Las Vegas Part 2

Part 2: 12 Oct 2014 to 14 Oct 2014

12 Oct 2014, Las Vegas
Sunday

Rise and shine! It's gonna be a good Sunday as this would be the only full-day that I'd have for myself. Today's itinerary: Las Vegas North Premium Outlet for the whole afternoon and The Strip in the evening. So excited to start spending my money on things that I love!!

Before leaving my room, I opened up the curtains and was so astonished by the day view! It's so gorgeous!

I could wake up to this everyday

Beautiful hills at the back

Swimming pool

Zooming into part of the Strip

Sausage McMuffin Breakfast Set - USD 6.90 (SGD 8.80) so expensive!! I upgraded my drink to French Vanilla Latte.

How to get from the Palms (West Flamingo Road) to the Premium Outlet? I asked the concierge for the direction and the lady told me to either take a taxi or Bus 202 from the bus stop outside the Palms, alight at Flamingo, walk to Paris and take SDX express bus. Well, I did not know how much will it cost to take a taxi and I do not want to spend so much on taxi which will make my purchases at the premium outlet not worthwhile.

I waited almost 25 minutes for the bus to arrive. While waiting, I met a Japanese grandma who has been living in Las Vegas for 40 years. She's waiting for the same bus as me, there's only 1 bus available at the bus stop anyway. She mentioned that the bus frequency on Sunday would be slower as compared to other day-of-week. I chatted with her while waiting for the bus and we were actually alighting at the same stop. =)

Waiting-for-bus-touristy-selfie

Very windy in Vegas!

Do note that you should carry changes ($1, $2, $5 notes) with you if you wish to take the bus. The smallest notes I had with me was two $1 and one $20. To purchase a 24hr pass, it would cost USD 6 if you buy it from where I boarded the bus (West Flamingo Rd.). However if you were to buy it from the Strip, it would cost USD 8 for the same product. I told the bus driver that I didn't have exact change and I could pay USD 2 for the ride to the strip. He understood that I'll get the 24hr pass once I get to the Strip, he actually gave me a free ride!! So much trust! Thank you Uncle! =D I love America even more from that moment onward.

Finally on board the bus! The Japanese Grandma was on the left in this picture, wearing a white tee.

Alighted after just a 10 minute bus ride

SDX bus heading to the North Premium Outlet

As the machines do NOT give changes, I went into the casino just behind the bus stop to break my larger note into smaller ones. There are many machines for you to do so in the casino. If you put in USD 10 note, it will give you two USD 5 notes. Putting in USD 5 note will churn out five USD 1 notes, which was what I want.

You got to purchase your bus passes from the machine on the right, with a friendly assistant!

My 24hr pass

If you are heading to the premium outlet, you should take the express bus, SDX (Strip & Downtown Express), which only stops at certain stops and you will reach there in 30 minutes from Paris (opposite Bellagio). Took a picture of the bus map below for your reference:

Bus map

Snapping some photos while waiting for the bus

The Deuce: Bus that stops at every stops but will NOT bring you to the premium outlets (North/South)

SDX bus is coming

Time to board the bus :)

There are two premium outlets in Las Vegas, one in the North and one in the South. I picked the North as it is closer to where I stayed. If you are staying in Vegas for many days and love to do shopping, I'd recommend you to go both!


Las Vegas North Premium Outlets
Address: 875 South Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89106
Contact: (702) 474-7500
Website: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=58

There are over 100 branded outlets for you to shop! I was so busy shopping that I didn't take much pictures. =x It definitely feel like you've sinned if you walk out of a shop without buying anything 'cause everything is so affordable! For e.g. Kate spade here is more than 50% cheaper as compared to the price in Singapore! Also, I was so lucky to get there during the Columbus Weekend Sale! Yay to further discounts!! =D

My loots after half a day

Yummy Pretzel!

On the SDX back to the Strip after a long shopping day!

The Fashion Show Mall
Address: 3200 S Las Vegas Blvd #600, Las Vegas, NV 89109, United States
Operating Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm
Contact: +1 702-369-8382
Website: www.thefashionshow.com/

As there isn't Abercrombie & Fitch at the premium outlets, I alighted one stop before Bellagio at the Fashion Show Mall to do some shopping. The A&F here is having a 20% off but the prices were not much cheaper as compared to Singapore's so I didn't get anything.

I managed to replace a new leather strap for my Fossil watch at USD 27.03 (SGD 34.40). I checked with Fossil at Ion Orchard before and it was SGD 49. I saved SGD SGD 14.60 by purchasing it in the U.S.. Everything here are taxed. You got to add additional 8.1% to whatever price it is on the label/menu.

And so I decided to walk from the Fashion Show Mall to the Strip, thinking that it would be a short walk. But I was so wrong. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the walk in the busy Strip of Las Vegas.


Las Vegas Strip

Bellagio
Address: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, United States

The legendary Bellagio!! I'm finally here for you!! I've seen pictures of the Bellagio fountain and I told myself that I gonna visit it one day! The fountain show commences every 15 minutes and it was absolutely magnificent! If you ever visit Las Vegas, you MUST watch it at least once.

I got back to the Palms by taking bus 202 which I waited 15 minutes for. As I did not have dinner, I went to the eatery and got myself a customized Taco.

Snap a picture of the Mcdonald's menu if you're interested

Mcdonald's Desserts and Sides menu

And so this concluded my only one-full-leisure day for myself in this duty travel. The next few days were exciting too, especially at night. ;)


13 Oct 2014, Las Vegas
Monday

First day at work in Las Vegas! Woke up early this morning to dress myself for the first day.

Chilling at the pool with colleagues before the work starts

Breakfast turned lunch as we didn't dare to eat while our CEO was speaking

My CEO booked a room for all of us at Roy's, Las Vegas for dinner tonight. Work ended around 5pm today and I got back to my room to take a short nap. I thought I set my alarm at 6.15pm but I got a shock when I woke up at 6.33pm and realized that I actually set the alarm at 5.15pm. =O The meeting time was 6.45pm at the lobby and we will split up to take taxi to the restaurant.

Roy's
Address: 620 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, United States
Contact: +1 702-691-2053
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 5.30pm-9.00pm; Fri 5.30pm-10.00pm; Sat 5.00pm-10.00pm; Sun 5.00pm-9.30pm
Website: https://www.roysrestaurant.com/

Menu today: 5 course meal, fine dining.

Left: Spicy Tuna Tempura Roll, Miso Butter Sauce. Right: Grilled Szechuan Pork Ribs, Roy's Mongolian Sauce (DAMN GOOD)

Left: Chinese Styled Lettuce Wraps, Wok Chicken, Garlic & Ginger. Right: Steamed Shrimp & Pork Gyoza, Firecracker Sauce

Roy's Caesar Salad - Hearts of Palm, Parmesan, Brioche Croutons, Togarashi Garlic Dressing.

Grilled 8 oz. Filet Mignon - Shiso Béarnaise (quite similar to Hollandaise Sauce)

Hmmmm

Belgian Chocolate Torte - Raspberry Sauce, Seasonal Fresh Berries, Vanilla Whipped Cream

The Belgian Chocolate Torte above was the best Belgian chocolate cake I ever had! The taste of chocolate was so rich! A pity that I couldn't finish it all 'cause I was too full. I didn't manage to finish my beef as well. =/

Spotted this limousine after alighting from the taxi back to hotel

Thank you Fabian for this drink! Some fruit martini I think? It tasted sweet. :)

Money I won (need to deduct my initial amount of USD 40)

I never bet on a table in any casino before this trip. My colleague and I went over to a black jack table and started playing. I changed USD 40 into chips. We only played 4 rounds and out of the 4 rounds I played, I won all 4. I got a picture card and ace in one of the 4 games, blackjack yo! Very lucky that night!! We stopped playing after winning some money. =P


14 Oct 2014, Las Vegas
Tuesday

Breakfast Buffet at USD 9.99 (USD 10.80 after 8.1% tax) - The Palms Bistro Buffet

Start of Conference Day 1! I met my CEO and his wife at the bistro buffet so we had breakfast together before the start of the conference. I think USD 10.80 was reasonable for the buffet with quite a range of food selections.

During lunch break today, my colleagues and I took a small tour around the Palms resort. The pools (2 of them) were so beautiful. I didn't bring my swimwear to Vegas though.

Bar at the side of the pool

View from the pool bar

Me with my new polarized Rayban!

Tonight was the night that we got to dine with our clients at N9NE Steakhouse, N9NE is pronounced as 'nine'. It's a very posh fine dining restaurant in the Palms, serving really good food.

N9NE Steakhouse
Address: Palms Casino Floor
Contact: +1 702 942 6862
Operating Hours: Sun-Thu 5.30pm-10.00pm; Fri-Sat 5.30pm-11.00pm
Dress Code: Business Casual
Website: http://www.palms.com/fine-dining/n9ne-steakhouse

Stepping into N9NE Steakhouse, I felt extraordinary with it's purple-lit environment and exceptional ambiance.

N9NE Four Course Menu

Rock Shrimp and Calamari with Two Dipping Sauces

Smoked Bacon Caesar Salad - Applewood Smoked Bacon, Romaine, Kale, Parmesan Croutons, Housemade Caesar Dressing

Left: Button Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions (Awesome dish!). Right: Creamed Spinach, Applewood Smoked Bacon

Left: Macaroni and Cheese. Right: Parmesan Mashed Potatoes (Favorite!)

BARRY'S 10 oz. Steak - Prime Rib Cap, Roasted Cipollini Onions & Shishito Peppers

8 oz. Filet Mignon - Red Wine Sauce

Assorted Miniature Desserts

Ghostbar
Location: Top of Palms Ivory Tower
Contact: 702.942.6832
Operating Hours: Nightly at 8pm
Dress Code: Stylish Nightlife Attire
Website: http://www.palms.com/nightlife/ghostbar

Fancy watching the night view of Las Vegas high up from the 55th floor? If you are a guest at the Palms hotel, you'll be entitled a free entry to Ghostbar. Remember to bring your IC/ID/Passport as they will check everyone's ID before you are given permission to enter the bar.

Wefie with Markus, the youngest member of our company

Super shagged face after one whole day of conference

It was pretty happening at the Ghostbar but Markus and I left around 10pm to rest for Conference Day 2 the next day. The next 2 nights would be even more interesting (Preview: GORDON RAMSAY!!) and I do not wish to cramp everything into this blog post. Stay tuned for Las Vegas Part 3, which would be the last episode of my Las Vegas blog posts! =)


#LCinUSA posts

2016 Seattle-Arizona (Blogging soon)

• Apr 2016 Part 1 Seattle
• Apr 2016 Part 2 Arizona Road Trip
• Apr 2016 Part 3 Arizona Road Trip
• Apr 2016 Part 4 Arizona Road Trip

2015 Seattle

• Apr 2015 Part 1 Singapore - Tokyo - Seattle
• Apr 2015 Part 2 Seattle, Washington
• Apr 2015 Part 3 Seattle, Washington
• Apr 2015, Part 4 Fairbanks, Alaska - City of Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
• Apr 2015, Part 5 Anchorage, Alaska

2014 Las Vegas

• Part 1 Journey to the West
• Part 3