Since my TR got removed because of Moi and all the other goons…here it is again!

Just got back from a very relaxing and easy going weekend trip to Vegas. So
i will keep it short and simple. We had to go the weekend of the 28-30th
because it would probably be a while before we could get some time off from
work. Even though the rates were sky high we found a few deals. Thanks to
the LVTALK deals forum!

Hotel: Orleans Hotel and Casino: Room 1754 with a view of the mountains and
the pool area. Great view but the carpet had stains and the some of the
furniture was a little worn. But I liked the color scheme of this room than
the new tower, less prissy. Check in was fast and easy and room service was
quick too! I got a mini fridge delivered to my room, free of charge.

One thing I noticed about the Orleans was that their were way too many
children/teens hanging out! ANNOYING! Strollers in the casino, gift shop,
the buffet lines, elevators and going to and from the arcade/movie theater
area.

Gambling: We are not big gamblers, but when we did gamble we got quite
lucky. I joined Club Coast, new members get 1000 points with the coupon in
the Funbook and free beads! We searched for my favorite slots, but Orleans
doesn’t have Jackpot Party. I found a Wheel of Fortune slot, didn’t do to
good. I found another slot machine near registration/ Kate’s Korner and I
won a nice little jackpot. I hit a 7 and 2 double 10x’s for 5000 points. I
won $263, so it was like I got the room rate for free! What a friendly
casino, people kept coming up to congratulate me. We won $60 at the
Blackjack table and lost $20 each at the Jackpot Party at the Rio. I told
you we aren’t big gamblers.

Nightlife/Dining Out: The Orleans gives out this funbook ($250 value) full
of free drinks at any casino bar to 25% off at the gift shop. We got two
funbooks and a leftover funbook from a previous trip from 2004! We used all
the free drink coupons (3 books, 15 free drinks) on Friday and Saturday
nights at the Mardi Gras Bar, Alligator Bar and Irish Pub.
We had oyster shooters and a few beers at Big Al’s Oyster Bar on Friday
night. We went for a few drinks at the Mardi Gras Bar, then we decided to
take the party upstairs. Orleans has a liquor store with very good prices.
We got a bottle of White Star champagne and a 6 pack Red Stripe Lager to
celebrate my slot machine win at the Orleans. We got some flutes and
appetizers brought up to our room and we got smashed. After the champagne
and beer we went downstairs to the Irish Pub. We didn’t like the Irish Pub
too much, just not our crowd. But we got free beers and put up with the
lousy music from the band Section 8! Yeah you read it right, Section 8! LOL!
We called it a night.

Saturday we had lunch at the French Market Buffet. The Italian station
wasn’t to good. Mexican station was descent. I didn’t feel like Asian
food,no comment. American station was the best, good fried chicken. Nothing
spectacular, it sure wasn’t the Wynn buffet. Besides we had a big day ahead
of us and just needed food to cure the hangover. By the way this meal was
FREE because of the promo code I used for my reservation. The vouches said
Free E-Promo.

Saturday night I made an 8:15 p.m. reservation at Mon Ami Gabi for dinner.
We were seated right away in the cafe area. We didn’t care about not sitting
in the patio, too hot. We still had a view of the fountain show and the
bachlorette party seated next to us.

Starters: baguette with butter

Cocktails: 2 French Kiss, 3 Mojitos and a Lemon Drop.

Hors d’oeuvres: Onion Soup Au Gratin and Escargots De Bourgogne, with garlic

Entree: Filet Mignon, merlot butter; red wine sauce and Roasted Salmon
Tournedos, leek mashed potato, leek nage, bercy butter

Dessert: We shared a Strawberry Crêpe. Strawberries, Vanilla Ice Cream &
Whipped Cream

Very nice place to dine at and very affordable: bill was only $145.

Hanged out for a bit at the Paris. Napoleons bar/lounge was happening, nice
atmosphere. Went back to the Orleans to pick up something. I stayed in the
car at the parking lot. Good bike security. The S/O kept checking up on me
every 10 minutes. Took about 45 minutes to get from Orleans to the Wynn. The
line to Tryst was too long, next! Lure was better, walked right in. Nice
dark lounge with purplish lighting, very packed. By the way i didn’t see
anybody wearing flip flops at the Wynn. Everybody was dressed in their best,
classy. This place sure beats the Irish Pub at the Orleans. Had a few drinks
then took it back to the Orleans for Blackjack and to use up the rest of the
free drink coupons. Drunk as hell we took it back upstairs and put the DO
NOT DISTURB SIGN on our door!

Sunday morning we had the Carnival Brunch Buffet at the Rio. As always this
buffet was very good. We were seated near the buffet area, $23.99 p/person.

Chester Chicken at the Primm Outlet Mall food court.

Baja Fresh in Barstow

Shopping: Saturday we went shopping at the Las Vegas Premium Outlet: 875
South Grand Central Parkway

Found some awesome deals at:

Factory Brand Shoes
Fossil
Seiko The Company Store
Sunglass Hut
Two Lips Shoes
Nike Factory Store
Naturalizer
Ecko Unltd
Jones New York
St. John Company Store
L’Occitane
Perfumania
Hi Jenny

I bought quite a few things, yes the hubby did get mad and we got in a
verbal fight walking back towards the car. He said i was selfish for leaving
him outside while i tried on some blouses.

The drive to Cali took about 5 hours and it was very hot!

The children at the Orleans were annoying! For example: Saturday night we
are having dinner at the Paris. We are in the Orleans elevator and a family
of 4 steps in, stroller and all. The child tells her Mom “It smells like
perfume in here” with a grossed out tone in her voice! A man takes the heat
and says “It’s me, I’m wearing cologne.” Another example: Kids holding up
the lines insisting that they have an open account to charge everything to
their room/ Daddy’s credit card. Another example: Little kids playing around
in the casino with their eyes shut. Then they get dizzy and crash into you.

Overall it was a good trip and I would stay again at the Orleans, but not
during the summer when the brats are out. Next trip will be on the strip.

JULY 12 to JULY 15 , 2006

Gambling —-
I think I better change my name to the 7-2 offsuit Princess or something because the Pocket Aces I kept getting did me NO GOOD !!! I never want to see Pocket Aces again for my starting hand !!! I had pocket rockets so many times this trip , but yet somehow they got cracked . Yes that sums up the gambling report - BIG LOSER ( but hey … I had fun anyways ) . On the way back home to Chi-Town I did win 100 bucks on slots in the airport - go figure !!
I played a bit of slots here and there and no luck on some strip joints and downtown. I was surprised that downtown slots were sooo tight also !!
I played POKER ( 2-4 limit ) at Orleans , Flamingo , Binions , MGM, and Monte Carlo.
I did make a small 75 dollar profit at Binions.
There were many drunk young men there who didn’t really know
the difference between a flush and a full house.
It was fun taking money from those guys.
I wish I could of stayed longer but I was getting tired and the smoke from that casino is just nasty. It found a way to the poker room and my sinuses were awful !!
I never got up the nerve to play higher limit poker which was one
thing I wanted to do this trip ( 1-2 no limit at Luxor or 4-8 somewhere !! ).

Hotel—
I stayed at the Orleans which I believe is now my new home.
I got a nice room on the 9th floor on the corner.
I had a partial view of the strip. I really liked the new necessities in the bathroom. The room was very clean. The bed was comfy . I felt safe with the security person by the elevators each night. ( I did go myself !!! )
I swam in the pool each afternoon. The pool is big enough , but not too big and it has a nice aura about it. I also liked the music they played there .
I used the coupon out of the book to use the workout facility.
I needed to run on the treadmill to get out some frustration from the horrible gambling. The workout area at the Spa was very nice.
They had the basics for a good workout and nice necessities like
water , fruit , lotions etc.
I will use the coupon out of that book again.I ate at the buffet
3 times this trip. I had gotten coupons for 2 free buffets and since the gambling was bad HEY I decided to use them !!!

Rental Car — I have always rented from Thrifty with no problem but I think I am going to write them a letter. When I got to Vegas they had no cars left in the economy section. They offered me a MINI VAN or a STATION WAGON . I was like heccck no .. they would not give me an intermediate unless I UPGRADED. I took the STATION WAGON.
The air conditioner in it was awful and the door didn’t lock on it’s own. I had to manually lock it when I got in the car and had to use the keys to lock it when I got out of the car.

Entertainment—-
I met some wonderful board members at the Barbary Coast
on July 12th. THANK YOU for making me feel so welcome. I was a bit hesitant to go but it was a pleasure to match faces to the names I see on this board !!! I have never been to one so I thought I would go out and say hello. I got to see Big Elvis too !!
He was really enjoyable to see.

Shopping —- I hit the two outlet malls and I guess I hit the jackpot there. I got a nice purse for my mom for 15 bucks at the Liz Claiborne Outlet , I got stuff for my honey from various stores cheap , I got my best friend a nice doggie T-Shirt and I got myself a pair of awesome wedge sandals and a purse from Kenneth Cole.
The sales were awesome !!

World Series of Poker — I headed to the Rio to check out some action.
It was very cool . I went to the various vendors and got a bunch of free stuff. I got 4 t shirts , pens , chocolate bars , key chains , mints and a poker log book. If you are going to Vegas soon do make a trip to the Rio to check it out. I shook Joseph Hachem’s hand. He seemed so very nice and cordial. I don’t think fame has spoiled him.
I got autographs from Men ” The Master” and so many poker celebrities walked by me . I wanted to play 4-8 ( limit ) there on the floor where the big games were but my boyfriend warned me not to since I was still somewhat a beginner. He said alot of sharks hang out at the cash games
at the World Series of Poker to make money off of the tourists.
I don’t know if he is right , but I decided not to do it.

Well that is it —I hope everyone enjoyed my little report !!
Happy Trips to VEGAS