Day 11: Las Vegas

Being in Las Vegas represented a dramatic change of scenery. In one day, we replaced extensive, completely natural and unspoiled landscapes with probably the most surrealistic and artificial place in the world. Suddenly, in the middle of the desert, a massive city sprouts where you can find practically anything you might need to entertain yourself. You really feel like in another world, isolated from the rest of the planet.

Las Vegas attractions lie mainly along The Strip, an almost 7 km long avenue surrounded by hotels, casinos, restaurants, shops, weapons advertisements and people handling flyers for call girls. So yes, anything to amuse yourself.

A hotel in Las Vegas is a microcosm in itself. The basement is filled with casinos, bars, restaurants, shops, gyms, spas and, of course, a chapel in case you urgently need to get married. This was the view of the ground floor of Luxor hotel from the 26th floor:

You don't even need to get out of the hotel!

This meant that it could take you up to 15 minutes to get from your room to the street, crossing the always crowded gambling tables and rows of slot machines.

After a much needed rest, at around 11.00 am we were finally ready to explore the city. The plan was to walk along The Strip, but we went to pick up some things from the car before. Once at the car, we couldn't resist taking the car and driving around instead of walking, in true American fashion. So, we drove to the opposite end of The Strip and went for a stroll to visit the most popular sights.

A weird thing in Las Vegas is that you don't feel too surprised. Sure, it's a whole experience to see all the fake monuments and massive hotels, and the sheer amount of man-made landmarks around, but you can not escape the feeling that you've seen it all before in countless movies and TV shows. At least that was what we felt once in there. It was lacking the wow factor we found at Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon. Still, something worth seeing.

Here's a sample of the thing you can find around The Strip: 

Inside Caesar's Palace

A view of The Strip

The Bellagio Fountains

Prada and Louis Vuitton shops form part of a high class shopping centre,
just opposite the Harley Davidson Cafe

The Venice Hotel from outside

Inside the Venice Hotel. Yes, this is real...

Even with all the things going on during the day, Las Vegas really shines at night, and not just because of the fact that the whole city is illuminated. The entertainment and party atmosphere steps up a gear and the sidewalks and streets become crowded with hen and stag parties, students, tourists from around the world, newly weds and just-divorcees recovering from their break-ups.

At the end of Las Vegas boulevard lies Las Vegas downtown, where one can find the iconic Fremont street. This is where the first casinos were built in the mid 50's and the origin of the vice industry in this city. Walking around Fremont street is a more intense experience, as this pedestrian street is packed with casinos, restaurants, live concerts, all kind of attractions, street artists, beggars and weird people in general. The whole street is also covered with a large display where a music and video show is played every hour.

Fremont street: home of the original Las Vegas experience

After a long, intense and odd day, we finally drove back to the Luxor hotel along Las Vegas boulevard. The whole way back, driving past the most famous buildings and landmarks in Las Vegas was an appropriate ending to this break from the desert, as tomorrow's journey involved a lot of travelling across unpopulated lands as well.

Las Vegas boulevard (The Strip) at night.

Obviously, we couldn't leave Las Vegas without trying our luck at one of the ever-present slot machines. After spending almost $1.50, we didn't get rich at all, so we had to continue our journey without changing our plans.