Stick or Twist?

At midnight, we find ourselves in the Paris casino, in a replica of the square in Montmatre. At least I think it's midnight, it's another casino in a perma-state of twilight. We're on a budget but decide we can't leave Vegas without having a flutter.   Stef decides to try his luck at blackjack so we hunt for a table with the lowest starting limit - $15. I'm hoping he will pull some Rain Man skills out of the bag. I bought him Bringing Down the House to read on the plane, after all.

We sit at a blackjack table, one that offers the lowest possible minimum bet, and the croupier is called Cookie, according to her name badge. A man seated at the table eyes Stef suspiciously.

"Hey man, you know how to play this game?" he drawls.

We both mumble something about being new to Vegas.

Stef starts off betting $15. High roller eh. I decide not to play - I struggle to add up to 21 at the best of times especially after a few cocktails. 

Everytime someone twists and gets a good hand Cookie says 'Nice!'

Stef is $50 down in about five minutes. 

Half an hour later it's a different story, Cookie is doling him chips left, right and centre. He's fist-bumping Cookie, high-fiving the other players. And he's up $153. We decide to quit while we're ahead.

"Hey man, you can't go now," our man drawls, "There's no curfew in Vegas".

And, I kid you not, in reply, Stef says "I'm here for a good time, not a long time" while simultaneously flicking Cookie a casino chip as her tip. I am speechless - you couldn't make it up.

Next day to celebrate winning big (ahem) we decide to treat ourseleves to the buffet at Caesar's Palace. We've heard reports its the best buffet in America. In short, it is amazing. A Bacchanalian feast indeed. Nine food areas - mountains of crab, salmon, all the shellfish you could eat. Mexican, Japanese, French, Italian, a dedicated cheese station and 300 dishes on offer. Two hours and about 6000 calories later we throw the towel in. It's gluttony in the extreme and the food is exquisite.*

That evening we visit the Bellagio casino to see 'O' by the Cirque du Soliel. The Bellagio is nothing short of jaw-dropping inside. It is opulent in the extreme.

The Cirque du Soliel nearly moved me to tears - the O show features a huge swimming pool, as well as stunning acrobatics, there are synchronised swimmers who emerge from the water as if by magic, high-divers, rope-twirlers, flame throwers, trapeze artists. It's a flawlessly choregraphed production, and a feat of engineering in itself - sometimes the pool is there, sometimes it's a stage, sometimes the performers appeared to walk on water. We later discover that are team of 10 divers beneath the water with oxygen canisters for the performers so they appear and disppear as if by magic. It is truly one of the most visually-stunning shows I have ever seen and I would highly recommend it.

Vegas is big, brash and over the top but I couldn't help but be seduced by it. We had a wonderful time - it's the sort of place that makes everyone feel like a high-flyer for a weekend. 

There's only one thing that bothers me about Vegas, everyone we meet thinks we are Australian. I lost count of the times people said; "Hey man, are you guys Australian?" Maybe three years in Sydney will do that to you. 

But sadly, it's time to leave the bright lights for the next adventure - the Grand Canyon here we come...

Love Beth xxx

*For anyone who is interested in the extent of our gluttony we made a list of what we sampled at the Caesar's buffet, be warned, it's eye-watering:

Alaskan King Crab

Salmon

Prawns

Crayfish

Lobster Bisque

Kingfish Cerviche

Calamari

Kung Pao

Spring Rolls

Char Sui Bao

Dim Sum

Prime Rib

Roast Lamb

Mexican Pork Stew

Mexican Beef Stew

Char Sui Pork

Spare Ribs

Roast Duck

Burger Slider

Mac n Cheee

Cheese Plate - Manchego, Brie

Watermelon Salad w/ Feta

Cured Meat

Gazpacho

Beef Taco

Macaroons

Cheesecake Pop

Key Lime Pie

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Strawberry Cupcake

Chocolate Oreo Mousse Cake

Lemon Meringue Pie

Apple Pie

Pannacotta

Tiramasu

Vanilla Icecream

Baklava Icecream

Reeses Pieces Cupcake

Hot Cookie

Chocolate Lava Cake

Marshmallow

Carafes of Wine