Las Vegas--a new perspective

From 1997 through 2001, I visited Las Vegas about every other month, as I was living in California at the time and my in-laws lived in a Vegas suburb. My last trip to Las Vegas was December 2002, when my twin boys were 18 months old, and I was *not* in a position to do any sightseeing.

While visiting Las Vegas in the late 1990s, my trips were ususally to local casinos that my MIL would frequent. If a new casino or attraction opened on the Strip, we would go check that out as well.

Fast forward to 2009, and a FAMILY trip to Las Vegas.

My family (hubby, 8 yr old twin boys, a 4 yr old boy) and myself stayed at a timeshare condo a block behind the Flamingo. We were close enough to the Strip to enjoy the lights, attractions, people, casinos, food, etc. But we were also far away enough from the lights, attractions, people, casinos, and traffic. It was the best of both worlds.

I remember one of my first visits to Las Vegas, my FIL asked me if I knew what the Nevada state bird was? I had no idea! The CRANE.....building crane that is! It was incredible to see all the new casino/hotels that were built since my last visit, as well as all the building still going on!

A few things haven't changed---there are still lots of free or inexpensive attractions. My children enjoyed seeing the Luxor pyramid with the large Sphinx in front, and the Egyption statues and hyroglyphics inside the lobby, the Excalibur Castle and the city-feel of New York, New York, all of which we toured during the early hours of the day. We also spent an hour or so at the M&M store, which is 4 levels of M&M shopping extravaganza! I won't tell you how much I spent on "mix-n-match" M&M's...but I figured "what the hell, I'm in Vegas!" At night, the Bellagio Hotel/Casino is very family-friendly. The dancing water fountains are a joy to watch. Strolling through the Bellagio Converatory flower garden is absolutely amazing too! There's a snail, ladybug and frog made out of flowers. Plus the Ferris Wheel filled with sunflowers, the giant glass flowers, and the suspended giant watering cans. I felt like I was on a Rose Bowl Parade float!

Another attractions which was free, but was not as family-friendly with small children was the pirate ship battle at Treasure Island. Apparantly, it's become PG-13 since our last visit to Vegas. The show is now called "Sirens of Treasure Island." It was definitely entertaining---a girls (...bad girls) vs. guys battle. But I probably wouldn't have taken my 3 young sons had I known.

We did take the family to "Old Vegas" or Downtown Vegas, as it is also called, to see the Fremont Street Experience. The light show lasts about 10 minutes, and is set to music, and it absolutely incredible.

Las Vegas is an ultimate vacation destination and adult-playground.There are more restaurants than I could possible mention or count. Many of which are owned/operated by some of America's top chefs, such as Emeril LaGasse, Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck , etc. There are so many shows, it is nearly impossible to choose. One's options include Circque de Soleil "O", "Mystique," "Zumanity", as well as Lion King, Jersey Boys, Blue Man Group, Penn and Teller, Donny and Marie. The list goes on and on....

As for gambling, take your pick. I have to say that my luck and my money do much better at "local casinos" rather than those on the strip. Hubby taught me that single/double deck blackjack, dealt by a dealer rather than from a shute, is much more enjoyable. And I agree. With the economy doing poorly, I noticed that table limits have gone down both on the Strip and the Local Casinos.

During the 90's Las Vegas tried hard to turn into a family-friendly vacation destination. On this trip, we sensed they were moving back to the "Sin City" aura that Vegas is originally famous for. However, there are still plenty of "family friendly" destinations and attractions for people of all ages, even if you just sit by the pool all day!

Cancun

I had never visited Cancun or Mexico. To be honest, Mexico was never on my list of destinations (partially from hubby's description of his experience in Tijuana while in college)....neither was Ireland ...but I went...and I loved it!

Well, an opportunity presented itself. In January, my mom went on a cruise with some friends. Upon her return, she **INSISTED** hubby and I *need* to get away. Well, ya that was a given! So before she changed her mind (because that was always a possibility) I began researching destinations. The criteria was simple: WARM, CHEAP, and preferably a non-stop flight. Cancun fit the bill--warm, 4-hr non-stop flight with good flight times (i.e. we weren't getting up at 3am to head to the airport), and we paid under $1000 for 3 nights, 4 days, and airfare with breakfast included!

I remember back-in-the-day when hubby and I started dating---his parents lived in Las Vegas then. He would tell me how plane rides to Vegas were always so fun--party planes, he called them. Everyone was in a good mood, drinks were a-flowin, etc. But I never experienced that. THIS FLIGHT TO CANCUN WAS A PARTY PLANE. Everyone was in such a good mood!

On the pane, we met Raul, who was seated next to us. He's originally from Cancun, and was returning for business. He gave us so many tips, and he didn't hesitate to answer any questions we had. Truly a super guy.

At Cancun's customs, there weren't 2 lines (nothing to declare, items to declare). It was all one line. We got to play "The Custom's Game Show." We walked up to the Customs Official, she checked our passports, and told us to "Press the Red Button." The red button determines if you get your bag checked. Green light, you pass through. Red light--over to the table. Guess what we got?

As we were trying to make our way through the airport, a nice man came up and asked what transportation we were looking for. We told him, and he directed us to a desk. Hmm...tourist information. HA! If only we were so lucky! We were directed to a time-share sales crew that only *pretended* to be the "Welcome to Mexico" Greeting Crew. Managed to escape the time-share presentation with only 20 wasted minutes and a free bus map.

Once we were in our shuttle (and melted 5 pounds while waiting) I began to look around, get a feel for the place. My best description--and I think it holds true now that I'm home--is that Cancun is like Las Vegas meets the Carribean (minus the gambling). It's a huge hotel strip on the water. One end, the hotels are a bit smaller, further apart. Then there's a section where the hotels are high rises, bright colors, closer together. This is the PARTY ZONE. Not where we stayed. We were in the "quiet" hotel zone.

Actually, we really liked our hotel, the Fiesta Americana Condessa. Sadly, it didn't have a beach---Hurricane Wilma in 2005 wiped out the beaches in this section--but it had the hugest pool, and the room was nice and large, and the staff was unbelievably hospitable.

One thing I can say about Cancun---go on, order a Margarita....do it....
The tequila FLOWS!!! Each 'rita we had, probably had 3x the alcohol we were used to. Ay caramba!

And the food--wow. We had dinner at La Habichuela, a very romantic restaurant recommended by Raul. He suggested we try the "house special" the Cocochuela--a hollowed out coconut stuffed with rice, lobster and shrimp in a mild curry sauce.

The next day we went shopping to Market 28 in the downtown, where we got to do some haggling for souvenirs. We ate lunch at La Parillo, a restaurant recommended by hubby's friend. It took us a while to find it, but it was worth the walk and the sweat. I really, really wanted chicken enchiladas, but the waiter talked hubby into going for the buffet. And then, he convinced me to have the buffet. Am I glad I did! There was an abuella in the kitchen cooking. And the chicken sopa (yes, it was 90 deg, and I had soup!) was as good, if not better than my mom's. We got to eat real, authentic, cooked by grandma homemade food. And the 'ritas....mmmmmm.

At this point, I decided I was having a 2-fer day. Started out with 2 mimosas, had 2 rita's for lunch, then 2 glasses of wine for dinner.

For dinner...I can't believe we went out for dinner after all we ate for lunch...we hit the Argentinian steak house Puerto Madera. This place really wanted to be a 5 star restaurant. The steak and food was good. But there were too many waiters, and they were zipping about. It was dizzying. And they didn't have bread plates. The waiter brought us 2 baskets of bread, but no bread plate. They also brought sauces, which I thought were supposed to be for the bread, but when my steak came, I realized the sauces were for the steak. An explanation would have been appreciated.

Puerto Madera had 2 things I have to SHARE with you that I had never seen before. First, a purse tree. Every lady was given a purse tree---even if you didn't want one, like me. The second interesting thing were the house special "Potato Pillows." Deep fried potatoes that were HOLLOW. Served in a ruffles potato chip basket, with potato sticks underneath. Too much grease.
Potato Pillows

Purse Tree at Puerto Madera

On Sunday, we did something way cool. We went on a 6 hr catamaran ride. Snorkeling was supposed to be included, but was cancelled due to heavy winds. Parasailing, which hubby claimed he would try, was cancelled too. So we sailed straight for Isla Mujares for shopping and lunch. Did I mention this ended up being a booze cruise? As soon as a cup was empty, they would hand another one over. Ay carumba. Some people were not in good shape. And when we arrived at the "private club" for lunch, water was not an option. Booze was free, water costs money. Huh? Ok..more booze.

It was a great trip! Very relaxing. The people of Cancun were extremely hospitable and helpful. I can see why it's such a popular getaway destination!

Oh, and one word of advice that our friend Raul gave us. He told us not to be afraid of "Montazuma's Revenge." He said the water is safe. He strongly suggested that we wash our hands frequently and before each meal, as the Mexicans have different hygiene practices. I think that was the key to us staying healthy.

Happy Tales

Twelve year ago, I got my first dog, Aspen. I noticed that every time we did something to make Aspen happy—whether it was a walk, a treat, a car ride—she would enthusiastically wag her tail. A Happy Tail! My husband Scott and I decided that if we ever got a boat, we would name it “Happy Tales,” because boats make people happy and there should be a “happy tale” with any boat outing.

We never did get a boat. But I am embarking on a new adventure, starting my own business “Happy Tales Travel.” For over 15 years, I have arranged all my own travel to 39 cities in 10 countries. I have made complicated plane arrangements, bought train tickets in foreign countries, reserved hotels, as well as private apartments, and even chartered a yacht for my 10 year Anniversary. And as you may know, I have 3 young boys, so my trips had to be “family friendly.”

So, here's to the start of a new Happy Tale! (wag, wag)