TRIP REPORT SNIPPET MY WALK FROM ELLIS TO BELLAGIO

 

MY WALK TO BELLAGIO from ELLIS ISLAND

I made it from a coupon run and steak and eggs special at Ellis Island to the Bellagio Conservatory to see the latest display and the lobby to see that spectacular chihuly glass blown ceiling display.

I remembered it was just a short walk to the Bellagio, but for some reason, since I had last walked it, city planners had moved Bally's, Planet Hollywood, Paris and the Bellagio much farther apart from one another.

So it was a challenge, and very tiring.

However, to soften the affect of temperatures approaching 90 degrees, nature had kindly created a strong wind that kept us all cool.

Of course, there is never anywhere to sit for a bit and rest up between stretches.

Vegas does not want us to sit unless we are gambling. But I did remember the Deuce bus stop where there was one bench and I sat there resting with another disheveled old fellow. Neither of us was going to take the bus, but we could rest.

He was also collecting cigarette butts that folks had discarded, but I did not need to do that because I don't smoke.

I knew just where to enter Bellagio. There is a short escalator going into the Bellagio, and then a long shaded path, somewhat elevated which really gives a grand view of the neighboring casinos.

After a long meandering walk on that elevated path, I went into the main lobby to see the chihuly.

Then I stopped and listened to a bit of really fine piano coming from the lounge. I could have rested there, but I'm just too cheap to pay ten dollars for a seltzer, just for a temporary seat.

Why, I'd just stopped with coupons at Ellis island on the way down and had an entire steak and eggs breakfast special for just $6.99,(reduced from $11.99) and in my American Casino Guide couponing and free play, I won. I lost the $10 craps matchplay, but I got to roll the dice. 10 was the point. I did not add free odds. I don't know why. But on my third role I sevened out, so it worked in my favor. I left Ellis ahead $5.

I was sorry to see the new Ellis Island had no full pay VP at the quarter level. It is at the dollar level only.

They did, however, have some roulette machines that were single zero. That meant 2.70% house advantage, reduced from the unplayable 5.6% of a 2 zero wheel. So I used that to qualify for freeplay and to play it.

I made the famous low volatility bet. A dollar on the black, and a dollar on the last column which is mostly red. I went up and down, but quit ahead each session.

I was well entertained at the restaurant. There was a 40 minute wait, but since I was only one, they had a spot for me in the lounge and seated me right away.

I sat in the back, facing the bar and all the action.

In came eight pretty young women and I delighted in watching them. They were there for a while, until one realized that Ellis was not very Vegan, and she was. So they left without ordering.

Then a Spanish family took their spot, and I could hear some of it, and follow a bit. My Spanish has dwindled, and I like it when I get to listen.

Anyway, when I got to the Bellagio Conservatory, I tried to cheat and enter the exit, but I got caught with two other fellows and politely asked to join the line at the entrance. That is new, to restrict crowds during covid, but it meant twenty more minutes of standing that I did not welcome.

I endured.

The display was wonderful, all flowers and flower constructions and a great Buddha section and a fine elephant spraying water, and two large displays of hummingbirds.

I was delighted with it, and delighted to have made the walk, my longest hike since well before Covid.

The wind gave the six sets of flowered girls (who were looking for folks to pay to have their photos taken with them) a real challenge and a couple decided to abandon their regular spot and look for a wind sheltered area back at Bally's.

So, I followed two of them, with their tall feathers reaching high into the air.

They are very sexy from the back because the fine mesh they wear makes it look like they are naked.

And that broke some of the weariness of the walk.

I took another rest on my bus stop bench. This time by myself.

And then I made the last part of the hike back.

My only disappointments were the fountains did not seem to be working, and Bally's poker room was closed that day.

However, in truth I was so exhausted that I would not have made a very good poker player, and the fountains not working made me not feel bad about missing escargot and steak steak au poivre at Mon Ami Gabe.

I took the bus back and slept like a dead man for about three hours, and then arranged to see relatives.