Where'd they go

[RogerC]

Looks like things are all coming along nicely Kingy....good on you matey.

All good here, just back from a pleasant long weekend in Bournemouth...in a hotel for a change. Big group of about 75 people for a weekend of dancing and live music.......had a great weekend with some lovely people. Just got to get the motorhome out more now. This retirement malarky is so bloody tiring.....hehe

I trust everyone else is fine and dandy....working hard to pay their taxes so I can draw my pension next year.....

[FraserG]

Everything's gone busy here in Bath, gearing up for thesis submission but also having to take some training courses in preparation for potential employment when it ends and dealing with the gear-up for Vegas. I'll be in Vegas from 2nd to 9th December for the Winter Simulation Conference - anyone been before with recommendations on what to do? (I'm not sure I can get 'chips' on expenses but I'll give it a try...)

[Kingy]

(11-14-2017, 12:53 PM)FraserG Wrote: I'll be in Vegas from 2nd to 9th December for the Winter Simulation Conference - anyone been before with recommendations on what to do? (I'm not sure I can get 'chips' on expenses but I'll give it a try...)

Stimulation conference ... You mean porn show?   

Many years since I went but when we were there we ...

1) Went to Grand Canyon and paid to take a small aircraft flight into the canyon, landing in Canyon Village and then flying back. You now have the option of booking the glass platform too.
2) Hired a car and drove over to Hollywood. Stayed in a cheesy 70's style motel (I loved that, Yaz hated it) then wandered around Hollywood. Drove to the sign, drove to Beveley Hills and did some shopping, walked to the Chinese Theatre etc.
3) Spent time in the Casinos - on the slots etc. Watched the high rollers. There are so many themed and famous casinos it's easy to lose lots of time wandering from one to another. 
4) Yaz has been to shows there and whilst expensive she said they are brilliant and well worth the money. 
5) Strip shows, chicken ranch etc etc

TBH its a mad, crazy, cheesy, brilliant place that can be marmite. I loved it (but have not rushed back - but only because I want to see other places). Friends have hated it and vowed never to return whilst others go back as often as they can.

[Kingy]

(11-14-2017, 12:53 PM)FraserG Wrote: in preparation for potential employment

Well fook my boots the eternal tax dodger might be gainfully employed soon 

[jollyjoiner]

I'm going back down to Baaaarrth next weekend

[RogerC]

(11-14-2017, 12:53 PM)FraserG Wrote: Everything's gone busy here in Bath, gearing up for thesis submission but also having to take some training courses in preparation for potential employment when it ends and dealing with the gear-up for Vegas. I'll be in Vegas from 2nd to 9th December for the Winter Simulation Conference - anyone been before with recommendations on what to do? (I'm not sure I can get 'chips' on expenses but I'll give it a try...)

Like Kingy said it's a marmite place.....I've been a few times and can't stand the place....however:
Helicopter ride into Grand canyon.....book it as part of a trip.  We did and had a great time.
Canyon glass walkway....didn't bother.....considered it a rip off.
Boulder dam and the new bridge over the canyon.
Vegas strip shows...no not those....the ones outside the hotels along the 'strip':
Bellagio fountains
Treasure Island


Luxor Hotel is an amazing sight.....the 'Sky Beam' light was reportedly the brightest beam of light in the world although I believe it has been 'toned down'.

Freemont Street is an amazing experience.....just watch and gaze in awe at the ceiling/roof.

The Venetian is a must.....at night.  It is another Vegas 'wow' experience.

Apart from those I can recall the obvious is the casinos to watch the high rollers lose more on one hand of poker than most of us will earn in 10 years and generally wander about gazing at the immensity of the place and the money/imagination that built it.

Some of the smaller shows are pretty good and so much cheaper than the 'big guns'.  There is a booth on the strip that has info on them and tickets.

[Kingy]

Good shout on the Hoover Dam. Forgot about that. Park up and look over the bridge and down the dam. Hell of a sight.

DO hire a car to get about. You need to. Don't try and be clever with Ubers etc.
I had a weekend in LA recently (my one and only holiday this year - put the violins away! ) and we hired a car (Mazda 3 through Hertz) for the day. Went to Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Got crew discount and it cost the paltry total of £18.50 for the day. Bargain.

[FraserG]

Cheers for the recommendations Kingy and Roger, I didn't think Vegas itself would be close enough to things like the dam, etc. I'll look into booking a car for a couple of days (I've never used Uber and don't plan to start yet!) for the days when I'm not presenting

(11-17-2017, 09:11 PM)Kingy Wrote:

(11-14-2017, 12:53 PM)FraserG Wrote: in preparation for potential employment

Well fook my boots the eternal tax dodger might be gainfully employed soon 

Maybe... don't hold your breath though   

(11-17-2017, 10:04 PM)jollyjoiner Wrote: I'm going back down to Baaaarrth next weekend

I'll prepare the sandbags! I'll be popping through Bath on Sunday on my way to Weston Super Mare (convinced some of the interns to come karting on Sunday evening so I'll be picking them up and taking them racing for the first time in their life.

[RogerC]

Fraser....the Dam is a fab day trip out from Vegas. The canyon is as well bit that really is a full day.

I recommend if time is short do the dam and on the way back turn off right along the side of the lake and a few miles up there, lakeside, well actually on the lake is a fab restaurant.....it really is worth a look.