Winter In The Desert Oasis - The Final

Saturday:

When the advisory says that you should arrive two hours for departure from McCarran Airport, they’re not kidding. I had expected that an early Saturday morning would be different but I was wrong.  My morning flight was due to take off at 8:00am so I left Bally's at 6:30, thinking this would be the calmest time at the airport.  However, I was greeted at my terminal with a line snaking around longer than a nightclub queue waiting to see Kim Kardashian. Fortunately, the line moved very quickly and I was able to get through the subsequent security again without experiencing my first pat-down.  I took advantage of a stop-over in Memphis to order some genuine BBQ and returned home to snow flurries hitting my face as I walked out of DCA.

To sum up some of the mistakes I made, here are once again my Learning Experiences, for your reading pleasure.

1. Renting a limousine may seem expensive but it can also be a great value in the long run.  Shuttles can be slow and taxis in traffic (see Part One) can make the cab fare savings negligible.  Limos can be practical if you want to pick up essentials you'll need for your stay. Having your limo reserved before hand will help ease the stress of your arrival as your driver will be there to greet you, assist you with your luggage, and allow you to arrive in style at your hotel destination.

2. Always read the menu before you walk in a restaurant. Or, in the case that you have the choice of a "mini-buffet" within your coffee shop (see Part Three), make sure that you preview the items so that you'll know how (un)appetizing they are.

3.  If you have to forget to put any items in your suitcase, make sure that they are the ones that you don't need the most. (Part Three again)

4. The tram between the Luxor and Mandalay Bay hotels does not begin operating until 9:00am. (Part Four)

5. The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace has its own taxi stand. It is a long walk from Caesars' main entrance on the opposite side. (Part Five)

6. Finally, if you're coming to Vegas on business, it is best to stay at the hotel where said business is being primarily conducted. Whatever savings you may perceive in staying elsewhere will likely be countered by the extra time, resources and energy it takes to get there, particularly if you will be spending all day in a convention center that is in the back of an already huge resort complex. (Part Four)

Even if you're in Vegas for leisure, picking a hotel whose amenities interest you the most would be a wise decision. As much casino-hopping as one may plan to do, you may end up spending more time at your home base than you may think. There's nothing like being able to start and end your day at a place that you enjoy.

Thank you for reading my mini-novel...and Safe Travels!