Someplace You've Never Been Before

"Once a year, go someplace you've never been before." by Dalai Lama

A few years ago when I turned forty, I made a promise to live by this advice from the great Dalai Lama. Whether near or far, I would visit a new place every year. That year I went to California for the first time, and since then we (the whole family) have traveled to Montreal, Iceland, then last year I went to Los Angeles with my hubby, and this year, during the winter break, we traveled with the kids to Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Grand Canyon, Arizona.

Las Vegas was more fun and less seedy than I had expected. The casino complexes on the Strip are totally over the top and it's fun to see the details of these huge complexes. Some of the best ones are Mandalay Bay, New York New York, Paris, Cesar's Palace, Venetian, Palazzo, and Wynn.

We did not see a show, but there was enough to see and do without spending a hundred bucks (or more) per head for a show ticket. I was surprised at the number of restaurants, and the quality of the food. Each celebrity you can think of has a restaurant in Vegas.

I was also surprised at how good the shopping was. I never want to spend much time shopping when I travel, given that my area on Long Island, or New York City, has every shopping option you could ever want. But the shopping areas in Vegas are plentiful, beautiful and well appointed. And so I ended up shopping quite a bit...

First three nights we stayed at the Mandalay Bay, a huge complex with countless restaurants, a "beach" and a somewhat quieter location at the end of the Strip. 

I had to take a selfie with this four story wine tower  at the Aureole restaurant in Mandalay Bay.  OMG. 

Mandalay Bay had some interesting art. This mural is by a Puerto Rican artist Alexis Diaz. The mural is a bunny with wings, with human body parts sticking out from openings in the wall. 

The statue of Liberty outside the New York New York casino. 

The weather was on the cool side, but we were able to enjoy lounging by the pool on our first day in Vegas. Mama sipped some white wine while the kiddos splashed in the pool. aaaah.  

I picked Mandalay Bay for the pool area, which is amazing. However, due to the somewhat cool weather, the main pool area was closed and only one pool open... 

A lot of live music in Las Vegas. This was a street concert outside the New York, with Brooklyn bridge as the back drop. 

The Fattburger is a Las Vegas holdout of the old times, complete with cocktail service. Of course we had to try its legendary burgers if not the cocktails. 

We're not in Egypt despite the giant Sphinx

We walked so much I got 7 miles on my tracker the first day! 

Some parts reminded me of Disney World (this is Excalibur)

Hubby and I went out for drinks on our first night in Vegas. 

Mandalay Bay has two roof top lounges, the Foundation Room, and the Skyfall in the Delano building. We checked out both, and had amazing views of the Strip from each.