蔣和勳

The second day of my USA trip bring us to the factory outlet and the journey to Las Vegas! We woke up at around 4/5 a.m, couldn’t sleep due to the jet lag. Gotten ready by 6 plus, went to the Inn’s lobby for breakfast. Ate the same as the day before. While eating, Lynn and Tony came and sat with us for breakfast. Chatted with them and realize that Tony was from Singapore and Lynn was from Malaysia. Both migrated to Aussie years ago. After that, we went back to get our luggage  and waited at the lobby. Waited for quite a while before people began calling names for various tour groups. We, then, realize that we weren’t in the same tour group with Lynn and Tony (they didn’t realize till we met them at the shopping outlet again.). By the way, the lobby had sofas, a piano, 2 computers. Outside (walking towards our room), there was a newspaper machine, swimming pool and ice making machine.

We boarded a different bus from them. This time, we were assigned seat numbers located near the front of the bus (2nd row from the front). The coach left Best Western Executive Inn and boarded some Indian passenger from the shopping centre (which I mentioned on my previous post). Oh, interesting to know, there was this Chinese tour guide in pink (her hair, her clothes, everything!). Anyways, on this coach, we had a new tour guide called Sino. He’s a Chinese, wearing those kind of spectacles similar to the ones worn by Chinese scholars of the past (o_o). He told us that the ride to Las Vegas was 4 hours long and that in between, we will have our lunch and factory outlet. “Great!” I thought. Another 4 hours of bus ride… In the bus, we acquainted with a Singaporean family with 2 kids. Initially I thought that they were Indians, turned out they were Malays. Spoke with them and found out that the lady, Julianna, is a doctor and the guy, Siraj, is a teacher. They were staying in the east too! By the way, Siraj feels out of place/strange/weird when he visits other parts of Singapore which is something I feel too! Also, we paid money to Sino for our dinner + night tour of Las Vegas, entrance fee to the West of Grand Canyon (initially was South, I think) and helicoper/boat ride. Total cost of around more that 200 USD each person!

About 2 hours later, we reached the factory outlet called Tanger Outlet, where we had (I think) only 1 hour to shop. We were given VIP stickers for an additional 10% discount on selected stores. There were Coach, Calvin Klein, Nautica, Gap and many many more. I bought a few Calvin Klein shirts and Polo Ralph shirts. Rushed back to the coach as the 1 hour was almost up. (Found out from Julianna that when we return to Los Angeles, we will visit the outlet again!) Anyways, the coach left (without a few passengers!) and traveled across the road for our lunch. Sino was a punctual freak which made many of us feel so stress, especially true for Siraj’s family because they had just came from Canada (they were having their 52 days holiday!) where it was free and easy. Anyways, there were food chains like Panda Express (Chinese food), Subway and so on. We ended up having burger meal. By the way, the queues were so long that we had to wait for almost half an hour.

After lunch, we went back to the coach (not the shop!), and minutes later we left (including those stranded back at the factory outlets)!

As we approach Las Vegas, the scenery got duller and duller… obviously! This is because Las Vegas is located in the middle of the desert! By this time, I needed to pee badly! I couldn’t move, sleep or do anything. I just stared in front of the driver’s screen, wished that he would drive faster and that Sino would stop talking. Hah. When we reached the inside of Las Vegas, the traffic lights kept turning red and I was pretty errr about it! Upon reaching Rivera, our hotel, I ran down, entered through the back door (where luggage were transferred) , asked some guy for direction and finally…. By the way, there was a traffic jam before reaching Las Vegas!

Went to the hotel lobby and waited for Sino to distribute our keys. Was then told that we had until 5 p.m. to get ready. Took the lift, past by another Ice-making machine and entered the hotel room. First thing I did was to check for Wi-Fi but unfortunately we had to pay for internet! I was pretty bumped since the previous hotel had free Wi-Fi (So if you’ll been wondering why I didn’t facebook my status, you know now!)! By the way, I called home using Fringe on my Iphone using Wi-Fi when we reached the first Inn back at Rowland Heights! (It was free there!). I changed and wore my contact lenses.

We boarded the same coach and set off to an area which was pretty deserted as it was located out of the Las Vegas strip. It was a buffet and we had lots of food (prawns,fishes,chicken,veggies, the usual stuff!). Everyone (me, my aunt and Siraj’s family) had an coned ice-cream for dessert. Interestingly enough, the ice-cream somewhat tasted warmer than the weather outside. Hah! Next, we were suppose to watch the fountain show at Bellagio (a hotel), but unfortunately due to the bad traffic. So we had to watch the show on the bus, which was not a good experience since the music was muffled , tress’s blocking and people’s head popping left and right. Right after, we left for Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino for the Masquerade Show in the Sky…

…where we watched the performers danced, Las Vegas way! After which, they boarded ships hanging from the ceiling. Some were dancing while others were throwing green beads out of their ships. We had to scream/shout, do whatever to get their attention. I guess we manage to get their attention but, unfortunately due to their inaccuracy, they threw towards our back! Ha ha! Turns out these were green beads necklace made of plastic.

Went back to the coach! We were the first to arrive! Anyway, the next destination was the Fremont Street Experience. Totally awesome experience. Firstly, it was cold and you don’t realize till you see the roads and vehicles. Secondly, you don’t get to see this in Singapore. Thirdly,…. Anyways, if you’re wondering what is this about, it’s actually this huge screen above us (the ceiling), playing a video clip of various historical event and people in/of the USA while the music American Pie by Don McLean was playing. People were singing along, dancing as well. I don’t think you would find this in Singapore, don’t you? Miss the experience so much! By the way, before the show started, Siraj and I walked along the stretch and there was these two guys who were advocating that we are sinners due to various reasons (see the picture). Pretty ironic considering we are in “Sin City”. Don’t agree with some reasons they put up unfortunately!

After alighting at some road junction near the Mirage, we crossed the road to visit the Venetian. Inside, they had it themed like Venice. There were artworks on the walls, boats with the rower singing, shops throughout and a cloudy blue sky as a ceiling (you’ll never feel that it’s night inside!). Took some pictures and rushed back to the Mirage so that we would get a good spot and not miss the fire show. It was a great fire display. Furthermore, I couldn’t be more glad of the warmness in such a cold night (It’s funny how deserts can be cold!).

Walked back to the area where we were suppose to board the bus, saw the passengers of our bus queuing in a straight line where Sino was head counting (Looked pretty funny. Why do tour guide like to line us up!?). Walked another few meters to board the bus. Then it all happened!

Our driver was furious with our tour guide as he almost got booked for a ticket for alighting us along a road that didn’t allow. Ranted about how he could lost his job if he got this ticket. Both argued, threatening each other…blah blah. What was crazy is that the driver almost risked the passenger on board while trying to prove to our tour guide he was wrong. How professional!

Whoa for such a dramatic ending to the night. Before going back to the hotel room, we walked to 7-11 to get bread and drink for breakfast. Bought some key chains from the shop nearby as well.