A day of bonuses..

After managing to get ourselves a lovely long lazy morning with room service breakfast and rubbish TV we set off out for our helicopter flight.

It was all so easy and slick we were most impressed. Pick up was bang on time then we got taken to Boulder City airport where we were very quickly checked in and then just waited to be called out. I think we had about a 40minute wait so were a little overtime for our flight but its not an issue. Its interesting watching all the helicopters and there is a cafe and shop at the airport.

Anyway we finally got called and met our pilot Eric. He advised us that there was a bit of a change to our flight plans and we were no longer going to be landing back at Boulder City. He also said that the flight would be about 1.15-1.20hrs... Hmm thought I.. that is over half an hour longer than I was expecting from the booking I made so this is looking good.....

Helicopter was really cool and whilst we didn't manage to get the front seats as requested (I think everyone puts their name down for front seats) we didn't mind at all when we found out that the couple that did get them were actually on their honeymoon!

Dan got a window seat and I was sat in one of the middle seats but you can still see everything really clearly. Its just a bit more of a fight for a picture perfect view!  However, Dan got those so its of no matter at all.

We were so excited neither of us having ever been in a helicopter. It was surprisingly roomy and we had to wear headsets and everything.

Anyway, after our safety stuff the pilot then explained that we were actually going to land at the top of the Canyon (BONUS) and we were going to finish the journey at Las Vegas airport so would be flying back past the strip (extra BONUS!)..  I couldn't believe it. They actually do a package like that which is over $100 each more than what we had paid (but without the landing on the canyon!)  Result.

 

Take off was smooth and then we were off. Oh my god it was just brilliant. (I am running out of words to use for all these sights and experiences!) The views were spectacular, the pilot provided us with loads of interesting bits of information and even had specific songs lined up to add to the experience!  We flew over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead (this massive lake is the main source of water for California and is currently at 34% lower than its highest amount of water and dropping all the time. It also sources Las Vegas and Arizona but LV takes only 4% of the actual water with 80% going on agricultural usage in CA. Theory is that in 10-15years it will be dried up altogether if the drought and the 'over usage' continues. Shocking)

Its a stunning looking lake and meets the mouth of the Colorado River...  We then flew up and over the Canyon and it is just as you expect.. breathtaking.  

We had our landing and the helicopter was re-fuelled so we just quickly wandered.

Then back on board for the journey back.  We came in towards Vegas and you could clearly see both the strip and downtown original Las Vegas ie Fremont Street. We turned in then and literally flew the length of the Strip.. it was ace and we even saw the Bellagio fountains again!  Smooth landing and a quick transfer and we were back at our hotel....  to only find James Corden filming for his Late,Late show and he was being one of the luggage guys! (another bonus!)

Couple of quick drinks, change and then back out. Tonight we were heading for Fremont St. We'd found out a bit more about getting there from chatting to a couple of the people on our flight so we got the bus all the way down the strip to Fremont.

Well Fremont St was certainly an experience. It seemed crazier than the strip tbh. There were hoards of people everywhere and it was all loud and lasers and neon lights! They really have made a proper experience now out of this almost forgotten stretch of Vegas.

Anyway, we then discovered that there was more to this craziness than first thought.. we'd only managed to stumble across Pride 2015!  That was why it was so electric and lots of giddiness in the air. We didn't really manage to see that much of the parade but what we did was fabulous.

We went to a couple of bars, had a wander and then headed back and went into the Bellagio for a drink. Whilst it is very opulent in there we weren't very keen. It was a bit up its own arse for me tbh and it was just TOO big! We did get a drink and I actually also took the drink that the bartender put down in front of me as I waited to be served. I thought it might be a complimentary drink or something that they did here... Think it was a whiskey and something, not that pleasant but I thought I'd drink it anyway.  Then the bartender shouted 'Ma'am... did you take the drink that was here..' OOOps... I rushed it back mumbled some crap about not knowing why I took it and dashed back to my seat. Apparently he threw it away and said 'are they pissed or something' to one of the others there!!  Anyway, after that we headed back to find something to grab to eat as Dan was starved and it was really getting on ... we were now conscious of the fact we had to fly the next day.. Shame as I was really in the mood for a proper Vegas night!!  But it was the right thing and I feel fine today... 

Just the small matter of a flight to NYC to deal with today.......!!