And, in any case, as my Filipino taxi driver along The Strip advised: "There is a lot going on in Vegas these days. Gordon Ramsay has three restaurants here. It is not all about the gambling"
True. But my mind was contemplating a risk of a different nature as my helicopter took off to tour the Grand Canyon. I felt like a sphere in a ball pit - gently bobbing from the gush of air beneath.
The apprehension soon evaporated as we were guided across the Arizona desert to the awesome spectacle scaling and plunging close to the vast rocks like a scene from an Indiana Jones movie. We also had a close-up view of the Hoover Dam whose construction workers' earnings baptised Vegas as a den of vice and gambling.
Such was the vast expanse of the territory it felt as though the helicopter was hovering in midair and not hurtling along at 280kph. Shortly after we toured the dam, our pilot gestured towards the rocky range ahead and proudly announced: "Any moment, you'll see the Grand Canyon." And there it was in all its ruddy splendour. The seemingly motionless feel of the helicopter simply added to the sense of awe.
You can also see the Canyon by plane or by road but neither option offers such spectacular views and the alternative air transport does not stop-off.
The car option involves an eight-hour round trip compared to one hour in the chopper from the edge of the city. We landed for a champagne lunch on a 450 metre ledge just beyond the skywalk and peered down at the Colorado River. You'll pay $350 per person for this simply amazing and unforgettable experience. For best photos, avoid the intensely bright sunlight of midday.
Back in Sin City, I discover how most directions in hotels start with the words "First go through the casino and then..." It was unbelievable how many times you hear this instruction, putting temptation literally in your path. The most hilarious example was when I looked for a route to the overhead monorail station I could see in front of me on the other side of the road.
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| Donny Osmond on screen as he performed at Caesars Palace |
A signpost pointed me into the +MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Surely, there would be a subway just in the entrance? Not a chance. I was helpfully directed "the full length of the casino" before passing through a shopping mall and restaurants and finally reaching the short trip underground. At five dollars a pop to use the monorail, it is a handy way to travel up and down The Strip and beyond.
After gambling, Vegas is next synonymous with entertainment. And while Celine Dion is resident Queen Bee at +Caesars Palace, Donny and Marie Osmond are still great value. Donny, in particular, proved he could keep up with the routines of dancers at least his age.
I'm sure legendary Vegas crooner Sinatra would be proud of Clint Holmes. There was a lump in my throat and hairs stood up on back of my neck to his rendition of West Side Story's There's A Place For Us. I also enjoyed Million Dollar Quartet - they really do sound and look like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lewis - Frankie Moreno and Jersey Boys. Matt Goss is also performing at Caesars and, to his credit, sounds a lot better than when he was more 'famous' over here.
I took in some comedy with Rob Becker's former Broadway one-man show Defending The Caveman. His humour about the sexes travels well. He explains how when he visits another couple with his wife, the women engage in extensive chat while his male host's entire repertoire for the evening will be: "Come out the back and I'll show you something."
I stayed at the Aria which dripped with luxury. There were bars, restaurants, a theatre, a gym and just about every form of gambling imaginable. My room included a remote control tablet allowing me to set a wake-up routine involving a bell, the TV turning on to my preset channel and the curtains opening. How did I get to the lifts for my floor? Straight through the casino, of course.
MUST DOS
Give tips. It is considered the norm in the US - even when you buy a drink at the bar. A dollar a drink is a rule of thumb. Credit card payment machines in taxis give you the option of tips of 20, 30 or 40 per cent. Pay cash if you think that is too much.
MUST DON'TS
Don't take a taxi somewhere without knowing how you will get back. You can't hail taxis on the street in the US. It is no fun walking for miles in 100 degrees heat with no sign of a bus. I was only going to buy a Club Penguin card from Toys R Us for my daughter.
USEFUL WEBSITES
Helicopter rides - papillon.com
Airline - delta.com
Hotel - arialasvegas.com
MORE PHOTOS OF GRAND CANYON FROM HELICOPTER
