Today we followed the interstate from our hotel on Route 66 towards Vegas. On the way we passed the Hoover Dam, and stopped for a bit of a mooch about.

After a quick snack we took the tour - very well put together, very informative and a good buy at $11 dollars each.

Back in the car we followed the road as it took us over and around hills and mountains until finally, after coming over the crest of a hill, we got our first sighting of Vegas. Pretty amazing to see so much civilisation after several days of remote desert!

There stood the Stratosphere, towering over the rest of the strip, and the undeniable pyramid of the Luxor. We took the turning for the strip. Grumpy said we could drive up the strip before finding our off-strip hotel (not the same thing as a strip-off hotel! ;)). I will never believe a single word he says.

G: "Oh look, there are the Bellagio fountains - turn right. We can go have a look."
Me: "I don't think you're meant to go in there unless you're staying there."
G: "It's fine. If they say anything just tell them you're British and you're lost."
Me: "Well, okay, but if they have a problem with it it's you're fault."

I bet you can tell what happened next. Actually, you were probably in the know before.

No, I didn't spot it. Yes, I was shocked when Grumpy said "but it's okay Claire, we are staying here", and no, I didn't believe it for at least 15 minutes!

(What makes it worse is that G pulled exactly the same trick some 6 years ago when he took me to the Celtic Manor for my birthday. One day I will learn!!!!)

We checked in - our suite is on the 21st floor, and about half a mile from the front desk, but the jacuzzi has the most amazing view out over Vegas :D. The place is massive and there are literally thousands of people everywhere.

We had a delicious dinner at Circo - we could see the fountains dancing as we ate, and then tiptoed around the slot machines. One called 'Fairy's Fortune' was asking to be played, and within a few minutes I'd converted $1 into $3 :D. Of course it went back in.

Then we put a few dollars in a normal one armed bandit. Result? Turned $4 into $10. So for a $5 outlay we got $10. This gambling lark is easy!!!

This time tomorrow we'll be millionaires!!!!