


Another aerial view of The 4 Mile Strip.

The night view of the hotel we stayed in.

The Sahara hotel / casino. Our gambling hub.

The interiors of Sahara was modest (not so grand as other casinos) .

The Riviera hotel and casino.


Treasure Island Casino. A Harley Davidson up for grabs.

Its 2 AM. A City that wakes up in the Night. The fun loving tourists. Its best to walk the 3 mile strip getting high with the spirits !!


Casino Royale.


Gamblers night out.

Cesars Palace.




Multi Million dollar hotels.


Grand view - Cesars Palace



The Paris Paris.


The Bellagio water front.


Almost the end of the strip.

New York New York in Las Vegas

Excalibur.

Tropicana Casino


MGM



The Spice Market Buffet in Aladdin / Planet Hollywood.



At $ 35 the range of continental cuisine on offer is worth every cent.



The best interiors of Vegas inside Planet Hollywood previously Aladdin


PEACE - in Many languages. I Could identify only two Indian Languages. Hindi & Tamil.


We left Vegas on Sunday July 6 at 2-30 PM. It was a long slow drive back home. The dinner we had in a countryside Mexican restuarant played its part in keeping me active for the night long drive. By the time we reached Foster city it was 2 AM in the morning. All in all the trip was just a preview to Las Vegas.