Being back at work today was slightly more fun than being hit over the head with a sack of doorknobs. But maybe only slightly...
Some other leftovers from Vegas: coming back from the trade show on Monday I got to take a spin on the new monorail. It runs from the Hilton down to MGM Grand, altho I only took it as far as Harrah's. Which still left a bit of a shlep back up to Frontierland. And it wouldn't be much use to anyone staying at Stardust or Circus, Circus. But I've read that plans are to extend it down to the Sahara and eventually Fremont Street. And also have it go all the way to the airport. It's a bit cooler (and a bit less free) than the old MGM-to-Ballys monorail and reminded me of a cross between the Disneyworld monorail and the DC Metro.
Did I mention that I never fully conquered jetlag, and so was waking up around 6am each day? Which isn't so bad, really. Gave me a chance to do some reading and also to go out, walk around and take pictures, including the new Steve Wynn hotel going up right across the street from Frontier (on the site of the Desert Inn) the current display at the Bellagio conservatory (still the 4th of July theme from last month, looking a bit worn down, I'm afraid), and the sad wreckage that used to be the TI pirate show. (once I figure out how to post pics, I'll come back in and add them). Being out in the early AM also gave me a chance to observe various techniques in Vegas sidewalk cleaning. Caesar's has a sidewalk zamboni that they drive around to clean up all the previous night's detritus, Mirage was using a power-washer, and Frontier had a guy with a leaf blower.
Sunday night had dinner at Fiamma. Like I said, I'm probably not being fair to Bouchon cos I was too fried to enjoy anything at that point. But Fiamma was everything I want out of a spendy-as-hell meal in LV. Start (kickass mojito with minty foam on top) to finish (zabaglione made w/ a vin santo custard) it was just spectacular.
One other cool thing I just remembered. While walking around MGM before dinner, walked past Seablue and their sound system was playing the Señor Coconut version of "Showroom Dummies"
I wonder if the seasonal decorations in Bellagio are repeated, or if they do a new theme each year? In other words do they bring out those giant glass leaves and that "old mill" structure every autumn, or will they do something new this year. If they use the same decorations year after year, then I think spring is the only one we haven't seen.