Vice City

Las Vegas & Grand Canyon
24 December 06 - 27 December 06

Greed, lust, money & neon lights. Throw them all together, you have Las Vegas. This place is really a vice city. The moment I step out of my plane in the McCarren Airport, I am greeted by jackpot machines. I was like whoa!

Jackpot Machines in the Airport

Haiz, and to think that I was expecting some grand Xmas celebration in Vegas. Oh no, how wrong I am. People still get on with their daily lives of gambling and gambling and gambling. The moment you step into any hotels in Vegas, you will probably struggle to locate the lobby to check into your hotel. I have to navigate across the gambling table etc.. before I can make my way to the check in counter. They probably need a map at the main door for tourist like me to get past all these "Black jacks", "Poker", "Pai Gow" tables. But nevertheless, it was really an experience ( Come to think of it, this word "experience" must have appeared countless times in any Student's blog on an exchange). By the time I arrived in Vegas, it was nearing midnight. No fanciful coutndowns but plenty of really cool hotels. No wonder they call it a city of neon nights. The decor is really fantastic.

MGM Grand

On the whole of Xmas day, I spent the whole day walking the Vegas Strip. Immersing myself in the way of life of Vice City. As I was looking around, I realise that alot of celebrities have decided to ply their trades in Vegas exclusively. Jerry Seinfield and Celine Dion in Caesar Palace, Toni Braxton in Flamengo and apparently they are paid alot alot alot of money to do so. As the night descend, you will start to see the nice and cool lighting of the hotels. From the lion of MGM to Coliseum in Caesar Palace and the Spinx and Pyramid of Luxor. It was absolutely fantastic. But this trip was marred by the many attempts to contact Papillon to arrange a pick up time from my hotel Sahara to Grand Canyon. I even have to bother my sis in Singapore to help me log on the internet to blast them over email. (Internet in Vegas is freaking expensive). Other than this small glitch, it was pretty ok. Of course, there are many pimps around in Vegas at night soliciting for business. Haa, Vice City at its max. There are also plenty of strip shows. For the guys, its the "Crazy girls" at Rivieria Hotel, "Bite" at Stratosphere and "Fantasy" at Luxor to name a few. For the ladies, there are "Chippendales" and "Thunder from Under" to name a few. There are equal chances for everyone so no worries.

The Pilot and the Chopper

Yup, this is the nice chopper that brought me to the foot of Grand Canyon. The view was really really really breathtaking. The only sad part is that it was too cloudy and the sunset view wasn't as great as a result. Once we descend, the pilot would prepare a nice lunch and pop a champagne. Pretty neat stuff to celebrate the descend to the foot of Grand Canyon. After flying around Grand Canyon, I went back to Stratosphere to enjoy the thrill rides. Seriously, throwing you around from more than 1000 ++ feet above ground is no joke. It was really thrilling and my hair literally stand up. Should really try them out if anyone of you guys happen to pop by Las Vegas. Alright, after this, its back to NY for New Year celebration at Times Square.

San Francisco

22 December 2006 – 24 December 2006
San Francisco

It was a very very good holiday in San Francisco. My hostel was well located. Near the Fisherman Wharf, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate. Very relaxing trip. Every morning, when you wake up, enjoy your complimentary breakfast and after that take a short walk down the bridge and enjoy the scenery. Golden Bridge is on my left and Alcatraz is on my right, breathing in the fresh air, how nice man. Its definitely a break from the busy life of NY and Singapore. When I landed on the 22 Dec, I had some problem finding the hostel. Haa, but that’s cause I wanna save some money and have decided to take public transport instead. But it was good, save quite a bit and you get to see the city from the tram. Yes, haa, its an old school tram, pretty unique experience. By the time I check in, it was around 3:30 pm, so I have decided to tour around Fisherman Wharf. Whoa, its seafood heaven man. Had clamp chowder on bread, half lobster and some fresh prawns. It is really good man. The night view is also very pretty. All nicely lighted up and man I almost forgot that it’s Christmas till I saw the trees and all. Merry Xmas to all of you back home!

Al Capone

The next day, I went to visit Alcatraz, home to some of the most famous criminals. People like Machine Gun Kelly and of course my all time favorite AL Capone also stayed there for a while. I really like this guy, cos he epitomizes the spirit of “If you wanna do it, do it well and end with a bang.” This guy may be a well known mafia head but the cops have no way of apprehending him till Federal government revises the tax law to nail him. In addition, the public love him. They will cheer for him in stadium when he takes his seat. How’s that for a mafia head. I shall not rattle on and on about him but haa, I actually bought a mug that has his picture. After that I went to Chinatown. Touted to be the biggest in the whole of US. NY is 2nd but I think its almost the same. Nothing much there though. But interestingly, some of the buildings in San Francisco Chinatown put on the Taiwan Flag and some the China Flag. Whoa, pretty political stuff there man. Ended my day by walking around the market street.

Biking to Golden Gate

The 3rd day is crazy shit. I woke up pretty early, rented a bike and started my bike trail around San Fran. Initially, I only wanna cycle across Golden Gate and to Suasalito bay and take the ferry back to San Francisco (This will be ~9 miles). But later, I got a bit adventurous and decided to cycle to Palace of the Legion of Honours. Man, I think that is around 3 miles. To and fro, add another 6 miles. It seems short but the terrain is crazy. It’s more like an endurance race for me. I kept thinking, whether I should just give up. The terrain is like the race track in Initial D the movie. Yeah, upslope and winding. Imagine doing a drift there and I will be over the hill and dead. Then I kept asking directions. Then this lady I met was pretty funny. She was jogging along this trail (Pretty fit lady) and she guided me. Initially I went past her, then later too shag, I got off the bike and walked with my bike. She ran past me and guided me once more cos I felt abit lost again. Then she told me that the movie star Robin Williams stays around the corner. Yeah, that place is a rich man area, judging by the cars there and nice big sea view. She should be pretty rich there since she is heading there and stays there. Haa, later I went past her again, (Pride problem) and she laugh. Later, she shouted, “just right in front and Merry Xmas!” Haa, I shouted back the same and yeah, pretty nice lady you have there. People in San Francisco are more friendly than people in NY I feel. When I reach there, felt a sense of accomplishment and later took the same stupid route back to Golden Gate etc…

As I am typing this on my laptop, I am at the San Francisco International Airport waiting to board the plane to Las Vegas. Overall, I like this San Francisco trip a lot. Pretty worth it!

Merry Xmas!
ZH