After I had a good sleep,
I woke up to start working on my thesis again.
Jan stayed in bed for several more hours,
before he woke up.
Jan still sleeping
From the moment he was awake,
we ordered room service,
because we could use a good breakfast.
They bring everything, including a table.
While the guy was preparing our table,
he was curious about our night and experience in Las Vegas.
Room ServiceRoom Service
After our afternoon breakfast,
I continued working on my thesis,
while Jan explored the strip by day.
Because I was to stubborn,
to leave our room,
before I was happy with the part I wrote.
So Jan asked me to wake him up,
when I ready for dinner.
I worked the whole day on my thesis, until 4 AM.
But from the moment I was ready,
I woke up jan to get some dinner.
We used Yelp,
to check-out which restaurants were still open.
But in Vegas that’s no problem,
you can go to decent restaurants, 24/7.
We decided on going to the Cafe Bellagio for dinner.
When we walked through the giant casino/hotel,
on our way to the restaurant,
there were still a lot of people playing on the gambling tables/machines.
In front of the restaurant,
is a beautiful Botanical Garden.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical GardenBellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden
When we arrived at the restaurant,
we had to wait for 20 minutes,
because they told us they were cleaning the restaurant.
After 20 minutes a woman came,
to bring us to our table.
We couldn’t understand why we had to wait,
because there were still some people eating
and there were a lot of free tables.
We finished our dinner,
decided to go back to our room,
because we wanted to rise early the next day,
so we could drive to Antelope Park and the Grand Canyon.
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
After driving 4 and a half hours,
we finally saw 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
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
From the moment we took that exit,
we were in the middle of the strip.
Bellagio – Las VegasCaesars – Paris Las VegasOn 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
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 VenetianLobby at The Venetian
It was a nice suite.
2 queen size beds, a living area, a big bathroom and much more.
Bella Suite – The VenetianRoom 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
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
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
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
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
Because we finished our beers,
we went inside a Casino to place a bet and get “free drinks”.
Gambling
It worked.
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
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
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
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
My cousin convinced me to stop worrying, chill and enjoy 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
After we had some more drinks and partied all night,
we went back to the hotel, to get some sleep.
Jan decided to go to Venice
and I went with Marlise to Beverly Hills.
To check out the shopping street
and have a lunch.
When we drove to it, we took a wrong turn
and we ended up in the residential area of Beverly hills.
I had seen some nice villas in my life,
but these are part of the better villa’s I’ve ever seen.
When I had a look at my phone,
we saw we had to drive in the opposite side.
Then we saw rodeo drive!
And immediately you see the luxury cars,
beautiful stores and nice restaurants.
Hugo Boss Cartier Chanel BulgariWe parked our car in a parking,
but I felt a little bit ashamed,
because we were driving through the desert the day before.
The car was looking extremely dirty.
The valley guy looked at us,
With a face like he didn’t saw a dirty car before in Beverly hills.
When he parked our car,
you could see my car between all the clean luxury cars.
We parked in the middle of rodeo drive,
so when we exited the parking,
we were immediately in the center of the shopping street.
It’s such a beautiful shopping street,
it looks so clean.
I even heard Marlise say,
that it was the most beautiful shopping street she ever saw.
All the A brands are located in Beverly Hills.
They all have beautiful stores, with doorkeepers.
Here are some pictures of the stores and luxury cars.
Louis Vuiton Marlise in front of Gucci Roberto Cavalli, Patek Philippe and Rolex Lamborghini Aventador Rolls Royce Wraith Rodeo Dr. Rodeo DrBecause we had to be at LAX at 2PM,
we didn’t had much time for shopping.
Then we decided to have lunch at The Blvd.
A nice restaurant/hotel,
located at the end of Rodeo Drive,
with a terrace with a view over the shopping street.
Palms The Blvd The Blvd The bar at the BlvdThis is the view you have while you sit on the terrace.
Rodeo Dr.Before we ordered our food,
we celebrated her last day in Los Angeles.
Rose at the Blvd Celebrating the last dayWhile you sit on the terrace,
there are constantly exotic cars passing by.
Audi R8 GT Ford GT
Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Ford Thunderbird
Ferrari 458 Italia 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Ferrari 599 GTO Ferrari 458 Spider Maserati GranTurismo Stradale Ferrari FF and McLaren MP4-12C Convertible Rodeo Dr.When we had our lunch
we drank one last aperitif and went back to our car.
Our parking was located in this beautiful shopping center.
Shopping center Inside shopping centerTime to drive to LAX.
When we were driving towards it,
we didn’t planned anything there.
So we were free to explorer it, on the go.
First we made a stop at the visitor center,
to check-out all the possible view points.
Map of Joshua Tree National Park
We decided on viewing as much as possible,
so we chose to visit all the things with the shortest walk.
When we entered the park,
we entered a desert again.
The view
We saw a sort of mountain,
created with all kind of different sizes of rocks.
To have a nice view,
we decided to climb it.
Jan choose to take the mountain on the left,
and Marlise and I the one on the right.
Ready to climb the mountain
It was a harder climb then we initial thought
On the mountain
It was worth it,
because we had a nice overview over the desert.
The scenery
We took a lot of pictures,
of the surroundings and of each other.
Jan on the rocks
Jan on the rocks
Marlise taking some pictures
Chilling on the rocks
Joshua Tree National Park
After marlise climbed down,
Jan climbed to the same mountain as me.
In the meantime Marlise took some pictures of us.
Standing on the rocks
Posing on the mountain
Jan checking out the map
After our ‘photoshoot’ was done,
we climbed down and started driving again,
towards the dam.
Climbing down
Coming down from the rocks
Jan chilling in the car
Joshua Tree National Park
Driving in Joshua Tree National Park
Our next stop was a dam.
The walk to get there was around 2 Miles.
Walking around in Joshua Tree National Park
From one side it had a rock feeling.
Rocks
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Here’s a picture of the dam,
but it contained almost no water.
Because that was one of the only places with water,
there was some animal life.
But they disappear as soon,
as they heard people arriving.
The dam
If you walk the other way back to the parking,
it had the feeling of a desert park.
Joshua Tree National Park
The iconic Joshua tree
Joshua Tree National Park
The iconic Joshua tree
After we saw most of that viewpoint,
we planned on going to a cactus viewpoint.
Driving in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Driving in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Driving in Joshua Tree National Park
The iconic Joshua tree
Joshua Tree National Park
When we arrived at the cactus viewpoint,
Walking between the cactuses
Cactuses
We had a beautiful view over the scenery.
Walking in Joshua Tree National Park
The sun was setting.
Cactuses
Sunset in Joshua Tree National Park
They were a special kind of cactus,
who loses a lot of funny balls.
Cactus
Because the cactus park was located at the end of the park,
We chose to take the highway back to LA,
instead of driving through the park again.
Because there are no lights in the park and from the moment it gets dark,
you have to drive extremely slow in the parks,
because the wildlife comes out and walks over the street.
But before we left the park,
I took a picture the sun set.
Sunset of Joshua Tree National Park
After that it was time to drive back to Los Angeles
After we had our walk on the Walk Of Fame,
we went to the Griffith observatory.
It was unbelievable crowded.
There where cars parked on the street everywhere,
some promo tents, police giving directions, and people walking.
We thought it was all for the observatory.
Because there was a road block to observatory,
we had to park on the street.
When we finally found a parking spot on the street,
it was located really far away from the observatory.
And we didn’t feel like walking the whole distance, so we checked out the city, from our parking spot.
View over the cityView over the cityNight view over the cityThe Griffith Observatory
After we decided to go and started driving again,
we saw we had to go the same way back as we came.
Luckily we had to,
because now we saw the roadblock was gone.
We could access the observatory by car again.
We immediately found a parking spot,
close to the observatory.
Griffith Observatory
You have the possibility to look at the stars,
or check out the city.
Because there was a huge line to see the stars,
we decided to just view the city by night.
We were lucky that we had a clear view,
because some days LA has a kind of fog/smog,
hanging over the city.
This is the view we had.
Night view over the cityDowntown LADowntown Los AngelesOn the Griffith ObservatoryOn the Griffith Observatory
After we walked around, and went to different viewpoints,
we decided to go to the store and get some food,
to have a BBQ at my place.
Because we were not sure if we would drive back to LA
after seeing the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon,
so we didn’t book an extra night in that hotel and we had to check out.
This time it was a quick check out, because you could do it over the TV.
TV Check-out
After we checked-out, grabbed our luggage and drove to the Hoover Dam.
Before you can enter the Hoover Dam,
you have to go through a Police Check Point.
But I can’t understand why, b
ecause they don’t even look at you, they just give a signal/gesture you can drive along.
Once we were in, we saw the Hoover Dam and it’s quite an impressive dam!
The Hoover Dam
It’s huge and Vegas is almost completely relying on that dam, to get their power.
Electrical power stationHoover Dam Bridge
After we parked our car, some luxury cars were passing us.
I can admit the sound was awesome, because of the echo the dam created.
Sport cars at the Hoover Dam
When the guy in the Lamborghini saw I was making pictures,
he gave me the thumbs up and made some extra noise.
Good guy in a Lamborghini
After they passed us, we had a look at the Hoover Dam again and its surroundings.
The Hoover DamThe Hoover Dam
There are a lot of people trying to throw money in to the dam for good luck,
but a lot of the money doesn’t even get in to the water.
So it’s a funny sight too see it lying around on those rocks.
Good-luck Money
After that, we walked towards the Hoover Dam,
to have a look on both sides.
The Colorado RiverLooking down in the Hoover Dam
After an hour or more, we decided we also wanted to see it from the bridge.
So we had to drive towards an other parking, where you could take some stairs to get onto the bridge.
Once your parked and walked all the stairs,
the first thing you see, is that it is an Memorial Bridge.
Memorial Bridge
After that you see, your going to enter Arizona, by walking over the bridge.
And of course if you walk the opposite way, back to the car, that you will enter Nevada.
Welcome to Nevada
Here I am, walking over the Hoover Dam Bridge.
Walking on the Hoover Dam Bridge
Here it is, the view you’ll get, when you are in the middle of the bridge.
The view from the bridge over Hoover Dam
Once we had enough of the Hoover Dam,
we went to a viewpoint, to see the Colorado River.
The Colorado RiverColorado RiverColorado River
After we had a late lunch with a view over the Colorade River,
it was time to continue our trip towards the Grand Canyon.
