Fruit Adventures: Sin City

After visting the Getty Villa, I decided to book a last-minute getaway to Sin City with the gang (family and the boyfriend). Bad idea---why? Because it's October. I thought October was off-peak season in Vegas, but NO. I found out it's freakin' convention month, so pretty much all the hotels are filled with corporate peeps with their semi-casual business ensemble (something that they could wear to network with other business associates then go ape-shhhh in da club later at night). 

So yeah, the cheapskate in me couldn't bear booking at the Venetian or Wynn or Cosmopolitan at $400-$600 dollars a night for just a regular room (off peak rates go as low as $139) so I chose to remain at the middle of the strip minus the uber luxury amenities and booked at The Mirage instead. Considering the location (The Venetian's across the road and Caesar's Palace is on the right) with a decent-looking room, the price at $144 a night (with my Triple A discount) was well worth it.

The Mirage at night.

Everybody knows that The Mirage is an older hotel at the strip but I think they've been doing some small upgrades like the elevators, hallways, rooms.

My room. Not bad, right?

The bathroom is pretty outdated but as long as it's functioning and clean, it's all good. There wasn't a bathroom counter to lay out my toiletries though, so that was a big bummer.

We got to Vegas a little past dinner time so I took the front desk lady's advice and checked out the hotel's new 24-hour restaurant, Pantry, located conveniently right by the hotel room elevators.

I like the homey-slash-country-ish concept since it's got a casual vibe to it.

This is still Vegas, so they've got a full bar. Of course.

Everything we ordered was Yum to the O and the proportions are pretty generous!

Damn Good Potato Chips with roasted cipollini onion and truffled mushroom chive dip

Texas Pete Fried Chicken with potato-carrot mash, sawmill country gravy and cheddar chive biscuit

Pork Chop Schnitzel with kitchen fries, arugula and pickled lemon jam

A Brit's Fish and Chips Made with beer-battered cod. This one didn't have a gross fishy taste at all!

Your Not So Typical Sundae So delicious but beware: this size is to share!

After devouring all that culinary goodness, my boyfriend and I needed to burn some (take note: just some!) calories so we decided to head on over to The Venetian.

Whoa! What a rare sight to see...no big drunken crowds wandering aimlessly with their flip flops.

I think they redid the public restrooms, I don't remember the walls being all fancy like that during my last visit.

Time to hit the slot machines! This is very rare but I made over a hundred bucks with just a $20! Yey! Obviously I'm not a gambler, getting excited over a 1¢ machine. Ha!

So what did I do with my newfound billions? Did I make it rain? Or maybe lose it all back to the machines?

Stayed tuned for Part Two! :)

Toodles! :)

A Quick Getaway

Note: Yet again, another late post.

I am officially exhausted. I got home at around 1:30 AM from the Killers concert (see previous post) and had to get up early the next day to head out to Sin City. It was a very last-minute, spur-of-the-moment kind of thing that it still amuses me how I managed to shove my all my stuff in a hand-carry in 10 mins! Okay, I admit I was doing a bit of multi-tasking as I was belting out a Killers song, lathering up in the shower and planning if I should layer up my dress with a cropped jacket for a more conservative look (can't show too much skin when my Papi's around..ha!)---all at the same time.

My GPS system initially estimated that my time travel to Vegas was 4 hours but I'm getting used to driving like an Asian nowadays that I somehow managed to get there in 2 1/2 hours (perks of living in SoCal!)---Just don't ask how fast I was going. If you work for the highway patrol and you're reading this, peace be you!

And since my side kick was always uselessly fast asleep, upbeat or songs that I can sing along to are always my go-to music, especially driving through long winding roads.

And yes, I did decide on wearing a cropped jacket.

Time to turn your volume up! Here's a sample from my Vegas road rage trip playlist.

1. Madonna- Girl Gone Wild
2. Benny Benassi- Cinema
3. Goldfrapp- Ooh La La One word. Speeding.
4. Dirty South & Alesso - City of Dreams This one's for you my missing fave travel buddy =) aka Mr. Architect. I still miss yoouuuu =)
5. The Killers - The Way It Was Emote mode in the middle of the desert.

Luckily, I was able to book a room online at The Venetian the night before I left for Vegas and got to settle in my suite before meeting up with the rest of the fam and do the usual stroll down the strip. The room was spacious and I simply adore the fact that even the standard suites come with a sunken living room. They do have a newer sister hotel right next door called The Palazzo if you want to try a more "updated" version, since The Venetian has been open a few years before The Palazzo opened in 2007-2008. If you want to try any of the two hotels, make sure to check the rates on their company website, sometimes they have great deals especially for stays during Monday to Thursday.

Here's a glimpse of my suite:

One day I hope I'd have the extra funds, time and energy to offer you a more comprehensive review, at least on what's good on the strip since I've been to Vegas about 10 times but I pretty much end up bee-lining towards the buffet or hotel-hop with a big grin on my face and a tall drink in one hand---just like any other tourist. Unfortunately, this trip was short as it was spontaneous. I only stayed overnight and had to drive back home the next day so I apologize for this seemingly anticlimactic post.

If you're heading out to Vegas soon, let me at least impart with you some sound advice.

You should never forget that Vegas is a wallet hazard. One look and wham--- something shiny is beckoning your credit card. When this happens to you, look away and run--- 'coz believe me, what happens in Vegas---kills you on your next billing statement.

Be gone, you shiny Valentino.

See what I mean?

Toodles!