Thursday was our last day in Las Vegas. It sure is true, time flies when you're having fun. Where has the week gone? We did most of the stuff that we had planned to do but still did not fit in everything.
We started the day off with brunch at the Tropicana's Island Buffet. The food here is not bad, I wouldn't make a special trip to the Trop to eat at the buffet but if you are in the hotel it is just fine. All the usual stuff plus a build your own omelet station. The view from the dining area is probably the best in Las Vegas for a buffet. Big picture windows surround half of the dining area with a view of the fauna and flora which inhabit the gardens in and around the swimming pool area.
After brunch we spent a couple of hours in the casino and then made our "End of Trip Casino Slot Club Cash Back Run". We started at Excalibur picking up cash, a T-shirt, and baseball hat. Next was Luxor collecting another baseball hat and some more cash. We also looked for a T-shirt requested by a co-worker who wanted something with some Egyptian stuff on it. Couldn't find anything in the colors requested but did remember to play the $1 bill he sent along for us to gamble for him. We found a two coin .50 slot machine, inserted the $1, and won $5 for him. Paid off in ten .50 pieces. At least someone would win money on this trip. Also went to Caesars Palace and of course the Tropicana to cash in the accounts. Total for the trip we got two T-shirts, two baseball caps, and around $125 cash just from slot club reimbursements.
Thursday evening was the opening night of The Little River Band at Orleans. Since we had purchased tickets earlier in the week we caught a cab from Luxor to Orleans. Cab fare was somewhere around $6 with most of that charge incurred trying to get out of Luxors lot. I think there was a problem with traffic lights not working but once we started moving the ride was very quick.
Upon arrival at Orleans we found the show room with no problem and since we had a couple of hours before show time I headed over to the Blackjack tables. I played about even on a $5 table collecting two packs of cigarettes and several Coors Lights until just before the show started at 8:00pm.
The seating is assigned seating, no Matre'd. Three prices of tickets were available with the most expensive seats ($32) closest to the stage. The show room is so small, only seats 800, that there is not a bad seat in the house. We did buy the $32 seats which were located in the fourth row. Great seats but we would have been just as happy with the last row, if only we had known.
If anyone reading this was a fan of the Little River Band in the late 70s early 80s and you were thinking about seeing them, you won't be disappointed. Most of the original members are back and the current line up sounds the same if not better than the original group. They played all of their hits from the past and also some new stuff that will be on their new album. All in all it was a great show and was the entertainment highlight of the trip.
After the show we were in some what of a rush to leave. Since we had a 12:15am flight home, that gave us about 2.5 hours to get back to the Trop, pack, check out, and get to the airport. We grabbed a cab outside of the Orleans with no wait at all, kind of surprising since the show had just let out, I guess most people who attended the concert were either locals or guests at the hotel. A quick ride to the Trop by cab was a little over $5. We went straight to the room, packed, and carried our bags to the lobby to VIP services to checkout. The total bill for six nights and about two meals per day came to $25.75. Yes, thats right, $25.75 ! All of our meals that we charged to the room and the six room nights were comped. Thanks to our casino host Sharon. She is the best. The $25.75 was for a couple of phone calls, the coffee stand charges, and a couple of tips that I also charged to the room.
After settling up with VIP services we grabbed a cab, no wait again, and headed to the airport. God I hate that ride to the airport. Cab fare was about $7. Dropped us off in front of the Delta desk, still no line at baggage check-in, and we were soon heading to our gate in the new D wing with about an hour to spare. As we were walking to the gate I found the last of my Las Vegas traditions. A stop at "Cinnabon" (sp). You know, that place that sells those piping hot giant cinnamon rolls. I bought two to eat later on the flight and then we went to the gate. As we sat there waiting for the boarding call I noticed a row of slot machines calling my name. These were the Wheel of Fortune .25 machines which I had not tried yet this trip so I thought "What the hell". I walked up with a ten spot in my hand, slipped it into the slot, and within 15 minutes, turned it into $80. Who says the slot machines at the airport are tight ? That win paid for the two show tickets and the cab fare from this evening.
The flight home was uneventful, thanks again to Delta for not losing our bags. We arrived back in Augusta, GA at about 9:30am. Another great trip to Las Vegas. Can't wait to go back again.
That was Day 6 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 8/11/99