Prologue
So I figured I should write a TR for this trip, as it was definitely a Top 3 experience, which also happens to include my trip the month prior, which was my first solo experience. Since the trip in Oct, Ive been to Vegas 3 times, but those TRs will have to wait. I met adn232 on the JC forums a few months prior to this trip, and was going down for his birthday weekend.
Also, this trip occurred a few days after the shooting at Mandalay Bay. There were a lot of mixed emotions about going so soon afterwards, but eventually I decided that it wasnt going to stop me from going back to my second home.
Wed Day/Night
I decided to put in a full days worth of work on Wed, and left from work around 3pm to catch my flight to Vegas. Unfortunately I wasnt flying out of JFK, and as much as I hate United, I guess I could live with it since I was flying first class out of Newark. I pretty much did no work all day, in anticipation, and excitement for the upcoming weekend, lol. I get a text from my driver around 2:45 that hes here waiting to pick me up. Go out with my stuff, and head out in the Escalade to the airport. Get to the airport fairly quick around this time in the afternoon. This was my first try with TSA Pre-check, as I just got approved. Let me tell you guys, this thing is great. I fly at least 4-5x a month for work, and waiting in TSA lines simply sucks. Pre-check was totally worth it, and the amount of time it took to get from the front door/check-in to past the gate was < 5 minutes.
Had about two hours to kill, so I decided to check out this pretty cool burger place that had a huge fire pit in the center. Newark airport terminal C has undergone some significant renovations, and is now in par with some of the best airports in the country. Get a turkey burger, and take down a couple beers in the time I had to kill. Get on board the plane when the time comes, and sit down in the first row. For some reason we were stuck on the tarmac for about an hour, but the flight attendant kept the drinks, and peanuts coming so that helped. I didnt have anyone to talk to, as the seat next to mine was empty, so I got drunk on wine and passed out for the entire flight listening to my Vegas playlist.
Land in Vegas a little before 9, and head out to grab my luggage. Meet my driver, grab my stuff and head out. Get into the stretch limo, and get the comp bottle of champagne. Also, I told the driver I wanted to do a drive up and down the strip, while stopping by the Vegas sign. Driving past Mandalay Bay area was pretty emotional. I end up downing the entire bottle of champagne, and tell my driver to get to the hotel. Arrive at Mandarin Oriental, and get greeted by the doormen. These guys know me well now, and were anticipating my arrival.
Head up to get checked in, get to my room and get settled in for a few minutes. Go down then and walk around City Center area for a bit, and decide to hit a strip club. Call the driver at Palomino, and limo arrives within 10min at MO. Get in the party bus, and head over to Palomino. Got comped entry, and two free drinks. Tip the driver, and head in. I wasnt really in the mood to get a dance or anything, just wanted to relax, plus I was already pretty drunk. Things get to a blur after some time here, but I somehow end up making it back to MO later in the night.
Things get pretty exciting the next day, as the partying begins!!
So I figured I should write a TR for this trip, as it was definitely a Top 3 experience, which also happens to include my trip the month prior, which was my first solo experience. Since the trip in Oct, Ive been to Vegas 3 times, but those TRs will have to wait. I met adn232 on the JC forums a few months prior to this trip, and was going down for his birthday weekend.
Also, this trip occurred a few days after the shooting at Mandalay Bay. There were a lot of mixed emotions about going so soon afterwards, but eventually I decided that it wasnt going to stop me from going back to my second home.
Wed Day/Night
I decided to put in a full days worth of work on Wed, and left from work around 3pm to catch my flight to Vegas. Unfortunately I wasnt flying out of JFK, and as much as I hate United, I guess I could live with it since I was flying first class out of Newark. I pretty much did no work all day, in anticipation, and excitement for the upcoming weekend, lol. I get a text from my driver around 2:45 that hes here waiting to pick me up. Go out with my stuff, and head out in the Escalade to the airport. Get to the airport fairly quick around this time in the afternoon. This was my first try with TSA Pre-check, as I just got approved. Let me tell you guys, this thing is great. I fly at least 4-5x a month for work, and waiting in TSA lines simply sucks. Pre-check was totally worth it, and the amount of time it took to get from the front door/check-in to past the gate was < 5 minutes.
Had about two hours to kill, so I decided to check out this pretty cool burger place that had a huge fire pit in the center. Newark airport terminal C has undergone some significant renovations, and is now in par with some of the best airports in the country. Get a turkey burger, and take down a couple beers in the time I had to kill. Get on board the plane when the time comes, and sit down in the first row. For some reason we were stuck on the tarmac for about an hour, but the flight attendant kept the drinks, and peanuts coming so that helped. I didnt have anyone to talk to, as the seat next to mine was empty, so I got drunk on wine and passed out for the entire flight listening to my Vegas playlist.
Land in Vegas a little before 9, and head out to grab my luggage. Meet my driver, grab my stuff and head out. Get into the stretch limo, and get the comp bottle of champagne. Also, I told the driver I wanted to do a drive up and down the strip, while stopping by the Vegas sign. Driving past Mandalay Bay area was pretty emotional. I end up downing the entire bottle of champagne, and tell my driver to get to the hotel. Arrive at Mandarin Oriental, and get greeted by the doormen. These guys know me well now, and were anticipating my arrival.
Head up to get checked in, get to my room and get settled in for a few minutes. Go down then and walk around City Center area for a bit, and decide to hit a strip club. Call the driver at Palomino, and limo arrives within 10min at MO. Get in the party bus, and head over to Palomino. Got comped entry, and two free drinks. Tip the driver, and head in. I wasnt really in the mood to get a dance or anything, just wanted to relax, plus I was already pretty drunk. Things get to a blur after some time here, but I somehow end up making it back to MO later in the night.
Things get pretty exciting the next day, as the partying begins!!
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