Viva Las Vegas!
By Braddah Lance
C'mon, who hasn't SEEN Las Vegas?
Ok, who hasn't BEEN to Las Vegas?
Uh, have you even HEARD of Las Vegas?
There's no doubt that Vegas is ever changing and even more so now with the new hugemangeous City Center up. Chances are if you blink, there's something probably that you wish you could have seen but isn't there any more. Besides gambling, there's tons to do if you look and/or want.
I dunno about you but I'm kinda ovah Vegas.
Yeah, you heard right. Don't know if it's MLC - oh wait, no can use dat cause I no stay at The Cal or Main Street - but I'm kinda ovah da whole neon lights thing, huge buffet and "free" drinks. I've done da Hoover Dam, Mt.Charleston, Red Rock and even drove up north to Utah to snowboard but wen I stay with Da Wife, she's done those things too (except da snowboard part) and she's not too keen on da driving long distances unless absolutely necessary so besides da shopping and kau kau, she's ovah Vegas too.
I'd love to do a Grand Canyon tour, white water rafting or maybe even an Area 51 campout... but Da Wife not into dat kine stuff. My friends and I have had a tough time getting our schedules all synched so we haven't had a boys trip in a few years and with our "bettah halves" in da picture, shmall kine hard.
For me, Vegas has lost it's wide-eyed luster but there's always the gambling. 
You can't get away from dat. So wat do Da Wife and I do besides shop? Try to find new and interesting things that we haven't seen or done the last time we're there and of course, trying to find da ono grinds doesn't hurt either. 
So hea's a few things to check out if you haven't done so before..............
Well maybe not to check out but you do know dat Vegas is da 9th Island right?
Can't start off a day in Vegas without a good hearty breakfast and judging from da 30 minute wait dis place has got to be good especially wen backed by Man vs Food and Rachel Ray!
Da Wife's plate. Fo'got wat she got but it had chorizo in it and da homemade biscuit was to die for!
Andy's Sage Fried Chicken w/ fresh spinach, hardwood smoked bacon, market tomatos, homemade biscuit, egg, mozzarella and chipotle cream
If you go and you hungry... GET THIS ONE! Supah hugemangeous, supah ono and guaran's kanacks.
Was there any doubt I couldn't finish it?
Can't argue with saving da planet 
Anybody know CPR?
Have you evah seen Downtown like dis?
Don't even ask me wat da heck was going on in dat tent but they had full on ID check and only let in a specific numbah of people at a time... only in Vegas
I thought dis was sooo funny. Don't get it yet? Da name boasts "neon" but da neons no work. 
By the way - I bet a ton of you don't know - dis is da beginning of da "old school" Neon Museum. 10 refurbished neon signs from waaay back in da day have been put back into circulation and are indicated by plaques along dis short walkway at Fremont Street.
Bet you didn't know there was a pretty big history wall map of Downtown Las Vegas near da theaters huh? Did you even know Downtown had theaters?
Don't do it......
Fremont Experience light show
Wat happened to Chevron?
A must stop.... In N Out burgers! Double for me and a single for Da Wife - both animal style!
And animal style fries of course!
Uh.... dunno wat to make of dis sign. So does dat mean Vegas' watah is dat bad dat they have to "import" watah?
HNL2LAS joined us for dinnah at Sushi on Rainbow.... and then I found out she doesn't eat seafood. WWD! Was great to meet up with a Kwonic!
City Center
It wasn't as "exciting" as they made it seem. Unless you're a guest or a resident at City Center, it's almost like there's nothing to do because a majority of the place is for guests only. There's art work, not all stores are open and it's very very fancy.
You see da "different" windows at da Mandarin Hotel? It's actually da lobby on da 23rd floor.
Da ugly side of Vegas. And wen we we were there, someone had actually damaged the 'Welcome To Vegas' sign with red paint.
Pink's Hot Dogs at Planet Holleywood
Chili cheese fries, Spicy Mojave Dog - Ono! and The Showgirl Dog
It's hella expensive for "dogs" but gotta try once right?
Oh yeah, had a Coke too
Can't forget dessert
SHOUT OUT: MUCHOS MAHALOS to all who stopped by with goodies and those who were visiting from off island and da mainland who took some time out of their vacation to stop by!
I especially liked those who even mailed Christmas Cards and photos! Now those were a real treat as they were even HANDWRITTEN! WOW! Amazing there's still people who do dat!
Don't want to name names but you know who you are... I hope.
Wassup Wit Dat!
December 30th, 2009 at 3:08 am
I haven't been to LV since I left there over 5 years ago! I lived there 10 years before moving to the south. My dad loved Las Vegas and, he and my mom used to go often. I liked living there because it was the one place I could live where I would see them often. My dad passed away 9 years ago. He really enjoyed going to LV and was a die-hard downtown guy. They either stayed at The Cal, Fremont or Main Street. He even knew what kinds of buffets Main Street had every night. Yeah, he liked to gamble but was careful with his money. But he also loved the food. Seriously, sometimes I miss the great buffets LV had to offer. I enjoyed looking through your trip pictures! Seems like there's always something new coming up in LV. Have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year BL! Looking forward to more WWD blogs!
December 30th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Happy New Year BL!
I don't go to Vegas all that often, last time was the year of that BI earthquake that caused the power outtage. We just landed, were having bkfst at The Wynn, and everybody's text msging went crazy!
I don't think I could go 3-4 times a yr like some people do, but I'd like to go every couple of yrs to go shopping in late Sept. Not to mention to visit friends that have moved up there.
I enjoy the shows, last one I saw was Ka... awesome! It's Cirque du Soleil on steroids.
December 30th, 2009 at 5:47 am
Howzit BL! I've never been to Vegas, but now I'm just a day's drive from there. I'll go someday, maybe. Hope you got my card. I thought you were just going to Seattle!, but you guys had a heck of a trip
Ten bucks says OL's gonna ask if he's an uncle
December 30th, 2009 at 5:58 am
BL: Thanks for sharing your great photos. Looks like you both had a great time!!! Have you started your diet now?
Scott: Only a sucker would take that bet.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Howzit BL and all you Kwonincs, Lanceformers and Lurkahs.
Ho cuz, I like one Ketchup bottle li'dat so I can make my chili peppe watah. So cool you wen meet up with HNL2LAS. Us miss her ova hea but she gotta do wat she gotta do.
Cool pics man. Takes fo taking us on your trip. Now if I can get some more vacation time, I'm outta hea. But somebody gotta work.
Pidgin word of da day?
bamboocha or bumboocha
(bahm boo cha)
Definition: huge; large; big
Used In A Sentence: The surf stay bamboocha.
In English?: Have you heard the surf report today? The surf is HUGE!
yep yep yep, BL stay eat da kine bamboocha hamburgah
Have a good one gang.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Wow, BL, I'm hungry and it's only 8:30 Seattle time! You guys really knew where to grind!
Great pitchas, once again.
Since I'm not a gambler, I'm not crazy about Vegas either. I like the shows there, though - Cirque du Soleil (some friends call it "Cirque du So What").
December 30th, 2009 at 6:23 am
So sorry dea BL, das not one Ketchup bottle but I like one dat size.
Since I not the gambling type, I no mind cruising around and checking out da sights. I Went to Grand Canyon (but not the white water rafting or mule ride cause they had weight limit and I get big bones
) Hey maybe I can get cheap fights to Vegas and go drive to Utah to see my niece dem.
Thanks again.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Howzit BL!
I'm not the Vegas type, I haven't been there that much and I don't gamble. masako likes to gamble so while she's gambling I walk around the hotel grounds or walk to another hotel and come back and she's still gambling. I like going to see shows and eating of course.
Great pictures! I like the food ones da bestes.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:50 am
KAN: hahaha! The first time I saw Mystere it was by chance we were given tickets. My friend and I sat there with that "this is so strange" looks on our faces. Then the music got into me and then the Chinese acrobats and taiko drums... I was hooked.
Ka was another one, my boss' friend treated our office to that one and like said... CdS on steroids. 3-D. Stuff happening all over the place.
Took my daughter when she was small to the Excalibur show and that was fun.
Gambling is limited to slot machines. Played Black Jack only once. It involves counting, which I have to do every day. Didn't want to do it while on vacation so I went back to the machines. Mindless entertainment.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:13 am
actually only been to vegas as a stopover from utah. not into the gambling . we may go summer time and after looking at all the pics of food, we going eat our way thru there.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Have really enjoyed your vacation! I almost feel like I got to go, but I didn't gain ten pounds. Whoo hoo! Vegas not really my thing. Doubt I would ever go. Hawaii is my thing and my husband surprised my with a trip to paradise. I am so excited! Any advice on where to eat, what not to miss?
December 30th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Yoooooo howzit BL and everybody out dea
Man you stay take choke pics
tanks. Gatta talk to you latta's bout the eatin places 
We used to go Lost Wages often butt now kinda lost the feeling
den again who like give money away anyway 
NKHEA.....still waitin for our challenge
December 30th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Aloha! Great pics! making me hungry again. I've never been there since I'm not into gambling but always wanted to go for the shows and food.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Nice post and photos, BL. I laugh when I see that commercial about going to vegas and that 99% of locals love to gamble...I don't think so, better ways to travel or spend your entertainment money...maybe it's 73%?
@hawaiiobsessed, you not from here? and you going to Hawaii for first time? ...maybe BL can do a special post of where to eat and what not to miss in Hawaii...BL's kim chi is one.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Hey BL,
Like da pic's, I'm kinda getting like you, that it is not what it used to be, especially since my breakup. I still want to go at least 1 time a year to see my Granddaughter's, they make the time the bestest.
Don't gamble too much just cruise, buy tennis stuff (tax write off). And eat, sometimes too much. Thanks for all the stuff you posted this year and a "Happy New Year" to you, wifey, and all the Triad.
Going to take my grandson's home and visit the Maui Ohana, so you all take care and becareful. May 2010 be a better year for all.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:21 am
RBB have a great one. See you next year.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Thanks for another great post! Loved the pix.
I don't gamble but still like to go to LV once a year. I like the energy and people watching. I only go for a couple of days because more than that is too much. I have been bugging my husband to go for a few months but no go yet.
@hawaiiobsessed - What island are you going to and when? We are missing our trip in 2010 because tickets are too expensive.
I am sure the Kwonics can give you great ideas about where to go and eat. Have a wonderful time!
Happy New Year everyone!!
December 30th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Yup. There's always something new whether it's new buildings, new shows, new chefs, new clubs... Vegas is da entertainment capital of da world.
Rogah dat!
......................................
......................................
Not quite yet.....
Same hea.... well actually twice a year is good but I'd settle for even once a year.
Das da one and only "big" production show Da Wife and saw and it wasn't bad. And yeah, it was acrobatics on steroids.
........................................
........................................
Are you kidding me?! You're from da mainland and you'e nevah been?
Next time I'm up there I'll show YOU da ropes. 
We don't even have to gamble.... maybe white water rafting? 
Got your card - LOVED da pic! Good thing he looks like your wife.
Seattle was just da warm up. 
It's was a very long trip but das cause we're probably no can afford to go anywhere in 2010 cause of "stuff" and all. 
I'll give anyone 10 to 1 odds dat OL is DYING to ask.
......................................
......................................
Isn't dat wat da New Year is for?
Ok, 20 to 1.
.....................................
.....................................
Huh?
Yeah it was cool. I had to make it up to her cause I missed her send off from Hawaii.
I know I know... I've been slacking on dat but there's always next year.
.......................................
.......................................
You know wat's really funny? Seattle and Portland we "had" to find and ask places to grind but Vegas? We winged it with da exception of Hash House A Go Go.
Have your friends saw one of da Cirque shows called Crazy Horse? I can bet you they would call it something else.
Vegas is pretty trippy dat you don't have to gamble but it is wat drives people there in da first place right?
......................................
......................................
Glad you put on your glasses.
Au'right! Scott we got a third for white watah rafting! Just need five more and we're all set!
Cheap flights? Good luck. Da best bet - for flights alone - is to fly into LA and drive from there.... then you can drive me to Utah to snowboard and you can see your niece - works out perfect!
We can do a WWD! road trip! 
.....................................
.....................................
There's tons of those.
.......................................
.......................................
Damn! I gotta work there. You get show tickets, dinnahs.... wat else? Get one opening for one blogger?
I only play craps 95% of da time.
......................................
......................................
Huh? Really? I'm sensing a WWD! - I guess gotta invite da ODDah two - Triad Vegas Pah-tay...... da first one to sleep gets their undahwear frozen!
As long as you stay indoors cause Vegas in da summah is killahs! I only travel during wintah time and once we went in early September and it was only 90 degrees but it felt like it was 200!
December 30th, 2009 at 9:18 am
WWD! Road Trip?????
Wea do I sign up. White water rafting? Shoots brah, we go. Just no tell my wife. (bumbye she like come too
)
Ok so get you, me, scott. who else?
December 30th, 2009 at 9:52 am
I'm in too!
December 30th, 2009 at 10:05 am
I want a double double animal style burger and fries for lunch now....
December 30th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Aloha BL,
Hau`oli Makahiki hou! I have changed planes in LV but that is the extent of my knowledge of LV. Not my kine place.....Hawai`i is though!!!! Speaking of tickets, I must have lucked out cuz my ticket non-stop out of PDX was only $320 on Hawaiian for Feb. Hope you make batch of Kim Chee when I there BL!
December 30th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Hey BL -
Nice pics! You and Da Wife sure know how to maximize your vacation!
Been a while since I've gone to Vegas. I think it was maybe 5 years ago? The Wynn was still being built when I was there.
I like to gamble, shop, and of course, EAT! Your pics of the Wynn buffet look KILLAHS! Did it taste as good as it looks?
December 30th, 2009 at 10:54 am
@ M: Guess what I just had for lunch?
@ BL: If anyone wants to go Whitewater rafting count me in!
I used to go 'Vegas all the time but mostly go to the local Indian Ca$ino now. The machines pay off way better than 'Vegas, at least that's my experience. That Hash House A Go-Go looks like someplace I'd love to eat at though!
December 30th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Ugh... you had to remind me huh?
Wen are you coming down? Shoot me an email and I'll get a list started and of course help from Da Hui too.
...................................
...................................
Anytime.
Hmmm.... you gotta play da way I do... knock on wood but I've only "deposited" once and it was shmall kine too.
Well I gotta get my fat okole back into shape so it may be sooner than latah.
.......................................
.......................................
Anoddah Hawaii person nevah go? Wow, for surah we gotta get a Vegas outing planned.
.....................................
.....................................
Really? They say 99%? Wow, dat seems to be an unreal statistic. Dat's just like saying 99% of da people in Hawaii go to da beach all da time.
Rogah dat!
.....................................
.....................................
Have a great time in Maui! I'm surah it'll be much clearer than hea. 2010.... sounds kinda futuristic doesn't it?
.........................................
.........................................
Waaaat? You're husband no like go?
Yeah, da energy and people watching is unreal but dis past time was totally empty. Very uncharacterisc of Vegas.
Have you kept looking? I'm surah airfare will come down... but you're going on a cruise instead right? It's kinda like Hawaii..... you're surrounded by ocean.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:15 am
BL!! I'm sorry LV is so "old" for you guys! hahaa.. Thanks for making it up to me by meeting up for dinner! bahhah.. still had planny stuff I could eat without seafood so was auu guuud! I never would have known that place was there, so thank YOU and the wifey for showing me another place to EAT! bahahha
AND funny you should mention a Las Vegas Pahtay! QB was talking about one for reals too!! So.. I'm looking forward to the Las Vegas Triad Pahtay/roadtrip! hee hee..
December 30th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Ynaku: #5 awwwww.. thanks.... I miss you guys too! I'll see ya'all soon tho, either here or at home!
December 30th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Okay BL to ansa your question; I've never been to vegas! lol I know I suck! puahahahaha
December 30th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Ooooooooohhhhh crap! Were you in Vegas same time as me?? If I knew, I would have made you meet up with me & some others for Metromix food!!
December 30th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
VEGAS!! So jealous!!!
And HNL2LAS is a Honey BEE and Musketeer, not a Kwonic!! That's why she doesn't eat seafood either!!
We're nearly one and the same! 
December 30th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I first saw those fried oreos and twinkies several years ago but didn't get a chance to sample 'em. I went back to Vegas earlier this month and was dying to try them. Unfortunately, we got there five minutes after they closed
Those darn oreos are elusive!!
Also tried to check out that new Aria hotel thing at the City Center but couldn't figure out how to get in. Was there even a self-parking garage open?
Watched Jersey Boys at the Palazzo. The show was definitely awesome. My sister and nieces saw Criss Angel's show at the Luxor and said it was just alright. He's hot but the show's not.
December 30th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
BL - great pikchas brah! dang! you folks when pound eh! dat sage fried chicken plate stay beeg!
In n Out!! grr.....
i not to big on Vegas too these days. i used to go more often before time.
when i got into snowboarding........i just go to Tahoe or Reno during winter and get in da gambling fix at da same time. nuff for me.
December 30th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Shauna! Crack me up!
Skycastles: All the people I know of who went to see Criss Angel's show, said ehhh alright too. Aria's parking bleh I didn't even try, bahaha easier to park at Bellagio or Monte Carlo and "tram" it in. They have valet, but I didn't see self parking open either, if they have one haha.
December 30th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Brah! 'Boys' ONLY!
Unless you one cute wahine. 
.......................................
.......................................
Au'right! WAIT! We only going to go in one circle on da boat cause only get enough for one side!
Po-ta-gee style? 
Me too.
All I have for lunch today is Doritos cheesy mix and a banana. 
......................................
......................................
Au'riiiight! Dat's a pretty good price! Feb is our "off-season" so good for you! And rogah dat on da kim chee - just let me know a few days before you want 'em and I'll mix up a batch for you....... in exchange for some Voodoo Doughnuts.... or In N Out..... I guess Krispy Cremes will suffice.
Jus' joke! But give me a few days so dat I can prepare it.... sorry, I no provide rice. 
........................................
........................................
You know dat!
Didn't they build da Wynn ovahnight?
Eh
To tell you da truth, da first couple times we went we were impressed but dis time, not so much so. Dunno why but I thought they had "generic" entrees out even though we went on da busy Friday night buffet. Maybe they cutting back who knows... but I still did pound five plates worth. 
.......................................
.......................................
Oh no you didn't!
Au'right! Now we get chance fo' turn!
You know I always past by an Indian - btw, why isn't dat called a "Native American" casino? - but nevah had da inclination to go in. I hear from a LOT of people they like it but I nevah go.
I'll tell ya wat, da pics seriously does not do it justice! Da portions are so huge, wen most people pau, it looks like they nevah even start and wen all da entrees come with an 8" steak knife stabbed in da middel to hold things up, dat's a sign!
December 30th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
my sis, bro-in-law and husband and I did the NCL Hawaii cruise a few years ago. That got me hooked for sure on Hawaii and loving it. Wanted to come back and stay on one Island. Last year our whole family went to celebrate my Dad and Mom's 40th and his retirement. The tickets on Hawaii Air went down to $320 from Phoenix so we are making a trip back. I love Hawaii. BL and all you people who comment on this blog are so friendly and funny and nice. I am so happy to be making a trip back in Feb. Staying on the North Shore. I can't deal with the Waikiki crowds and expense! Definately going to get me some Roselani Haupia ice cream and hit Ted's Bakery. Haven't made it to the shrimp trucks yet. My kids just want to swim and play on the beach.
December 30th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
And I nevah even notice was in Koreatown.
We'll see...... she knows I no travel during summah so I bet she going try make 'em dat time.
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
Uh huh. C'mon, I know how you roll......... WITHOUT me! I see how it is - not once, not twice but all da time.
........................................
........................................
Whaaaa? You jealous? Naw?!
Your brainwashing may have got her mind but if you cut her.... she bleeds WWD!.
........................................
........................................
Make surah you have someone around dat knows CPR ok?
C'mon! You tink rich people park their own cars?
Hmmm, anyone see Penn & Teller? Or how about Danny Gans before he passed? Now dat was one show I wished I had saw before it was gone.
.....................................
.....................................
Brah, you don't even know da half of it. Da chicken was split in da middle with each side just about as big as my hands and then they were about an inch thick too! And dat steak knife holding everything together was unreal tall! I should have taken a pictah next to my face to show how big it was.
Hmmmm...... snowboarding and white watah rafting and gambling and grindz..........
.........................................
.........................................
Did you see da horns... or should I say da stingah?
Yeah, dat place not to friendly on da walking cause you gotta go up then down then up then down.
December 30th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Eh BL I in for the rafting too
NKHEA..... can bring his SUP
December 30th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Did I hear something about a 9th island WWD/Triad outing/party? I'm all in!
I have to agree about being burnt out on LV. We used to go every couple weeks and for the 1st few years we never even left the casino except to eat and maybe sleep. As ownerships and focus changed it became less fun to gamble and we started to venture out a bit. We finally stopped going regularly when we no longer felt we were getting a fair gamble. Now I only go a couple times a year with friends or for work.
Everyone have a safe and Happy New Year!
Alan from Makiki
December 30th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Hey BL.
Great recap again.
Making me excited for my March trip. I don't gamble much either. Only the slots and only a limited $$ amount.
I gotta try that animal style at In and Out.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
getting in late, but...yeah, I'm over vegas, too. used to love it but the bloom is off the rose. after counting, comp whoring, and playing poker for a living, I guess I'm immune to the bells and whistles a little. now, i don't mind going to eat or walk around during a work function, but I haven't been there for a vacation in years.
December 31st, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Sorry late again...kinda under the weather...the voggy weather.
Thanks for the pictures of the grindz!!! BL OVER VEGAS?! Say it isn't so!
Happy new year!
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Well BL we have a place here in my town that was on some show about good doughnuts. It's called Spudnuts and it's been around forever; they make the donuts with potato flour and they the bomb. I bring some with me if you like.