Las Vegas - Summary

Although short, it was a good trip. But ofcourse, we will visit Vegas again...

Wish List: Valley of Fire, Red rock Canyon

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Las Vegas Day 3 & 4 - Vegas!

We spent next two days touring the various casinos and watching some free shows and David Copperfield show. They were all nice. Next time cirque du soleil for sure!

Day 3

• Caesars Palace
• Mirage & Volcano show
• Fremont Street Experience
• New York
• Stratosphere
• Sahara
• Cosmopolitan
• Aria
• Mandalay bay
• Excalibur
• Luxor

Day 4

• David Copperfield Show
• MGM & Lion Habitat
• Paris, Paris Tower & Bellagio fountain viewing
• Flamingo
• Venetian
• Encore
• Wynn
• Circus Circus (but missed the show)

Las Vegas Day 2 - Grand Canyon

We wanted to visit Grand Canyon, but it is quite a drive from Vegas. After thinking about the west rim for while, we settled on the south rim and took turns driving. We left pretty early at 5am and caught this pleasant foggy sunrise on 93 towards Kingman - very scenic drive through the hills and valleys. Enroute we even encountered snow at Williams, AZ.

Sunrise enroute to Kingman

We spent the entire day at the park - took the shuttle for rim tours, caught the rim trail, visited Yaki point and bright angel lodge. And we witnessed sunset from Pima point. Hopi point also provided wonderful views of the canyon sunset.

grand sunset experience

Las Vegas Day 1 - Hoover Dam & Lake Mead, Vegas @ Night

Hoover Dam Powerplant Tour

The Powerplant Tour is one way to see, learn and appreciate what Hoover Dam is all about; another available option is the Dam Tour. The Powerplant Tour includes admission to the Visitor Center and powerplant only; the Dam Tour includes admission to the Visitor Center, powerplant, and passageways within the dam itself. It takes about two hours to discover all the features at Hoover Dam.

Hoover Dam

Inside the Powerplant

• After exiting the Theater, join the queue on this same level to enter the Hoover Dam Powerplant. From here, a 70-second elevator ride takes you 530 feet down through the rock wall of Black Canyon to begin a 30-minute guided tour. You'll exit the elevator into a tunnel drilled in the 1930s for construction, and take a short walk to the Penstock Viewing Platform.

• Penstock Viewing: This location is atop one (of four) of the huge 30-foot-diameter pipes that can transport nearly 90,000 gallons of water each second from Lake Mead to the dam's hydroelectric generators. An animated display helps describe the complexities of the construction of the dam, and how it presently operates.

• Powerplant Generators: A quick elevator ride up to the Nevada powerplant balcony takes you to a panoramic view of the 650-foot-long Nevada wing of the powerplant and eight of the dam's 17 huge generators. Also, don't miss the beautiful and intricate terrazzo floor designs under your feet. A great spot for pictures!

Turbines

Visitor Center - Observation Deck Level

• The Observation Deck: You can access this top floor of the Visitor Center by taking either the stairs or elevator adjacent to the entrance of the Exhibit Gallery. This floor includes open and enclosed observation areas that provide panoramic (and camera-worthy!) views of Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Colorado River and other features. On the open/outside deck, an audio presentation offers significant facts about the dam and its surroundings. Inside, view a model of the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge that is presently under construction, and a sculpture portraying many of the benefits that Hoover Dam gives to the Colorado River Basin states.

Arizona & Nevada border on bridge

Street Level Displays and Exhibits

• Winged Figures of the Republic: This bronze masterpiece is directly across the street from the Visitor Center. A presentation at this site discusses the concepts the artist had mind in creating the statues, as well as details related to the "star map" at its base. A detailed compass framed by the signs of the Zodiac, and bronze seals of the seven Colorado River Basin states are also featured in this area.

• Nevada and Arizona Spillways: On each side of the dam (toward the lake) are huge spillways that designed to direct high water from Lake Mead around the dam through tunnels in the canyon walls. The spillways are so large that a World War II battleship can be floated in each one!

Dam & Lake

• The Nevada Intake Towers: On top of the Nevada side of the dam, an audio presentation offers information about the role these towers have in Hoover Dam's power generation process, and details about some of the artwork incorporated into the towers on the downstream face of the dam.

• Top of the Dam: A walk along the sidewalks on top of the dam provides awe-inspiring views of the dam face, Lake Mead, the intake towers, the Colorado River, and other features around the dam site.

Bridge

Lake Mead 

Enjoy the scenic vistas and the lake.. although the decreasing water levels are clearly visible as the lake dries up.

Lake Mead from the bridge

Lake Mead Vista point

Las Vegas

What to do in Vegas? Just stroll along the strip and enjoy the casinos, the views and the ... ssssh....

Paris

Bellagio Fountains

Las Vegas 2010 - Plan & Logistics

What plan? What logistics? Its Vegas baby, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

This was a last minute trip for Christmas holidays of 2010.

Hawaii - Summary

While we didn't plan really well and didn't have sufficient time, we covered a lot on the Big Island. Some bummers were the inaccessibility of the Green Sand Beach at South Point, the lack of many island ferries on the weekend, and vegetarian food. Overall, we loved the place (she didnt like the heat). Once can experience all types of climate - desert, tropical rainforest, savanna, grasslands. It is a hub of all kinds of activities - hiking, picnics, water sports (snorkeling, kayaking, swimming), sea life watching, sun bathing, flight seeing, paragliding, parasailing, farmers markets, running, cycling, motorbiking etc. Our Alaska Travel book certainly helped us a lot.

What we missed: Mauna Kea Observatory visit (didnt pre-plan), Paragliding, Ka Lea South Point beach (inaccessible by car - needed 4x4), Volcano crater rim hike (Sulphur in air), Kapoho Bay & MacKenzie State Park (no time).

Maybe other islands next time :)  

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Aloha!

 

Hawaii Day 1 - SFO to KOA & Kona

We were pleasantly surprised to be upgraded to a Mustang convertible - courtesy of Hertz. Convertibles are the best to enjoy the scenic views and weather of Hawaii.

After checking into the hotel, we set forth to explore the south-west coast. It was all self-tour - just explore the parks and the beaches and enjoy the scenic drives.

Kealakekua Bay - Captain Cook Monument

One of Hawaii’s most infamous historical spots is Kealakekua Bay, where Captain James Cook was slain by Hawaiians on February 14, 1779, after a long and complicated voyage to discover new land for the British empire. The bay is now a Marine Life Conservation District and is equally famous for its remarkably clear water and plethora of marine life, including Hawaiian green sea turtles ( honu ) and spinner dolphins. It’s a must-do for any snorkeler. Snorkeling was planned for another day, so we just enjoyed the calm rugged beach.

Captain Cook Monument from across the bay

Puuhonua o Honaunau, or the Place of Refuge


In ancient times, this serene spot was a safe haven for Hawaiians who had broken one of the strict kapu (taboos) punishable by death.  tip: Stick around for sunset.

Sunset 

Puuhonua o Honaunau - park entrance

Hawaii 2010 - Plan & Logistics

Hawaii - The perfect place to go for a vacation.. especially in summer.. moreover for a honeymoon. After our engagement in April, we set about listing various places and Hawaii won the top spot followed by Alaska. Due to the hectic nature of the marriage and India trip, I outsourced the travel & lodging arrangements to McCoyTravel.com - they did a splendid job and patiently catered to our requirements. 

A day after we returned from India, getting married, we took off from SFO to KOA.

Planner : McCoyTravel

Flight  : United Airlines, SFO to KOA

Car     : Hertz Compact Car (Sssh surprise...)

Hotel   : Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort

Duration: 5 Days

Apart from the usual things, the other most important things to pack: Hiking Shoes, Sunscreen, swimwear, rain jackets/umbrella (for Hilo area).  

Although the Big Island isnt very huge, we tried to cover many places as possible in 5 days - various bays - Keauhou, Kealakekua; Volcanoes National Park; the various beaches; the cities/towns - Hilo, Hawi, Kapaau, Waimea, Kona etc.