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Long Leave Part 7: 2 Weeks in Las Vegas
When I was much younger, I used to say that Las Vegas was my favorite city in the world. With all its themed hotels, I felt like Vegas was the whole world crammed in one city. I was able to go there when I was 13 and 15, and since then they’ve already put up countless new hotels. I was so eager to get to visit Vegas again and find out if I’d still love the place as much as I had years ago. I’ve been to so many wonderful places since I last visited Vegas that I thought I might not enjoy the City of Sin as much anymore.

We never used to have any friends or relatives in Las Vegas, so our past stays there used to be limited to only a few days since hotels were very costly. However, my Auntie Inday, who used to be based in Los Angeles, is now based in Las Vegas. That meant we could crash at her house and stay much, much longer this time. Ü We ended up staying for 2 whole weeks and we didn’t even want to leave anymore. A big bonus was that my 4th grade best friend Lorraine now lives in Vegas too. I was so excited to see her there! Thanks to Lorraine and her friends for showing us one helluva good time!Ü


Mau and Alfred (Joann’s friends from San Francisco who took us to Napa Valley) also happened to be in Vegas when we arrived. On our first night there, they took us to watch their favorite musical, Phantom of the Opera. It was quite good!


Buon giorno! I love the Venetian in Las Vegas. It’s just like the real Venice, only much, much cleaner. ;p


Alfred, Mau, me, Joann inside the Venetian


Inside the beautiful Bellagio, where Mau and Alfred were staying


Bonjour! It’s the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas, as seen from the Bellagio


Every 15-30 minutes, there’s an amazing water fountain show at the Bellagio.


We also got to watch The Lion King musical at the Mandalay Bay. When we were in New York last year, we really wanted to watch it in Broadway but weren’t able to. This time I’m glad we did, because it really is the best show ever! Our seats were pretty far but we could still appreciate everything. I was really impressed.


We saw fake tits everywhere in Vegas. Hahaha.


One hotel that really disappointed us was the Luxor. I remember how it had so many Egyptian sculptures before. Now there aren’t many left and the hotel just looks old and boring.


Lorraine took us clubbing at the Palms, in this place called Moon. That night was one of the most fun nights of our whole trip.


So who’s the cutest of the 3?;p


Paparazzi photo – Joann, me, Lorraine in Moon


After clubbing, Lorraine and her friends brought us to this videoke hangout for early breakfast. We didn’t realize how late (or early?) it was until we stepped out and the sun was already shining!


My cousin Ann-ann doesn’t live that far from her mom, Auntie Inday. When we visited her house, Joann and I were so overwhelmed with her Barbie collection. This isn’t even half of it!


Lorraine also took us to Treasure Island to watch the show Sirens of TI. Thanks to Lorraine’s connections, we got to watch it from the VIP viewing area exclusive to Treasure Island guests. Ü


Lorraine, me, mom, waiting for the show in Treasure Island


Group picture! Lorraine, me, Joann, Joann’s friend Kaye, mom inside the Venetian


$1 margaritas! :p


The girls outside the Flamingo


Auntie Inday also brought us to this pretty place in Green Valley called The District, which had nice shops and restaurants.


That’s Auntie Inday and her brother-in-law, Tito Henry with me, Joann and Kaye. I loved Tito Henry’s house because there’s a lake right behind it!


Clubbing in Moon take 2 – Joann, Kaye, me, Lorraine, and Lorraine’s friend Joy


Me, Joann, mom at the Serendipity 3 restaurant in Las Vegas, very different to the Serendipity 3 in New York


At the Pussycat Dolls Casino inside Caesar’s Palace


Kaye, Joann, me at the Italian fountain inside Caesar’s Palace


At the Caesar’s Palace Casino – but we didn’t gamble even once for the entire 2 weeks!


Outside the Parisian


Inside the Bellagio, they have the World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain – 8 meters tall!

Another show we got to watch was the Blue Man Group, an award-winning and supposedly unique production. It was the worst show I have ever seen! It was a complete waste of time and money. I couldn’t believe we even paid for it. I wouldn’t even watch it for free next time.


Me, Kaye, Joann with 1 of the 3 Blue Men


With the rest of the cast of the terrible Blue Man show


It was Auntie Inday’s birthday a few days before we left. My cousin Ann-ann treated us all for buffet dinner at this new hotel called M, which had a very lovely lobby.


This is Vegas at daytime. New York New York is on the left and MGM Grand is on the right.


The Excalibur


The Monte Carlo


At the M&M’s store in Vegas


At the Coca-Cola store with the Polar Bear mascot

I guess I can no longer say that Las Vegas is still my favorite city, but it is still definitely among my top favorites. When people ask me what’s my favorite city or country, I can never really answer just one. As for Vegas, I don’t think I’ll ever get bored if I live there. It’s just so alive and there’s always so much to see or do. I wouldn’t mind going back there again and again. Ü