A Lucky Dragon Family in Las Vegas
June, 18, 2018, Walden.
DAY 1. When I checked our expedia reservation for the Lucky Dragon Hotel earlier in the day, it says “There is no front desk at this property. There is no after-hours reception at this property. Guests arriving late won’t be able to check in until the next morning.” That strange statement on the receipt ‘forced‘ us to leave early at 2:30 pm on Friday, June-15. We hit terrible traffic at the 210 & 15 juncture. It must have took us more than 1-1/2 hour to go past that interchange towards the 15 N.
We arrived Las Vegas at around 8:30 pm. The parking building seem to be deserted. We parked right off a few feet across the parking elevator. I had a strange feeling that this Lucky Dragon may not be lucky for us. Exiting the elevator into the Casino Hall was even worst than expected. The Hall, the Restaurant, were all empty, really empty – not a sound nor a soul. I thought to myself, “this is it!” Then slowly walking through skyway (bridge connecting the two buildings), we start to see a few people coming in and out. At the small hotel lobby, was a tiny bar with a bartender and 2 customers. The place looks more deserted now, although it was neat and clean. The desk clerk was nice (looks pinoy, but when asked, he was a Hawaiian born American-Japanese.) He did sounded Pinoy or perhaps Ilocano.
Lucky in Lucky Dragon
Earlier at home, upon reading the “No After-Hours” statement, I called the Hotel and was informed that the best thing for us to do is to arrive before 8:00 pm. If we arrived late and find nobody at the Desk, I was told to just shout out “Hello-Hello.” He confirmed my Expedia booking and placed us on a late night check-in reservation. “That sounds interesting”. Well at the counter I was faced with the exact person I spoke to earlier – the Pinoy sounding Desk Clerk. Courteously he handed me the KeyCard and said “We are out of the room you paid for, so I have to upgraded you our special VIP Suite Room. All’s well that ends well. We got Room 788. Large, clean, cozy, beautiful view, almost brand new. Call that 7 times of 88 Luck! Our Lucky Dragon Family. We did have 2 dragons in the family, Papa and Chiak Chiak.
Uber to the Rescue for the Lazy
After a long and tiring drive from LA, I took the opportunity to tell the family, I am really tired and cannot drive. Matt Matt made no excuses not to go out for dinner and installed the Uber Apps on my phone. Well, that paid off. It was our first ever Uber ride. What a luxury, I didn’t know life can be so easy eh? Touch Uber icon and it takes us 22 miles south to the M Resort restaurant, and 22 miles back north to the Hotel. I guess that app can also be called lazy (not just luxury).
DAY 2. The day started early for the hungry family. By 8:00 am we were all showered, dressed and ready. Off to Bacchanal we go. I tried to convince everyone to Uber, but 113 and Matt were up against. We were already in Ceasars by 8:11 am taking lots and lots of pictures.
Ceasars BacChanal Buffet
Nice breakfast-lunch at a whooping $59.99 per person. Kids eat Full, not Free! As usual, nice buffet line, nice and clean tables. I knew all too well not to overeat. What a waste to go for buffet and not overeat.
Sun Moon Valley CACTUS & KOI GARDEN
By 11:15 am, we’re back on the road heading towards a deserted-like village 20 miles north of Las Vegas, the Sun Moon Valley Cactus and Koi Garden. 113 bought her plants, pots, stones, sand. It took more than an hour of 100 Degree Las Vegas heat. Good thing, none of the us were complaining.
Tape Face at Harrah’s
By 4:45 pm, we drove to Harrah’s, and landed first in line for the Tape Face show. I thought to myself, ‘ay naku’, this going to be so ‘siao-siao’ kind of show if not ‘makalagot’. Tape your Face? Again, all’s well that ends well. I can rate it 6/10. But well, most people in the crowd were cheering. With a ticket price of $65 per person, who wouldn’t be cheering? But at least, we have a good photo shoot with TapeFace himself in person.
Don’t Try Noodles When You’re Not in Your Hometown
After the show. Still in Harrah’s, we chance upon a Chinese Noodle place. Hmmm, nice noodle pictures with only one table occupied. The place is empty, but the food pictures look nice. John John was hungry and so were we. The service wass fast, the food presentation nice, but oh no — taste not nice. Of course, nice or not nice, you still have to pay the Las Vegas noodle price. Nobody to blame. Next time, don’t try noodles when you are not in your hometown.
The Linq
The night is not complete without a visit to the Linq Plaza‘s diabetic land (opps), Honolulu Cookie Company. Who cares about free-sugar?
DAY 3. Our usual routine before leaving Las Vegas is Bellagio. Today, we are more relaxed. Late brunch at 11:30. Familiar place, familiar food, same $49 price tag. What was not normal? An unfriendly cashier.
After the more relaxed buffet meal, we are back at the Bellagio Gardens with its mixed theme of Father’s Day and pre-4th of July! I remember a glimpse of Papa and Mama, and switfly thought of our multiple visits to Bellagio with them. It was fun them, and it is fun now. I really miss both of them.
We finally departed Las Vegas around 2 pm. The traffic was not too friendly, hitting bumper to bumper less than 15 miles south of Las Vegas. Took more than 1-1/2 hour just to reach the Primm junction (Whiskey Pete’s). I seriously need to learn to be patient With all heads bowed and all eyes closed. My only companion were Papa and Mama memory songs. Thank you.
We arrived home a little past 7 pm. This time around we know where to go — Ajisen Ramen… all because, “do not try noodles when you are not in your hometown.”
A well deserved good night sleep follows…. zzzzzzzzzz
