Day 7 Death Valley and Las Vegas.

After breakfast we set off on a long and twisty drive to Death Valley National Park. Known for its extremes of weather, from the snow capped peaks in Winter to the unbearable heat in the Valley from May onwards.

We followed the Sierra Nevada mountain range which was still covered n snow, making a very scenic backdrop to the many miles of desert we passed.

We stopped for lunch at Furnace Creek which is an oasis surrounded by the vast arid desert of Death Valley National Park.. According to the Guinness book of records, the highest recorded temperature was taken here on the 10th July 1913 at 56.7deg C (134 deg F)

  Fortunately for us the temperature was only 31 deg C so we were quite comfortable sitting in the shade having our lunch together which we had bought at a supermarket on the way.

We then drove to Badwater Basin which is 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in Death Valley.

We walked out onto the salt plain,

taking numerous photos and then it was back to the minibus and off to Las Vegas.

I have always been interested in seeing Las Vegas but never wanted to actually spend much time here so this tour was perfect for me as we arrived late afternoon and would be departing early the next day.

Our tour leader had got the girls onto a guest list for the club in Caesar's Palace but I opted out as I wanted to have a look at the hotels.

At 9pm we all met outside the hotel to go for a ride around the city in a limousine.

Time to check our watches and enjoy the champagne that was on offer.

Our first stop was at the original Vegas Strip which is a long covered  street.

There are three different stages along the street so you can listen or dance to a choice of music.

I think there is always an Elvis in town in Vegas.

Every hour there is a light show projected onto the ceiling.

After the light show we returned to the Limo and on to the Vegas sign.

Our final stop in the limousine was Bellagio's hotel and the fountain light show

By now everyone was ready to go their different ways to have a closer look at this 'Disney for adults' town. I left the younger members of the group to go off clubbing whilst myself and E went in search of interesting hotels.

This is the glass umbrella ceiling in the reception area at  Bellagio hotel.

My photos just don't do this Chihuli designed installation justice.

 Then went across the road to the Flamingo hotel.


The flamingoes weren't bothered at all by the tourists and their cameras.

Then it was over to the Venetian which was probably my favourite.

Last but not least was Caesar's Palace. A large opulent building with a huge Casino.

 I didn't bother with the gambling but was fascinated watching as large sums of money seemed to be exchanging hands at the roulette wheel.

We were  only in Las Vegas for the one night and I was determined to see as much of it as possible but by 2.30am I thought it was time to get back to my hotel E was  exhausted and had gone back about 1am. I was very surprised to discover the next morning that the girls had given up on the clubbing idea because the queue was so long and they were home by 11pm. However there will be no chance of catching up on sleep as it's another early start in the morning travelling on Route 66 on our way to the Grand Canyon. 

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