Las Vegas

Well, what can I say about Las Vegas? Everything that you've seen or read about it is true; it's both glamourous and tacky, impressive and desperate. After Aspen, I was worried that we would find it all a bit garish, and we did - it took a day to switch mind-set and begin to enjoy Vegas on it's own merits. Maybe I've watched Ocean's 11/12/13 and Casino Royale too many times, because I was expecting there to be more evidence of rich playboys gambling $100k hands, and Ferraris parked outside all of the Casinos. Instead, watching all the old dears pumping their pensions into the slot machines a quarter at a time, it felt more like Brighton Pier on steroids. Lots of steroids, admittedly - the Bellagio dancing fountains were absolutely incredible, as were the indoor shopping streets and the half-sized Eiffel Tower.

We saw the 'adult' Cirque do Soleil show, Zumanity at the New York, New York Casino - all very raunchy, also the Shark Aquarium at Mandaly Bay and dolphins and a baby leopard at Sigfreid and Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage. Apparently Roy doesn't get out much these days since one of his white tigers savaged him on stage a couple of years ago, so now they run a little wildlife preserve. We also had a gondola ride along the replica canals in the Venetian.

Time for a quick game of 'Spot the Forgery'. Below are some pictures of famous landmarks from our previous holdidays, alongside pictures of their replica counterparts in Las Vegas. See if you can pick out the Georgio Armani from the Sergio Georgini...