Yesterday's adventures started off with the breakfast special at La Salsa Cantina. If you're looking for a great deal on breakie in Vegas, this is it! Afterward we picked up a shiny yellow Corvette C6 convertible and headed for the Hoover Dam. While many people would enjoy a bus tour with all the interesting history lessons, I have to admit, I liked that we drove ourselves and could do what we wanted. The drive was relaxing. We stopped for lunch in Boulder City and drove across the top of Hoover Dam twice. Then we headed back to Vegas.
We went to the House of Blues for dinner. The Wednesday special was a creole linguine--yum! Later, after the sun set, we drove down the strip and into old Vegas. Lights, lights and more lights. :) We ended up back at the Mandalay Bay Casino and I had a bit of a lucky streak on the Reel Money slots. Won a couple hundred bucks, which for some people might not be much but for me, I was happy. I usually go broke within a few minutes...hehe We were up til 2 a.m.
Today we're relaxing by the pool, soaking up some rays. Later this evening we're going to see Craig Ferguson. Marc and I watch his show--The Late, Late Show--most nights back home in Edmonton. I was so surprised to see he's here in Vegas, since I've been saying to Marc for months that when we go to California we WILL be seeing Craig. Hey, any show hosted by a very funny Scotsman from Glascow works for me. I have relatives in Glascow. And that Craig Ferguson never fails to make me laugh. He's such a "naughty monkey"!!! (I'll have to find a brown dress--apparently Craig likes gals in brown dresses.)
Yeah, we're livin' la vida loco in Las Vegas. ;-)
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Canadian suspense author
http://www.cherylktardif.com
Showing posts with label las vegas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label las vegas. Show all posts
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Planet Hollywood, Villa Reale & Mystere in Las Vegas
Yesterday's adventures in Las Vegas began with a jaunt to Tix 4 Tonight for some great deals on half price show tickets. We bought tickets for the Cirque du Soleil show called MYSTERE, plus we were given a discount for dinner at Planet Hollywood. After that we made arrangements to rent a Corvette C6 convertible (for today's adventures). We had lunch at La Salsa Cantina; their nachos are excellent! Then we relaxed for the afternoon.
Later, we had an excellent dinner at Planet Hollywood, which is in Caesar's Palace. It took us a bit to locate it as it's in the Forum Shops section. We went full circle before finding it. On our way out of Caesar's Palace my eyes were drawn to the beautiful and elaborate furniture and home decor displayed in the windows of a shop called Villa Reale.
Villa Reale is filled with furniture made with richly polished woods and elaborate detailing. It had an old world feel and as I said to my husband, "This is the kind of furniture you pass on to your kids--not stuff from The Brick or Leon's. I was particularly drawn to tables and curio cabinets made from burl walnut. I'd never seen wood like it. Neither had Marc and he used to work for a hardwood company in Edmonton.
We met Gil the sales manager (originally from New York...because as we've discovered NO ONE is from Las Vegas) and found out this shop delivers to Canada. Hmmmmm. We talked to Gil about Canada, politics (my favorite topic--NOT!) and his mom, who is also named Cheryl. When I gave Gil my bookmark for his mom, he tossed out the idea of having a book signing in his shop the next time we go to Vegas. I think that would be an awesome location--something different and unique. In fact, I'm thinking that Villa Reale would make a perfect signing spot when Finding Bliss comes out, but that won't be for a couple of years.
Afterward we headed to Treasure Island Hotel to see Mystere. This combination of aerial arts, dance, humor, acrobatics was absolutely mesmerizing. There were time I literally held my breath. I loved that there was audience participation--although some didn't volunteer. Of course my favorite volunteer was "Papa".
Mystere is so worth it and I highly recommend it. It's an entertaining show on so many levels. The music is haunting and tribal at times (loved the drums!!!) and highly dramatic, the costuming is vibrant and surreal and the choreography is stunning. This show performs on everchanging multiple stages, in the air, and even on walls. You've got to be alert, with your head swiveling, to catch it all. 5/5 stars!
Well, I'm getting ready for today's adventures. I'll tell you about them tomorrow. What I will tell you is that Las Vegas is a friendly place, full of excitement and topnotch entertainment. I have so enjoyed meeting the people here--tourists and residents.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
bestselling author of Whale Song
http://www.cherylktardif.com
Later, we had an excellent dinner at Planet Hollywood, which is in Caesar's Palace. It took us a bit to locate it as it's in the Forum Shops section. We went full circle before finding it. On our way out of Caesar's Palace my eyes were drawn to the beautiful and elaborate furniture and home decor displayed in the windows of a shop called Villa Reale.
Villa Reale is filled with furniture made with richly polished woods and elaborate detailing. It had an old world feel and as I said to my husband, "This is the kind of furniture you pass on to your kids--not stuff from The Brick or Leon's. I was particularly drawn to tables and curio cabinets made from burl walnut. I'd never seen wood like it. Neither had Marc and he used to work for a hardwood company in Edmonton.
We met Gil the sales manager (originally from New York...because as we've discovered NO ONE is from Las Vegas) and found out this shop delivers to Canada. Hmmmmm. We talked to Gil about Canada, politics (my favorite topic--NOT!) and his mom, who is also named Cheryl. When I gave Gil my bookmark for his mom, he tossed out the idea of having a book signing in his shop the next time we go to Vegas. I think that would be an awesome location--something different and unique. In fact, I'm thinking that Villa Reale would make a perfect signing spot when Finding Bliss comes out, but that won't be for a couple of years.
Afterward we headed to Treasure Island Hotel to see Mystere. This combination of aerial arts, dance, humor, acrobatics was absolutely mesmerizing. There were time I literally held my breath. I loved that there was audience participation--although some didn't volunteer. Of course my favorite volunteer was "Papa".
Mystere is so worth it and I highly recommend it. It's an entertaining show on so many levels. The music is haunting and tribal at times (loved the drums!!!) and highly dramatic, the costuming is vibrant and surreal and the choreography is stunning. This show performs on everchanging multiple stages, in the air, and even on walls. You've got to be alert, with your head swiveling, to catch it all. 5/5 stars!
Well, I'm getting ready for today's adventures. I'll tell you about them tomorrow. What I will tell you is that Las Vegas is a friendly place, full of excitement and topnotch entertainment. I have so enjoyed meeting the people here--tourists and residents.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
bestselling author of Whale Song
http://www.cherylktardif.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
iPhone novelist in Las Vegas in hopes of 'Finding Bliss'
This is Cheryl Kaye Tardif, now known as North America's first iPhone novelist, reporting live from Las Vegas. :-)
After a great flight here yesterday morning, we arrived at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino and were able to check in early. My first idea was to scope out the lay of the land, so to speak, and of course in Las Vagas this means checking out the casino. Our travel agent suggested we get a Player's Card, which is a points card that'll give you rewards later on--things like free buffets and more. We played some slots and roulette, then decided to check out the entertainment.
We've met some very nice people along the way--like the guy who sat next to me on the plane and told me about his fishing expeditions aound Vancouver Island (brought back lots of BC memories for me); and the very nice cab driver originally from Guam who drove my husband and I from the airport to the hotel; and the super nice woman originally from Wisconsin whom we talked to who was very honest about approaching us about time shares (talked to her a lot about Edmonton, Canada and I gave her a bookmark when I found out she enjoys reading); and the bartender at iBar in the Rio Hotel who's originally from California...hmmm...wonder if we'll actually meet anyone here who's originally from Las Vegas. :-)
Last night we saw Penn and Teller. We've watched their BULL show and some of their other shows on TV. At the end of a very entertaining show, they needed two volunteers who were familiar with guns. I expected a lot of hands to go up, including my husband's since he's ex-military. One guy at the far end put up his hand. He was in the army. I prodded Marc and said, "You should do it."
Much to my surprise, he did. He went up on stage, inspected a bullet, wrote his initials on the tip, drew a chubby heart on the shell casing and inspected a glass plate. He stood with Teller and inspected the gun. Everything appeared to be real for both volunteers so Penn and Teller proceeded to aim at each other's faces and shoot the guns. Throughout this I never saw them touch or make contact. The bullets ended up between their teeth. Penn spit the bullet into Marc's hand. Teller showed Marc the gun, which had the casing. Hmmm...how'd they do that?
One thing I always do when watching any kind of magic or illusion show is try to figure out how it's done. I've figured out quite a few, and some are obvious when you think about it. I enjoyed that Penn and Teller actually show you HOW some are done. But the gun thing? I don't have a clue.
Being here in the middle of such a vibrant, busy and exciting city really sparks the ideas for how I can incorporate Las Vegas into my iPhone novel Finding Bliss. The Mandalay Hotel may find its way into my novel too.
Well, we're starting our day and I'll try to blog tomorrow morning and fill you in on all the details. For now, I wish you the very best. That's all, folks!
Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of Whale Song
After a great flight here yesterday morning, we arrived at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino and were able to check in early. My first idea was to scope out the lay of the land, so to speak, and of course in Las Vagas this means checking out the casino. Our travel agent suggested we get a Player's Card, which is a points card that'll give you rewards later on--things like free buffets and more. We played some slots and roulette, then decided to check out the entertainment.
We've met some very nice people along the way--like the guy who sat next to me on the plane and told me about his fishing expeditions aound Vancouver Island (brought back lots of BC memories for me); and the very nice cab driver originally from Guam who drove my husband and I from the airport to the hotel; and the super nice woman originally from Wisconsin whom we talked to who was very honest about approaching us about time shares (talked to her a lot about Edmonton, Canada and I gave her a bookmark when I found out she enjoys reading); and the bartender at iBar in the Rio Hotel who's originally from California...hmmm...wonder if we'll actually meet anyone here who's originally from Las Vegas. :-)
Last night we saw Penn and Teller. We've watched their BULL show and some of their other shows on TV. At the end of a very entertaining show, they needed two volunteers who were familiar with guns. I expected a lot of hands to go up, including my husband's since he's ex-military. One guy at the far end put up his hand. He was in the army. I prodded Marc and said, "You should do it."
Much to my surprise, he did. He went up on stage, inspected a bullet, wrote his initials on the tip, drew a chubby heart on the shell casing and inspected a glass plate. He stood with Teller and inspected the gun. Everything appeared to be real for both volunteers so Penn and Teller proceeded to aim at each other's faces and shoot the guns. Throughout this I never saw them touch or make contact. The bullets ended up between their teeth. Penn spit the bullet into Marc's hand. Teller showed Marc the gun, which had the casing. Hmmm...how'd they do that?
One thing I always do when watching any kind of magic or illusion show is try to figure out how it's done. I've figured out quite a few, and some are obvious when you think about it. I enjoyed that Penn and Teller actually show you HOW some are done. But the gun thing? I don't have a clue.
Being here in the middle of such a vibrant, busy and exciting city really sparks the ideas for how I can incorporate Las Vegas into my iPhone novel Finding Bliss. The Mandalay Hotel may find its way into my novel too.
Well, we're starting our day and I'll try to blog tomorrow morning and fill you in on all the details. For now, I wish you the very best. That's all, folks!
Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of Whale Song
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif heads for Vegas, baby!
Viva Las Vegas! I know I'll be singing that song for the next week as my husband and I head to Vegas for the first time tomorrow morning.
We're going to Las Vegas for three reasons:
We're going to Las Vegas for three reasons:
- a much needed holiday escape from cold Edmonton
- bookstore research so I will know where to set up book signings next time we go (yes, there WILL be a next time)
- a reconnaissance trip to scope out the lay of the land and Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino (as seen as the Montecito in the hit TV show 'Las Vegas') for possible inclusion in an upcoming novel. I'll also write up a review of Mandalay Bay and post it here, just in case any of you are thinking of taking a trip to Sin City. Who knew "sin" could be so much fun?
I expect I'll be broke within 10 minutes, but providing I'm not I may even tell you about my adventures with gambling. My husband is also looking at renting a luxury car for a day. His favorite pick was in the thousands for a day. I'll have to ask him which car it was.I'm also planning on doing some Random Acts of Divineness, as I am calling it. I will be giving away copies of my novels to random people I meet on my trip--or leaving them a book on their lounger by the pool.
If you're in Vegas, come find me and tell me you heard about Finding Bliss and I'll give you a copy of my latest, Whale Song. If I run out of copies, I'll have them delivered, up to 25 copies total.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com/
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