Viva Las Vegas

Dad and Marji at the fabulous Bellagio Hotel yesterday.

The Bellagio Conservatory.

A "Cinderella" Christmas display, including big realistic horses and coach.

And polar bears wallowing in tropical floral excess. Well, it is Las Vegas, after all. 

Smiles under the giant Bellagio Christmas tree.

Then the world's largest chocolate fountain at the Bellagio Patisserie.

Take that, Paris.

Then on to Caesar's Palace for more gawking. Why go to France? Why go to Italy?

The designer shopping arcade windows crammed with glittering $1,000 handbags. Apparently the latest "must-have" status symbol.

And then, after a couple hours of total sensory overload, a nice quiet lunch at The Cheesecake Factory.

I come to Las Vegas often, but hardly ever see this Las Vegas. Marji's home is way out in a quiet suburb that feels a million miles away from the glitz. In fact, it's been several years since I was even down on The Strip, ditto for Dad, so what an fun eye-opener for both of us, not to mention a treat being escorted around by our local expert guide.

When we finally got back to the car, Dad said the whole thing felt more like dreaming, it was so unreal. I guess that's the whole point of Las Vegas.

Now life goes back to a more quiet routine for the next couple days.  Marji packed up "Maurice" early this morning and is headed to Utah for Christmas with her family. Dad and I will hit Trader Joe's and maybe get out to the park to feed the birds.  The nice weather continues...