But sadly, it is the morning after we arrived. Friday was a full day of work, then it was off to the airport, where we were met by some extensive delays. We didn't arrive at our hotel in Vegas until 3 AM Saturday morning. The plan was to go to XS, the new nightclub at the Encore, where Drew had reserved a table. Unfortunately, we got there at 3:30 AM and the place was clearing out. So though it was by far the most beautiful nightclub I've ever seen, we decided it wasn't worth it for a half hour. The promoter who had booked our table however had other plans for us. He took us (by limo! for free!) to the after hours club Drai's nearby on the strip. He made sure we had a table there...and we kicked off our Vegas vacation with two bottles of champagne, strawberries and cream.
So by the time we got in a cab (see horrible double chin photo above) the sun was just coming up...
We made it back to the Encore where we were staying - and it is gorgeous. Steve Wynn opened the Wynn several years ago, and this past December, he opened a new hotel tower next to it, and named it Encore. We stayed in the Tower Suites which has its own private entrance. I was feeling very VIP. I think Drew was just happy to be back at our hotel.
The private elevators up to the tower suites....
This is where we first noticed the butterflies that seem to be everywhere in the hotel.
Drew tried his best to pass out - we had been up for 24 hours.
But I took one look at the view from our window - and I was ready to explore!
So we walked through the Encore - very quiet at this time of morning. I'd heard brunch at the Bellagio was the thing to do, so we headed down the strip, waited in line, and did the brunch thing. It is an impressive selection - but the food was just so-so. Anyway, Vegas buffet - check.
More of Encore - taken at various points during our stay.
I'm sure these private cabanas are amazing in the summer - but unfortunately, even Vegas is cold in February!
The interior design in the Encore is absolutely stunning even in the casino (and I'm not one to usually notice such things when there's cocktails and gambling to distract me). Everything is very luscious..and red. Apparently, its the color of luck. Not that it did us any good.
The shops at Encore.
Steve Wynn seemed to have an unhealthy obsession with butterflies...
But then our blackjack dealer informed us that they, like the color red, were also lucky. Could have fooled me.
The Wynn Theater - home to La Reve (a Cirque du Soleil type show) and The Encore Theater where Danny Gans is currently performing (we opted out of both of these as we had heard a great deal about O at the Bellagio).
The casino at the Wynn - I have to admit we did not do a great deal of gambling while in Vegas. One night we sat at a blackjack type table which had Texas Hold Em - essentially you're playing face up against the dealer. With a 10 dollar minimum that was an excellent way to lose a lot of money in the short hour we had before dinner. We made the same mistake again when we sat at an actual Hold Em table an hour before dinner the next night - not much you can accomplish at a poker table in an hour. Blackjack the morning before we left was a disaster. We had a lovely dealer, a woman from Queens, who just kept hitting blackjack. Our luck finally turned when we were supposed to be headed to the airport (of course!). I ran to the bathroom before we were supposed to be catching a cab...then I come out and what do you know? Drew is at a craps table. But apparently I am very very good at craps. He had me start rolling for him...then more people came to the table...then more...and then I wasn't allowed to leave!!!! I'm not sure what I did, but it was good! Drew doubled his money - and we still made our flight home.
More of the Encore - the parasol up side down bar or something like that. 
That bar, the SW Steakhouse, and Daniel Boulud's brasserie all look out on a waterfall and The Lake of Dreams.
At night, the Lake of Dreams comes to life with lights and projected images and music - a very strange sort of show - but I was a big fan. It was sort of cheesy avant garde, if that makes sense. This huge head comes out of the water and sings Moulin Rouge type songs...bizarre...and very Vegas. We had a great view when we ate at Daniel Boulud Brasserie - which leads me to my favorite subject - food.
So many great restaurants to choose from - what's a girl to do? We had our first (official) night out at Alex in the Wynn on Valentine's Day. The setting was lovely and we had an excellent bottle of wine, and the food was very nearly extraordinary - except that it was cold. It was a very bizarre occurrence that seemed to be a running theme for us in Vegas. I realize it was colder than usual in Vegas, but that shouldn't affect the food... Did everyone have windows open in the kitchen?? Don't get me wrong...Alex served some fantastic dishes - they just weren't warm. And I've always enjoyed Tom Colicchio's restaurants in New York - but Craftsteak in Vegas could have been called cold steak. I'm glad to say at least Daniel did not disappoint.
In any case, cold food or not, Alex was a wonderful way to spend Valentine's Day. And there's nothing better than returning to a beautiful room - where your slippers are laid out for you next to the bed.
Time to explore The Strip! We were at the south end.
The Wynn tower and the new Encore tower. (The one Steve Wynn was sitting on top of in the commercial that aired during the Academy Awards - anyone?)
Walking north, we hit the Palazzo.
And then the Venetian.
The ceilings in the Venetian looked very familiar - but not from Venice. Turns out they were painted by the same guy who painted the ceilings in the lobby of our apartment buildng. Small world.
This is inside The Venetian - it really does look exactly like Venice on a smaller scale. Only much cleaner. If only Venice had water that clear and blue!
Treasure Island was right across the street.
With the dueling pirate ships out front.
Bally's was up next - and we were getting closer to Paris.
Across the street, we stopped at the Mirage to see Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. I thought it sounded cheesy, but it ended up being a really good time.
The dolphins don't perform like at a theme park...
But you really can get up close and personal.
Oh how I love Alpacas.
This one decided to pose.
And this one wanted to spit at Drew.
The lions were beautiful.
A white tiger (not the one that had a run-in with Roy).
A fully grown leopard...
And a cute little baby leopard - I almost wanted to take him home.
Working our way north, we stopped at the Forum Shops at Caesar's.
Another impressive interior made to look like you're strolling the streets outside.
Even though it was quite cold, we couldn't not take advantage of the fact that you can drink on the street. Gin and Tonic, to go!
The Bellagio.
The Fiori di Como, by Dale Chihuly, in the Bellagio lobby.
Still working our way along the strip, we came to the new Planet Hollywood hotel and casino - which was surprisingly nice inside.
Drew wanted to stay at Planet Hollywood for awhile.
Back outside, we caught the very end of the fountain show at the Bellagio. I made Drew promise we would come back and see the whole thing.
At this point, we had walked quite a bit and were in the mood for some moules frites for lunch. We passed plenty of decent places that we could have stopped in various hotels, but I was sure Paris would be the place to go. Wrong. 
We did settle on the Mon Ami Gabi bistro in Paris (where at least the food was warm!). Add a nice glass of wine, and you have a happy Becky.
Continuing on The Strip, it was becoming clear Vegas is still a lot about the girls. 
Little flyers with girls' photos litter the street - and guys on every street corner are ready to give you a pack to choose from. 
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