Travel Post - Las Vegas And Los Angeles Vacation

 Luxor Hotel

Las Vegas, the buzzing energy city is an Oasis in the Mojave Desert in the state of Nevada.  The focal point of Vegas is the strip of themed hotels that spreads around 4 miles with 24 hour casinos.  It’s an adult city for sure.  

Interior of Luxor hotel

  Wall painting on the wall of hotel Luxor

Inside Luxor Hotel

 Following are some themed hotels in Las Vegas.

 Gondola inside The Venetian

 Our stay at the pyramid shaped Egyptian themed Luxor hotel was the best.  We are not fond of gambling, so we didn't spend any time in the casino, especially when you have kids with you; kids are not allowed to stand close to any of the machines.  So we enjoyed other things like their beautiful Egyptian themed pools, Criss Angel's BELIEVE and Cirque du Soleil shows.  It was really amazing to watch the breath taking live performances of the artist in the professional theatres.  We took some time to walk through the streets to get the glimpse of the themed hotels and the one that was beyond words to explain was the Venetian.  The Venetian resort complex is the world's second largest hotel and their casino is the largest casino in the world.  Venetian and Italian themed landmarks are the highlights of their architecture.  It’s amazing how the indoor canal and the Rialto Bridge are built to resemble the Grand Canal in Venice.  The ride on the Gondola and the song of the gondolier that resonates through the walls of the canal takes you right into the mesmerizing Grand Canal of Venice.  There are so many top notch restaurants and some fancy stores in there.   There was a astonishing photo gallery of the Peter Lik's  work in the Venetian which was phenomenal.

 Hover Dam

Grand Canyon

We drove to Grand Canyon and Hover Dam.  The sky walk at Grand Canyon is something amazing to do if you are not scared of heights. Unfortunately I am not good with heights, so I skipped that, but rest of my family enjoyed it.  Yes, even my little one did walk on the glass path which was 4000 feet high over the canyon. 

Lake Mead

 The over view of deep blue Lake Mead in the midst of the dessert is a splendid view for a photographer.  You don't feel like leaving the scenic view where the clear blue skies with few white puffy clouds cover the lazy lying deep blue sleeping beauty, the Lake Mead like an umbrella with an array of dark mountains surrounding her like guards.

We drove to Los Angeles which is 4.30 hrs from Vegas.  Los Angeles is a lively city.  The Tropical weather reminded me on India trip.  The big bushes of tea roses and bougainvillea trellis were common in everyone's front yard. 

Santa Monica Whale Watch boat ride

View from Hollywood Studio 

Waterworld show @ Universal Studio - water stunts done by professionals 

(must watch show)

Harry Potter Theme Park @ Universal Studio

Victorian Style House

 LA Music Center Steps

LA Downtown Angels Flight Railway

Santa Monica Pier

Beverley Hills

 The LA city tour to celebrity home streets, Hollywood, Beverly hills, beach front board walk restaurants, small cafe places, Universal studio were really enjoyed by all of us.  The Harry Potter themed park and their ride at Universal Studio was the best of all.  We saw lots of shooting and recording happening at various sites/sets and houses while doing the LA tour.  The one week spring vacation went by so fast that we were not ready to come back home.