Las Vegas Part 2 – Day/Night 1

I had to pick up my cousin in Venice Beach,
because he spend a day at the beach,
while Marlise and I were in Beverly Hills.

From the moment I found him,
we drove to my apartment to pack our bags,
so we could go to Las Vegas.

I asked Jan to drive,
so I could work on my thesis in the meantime.

Working on my thesis
Working on my thesis

After driving 4 and a half hours,
we finally saw Las Vegas.

Las Vegas
Las Vegas

From the moment we saw Las Vegas in the distance,
we got really excited.

Because it just appeared out of nothing,
in the middle of a desert.

Driving to Las Vegas
Driving to Las Vegas

Finally, we arrived in Sin City.

Because this time our hotel was located at another part of the strip,
we had to take another exit of the highway.

Las Vegas
Las Vegas

From the moment we took that exit,
we were in the middle of the strip.

Bellagio - Las Vegas
Bellagio – Las Vegas
Caesars - Paris Las Vegas
Caesars – Paris Las Vegas
On the strip
On the strip

This time we booked a room in the Venetian,
a nice Hotel at the end of the strip,
where they filmed an episode of top gear.

The Venetian
The Venetian

We parked our car and went to the Check-in.
and the check-in trick worked again!

We booked a basic room
(like the other hotels advised me the week before),
and asked for an upgrade.

They gave us a free Bella Suite Upgrade.

Here’s a picture of the check-in and the lobby.

Check-in at The Venetian
Check-in at The Venetian
Lobby at The Venetian
Lobby at The Venetian

It was a nice suite.
2 queen size beds, a living area, a big bathroom and much more.

Bella Suite - The Venetian
Bella Suite – The Venetian
Room in The Venetian
Room in The Venetian

We didn’t want to spend to much time in the room,
because it was already 12PM.

We agreed on to only drink a few drinks in the room
and then go to the casino’s and clubs.

We weren’t sure we could legally drink on the street,
because in LA it’s forbidden to consume alcohol in public,
so we finished our drinks before we left the room.

Pre drinking
Pre drinking

Once you enter the strip,
you can feel madness atmosphere immediately.

We were the only ones without a drink,
so we knew it was possible to drink in public in Las Vegas,
we made a stop at a shop to grab some beers.

When we came out of the shop,
a mother and daughter stopped us,
to ask us in which country we lived.

I thought it was an odd question to ask somebody out of the blue,
but I think they just wanted somebody to talk to.

Getting to know crazy families
Getting to know crazy families

After we had a talk about the differences in cultures and country laws,
we took a picture with the daughter and continued our walk to the Club.

Selfie Time
Selfie Time

When we continued our walk on the strip,
two girls stopped us and they wanted to do a bet.

They challenged me, that I couldn’t lift them simultaneous.

Challenge accepted!

Lifting some girls
Lifting some girls

After I won the bet,
I lifted one girl on my shoulder,
closed the button of my shirt,
lifted the other girl on my arm
and posed for a picture.

Lifting some girls
Lifting some girls

Because we finished our beers,
we went inside a Casino to place a bet and get “free drinks”.

Gambling
Gambling

It worked.

Free drinks
Free drinks

Then we continued our walk towards the club.

But it’s almost impossible,
to get from one side of the strip to the other without stopping.

Because from the moment we walked out of the casino,
there was a rap/dance battle.

And again they challenge people,
on the street to battle them.

I gave them my best “dancing performance”,
so we could continue our walk.

Rap/Dance Battle
Rap/Dance Battle

Then a Pimp stopped us,
to ask us if we were interested in some company.

But we were only interested in his golden “grillz”.

He loved our enthusiasm and we allowed us to make a picture with him,
so we could Photoshopped some grillz for ourselves.

After we made the picture he gave us the ins and outs,
life as it is being a pimp in Las Vegas.

The crazy adventures/stories, girls, gambling, risk, …

After all his stories,
I had the idea he lived inside a movie!

What a guy!

Learning the ins and outs about a pimp life
Learning the ins and outs about a pimp life

Finally we arrived at a club,
but because of all the stops,
it was already after 3 o’clock.

Every bouncer told us,
they can’t allow people to enter after 3AM.

When we finally found club with an open door,
we walked in and it was empty.

Empty Club
Empty Club

We thought it was insane!!

They told us that every club on the strip has to close at 4 AM.

That’s why I love Europe and especially Ibiza,
we know how to party and the party is going on,
until the morning hours.

When we walked outside the club,
a promoter stopped us.

He asked us,
if we were interested in going to a club a few blocks away from the strip.

Because everything was closed,
I asked him until what hour the club was staying open.

With a big smile he told us, 24/7.

He even offered us a free limo,
to bring us to the club.

We agreed on going with him,
but still I found it a little bit shady.

I thought it was shady
I thought it was shady

My cousin convinced me to stop worrying, chill and enjoy the ride.

Jan enjoyed the ride
Jan enjoyed the ride

After a 10 minute ride, we arrived at the club.
It was HUGE!!

A lot of people were waiting in line to get in,
but because we arrived in a limo we could skip the line.

Once we entered the club,
we immediately saw it wasn’t a normal club,
but a strip club.

Weirdly enough, it’s accepted as THE place for an after party, by everyone.
Young, old, male or female.

It’s weird to explain, because it had the feeling of a normal club,
but with strippers instead of “normal dancers”.

The club was packed, A DJ was playing music, people were partying,
girls were dancing the poles, people are throwing money in the air and made it rain, …

Inside the club
Inside the club

After we had some more drinks and partied all night,
we went back to the hotel, to get some sleep.

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Visiting Grand Canyon West

After we left the Hoover Dam, drove for 2 hours,
we arrived at the west side of the Grand Canyon.

That’s the location of The Hualapai Tribe and Skywalk,
which is located outside of Grand Canyon National Park.

Because we spend a little too much time at the Hoover Dam,
it was a race against the clock again.

Normally we had a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon at 4PM.
But when we arrived at the desk, at 4.02PM they told us we were too late.

First I thought it was a joke,
but those Indians don’t joke about those kinds of things.

The only option we had left,
was to take a bus into the Grand Canyon.

They told us that there were no other options available anymore
too see it that day.

After that news I tried to stay optimistic
and bought 2 (in my opinion) heavily overprized bus tickets.

What a tourist trap!!

When you get on the bus,
they first take you to what they cal a “typical Indian Village”.

From the moment Marlise saw the village,she got really excited.
Doesn’t she look excited?

 

Happy Marlise
Happy Marlise

We got off the bus and spend some time in the village.

But it was sooo fake!!

Walking around in the Indian Village
Walking around in the Indian Village
Telegraph
Telegraph
Trading Post
Trading Post
Assay Office
Assay Office
The bank
The bank

I saw a mine and I thought you could enter it and have a look inside.

So I told Marlise let’s have a look inside and then we’ll leave this village.

Marlise told me that she was going to wait outside, because she wasn’t interested.

The mine
The mine

But when I entered the mine, I could immediately see it was just a decor.

That was quite disappointing!

Inside the mine
Inside the mine

But luckily, they also had some nice viewpoints.

Carriage
Carriage
What a view
What a view
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon

So one tip, in case you ever take the bus tour in the Grand Canyon,
just skip this touristic stop!

After seeing all of this, we went back on the bus.
The Next stop was at the Grand Canyon, Eagle Point.

Eagle Point
Eagle Point

On next stop you have the possibility, to get on the Skywalk and look down in the Grand Canyon.
But you can’t take any pictures on the skywalk.

So the only possibility you have,
is to take pictures of the Grand Canyon, on the left side of the Skywalk.

The skywalk
The skywalk

 

The Skywalk
The Skywalk

But what an impressive view.
It looks surreal!

The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon

There are also some Indians doing there typical dances,
while they make special noises.

I don’t know how to describe it,
but I think you know which sound they produce.

Dancing Indian at The Grand Canyon
Dancing Indian at The Grand Canyon
Relaxing at The Grand Canyon
Relaxing at The Grand Canyon

Because we didn’t want to rush anymore,
we took the time to sit down and enjoy all of its beauty.

Relaxing at The Grand Canyon
Relaxing at The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon

On this stop you also have the possibility, to view different kinds of Indian tents, logdes and shacks.

Indian Shack
Indian Shack
Indian tent
Indian tent
A sweat
A sweat
Sweat lodge
Sweat lodge
Sweat lodge
Sweat lodge
Natural tent
Natural tent

While I was checking out all the tents lodges and shacks,
I saw another path to another viewpoint of the Grand Canyon.

My instinct told me to have a look over there,
so I walked towards it and check it out.

The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon Desert
The Grand Canyon Desert

But while I was making pictures over there,
Security almost immediately came over to tell me it wasn’t possible to walk there.

So I had to go back to the tourist part.

When I found Marlise again,
it was time for some “selfies” at the Grand Canyon.

Selfie time
Selfie time
Selfie time
Selfie time

After we took our desired pictures
and after we memorized that viewpoint of the Grand Canyon,
we took the bus again, to the last checkpoint.

It was another viewpoint over the Grand Canyon.

But I personally liked this viewpoint much more,
because there were several viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, instead of one like the previous stop.

The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon

Because we saw a big flat rock, it was time to strike a pose,
with the Grand Canyon on the background.

Strike a pose
Strike a pose
Colorado river
Colorado river
Colorado river
Colorado river

 

When you look down, into the grand canyon (4000 feet down)
it’s quite impressive.

DSC_0634

The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon

Here’s a picture of me taking a picture.

Taking pictures of the Grand Canyon
Taking pictures of the Grand Canyon
The Colorado River
The Colorado River

After a while, we decided to go.
So we looked one last time in the Grand Canyon, took one last pictures and left.

The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon

 

Because we saw enough of Las Vegas for one weekend,
and there was so much more, I wanted to show Marlise in LA,
I suggested to drive directly to Los Angeles from the Grand Canyon.

She liked the idea, so after 6 hours of driving,
we were back in Los Angeles.

Ready for a new excursion.

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