Life with the Three Crazy Dogs

….I will be leaving the house to the airport.  Every thing on my to-do-list were scratched off.  Having my last piece of peanut butter sandwich with the last of the soy m.  The boys do sense something is going on – they are clingy and Cooper is already merajuk-ing since last night.  I patted him, he turned away and less than a minute of me patting him, he walked/moved away.  Tantrums from a DOG!!!  Can’t believe it!

Anyways, I got everything packed into on check-in luggage, less than 50 pounds.  Phew!!  Was so worried about that.

And now, I have this nervous, butterflies in my tummy.  Must be worried about the check-in and the short timing I have to get to the departure terminal at Dallas/Fort Worth connecting to Narita.

OK, peeps, those of you folks in  KUL/Ipoh, I hope to get hold of you guys.

Ta-ta for now! :D

The things to do tomorrow, Friday, before I leave for my trip, not in order:-

1. Go to Tar-get boutique, Target in other words
2. Complete and fax hotel credit card guarantee forms
3. Laundry – some shirts and capris
4. Clean the shower – know DB won’t do it
5. Download pictures from memory cards to PC
6. Clean out memory cards
7. Charge batteries for both cameras
8. Complete the little bag for camera
9. Brush the boys
10. Pick up my stuff off the dining table
11. Confirm tickets
12. Print out hotel information
13. Bank

I think I’m pretty much set except for the above and pack whatever that’s laying on the spare bed.  I am getting excited for the trip now.  I took tomorrow off and I’m glad I did.  There seems to be so much to do.  I’m sure there are more to do on the above list.  I thinking I’m forgetting something already. Oh well, if I don’t come back here to update before I leave Saturday morning, Saturday evening, Malaysian time, that means I’m already on my way.  Ttfn, folks.

I will be joining my brother and my parents in Beijing this coming June and also visit other cities while we are in China.  It’s going to be a short 2 weeks look-see, look-see trip.  Yes, I’m excited to balik thong-san!

My bro is sponsoring my trip, however, he is smart.  I have to do the homework for him.  See lah, nothing is free, you know!  I need to check out the hotels and tours.  My mom would like to stay in one of those many courtyard style hotels in Beijing.  I have been scanning through those websites and will have to decide which one I want to reserve. 

Then comes to the tours.  I know it’s cheaper to book the tours while in China, but my parents, bro and I don’t speak mandarin.  Dielah!  Sure get slaughtered by the Chinese!  Now, I’m debating to book them online or while we are there.  Something for me to think about.  There are a couple more months left but I soon get a decision.  My parents have already decided which cites they will be visiting.  And I think the last stop is to visit my dad’s kampung.

After the 2 weeks in China, I will be in Ipoh for a week plus, than to Spore for a few days to hand over the souveniers my sis wants us to get for her.  Yeah, one of them is a rock/brick or something along that specimen, from the Great Wall!!!!  And a ton of pics that she already requested us to take.  She can’t join us, and by the way, she is our itinerary planner.  Hence, have to make her happy.  :)

Yes, I’m so looking forward to meet my parents again and see my bro.  The last I saw him was 2005, I think.  It will be a nice little reunion minus my sis. :(

I am glad I have next week off. I will have a total of 12 days off including weekends. It would be nice if I can go somewhere, but I will make use of the free time to do my things. Just chill and clear the bookshelves that is cluttered with all sorts of crap and, of course, the dust balls are definitely make a nice cozy home on those shelves. I know I will be at the sewing machine and I cannot stop browsing at Joann’s website.  Can’t believe I am looking at fabrics.

I received the CD from the SinCity Skydiving, LV couple of weeks ago.  I uploaded them to Photobucket and forgot about it.  I have the DVD too, but I cannot figure how to upload it.  Yeah, I had to pay another $20 for the Cd and DVD since I lost/left them in the hotel room.  We spoke to the housekeeping manager, yet we were not able to find it.  So here are the slides, not the best shots.

The day I drove in Las Vegas was the worse day of all my years of driving.  First of, I it was already dark and my sense of direction is practically zippo and the gas and brake pedals were so touchy.  Then I cannot blow steam out my way which I think y’all know my style.  The next thing was we have to pick the man up from the hotel and we were driving up and down Las Vegas Boulevard a few times before we got to the hotel to load him up.

Once we got there, we went right to Fremont Avenue for the night show. Made a few videos but the audio was kinda crappy. Here are a couple. Pass it if you are not up to it.

Actually when we got there the show started and was told it will come on again every 30 minutes.  So, we had to walk around amongst the sea of people.  It was almost 9 p.m. I think and there were a ton of humans around listening to bands, drinking, just bumming around like us and some were really rowdy.  I as usual had my camera out taking this picture and that all over the place.

 The Gentleman’s Club, thought I put this more decent picture up!

She’s for real up there, dancing to a tune.

By the time we were done standing around,not doing much, and stomach growling for food, we called and asked for directions to Chinatown.  So we walked out and for some reason we thought we should hang around for a few just in case the show comes on.  Low and behold, it did.  It was nice and I can stay for another 30 to see the next one.  But we didn’t.  Remember?  I was the driver??? 

Back to the car we did and headed to Chinatown which I don’t what the excitement was about.  Not much to see when it’s dark with some lighted buildings here and there.  I was just pissed having to drive around not knowing where to go even with verbal directions, me huffing, puffing, sighing (i’m really good at that, like what Corrine always says “Hai, hai sang”) and finally Tammy volunteered to drive.  Lord knows how much I love her!!

We eventually got to a strip mall of Asian restaurants and we picked one that served Chinese food/dimsum.  Leong was the only one who was really starving.  David was fast asleep, I didn’t care what they want to eat coz I was not that hungry, all I wanted was water.  Ice cold water never tasted so good  when your previous meal was laden with MSG (ajinomoto).

I asked for ice water and the waitress gave me a blank look and that boils me.  Apparently she was from China and don’t speaka-Engalish.  Sweet.  Gotta wait for the, looks to me the lady boss, who was very chatty with Corrine they speak Mandarin and Cantonese.   Corrine asked her for ice water for all of us and the “lady boss” said that waitress do not understand English, “Sorry-ah.”  The Tans placed the orders, I just want to get back to the hotel for a shower. 

When the food came I was actually hungry.  We had fried tofu, lo meen or some kind of noodles and Mongolian beef.  Good food but a tad too salty for my already dehydrated system.  David slept right through the entire dinner.

By the time we got done with our food, we had to look for a gas station to fill up the tank and if possible a car wash since we were not suppose to drive the rental car on gravel roads, we did and the price to pay for was a very dusty, dirty car.  I guess there was no such thing as car wash stations in Las Vegas.  Even gas stations were hard to come by.  When we found one, there was no car wash which we kinda thought.  Oh well, hopefully the car rental company will not add an extra charge on Tammy’s card.

Once we got back to the hotel, we had to return the stroller and I jumped right into the shower.  When I was done, I thought the other folks will be out like a light, but no, they were chatting.  They asked me if I wanted to hit the casino.  I said no coz I have already overspent with hardly any cash on me.  Corrine said I can go down and accompany them which I did.  Boy, did she have some good luck.  She two machines which struck some $$ for her.  All in all I think she won $160, enough to get her money back from the fees she had to pay for the Grand Canyon tour for her and David.

Driving in Vegas really is not my forte if you are not used to the other cars all over ya.  If I have driven in KL long enough I think my level of pissiness will be lower.  Don’t ask me to drive in Vegas again.

We got woke up at 6:30 a.m. since Leong had to go for his conference.  I, of course, can’t sleep once I’m disturbed from my slumber.  Plus we need to get our butts up for our big day, the Grand Canyon tour.  I rised everyone up, changed and walked next door to Treasure Island Hotel and Casino and looked high and low for the Dollar Rental Car company.

Finally found it and had to deal with this lady who was so darn painful to talk to.  Corrine said she was not helpful and I find her not friendly at all.  Simply no customer service skills.  Anyways, Tammy did all the paperwork and since I was the second driver, I had to pay $10 just to drive.  Got the keys and off we go looking for a red Dogde Avenger and then the blind leading the blind starts.

Tammy was the driver and I already told them, I can only drive, don’t bother asking me directions because my sense of directions abso-f’ing-lutely stinks.  We finally found a 7-11 and Tammy and Corrine managed to get directions to get out of Las Vegas and the first stop out of Vegas was Lake Mead.

Lake Mead enroute to Hoover Dam

Then we passed by Hoover Dam but we didn’t stop since there were a million cars there and construction too.  I only snapped pictures in the car.  I didn’t even know the dam was between Nevada and Arizona.  Arizona is mountain time which is only an hour behind Nevada.

The journey was a pleasant one.  David was doing really good.  Sang, talked and played his Game Boy.  Not much whining!   The road to the dam was winding and once we got out of the dam area, the roads were as straight than a ruler with desert along both sides.  It so reminds me of the movie Thelma and Louise. 

Next stop was a scenic view stop.  Why we stopped there was because we needed additional directions to Grand Canyon.  Tammy and Corrine only got directions to get out of Vegas and towards the dam.  So happened there was a AZ highway trooper at the stop, and it was a good opportunity to ask him where was the best place to have a bite to eat.  He recommended Rosie’s Den which was true to his words.  Really good ham, burger and breakfast food.

From Rosie’s it was another 1 hour drive to the Canyon.  There was a 12 miles of gravel road which one can only go about 25 – 30 mph.  Once we made the turn where it says Grand Canyon West, $20 Parking Fee, we were glad, happy.  There were rows and rows of Joshua trees along the way and the scenery was just awesome. 

We reached the parking/bus/choppper terminal, paid the $20 fee, and was directed to our parking spot.  There were so many folks out there.  We got our tickets for the tour which cost $30 per person and if you want to do the Skywalk tour, you need to pay another $30.  Not cheap, but what the heck.  I think it’s all once in a life time experience.

Hopped on the bus and off we went to Eagle Point where the Skywalk is.

See the shape of the eagle?  That was how the name Eagle Point came into existence.

The Colorado River in the background and the Skywalk on the top left. Before we can walk onto the Skywalk, we needed to put all our belongings in a locker.  No camera, cellphone, water or anything that’s on you.  Then you sorta go through a security scanner thingy and put on some booties over your shoes and then you are there right on the Skywalk.  Tammy was afraid of heights, so she was on the side of the skywalk most of the time.  The rest of us, we were all over the place from side to side.  You can definitely look down from the glass.   Very cool and I love it.  I guess because I love heights!  Now, for more money spending, if you want your picture taken, you have tell the photographers there.  It cost $21+ per picture, all framed up for you.  I got one for myself too which I will try to scan it and put it up here later.

A showings of Indian village.  The above two tipis are for summer where you walked in and you can feel the coolness of it.  The tipis are made of four sticks as foundation and the rest of the sticks just lay one on top of each other.  There are also tipis made for winter and a place for healing.

From Eagle Point we hopped on the bus again to the other side of the Canyon where one can see the canyon from all sides.

A better view of the Colorado River

From there we took the bus back to the terminal for our trip back to Vegas.  Actually the fee we paid for the tour we can still go to more place like horse trail rides, the ranch for a sunset dinner and something else which i forgot.

For the ride home, I drove and gave Tammy a breather.  On the way, we stopped over at the dam for some pictures.

The construction of the bridge over the dam.

On the way back, we stopped at Boulder City at an Italian bistro for a snack.  And by the time we got back to Vegas it  was dark and I totally hated the drive.  I was just cursing and swearing under my breath.  The traffic like I said earlier was horrendous let alone driving on roads that were unfamiliar.  Totally sucks big time.

(Pictures of Fremont Avenue tomorrow)
 

After our dinner at the Bellagio, we headed out to look for Grand Canyon tours.  We found one place and we were way too late to make any bookings.  It was already 8ish p.m. and all tours were full or only one or two seats left.  I went a head and book a seat for myself since the other 3 were not that interested.

I paid my deposit and then walked out and half way to Bellagio for the music fountain show, Leong stopped and we had a pow-wow in the middle of the sidewalk.  He said it would be better if we rent a car and then pay the $20 parking fee at the canyon park and then individual fees of $30/person to visit the Grand Canyon West Rim.  If we want to visit the Skywalk, we need to pay another $30/person.  If his mathematical brains, he summed up it would be cheaper if we rent the car since renting a car in Vegas is dirt cheap.  We all agreed and then walked to Bellagio where the music fountain started a minute or two before we got there.

From there we walked to Ceasar’s Palace, The Forum Shops and by then David was already getting really cranky.  That poor kid was tired and wanted to sleep but the stroller was a little too small for him but after a while he knocked out.

Ceasar’s Palace

At The Venetian: The shops along the Canal that runs through the hotel.

Right after the visit to the Venetian, we head back to our hotel to enquire about rental cars.  Unfortunately, we hve to go to the hotel next to ours, Treasure Island, where the nearest rental car was located – Dollar Rental.  Once we got back to our room, we made phone calls to the rental car company and thank god there was a 24-hour operator on call for our questions/bookings.  After every thing was finalized with the rental car company, I then had to call the tour company which I had paid a deposit for the Grand Canyon tour so they don’t have to stop at The Mirage to pick me up.

Dang, another long night.  We didn’t get to sleep till 2:30 a.m.

Day three of our Grand Canyon West rim tour will be tomorrow.  Stay tune.

Our day 2 in Vegas was spent walking and more walking along the Strip and exploring the hotels.  We started off walking from the Mirage to the Fashion Mall for breakfast. 

Siegfried & Roy, the magicians of the century

Porn and more porn along the Strip.  Definitely not a place for kids.

I don’t think I can make it to the Crazy Girls group, but I tried, but again, DB said if I had a pair of F**k me shoes and my butt sticking out, i might make it!

Outside the Sahara Hotel and Casino along the old Strip.

The Stratesphere

From where we were, at the old Strip, we stopped over at the Sahara Hotel and Casino.  Oh yeah I almost forgot to add this, we also rented a stroller for the little boy.  He is already 6 years old so the stroller was actually a little small for him.  Initally, he was actually complaining about it but we told him it’s a no whining day.  So he happily sat in the stroller and thank god for it.  Without the stroller, we will not be able to walk so much.

Ok, back to what I was gonna say, from the old Strip, we bought a day ticket on the monorail.  We had to BS the ticket girl that the boy was only 5.5 years old so his was free.  The ticket was $9.00 per adult.  The monorail starts from the Sahara Hotel and actually depends on where you are, we rode all the way to MGM Grand.

MGM Grand is another lovely hotel.  Its where all the heavy weight boxing competitions were held.  Every single hotel we went to, all guest room elevators have to pass through the casino.  Great thinking, huh.  Another Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas.  Corrine, Tammy and I were thinking of watching this show.  I told them Simmie said KA is the best, full of action, and she was right.  The Filipino lady we were talking to in the Cirque store said the same thing.  It was her favorite, too.

At the MGM Grand and another Cirque du Soleil show

Outside the MGM Grand walking towards the sky bridge towards New York New York.

But we didn’t go to New York New York.  Instead we walked to M&M’s World again because the kid needed to get something and he did not finish seeing the things in there.  From there we had our little snack at a food court.  I had Mexican burrito and we all shared a few little cups of Gelatos.  Gelatos are made of corn and it pretty much tastes like ice-cream but the texture is not the same, a little rough.

From there we walked back to the sky bridge to New York New York.  But of course on the way, it’s picture time of the Pepsi-Cola building, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty.

From there we went to Excalibur.  Walking into that hotel is like walking into a castle, that was how I felt. 

From there we walked out to the desert heat to Luxor.  We were able to see the pyramid when the plane was descending on the day we flew in.   Walking into this part of the hotel is like walking into an oasis.  All the palm trees and the Egyptian figurines, pyramid and Sphinx around you.

After feeling like an Egyptian citizen, we had to walk back to Excalibur to Mandalay Bay to catch the monorail to the Bellagio where we met Leong for dinner.

David and I having a blast with hot babes in the background!

At the Bellagio conservatory garden.

My most expensive buffet ever $30 (including taxes) at the Bellagio.  It was my first time eating  Alaskan King Crab legs.  Dang, they were good, but then I had to think of those folks who had to risk the cold to catch them.  If you watch National Geographic, World Deadliest Job, catching these King crabs is not easy.  I stuffed myself silly with the above crabs, shrimp and more shrimp, salad, noodles, dumplings, cakes, creme bulee, custards, lamb, pork, beef and more dessert.  After all the food, I really paid for it: I planted myself on the throne three times as what David calls it “lau sai”.

(Continuation of our Bellagio, Ceasar Palace, The Venetian tour tomorrow)

After my extreme activity, I got back to our hotel, took a shower and tried to nap coz all the rest of the gang were snoring away.  I tried and tried but no luck.  Finally I got up and called DB, talked for a while and tried to sleep.  Still to no avail.  Leong eventually got up as he was the one who snored the loudest.  He told us we have to get ready quick as he needed to go to the Bellagio to pick up our tickets to the Cirque du Soleil show “O” two hours before start time which was 10:30 p.m. 

We got to the Bellagio with a lot of picture taking on the way to the hotel and got our tickets and more pictures. 

Outside The Forum Shops

The Eiffel Tower from the Bellagio

Outside the “O” theater

Inside the Cirque du Soleil souvenier store

After we got our tickets, we had to look for food.  I was so hungry since I threw up my breakfast and no lunch for the day.  The rest of them had lunch.  So we went hunting down an ad we saw along the way the Strip for prime rib at $14.99.  Dirt cheap, if you asked me.  We eventually found it hidden in some older hotel which I forgot to take a picture.  The restaurant reminds me of Perkins or Baker’s Square but more Victorian style.  The restaurant also serves Chinese food.  We walloped our dinner really quickly and hurried to the Bellagio for our “O” show.

Too bad we cannot take any pictures in the theater.  The flashes from the cameras will interfere with the performers.  So, no pictures from this exquisite performance.  It was our first Cirque du Soleil show, it was fantastic.  Just lovely.  Very comical too and there are quite a bit of action.  There are some parts that almost put me to sleep.  Yes, I was nodding off since it was 11:30 pm PST and 1:30 a.m. CST plus with only 4 hours of sleep the night before.  The show ended at 12:15ish a.m. 

When we walked back to our hotel, I was just dying to get back as quick as I could.  I was dead beat.  When we got back all of us went to bed and then the freight train starts.  I had to turn the fan on in the bathroom to drown the noise out. 

(Day 2 at Lost Wages will continue tomorrow)