While we’ve been staying at the Bellagio, many staff and lots of equipment have been completely replacing the conservatory display ready for Christmas – and now it’s finished!

Even finished, it all needs continuous maintenance replacing dying flowers, etc! And the whole display lasts just four weeks, before being replaced!

We spent today at the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage Hotel, with the Trainer For A Day program. We toured behind the scenes, helped feed and instruct the Dolphins, and even spent time in the water with them!

While it really didn’t much rain, it was cloudy, windy and cold – especially after being in the water, and the wet suits didn’t help to keep us warm! But like yesterday’s driving, it was a rare and fun day!

We couldn’t take a camera, but staff took pictures – we have a DVD full, for when we get home next week …

Glad it didn’t rain during yesterday’s drive!

A very special afternoon trip, to Hoover dam and back, but driving four different “supercars”!

Here is the Audi R8, Ferrari 458 Italia, and Jaguar XK; these three were soon after joined by a huge and hugely powerful Bentley.

The drive took us along I-15 and 215, down to Lake Mead, and over the Grand Canyon – then after some photos, back to Las Vegas! At intervals we stopped and swapped between the four cars – all the time lead and followed by pace cars, listening to radio directions and sometimes hilarious banter!

We started the drive in the Bentley, fabulously luxurious and totally huge! It’s size was very noticeable when cornering – and at one point almost failing to stop for sudden red lights. But when asked to “go”, the engine effortlessly went 60-90 in no time!

Next, we drove the Jaguar – top down and enjoying the unexpectedly warm weather in Lake Mead recreational area. After the Bentley, the Jaguar seemed to lack power, though cornering was improved. The Jaguar is the only sub-$100K car, so it’s surely going to lose any comparison.

The next drive was the Audi R8; I expected this to be an amazing drive, and I was somewhat disappointed!
The sequential transmission makes quite a mess of gear changes, not smooth and not instant. But worse was the steering, requiring so much input even to curve along the road, and so heavy! Even the V10 engine was lacking, it seemed – though I did find it much better when the revs were 5K and higher.

Finally, the Ferrari. I’ve always imagined Ferraris are overhyped, and while this car is stupidly expensive if you could even buy one, it was an absolute thrill in every way!

The Ferrari reacted to every tiny movement of hand on steering wheel or foot on pedal. It launched from slow to fast whenever asked, and stopped just as well. Thrilling on corners too.
But it’s not the car for me … No stereo system

A wonderful afternoon, no question it was worth the $$$. I’d do it all again tomorrow!

Lots more pictures in the Gallery

Married 20 years, and as perfect as always together!

Let’s start with breakfast in bed:

And lots more to do later today …

Visiting various hotels on the strip, including the Mirage with it’s Secret Garden with Dolphins, And white Tigers. I took a few pictures and the Tigers came out well even behind wire fences …

Darkness came quick here! But the night view is still good …

For our 20th anniversary we of course chose to stay in the Bellagio, but upgraded to a suite situated dead center at the front of the hotel, though lower than our normal choice, it means the fountains shoot way above us!

Our room has a big living area, bed facing the wrap round window, and two bathrooms – his and hers!

More pictures in the Gallery

Staying at the Hilton at Logan Airport, ready for our early flight to Las Vegas in the morning …

On our walk back from Minus 5, I took a couple of night pictures of the strip: