Sparing a Thought…..

We are so lucky to be able to embark on another great holiday but many are not so fortunate. Whether due to natural phenomena such as hurricanes and earthquakes or made made horrors such as Myanmar and the current refugee problem, we are mindful that many people are not as fortunate as us. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.

Less than a day to go….

The only thing about going on holiday is the things you find to do before you go! Grass cut, plants watered and moved to a place where they may have a chance of survival, sort out the rubbish…. mind you it is a bit easier now with recycling but thank goodness for the good old black bag for all those things you forgot!

Then of course there is the packing! Over the years we have tried all sorts of cases, suitcases, holdalls, a mixture of the two but the best invention ever is the ‘travel pod.’ For those of you who may not have had the opportunity to get introduced to these marvels of modern travel, let me explain with the help of a picture or two.

Pods are light, made of nylon and mesh, come in various sizes, large, medium and small. They zip up, weigh nothing and are so versatile. Take a look…..

Different sizes for socks, knicks, t-shirts, in fact you can pack by type of clothing or by days… your choice. When they are full, just fit them into the case…

A place for everything and everything in its place! All I have to worry about is how all the dirty washing gets packed for coming home – not for now though!

So, here we go, all ready for tomorrow morning – lets hope the M25 is behaving itself so we can get to Heathrow in good time to have a little holiday brekkie – has to be done! Then onwards, upwards and eastwards………. San Francisco next stop – only 11 hours 15 minutes…….. I don’t want to think about how planes get off the ground with all those people, all that luggage and loads of fuel (well let’s hope so anyway!) – they tell me it is something to do with lift and thrust….. or my my case lift and trust!

Look after yourselves while we are away…….

We have arrived..

It’s 4am, wide awake but we have made it.

Timely collection by Sue of Style Executive Cars who we would highly recommend, M25 was behaving itself and Terminal 3 was as welcoming as ever.

The Virgin check in was as Red as ever, happy smiley faces, and how could we spend the time before boarding?

Silly question!

By the way, Viv’s cocktail was Peas of Mind, non alcoholic, yes I know it was a shock to me too. Made from Seedlip Garden, tonic and frozen peas! Lovely fresh taste of the garden. Seedlip Garden is like a gin without the alcohol – one perhaps for the Gin Club at North Downs? No alcohol? No chance!

Flight uneventful which is always a good thing, first time on Virgin and not disappointed.

Immigration at San Francisco was a breeze at just over the hour! Good old ESTA worked her magic!

Bags collected and TSA tamper free and what’s more a lovely greeting from the Princess Cruises rep in the arrival hall.

Taxi to the Weston St Francis which took about an hour – didn’t see much of SF as had eyes closed – memories flooding back of our Chinese driver in Beijing – lane discipline ? What lane!

Room is ok apart from the air con which kicks in every 10 mins or so – sounds more akin to the wonderful sound of a Spitfire Merlin engine but not as useful.

Bags to be ready before 10am, then off to the Port at 12.45. But first, Breakfast needs to happen…. I wonder if they start at 4.33am – a tad early methinks?

I have the cheek to feel a little tired now so better head off – Viv sends her regards.

More later…….

If you’re going to San Francisco be sure to wear some flowers in your hair!

Shortly about to sail away with the Rock outside our cabin window followed soon after by passing under the Grand Gate bridge.

Leaving the Weston St Francis behind saying goodbye to the famous clock…..

in the lobby, just a short journey to Pier 27 where the Grand Princess was moored. Thankfully our previous Princess cruises gave us preferred check in and a much reduced queuing time….. result!

On board now and not a bad view

Sun shining and time to enjoy a drink before we sail away.

The next two days are ‘at sea’ heading north for Alaska and I doubt we will have any signal so don’t be worried if it goes quiet for a couple of days until we reach Ketchikan.

Until then enjoy your weekend!

At sea – halfway to paradise……

Day 2 at sea and over half way to Ketchikan. Due to arrive tomorrow morning and we have two trips planned, a walking tour of the town and then a Lumberjack show. Will bring back memories of Monty Python…… I’m a lumberjack and I’m alright…. etc.

Bit breezy at sea today wind out of the North West at 33 knots, swell 2.5 metres which looks fine when you are 10 decks up. Just finished a 6 lap walk of the Promenade deck which equates to 2 miles. Probably burnt off the asparagus I had with the Eggs Bendict for breakfast – sadly probably not made much of an inroad into the calories from the creme brûlée pudding from last night.

We Brits are not so much of a minority onboard, more a token gesture. Tonight is the first formal night at dinner but they are letting me in with just a jacket and no tie. How the mighty fall? Wasn’t that long ago I would have chastised those not wearing the full regalia. I must be getting soft in my old age…..

More anon….

Catch us if you can in Ketchikan!

First day in port and what a great place Ketchikan is. A lovely sunrise approach

We had two tours arranged, the first a walking tour with local Indian guide, Joe Williams! Third generation guide with loads of knowledge and interesting bits of local gossip!

This was followed by a Lumberjack show! Strapping young men with chainsaws – I expected JR to pop out from behind the stand at one stage……

Left at 5pm heading for Juneau for a whale quest tomorrow – should be fun – let’s hope we have as good a day weatherwise as we did today.

Do you know – we are in Juneau!

Another fantastic day in Alaska. Today we arrived in Juneau, Alaska’s capital city. Just as well we are on a cruise ship because you can only reach Juneau by sea or air!

Great moody scenes on the way in this morning with low lying mist over the hills and mountains, not to mention over the sea channel.

Our trip this morning took us, courtesy of Levi and his bus to Auke Bay where we picked up our whale watching catamaran and headed out to the South east Alaskan channels where we spotted a number of hump backed whales and copious numbers of extremely smelly sea lions.

Incredible views of the mountains and forests covered even it this time of year at the top with snow. Sun glistening on the water made for a special few hours.

Next stop was Mendenhall Glacier stretching over 12 miles into a lake fed by the Nugget Falls. Mixtures of white and blue ice against a backdrop of calm green water.

Back in Juneau but before we boarded the ship I had to visit the Twisted Fish Company to partake of the King Crab Stack, lashings of fresh local crab from the best crab fishing area in the world, mixed with avocado, red onion, caviar, jalapeño peppers washed down with a pint of Alaskan Amber Ale – magnificent – poor old Viv had a pepperoni pizza – what’s not to like about shellfish?

We leave Juneau at midnight tonight heading for Icy Strait Point for another day of Alaskan magic.

I can honestly say I have never been to anywhere in the world where the scenery and the air is so pure, clean and the combination just simply takes your breath away.

Strait there to Icy Strait Point

A misty start to the day as well pulled into this quiet little island just off main land Alaska.

This morning’s tour involved Geoff, a highly educated, multi talented local guide, artist, logger, designer and just about anything else you could mention.

Scheduled for 90 minutes, we were spell bound for nearly three hours as he explained the local history and culture of this island which is owned by the local indigenous population of Tlingit Indians.

Against a backdrop of some of the most atmospheric conditions I have ever seen, this guy explained all the things you need to know about one of the biggest temperate rain forests in the world.

As the mist lifted we were treated to some of the most stunning scenery I have seen in all our travels. Alaska is truly a remarkable place.

Time to review Alaska as we head south…..

So, day 6 of our Alaskan cruise and we are now turning south heading for Victoria in British Columbia in Canada before returning to San Francisco.

Before we left Akaskan waters we entered Tracy Arm Fjord and moved slowly as far as the ice would allow towards the glacier. Some incredible views as we have come to expect – combined with the most amazing weather. Cold of course but beautiful azure blue skies.

The last four days have given us some wonderful memories, provided so much new information about a really interesting part of the world.

Ketchikan, a lovely town with Indian history and culture,

Juneau, whale watching, well bits of whales anyway, not to mention the odd glacier!

Icy Strait Point, an ocean beach full of interest and a bear watch of total success,

Tracy Arm Fjord, nature’s wonders, the power and awe of the ice age brought to life

That’s all for now – a day at sea tomorrow then Victoria

On our way to Victoria, British Columbia

Lovely day at sea and managed a 6.5 mile walk around the ship – 20 laps round the promenade deck! Very righteous!

Tonight’s meal was to die for – escargot to start drenched in garlic butter followed by Lobster Thermidor – trying to remember that old saying ……… perhaps not!!!

Victoria tomorrow – nice leisurely walk around town methinks?

No sign of Albert?

Here we are in Victoria in Canada our first and only day outside the USA. For some reason and I know not why, the ship has to call at one port outside the US during the cruise – all very odd!

Lovely view again this morning from the cabin looking out over the bay as the sun rose and another remarkable day of weather. We have been so lucky – both Ketchikan and Juneau are showing wall to wall heavy rain today yet when we passed through – not a cloud to be seen.

Victoria is a lovely town on the southern tip of Vancouver Island with its own Fisherman’s Wharf with very expensive yachts and boats, not to mention rather imposing apartments, sorry condos! Have to get the vocabulary right y’all!

Must just mention before I forget, we left 4 Chinese passengers behind when we left Victoria today. We were all told to be back on board by 1.30pm ready to sail soon after. The Captain waited till about 2.10pm then sailed – such a shame! Had to laugh! It is your worst nightmare on a cruise….. miss the ship and have to make your own way to the next port of call which in their case is San Francisco, over a day and a half sailing away and in another country …… passports probably safely stored in the cabin safe along with credit cards and most of your money …

I wonder what will happen to all their belongings if they don’t make it back before Monday morning when we all disembark????

Back to Victoria, great views of seaplanes taking off and landing – we nearly booked a flight but thought better of it – could have been us that missed the ship sailing!

All very clean and a lovely pathway which is a 40 minute walk into downtown Victoria from the port. Time for a coffee and watch the world go by.

We are heading south now and have a full day plus sailing back tonSF where we finish our cruise part of the holiday first thing on Monday. We head to the hotel in Union Square for a couple of days, squeeze in a trip to Alcatraz on Monday afternoon, then if the weather is ok on Tuesday we are doing the good old hop on hop off bus tour. Forecast looks good at the moment 27 deg – hope our luck holds.

Good win for Wolves against Barnsley today – last gasp winner which keeps us 2nd in the league.

So, apart from our last day at sea when hopefully the weather is warm enough to catch a few rays of sun to get some colour, that’s the cruise done. Always a bit of a shame when 2 days from the end they leave your disembarkation luggage tags ready for your bags.

The Cruise Entertainment Director has just announced the activities and fun for tonight starting at 7.30 in the main bar with “Hunt the Chinese”. Only joking!! Sorry shouldn’t laugh ….. not funny!

Back in SF

Arrived on time brilliant disembarkation thanks to Princess Cruises and the US Border Protection team.

As our room wasn’t ready we walked, yes, walked from Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf, another 2 miles through Chinatown to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing.

Well organised queue just like a Disney ride! 20 mins across the Bay to the Island. All the tours today were sold out so lucky we booked in advance.

The audio tour of the cell house was amazing and very realistic with commentary from wardens and inmates!

More pics to follow when I can get wifi to move pics from camera to phone but this is a taster.

Slightly in wrong order but SF at sunrise is a bit special.

Tomorrow is planned for a hop on hop off and hopefully this amazing weather is set to continue.

Gee Whizz it’s hot!

Temps in the 90’s F – they use old money here.

Walked over Golden Gate Bridge today then went to Pier 39 to visit sea lions!

Weather is stunning even for the locals.

Pizza just arrived so got to go!

This is medium!! Oooops!!

Out of SF and into Napa

After last night’s mega monster pizzas we decided to ‘take the knee’ on breakfast and after picking up some pharmacy bits for Viv’s cold (Moya you will remember Viv never goes away without getting a cold!) we checked out of the Westin and headed down Powell to O’Farrell to find Alamo car rental.

Didn’t have to worry, the queue was nearly out of the door! American speedy service seems to have passed this place by.

Then we finally got the car only to find the Garmin sat nav didn’t work! Why not? Well this will amaze you – the car charger had a 10c coin jammed in it!! They changed the car then decided we should have a larger one. 3 cars in 10 minutes ! Finally on our way and just over an hour later here in Napa. We came out of SF over the Golden Gate Bridge so we have now sailed under it, walked over it and now driven over it!

Now chilling out and off for a walk down to downtown Napa or is it up to Uptown Napa? Will find out soon…..

Napa? Wine tasting? Surely not…. us?

Today was spent doing what comes naturally to some – which wine will I taste, then buy, then last of all drink?

We drove along most of Napa Valley from Napa itself up Highway 29 then off into the hills dutifully following the satnav only to come across an area where the road was closed due to a rockfall. A hasty detour and we found ourselves in a lovely little place called Pole Valley.

The Pole Valley winery is a small family run business which was started in 1897. The beauty of this place is how small it is and it has not been swallowed up by the big multi nationals.

It serves the local communities and also a local wine club. Our host was a lovely lady called Helena who kindly took us through one of their wine selections.

It would appear that one of us couldn’t wait for the wine to be bottled!

and decided to have a go herself.

This is her ladyship next to our host.

against a backdrop of Zinfandel vines.

A really interesting morning with a full explanation of the wine making process, A chance to meet the winemaker himself and a look back at over 120 years of history following the family from Switzerland, how they settled in California after the goldrush and to this day how they harvest the wine-grape and turn it into a quality wine.

All we have to do now is to drink it! That shouldn’t be too hard should it?

Tomorrow we start our journey south, hopefully managing to avoid the San Francisco rush hour and then picking up the Pacific coastal highway heading to our next stop Monterey.

Slowed up a bit ….

Now in Monterey but Viv and I have both got heavy colds now so after the 3 hour drive from Napa we both felt so rough we just crashed out.

Just woken up – it’s just gone 6am – we were both asleep by 8pm last night. Hoping that we can get out and about later to check out Pebble Beach and some of the local sights.

Managed to grab some fish and chips at the Monterey Cookhouse – what else it was Friday after all!!

Monterey – a class act!

Today was the turn of Monterey and Carmel to open up their doors to the travelling Brits.

First of all we ventured onto the 17 mile drive to sneak a look at the properties and golf complexes including Pebble Beech, Spyglass Hill and Cypress Point.

A strange paradoxical place in many ways combining the luxurious with the natural, the power of the Pacific with the designs of man and what architects consider to be beautiful. Some strange ideas to be sure.

Great views of Monterey Bay, huckleberry trees together with a lone Cypress tree, the emblem of Pebble Beach Company. It has stood for over 250 years – obviously JR hasn’t visited here!!

We popped into Pebble Beach Golf Club, I asked them if they knew who I was – they said no so we didn’t play or buy anything!

A tee shirt for $125 dollars seemed reasonable but then Viv pointed out that it didn’t have a collar so didn’t meet our dress code – oh well that’s life I guess.

They are odd over here, we watched a 4 ball tee off, first strange thing was one of the four men teed off from the back tee while the others played from the forward tee. I guess he was the lower handicap player so maybe not all that strange. What was more odd though was that all four played two tee shots each! Apparently they have mulligans over here. Slow play or what? We were told they only allow that on the 1st tee.

Met two lovely guys at Spyglass Hill, Bill and Ian (from Cornwall, England – they always add the England bit to help folks know where it is in case they think it is a state!). These two guys met the players as they came off the 18th green at the end of the round, cleaned your clubs and shoes and gave you a commemorative medallion to remember your day. An idea to take back home maybe?

Guess who has one each for our golf bags? Thanks Bill and Ian – too guys!

Can’t mention golf without mentioning my son, Chris. He texted me today to tell me that playing in an Oxford/Cambridge Golf Society at Aldeburgh he holed a 7 iron on the 14th for an eagle 2 then holed his tee shot on the 15th for his first hole in one! Top man – proud Dad told the guys at Spyglass and your medallion is coming home with us too!!

Carmel was our next stop – lovely natural white Sandy beach and quaint little town with lots of galleries – all very Clint Eastwood!

Great drive to Santa Barbara

Not much to report as sadly the Big Sur Bridge and the PCH are still closed due to a serious landslide involving 5 million tons of rock. Not sure how they measured it but you know Americans – its big!!

Took the Highway 101 and linked my phone to Bluetooth in the car and we drove to sounds of The Recall Show!! Never one to miss a trick! lol.

Now relaxing on the patio overlooking the garden at the Pepper Tree Inn in Santa Barbara, home for the next two days.

Have a street map and list of good restaurants so what can possibly go wrong. We even have a free corkscrew for our Napa red wine which we must finish before we fly home – tough job but it has to be done!!

Sights of Santa Barbara to follow ….. watch this space!

Such a sad start to the day…….

We woke this morning to the terrible news of the tragic events in Las Vegas overnight, made all the more poignant as we will be staying only a stones throw from the spot where so many innocent lives were lost or injured. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved.

It may be us but the mood today even in Santa Barbara seems muted. Seeing our hotel on the TV screen in such circumstances makes you feel very mortal.

We breakfasted next door to our hotel and decided to take a stroll into downtown Santa Barbara. Mistake one – we should have learned by now, here in the US you don’t stroll anyway. We walked for 30 minutes and realised that we had not made even the smallest dent in the distance to where we were headed. Granted we had beeb able to get some cash from a bank and I had also managed to try and video a street side crossing machine which was telling us to Wait every 2 seconds. All I succeeded in doing was starting a video on my phone which was to last 1 hr 44 minutes filming the inside of my shorts pocket!! This would explain why, when I got to the wharf the battery on my phone had gone from 100% down to 17%!! Silly sod!

We decided to drive to the beachfront and what a great surprise we had. We found Stearns Wharf by accident – what a great place. You can park for free on the pier watch the world go by and even look like a cruise passenger from the Celebrity Infinity even though it wasn’t our ship!

We each had an Arnold Palmer (it’s iced tea mixed with real lemonade) and very refreshing then took a leisurely stroll along the pier the up and down the beachfront.

Great view of the mountains behind together with a magical coastline.

We then took a brief drive to Ventura, playing some great country music on the way which quite fitting really.

This pic is a small flower growing close to the beach as part of a plan to reclaim part of the shoreline which keeps being eroded by the tide. It is hoped that by planting these flowers the roots will bind the sand together.

So this brings us almost to the end of the drive from SF via Napa, Monterey and Santa Barbara. Tomorrow we leave for Los Angeles, about 90 miles south of here.

We have 3 nights planned in LA before flying to Vegas on Friday. It will be interesting to see how Vegas reacts to the events of today – I have never been but hear it is 24/7 lively and noisy – maybe so soon after today’s tragic events the mood will be a little sombre. We shall see.

LA – we are here!

Just a couple of hours down the road from Santa Barbara and we are now here in LA.

Great hotel and all checked in and we took a decision to drop the car back a few days early. The traffic in LA is let’s say “interesting”, so we have decided cab is best!

Tomorrow is Universal Studios day so. Back to childhood time again – should be a giggle!

We have booked a 6 hour tour of LA on Thursday – check out the celebs! We can see some of the houses from our room.

More to follow…

What a day…….

Universal Studios, there at 8.15am for a VIP Tour. Straight in, no queues, sorry lines, lovely breakfast area and our our tour guide Tony. A dozen of us, armed with our VIP badges which got us in everywhere was a brilliant way to ‘do’ Universal.

We started out with a walk through the Simpson’s Springfield area of the park before anyone else was allowed in – posh or what, the a lovely tour of the studios, western sets, sound production, costumes and a props store that looked just like IKEA with everything tagged and numbered.

Managed to see the Amity Jaws set

Then the rides!! Started with Transformers, that was do-able….. then Jurassic Park gentle apart from the final log flume soaking…. then the Revenge of the Mummy a multi directional roller coaster in the dark. Forwards ok, side to side sort of ok but backwards and side to side not good for the tum!!

Managed to slowly enjoy a lovely lunch with views over the LA skyline – there was such a choice of food – just a shame the last ride before lunch has such an effect. Maybe all done to stop us all pigging out!

Viv met up with a friend after the ride

One of the highlights of the day was a live set of Waterworld based on the 1995 film starring Kevin Costner. Lots of pyrotechnics, water and stunts great to watch and sitting still!!

Feeling confident again we ventured into the Minions ride – not a good idea – this time just sitting in a seat and a massive 3D screen – but the seat moved and so did out stomachs!!!

The major attraction these days is Harry Potter and there are two rides in addition to a wonderful set including a castle.

We managed the rollercoaster ride but couldn’t make the last one inside the castle – a game of Quiddich! Suspended high about the ground, legs dangling, leaning backwards and flying! One poor young Chinese guy came out passed us and left his lunch in a flower bed – he looked a very odd shade of gray!! Total vindication not to do the ride. Even some of the braver folk in our group looked decidedly rough when they came out!

A brilliant day despite the lack of stamina on the rides front, a wonderful way to see the theme park and be transported around. Universal offers a ‘front of line’ ticket for $10 extra on admission. Worth every cent.

Tomorrow is another long day – more sedate we hope – a tour of LA, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, and lots of other sights and sounds.

Can’t wait………

Another action packed day in LA

A 6 hour packed tour of LA today started at downtown Hollywood Boulevard checking out the stars on the pavement – couldn’t see one for me or Viv but there is still time!

On to the Griffith Observatory where we managed to get a great view of the Hollywood sign – 45 feet high letters!

Next we headed to Santa Monica beach but no sign of Pamela Anderson even though Baywatch was filmed there. Lots of celebs but no-one recognised us – so fickle these Americans.

This is the western end of Route 66 as well.

We lunched at Farmers Market, an amazing mix of old and new. It’s been there since 1934 and is the place that is famous for the saying “meet me at 3rd and Fairfax” – apparently.

We drove past lots of posh properties including one owned by Jim Parsons – sorry Jim but no idea who you are.

The afternoon was spent in Beverley Hills and Bel Air – this is Beyoncé’s house

Parking meters in Beverley Hills are a bit different to those in U.K. – they take credit cards!!

Last stop was Rodeo Drive – lots of serious shops – thankfully not enough room in the suitcases to buy anything. That’s what I told Viv anyway!

Now at LAX ready for flight to Vegas for the last leg of this magic journey……

Here we are – Las Vegas

A short 45 minute flight from LA over some stunning desert and mountains –

We arrive at Las Vegas! Bit of a shock to the system – in the middle of a vast desert there is this extraordinary place.

There is no doubt there is a subdued feeling following the events of last Sunday. We spent a few minutes close to the place where the 58 people died – not wishing to intrude but to pay our respects. The Mandalay Bay hotel looms large over the area and any obvious signs have been removed and the windows replaced.

It doesn’t take long to realise that life goes on in Vegas – you can still get married or re-married at the Forever Chapel in the MGM Grand area next to the Casino.

Lines and lines and blocks of slot machines and most occupied with avid gamblers staring at reels clicking into place. This was mid afternoon – time doesn’t really have any effect here as Vegas is awake 24/7.

An amazing view of a single hotel complex with a rollercoaster bringing back some scary memories of Universal Studios.

Tomorrow will be another of the many highlights of a fabulous journey as we are being met at 6.30am to be taken to the Grand Canyon and check out Hoover Dam. Promises to be be a bit special despite the forecast of more 90 degree F temperatures – just seen the forecast for our last day Monday – a bone chilling 77 deg – helping us get ready for arriving home on Tuesday morning!

An amazing penultimate day……

Alarm goes at 5.30am – yes we are on holiday!

Collected a little late but eventually on our way and within an hour we arrived in Boulder City home of Goldie Hawn and the Hoover Dam. A quick photo stop to see the Arizona side of the dam.

Then a long drive to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon. On arrival, us and four others are whisked away to meet our helicopter pilot.

Off we go for our flight through the Canyon down to river level where we land and meet our boat to take us up the Colorado River for a view of the Canyon from river level. Stunning!!

Back by helicopter again to the top of West Rim we were bussed to Eagle Point ( see if you can see the image in the rock formation behind us).

Then on to Guano for a great lunch and some more fabulous pictures.

A long journey home with a chance to see the front view of the Hoover Dam.

Amazing day, great sights and a chance to relax tomorrow! Phew!

Yet another fabulous day! So, so lucky.

So they think it’s all over…. it is today

Here we are, last morning and a few bits of packing to be finished. Thankfully no rush as we don’t fly out of Vegas till this afternoon and back at Gatwick all being well around 9.30am Tuesday morning.

Gentle last day rounded off with a gourmet meal for two at the Luxor Food Court which was not nearly as crowded as the one at MGM.

Don’t say I don’t treat Viv well!!

We then went to a Vegas show recommended by one of my Ridge Radio colleagues, Mark Hughes, a Vegas veteran. We had no idea what to expect as we took our seats.

This is the theatre which is also a hotel – all very Vegas!

The show is called the Blue Man Group – out comes this yellow tape and we all grab a bit…… when in Rome and all that …..

The show was brilliant – very hard to describe and the element of surprise is half the fun so you will have to see it for yourselves – but I can say it is totally “off the wall” and great fun.

We walked back experiencing some desert winds for the first time – gusts which when mixed with bits of sand and dust weren’t pleasant but all part of the evening out.

The first two days at the hotel had seen a works conference for a skin care company called R+F. Everywhere we went there were hundreds of ladies who in the evening were attending gala dinners. Have to say some were stunning, and some, well let’s just say should have been a little more discerning on the fashion front. Quarts into pint pots…. ouch miaow!!!

According to the website there were 13500 attendees yes 13,500!!! We met a few in the lift and even one young lady on our hotel corridor who asked Viv to do up her dress for her as her friends had already gone to the bar!!

Thankfully they all went home yesterday and the MGM casino went back to normal!!!!