Michey_b’s travelling around

So i prepared to leave my lovely Stratosphere hotel behind and headed to the airport to catch my flight to San Francisco and yet another Bootsnall meetup – i was looking forward to this one as i would meet new Booties and catch up with the guys i met back in December – how time has flown since being in Portland.  At the airport which is scarily close to the Strip – i have seen it in the movies but so did not realise it was literally minutes away.  Im at my gate and annoyed because my flight is delayed and then im wondering why everyone is fascinated with looking out the windows and the smoke catches my eye at first and i look to seee The Monte Carlo hotel engulfed in smoke.  Man the Strip must be in chaos, im glad i left when i did.  Having got bored of watching that i turned my attention to the flashing lights of the slot machines – yes they have them in the airport…  I decided to put a dollar in and couldnt believe it when 5mins later i walk away with $50 not bad – that certainly goes towards my evening tonight. Im due to meet up with the guys in a restaurant tonight at 7pm and now my flight has been delayed its going to be a mission to make it.  I land in San Fran and its raining joy oh joy.  After finding my way to the train that will take me into the downtown area i plonk my bum down and get comfortable – its a long ride.  Then huffing and ppuffing my way uphill to find my hostel and yes its still pouring – not fun when you have a backpack let me tell you, i find the place and stagger in at just before 6pm.  I check in dump my bags have a quick wash and change and grab a cab to the restaurant and get there just before 7pm result!! Im now knackered and need a drink.  Annie is shortly behind me and i finally get to meet one of the coolest Booties – and someone i have wanted to meet for a while.  We chat and then everyone else filters in and over tapas and wine i catch up with everybody.  I had a great night and im looking forward to tomorrow when we get to go to Alcatraz one of the places i have always wanted to go. After the restaurant we head to a bar for a couple and then to a club.  By this point im exhausted so call it an night and finalise the times to meet tomorrow.

Saturday dawns clear and rain free – yes and i head out to meet the guys and decide to catch one of the famous trams.  We go up one of the mega hills and im amazed at how we get up there – no way could i walk up it.

I walk down to the piers and hang out for a while before going to meet the guys, stopping atPier 39 whichis a tourist trap if ever i saw one.  I took a few pictures of the surrounding area which i have to say is very pretty.

I met up with the guys and we got on board the ferry to Alcatraz Island.  It took about 10 mins and the view of the skyline behind us was amazing as was the view of the bridge.

After we docked on the island we had to walk up a very steep hill – reminds me of the zig zag at Bournemouth Beach lol and i am certainly getting fitter on this trip as it didnt kill me like i thought it would – yay for me!  Inside you get given individual headsets and so do the tour at your own pace which is a great idea and i have actually no idea how long we were in there as time seemed to fly by.  i learnt so much about the history of the prison and its inmates – and even what i thought i had known was nothing to what i picked up that night.  I urge anyone who does to San Fran to do the tour and try to do the evening one as it really adds to the atmosphere.  It costs a little extra but is totally worth it especially for the nighttime view of the San Fran skyline wow.

We walked to the bar in which we were meeting the other Booties and stayed there for a while catching up with everyone.  The guys decided that they wanted to head over to the other side of the city and trying to hail 3 cabs on a saturday night was proving impossible until somebody flagged down a limo – yes you read that correctly.  So 12 of us piled into this car it was a squeeze thats for sure but it was hilarious.  The driver was crazy and his dog was mental and poor Bill had to sit on the floor but it was definitely an experience and the cost $5 each.  It was another great night out with everyone and summed up a great time in San Fran.  Thanks guys.

Checked out of the hostel this morning but as the bus wasnt until the afternoon i hung around the hostel and by chance started talking to a guy from Holland who was also heading to Las Vegas and had a car – result. I offered to pay for all of his gas if he wanted a passenger. we headed out of Flagstaff and drove through mostly nothingness for 5 hours. The scenery was beautiful however and its amazing the vast open space this country has. We stopped at the Hoover Dam to take some photos and check out the comparison between the desert and this man made structure.

The first view of the strip and sin city after 5 hours of driving seeing nothing but desert and then out of nowhere this famous sight appears before you. And the cost of gas for that trip – $20 yes thats ten whole pounds – amazing!!

My lovely driver dropped me off at the Stratosphere – my luxury home for the next three days – i had to walk through the casino to get to the check in desk and wow its certainly an eye opener thats for sure. Having checked in and had to pay an extra $15 in resort taxes – for what i dont get but oh well its still a steal for 3 nights. Anyways so im on the 24th floor the top floor that is – also home to the presidential suite – unfortunately not mine but my room is gorgeous and i totally recommend to anyone on the road to once in a while splurge and stay in a hotel – it just feels like luxury to have your own space and own palatial bathroom.

I wandered down to the main floor and man its easy to get lost in here and had a little gamble. For dinner i decided to try out one of Vegas’ well known things to do – the all you can eat buffet. The one at the Stratosphere costs $20 and man there is a lot of food – stations with soup, salad, italian, mexican, chinese, american (fried!), and then the desserts. Wow i managed a paltry amount and then was full – travelling certainly shrinks your appetite – i would have once upon a time done well at this but not anymore. Being almost unable to move i staggered back into the casino and played on a few more slots and tried one of the next big Vegas like things – free alcohol. Now its not as great as it sounds let me tell you – first you have to be playing a machine and then find a waitress to order your drink from – this part is definitely tricky. Once you have signalled said waitress and ordered your beverage you carry on playing whilst she brings back said drink. Now i think they must actually go to Tennessee to get my Jack because it takes like 15 mins and by then you have spent more than the drink costs into the damn slot machines! argghhhhh. Lesson learned anyways and i suppose there is the age old saying ‘you gotta try everything once’ Yeah right.

I retired to my room to watch TV on my giant personal TV screen and the big news of the day is the death of Heath Ledger – i still cant quite believe it and my heart goes out to his family and his little girl.

The next morning i headed down to the pool for a swim and even though its only 15 degrees i have use of a swimming pool and im damn gonna use it!! So swimming fast lengths to warm up and then retire to the jacuzzi which is bliss let me tell you.

On my last day i caught a bus down the Strip to the other end and got off at the New York New York. This part of town is crowded with well known sights including the MGM Grand, Coca Cola World and The Bellagio, Ceasers Palace and Paris hotels just down a bit further.

Walking back towards the Stratosphere you then pass the Mirage on the left and my favourite The Venetian on the right – one day i want to stay here.  (Note to self find rich man who can afford to stay here!)

In the evening i went to watch 27 dresses in the cinema and then headed down to the Bellagio to see the famous water display and it certainly wasnt a disappointment –  it was awesome.

There is no way i could stay here in this city any longer than 3 days – its just chaos and the amount of money people spend is crazy.  Its a great place to see however but i would so be broke if i stayed here any longer.

Caught the lovely greyhound to Flagstaff this morning, had to change buses in Phoenix.  One other guy from the hostel decided to go as well so it was nice to have some company.  We had to wait around an hour ... [Continue reading this entry]

Caught my flight from Nashville today and had to catch a connecting flight in Chicago - which geographically makes no sense but hey who am i to argue. Flew with Southwest who are without a doubt the best airline i ... [Continue reading this entry]

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So after a long train journey that seemed to take forever i finally arrived in New York's Penn Station. We did have a couple of smoking breaks through the journey and i met a cool guy from Caracas in Venezuela. ... [Continue reading this entry]

Well my first day in Boston was almost a nightmare. Everything was fine as we departed Chicago - i was a little tired after only 2 hours sleep - but my last night in the windy city had been ... [Continue reading this entry]

After a short flight with American Airlines from Seattle we landed in the Windy City aka Chicago home of the Deep Pan pizza, ER, Jerry and Oprah studios and the city that invented the skyscraper.  And a lot of other ... [Continue reading this entry]

Arrived into Seattle late on saturday evening and headed to the Green Tortoise hotel which fellow Bootie Kathy is assistant manager of.  After i had check in to a great dorm room - the beds have curtains, a reading light and ... [Continue reading this entry]