Roll with the punches and you'll come out on top.

Life never goes as one plans, that is what makes it so extraordinarily wonderful - it always has a surprise in store.

We decided March was going to be our "DATE" day.  My hub and I have been married for a looooong time, but we have not been away alone in 12 years.  We have always had the kids with us at any given moment.  It was due time, it was on my goal list and it was going to happen!

My step by step plans for the day were as follows :-

1.
Have a relaxing, quiet breakfast at "Paris".  (The hotel under the "Eiffel Tower" across the street from Ceasars Palace.

 (CHR)

 

We talk softly and coo at each other, as we sit at the wrought iron tables at the Parisian sidewalk cafe, eat croissants and drink hot tea.

(As we have, in actual fact, done the REAL Paris in France thing, along with the eating and drinking leisurely thing there, I knew exactly what to expect of course!) 

2.
We would stroll hand in hand from "Paris" down to the Venetian Hotel - where we would take a gondola ride around the hotel.  (I'm sure it will be maximum 20 to 30 minutes.)

3.
The rest of the day would be spent absorbing each others company - probably by the pool and in the room - hanging out, loving and adoring one another, making hot steaming love...

DING DONG!

sorry for the interruption - that was the doorbell - back to what I was saying...

making hot steaming lovely chocolate, tea or coffee, whatever, for one another and eating s'mores.

4.
Have a fabulously yummy dinner at an expensive restaurant and go to our show.  (A comedy/magician act, kind of show thingy.)



The day as it unfolded :-

1.
We fought our way out the hotel which began to fill with weekend visitors arriving.  Followed the crowds over the walkways and down to the other side of the road, and up to "Paris".   Opened the doors to the casino patron's cigarette smoke, which filled our throats and  lungs, encouraging us to make a hasty exit.

2.
We continued to battle the crowds and by this time were accustomed to, although still unhappy with, the pornographic hooker's cards consistently being flicked in our faces every few meters.   Honestly?  We're holding hands for crying in the bucket...  Do we LOOK like we're in need of any additional physical attention?

After what seemed to be quite a while, we found ourselves at our destination - The Venetian Hotel.  Beautiful.  I loved it!

 (CHR)

If you have to stay in Las Vegas, this is the hotel to stay at.  It is quiet.  It is beautiful.  (PS - not that I consider the above to be the beautiful part - but, the hotel itself is lovely.) AND, the casino is away from the main entrance.

 (CHR)

 

The shops are classy and still within price range.  The people polite, friendly and still give you space.

We made our way down to the gondolas.  Ha!  It's like being rowed up and down a long swimming pool...  (I really thought, the canal went all the way around the hotel), after a good giggle we decided to keep walking.   I will say this though - the gondola operators have the most incredibly beautiful voices.   Their voices are captivating, particularly with the acoustic domes at either end of the pool.

4.
We threw in the towel on the pre-paid show, when we realised it was far out, in the downtown area.  We decided we weren't up for the nonsense of crowds and taxi's, in exchange for a show that may turn out to be a dud.  In other words, once we got back to the hotel, we weren't leaving the quietness AND space of our room.


3.  Oh yes...
...The hot chocolate and s'mores ?...  Absolutely delicious!