LAS VEGAS (Day 13 - part 3)

We wandered our way slowly through the Venetian. Stunning!


Again the ceilings were painted to resemble dawn or dusk. Time literally stood still here.


We arrived at the canal which was filled with gondolas (electric ones, actually) and the haunting, echoing songs of the gondoliers as they ferried their tourist passengers about.


St. Mark's Square


We arrived at the end of an invigorating performance.


The grand finale

The place was huge! We left the square and found a whole different section of the mall.


A tall waterfall flowed constantly.


The center garden was named Dolce Vita (meaning the sweet life').


It contained more than 500 chrysanthemums which were mixed in with over 1,200 plants and trees.


Hmmm... not sure if making it look old to 'fit in' is better or worse!

Eventually we headed back outside to explore some more.

Next stop... Treasure Island. Often called just TI, the enormous hotel and casino was opened in 1993 with a full-fledged pirate theme. There was even an amazing show called "Buccaneer Bay"(which I saw in 2001) of two giant ships doing battle. Unfortunately in 2003, they decided to shift to a less kid-oriented and more adult-oriented theme. Swimming pools were replaced with hot tubs and the arcade became a nightclub and party bar. The pirate show was also replaced with "The Sirens of TI" (which too closed... in favor of more shopping).


A cannon peaks from a fortress wall.


The sidewalk turns into a boardwalk.


One of the fabulous ships that once did battle in these waters...


... before they were drained.


The old tracks that the ship used to 'sail' in on


A siren sings her song. In Greek mythology, the Sirens were portrayed as beautiful women who lured passing sailors to their watery graves (by means of shipwreck) with their enchanting songs.


Inside was another such siren. This motorcycle, known as The Sirens of TI, was built by Metropolitan Choppers of Frederick, Maryland.


I'm not sure how practical boots would be for a water creature, but have it their way.

Treasure Island is connected to The Mirage by a free tram. So on we hopped and over to the next casino we went!


A view of the pool at Treasure Island


Passing by The Venetian

The Mirage has a Polynesian theme. At the time it was built (in 1989), it was the most expensive hotel-casino in history... at $630 million. Real gold dust was even used to tint the windows.

We only just peeked into the atrium near the entrance.


It had a rainforest theme.

returncontinue