on my last full day in vegas, i parked myself in front of the wave pool for a good chunk of the morning. i meant to go back later with a real camera (i had only brought my cell phone and postcards to write) but wore myself out thoroughly later in the day.

those cushy red chairs cost extra.

i ate a very expensive burger for lunch. i’m worth it. sweet potato french fries were worth it, too.

a stroll through the luxor…

a brief moment at the excalibur…

i confess: i was headed back to the mgm grand for the lion habitat. i’m a crazy cat lady, after all.

tongue sticking out! kitties are funny.

the sex and the city slot machines are located right outside of the restrooms. just a little tip from me to you.

meow meow meow i don’t think i took enough photos of lions.

“oh, man, it’s still daylight outside?” it’s true that time doesn’t really exist in vegas.

mario brothers! i totally didn’t tip you guys enough.

i don’t remember when i started to get really tired. i think i was inside the bellagio. walking around the strip is really hard after a week when it’s really hot and you’ve been eating way too well.

i watched the fountain show again.

i walked inside to turn around and head back to mandalay bay. but, oh! balloons! my next action item as a tourist was to attend a hot air balloon festival. (another post about that coming soon!)

i also meant to find the dale chihuly glass but i’ll have to do that another day. i was so tired; i had to sit down for a rest after the bellagio turned out to be 15 miles long. at some point, i hopped a monorail to aria and then detoured through the monte carlo, but all i wanted to do was get back to my hotel so i didn’t take any photos of this tiny, tiring adventure.

i think i should’ve stopped and had dinner here (nine fine irishmen), but i had a pretty awesome dinner back at the border grill. so it all evens out. next time!

see those tiny people just off center in this photo? that’s the backstreet boys. no big deal. (my inner groupie was dying to be standing in the puddle with the rest of those girls, but i had a chair and a margarita… and no ticket. so, you know.)

ah, border grill. your ceviche was so delicious!

too bad i didn’t have my long lens. i should maybe start traveling with that.

i only spent about $15 at the slots in las vegas, and mostly i was just hanging out, waiting for a waitress to happen by.

by the end of this day, i was so exhausted and ready to go home the next morning. ’til next time, vegas!