Day 2 started off very early for me. I was up at 6:00 am. Showered, and headed down stairs to retrieve coffee for my queen. She is one of those that can't start the day without a couple of cups of coffee. The Trop has a small coffee, latte, and pastry type place just to the right of the table game area. I picked up a couple of cups of coffee for Tootsie and carried them back to the room. My job done, I headed down to the casino to jump start my day, some 9/6 VP and a coke.
This round started off pretty good, I hit three sets of quads and by the time Tootsie came down I was up around $300. We hung around the casino a little while longer and then decided to eat at the Mirage Sunday Brunch Buffet.
Since we didn't get a rental car this trip all of our transportation needs will be by foot, tram, bus, or cab. That being the case we started walking. From the Trop across the bridges to Excalibur to NYNY. We then walked past NYNY and entered Monte Carlo. A nice stroll through MC to catch the tram to Bellagio. This is the best tram in Las Vegas. The trams run often and the layout of the boarding area beats the hell out of the MGM/Bally's tram. The boarding area is inside in an air conditioned area. Incoming passengers get off on one side of the tram and outgoing folks get in on the other. No waiting for everyone to get off and get cleared of the doors before entering. There is only one attendant at each end of the tram. The MGM/Bally's line has at least five people working on each end and they spend all of their hours outside in the heat. The tram cars at the MC/Bellagio tram have enough head room to allow passengers to stand. All in all, if you have a choice, use the MC/Bellagio tram.
After the short ride we exited the tram and entered Bellagio for the first time. What can I say, this place is exquisite. Bellagio just oozes with class and taste from one end to the other. Marble everywhere, flowers, crystal, gold, hell, even the table limit signs look expensive. No time to spend here this morning but we will be back later this week.
Right now we need to eat so we crossed quickly through Bellagio following the signs to the bridge to Caesars Palace. Again, no comparison with the other bridges at the south end of the strip. Instead of wire to look through they have installed glass at the bridges between Bellagio/CP and Bellagio/Bally's. Anyway we took the moving sidewalk into CP, walked through the casino, exited on the other end and crossed the street to the Mirage. We went into the Mirage by the tiger exhibit, I still can't believe that people will stand there and watch the tigers sleep ! How boring.
Eventually we found the entrance to the buffet and after a short wait in line, maybe 15 minutes, we were seated in the smoking section. The Mirage Champagne Brunch was not bad. Again I guess I expected more. The champagne, Monet, was pretty good. Don't ask the waitress to leave the bottle, they can't. But she will pour you several glasses and believe me, she won't be back for a while. The peeled shrimp were good, the prime rib was the rarest prime rib I've ever seen, notice I didn't say eaten. The blood that ran out of this cut of meat soaked into everything else on the plate, not too appetizing. Other items that were quite good: Veal, Chicken Breast, Cheesecake, Chocolate Mouse, & Strawberry Tarts.
Personal Note: I mentioned earlier that we requested the smoking section. During the meal a party of six were seated next to our table. Several in the party were obviously non-smokers. Now I'm the last one to force my second hand smoke on anyone but please, if you do not smoke and you are bothered by smoke, DO NOT sit in the smoking section. Take your ass back to the line and wait for a table in the non-smoking section. If you do smoke and there are some in your party that don't, DO NOT sit in the smoking section. Be courteous, don't force those friends and family members to sit in the smoking section. You can wait until after dinner.
After the buffet and many glasses of champagne we left the Mirage back in the direction of Caesars Palace. Our main objective at this point is another of our Las Vegas rituals. Caesars Palace's "Million Dollar Babies" !! Ohhhh Yeaaaah !! Every trip to Las Vegas has included a session on these three coin slots with the million dollar jackpot. We have alot of fun on these slots and usually do pretty good too. This time was no different, at least for Tootsie. She picked up $330 while I lost $100. After the "Babies" fix I decided to play some VP. Thanks to whoever mentioned the 9/6 JB machines near Cleopatra's Barge. I found them with no problem but alas lost another $100. Tootsie on the other hand found a $1 Triple Diamond nearby and took it for $570. Collectively we were up for the day in the gambling department and had a very good meal.
We then headed back to Bellagio to check out the place for awhile. Spent some time in the conservatory, walked out the front door and noticed some workmen working on the water fountain piping. It is about 3:00 in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day, and these guys are wearing diving suits. Not all the tanks and stuff, just those rubber outfits that I thought were to protect you from the cold. Just thought it was kind of strange. We then headed back to the tram to MC, walked through NYNY and back to the Trop. More BJ, Craps, and VP the rest of day and evening. Believe it or not we did not eat again that day. The late brunch at the Mirage was the only meal of the day.
That was Day 2 of "Brian K's 1999 Las Vegas Summer Tour".
1999 Summer Tour Trip Report © Copyright 1999, Brian K
Send e-mail to: brianklv@yahoo.com
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Since 7/8/99
