[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/Bellagiolobby.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/Bellagiolobbyfountain.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LittleBellagio.JPG[/img]
Once at the check out desk the assistant said it would take a while to get through to the room service department and as we were due to catch a flight soon the assistant waived one of the internet connection fees [y] Soon we were off and within about 15 minutes we had got to the Dollar drop off which although close to the airport it was not onsite [n] The queues were quite long and the bus transfer did not have a lot of room for luggage but we got on ok and were off to the terminal. As soon as we got to the terminal we headed for check in and were pleased to see a separate line for PE which was empty. Our pre booked seats 80H and 80K, right at the back of the upper deck, were waiting for us and then it was off to the departure lounge which was only 4 gates! I was surprised at how small it was with just a duty free shop, newsagents and a couple of fast food outlets. Even though I flew from Las Vegas in 1995 it was an internal flight to San Francisco and is a little bit hazy now!
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LASdeparturelounge.JPG[/img]
As we had not had brekkie we grabbed a burger in Burger King which was ok but not great. It was then time to sit and wait, luckily the departure lounge faced the Strip.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LASinside1.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LASinside2.JPG[/img]
I then noticed we had Jersey Girl as our ride home [:)]
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/Jerseygirl.JPG[/img]
In the distance we could see storms on the mountains but once again they never got close. It was then time for duty free and we both got some of the miniature perfumes, ideal for taking a couple away on holiday, saves big bottles. The airport had Wifi so we logged on for a short while from the lappie but we werent on too long as the battery was running down rather quickly. Soon it was time to board the plane and we noticed it was quite busy. The airport itself must have a huge turn over of take offs and landings which is evident due to the current construction work on a new terminal and the current queues for planes taking off.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS1.JPG[/img]
Soon we were off and the view of the Strip as we left was wonderful.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS2.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS3.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS4.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS5.JPG[/img]
We were soon over the far edge of Las Vegas and there was a lot of housing being built.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS6.JPG[/img]
But then we approached the storm clouds just as the drinks service began and it got a bit bumpy so much so the seat belt sign came on and one of the Flight Attendants got caught unaware and the trolley smashed into his hand, luckily he wasn' too badly hurt.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/VAdrinks.JPG[/img]
It was then that we went over the desert.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS7.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS8.JPG[/img]
And soon I could see Lake Mead with the distinctive high water mark.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS9.JPG[/img]
Not too long after we had cleared the storms and we were heading over Utah and Salt Lake City.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/LeavingLAS10.JPG[/img]
Then it was onto Wyoming.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/Wyoming.JPG[/img]
By now it was time for dinner and I chose the chicken and tomato pasta, while Nathan declined the hot food and just ate a few pieces from the tray.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/VAmeal.JPG[/img]
The meal was usual airline food and I ate most of it washed down with a glass of white wine and a Baileys at the end [:D] By now it was getting dark outside and as soon as dinner was cleared away the blinds were closed and the lighting turned down. I tried to sleep but couldnt and soon there were a few of us in the cabin chatting to the crew, who also expressed how unusual it was for so many people to be restless and awake! Time passed and every now and then I looked out of the window to see what I could see, at one point it was just snow and the peak of a mountain.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/Snow.JPG[/img]
It never did get fully dark as we went so high over Canada and Greenland before catching the rising sun. About an hour and a half prior to landing the blinds were taken up and the lighting was turned up. Breakfast was then served, now this is not my favourite airline meal and I just had a few bites of the croissant and the fruit with a cup of tea.
[img]http://www.disab.co.uk/photopost/data/538/VAbrekkie.JPG[/img]
By now we were over Northern Ireland and then rapidly making out descent into Gatwick airport. We landed virtually on schedule and waited for a few moments before the bridge was out to the exit door. Once again we were quickly off the plane, about 6th and 7th I think! As we got to Immigration the halls were packed even for EU passport holders, it took a few minutes and for once they checked each individual passport against the person producing it. We quickly made our way to baggage reclaim and luckily all our bags soon arrived safe and sound. As we left Customs we were soon met by MIL and SFIL and made our way straight home as we were rather tired by now.
Claire [;)]
