After a somewhat frenzied packing session at 1am and only two hours sleep, we were excited to be embarking on our honeymoon adventure. Where were we going? A quick stop in Los Angeles closely followed by three nights in Las Vegas.

Hollywood highlights in LA

We had some issues with our flight time when we first arrived at the airport, but we were finally on the plane and trying to sleep through 15 hours of flying. Finally, jetlagged and bleary-eyed, we arrive at LAX

at 7am on a sunny Tuesday morning.

Unable to check into our hotel so early, we decided to take a bus tour of LA. Highlights included the Hollywood Walk of Fame, LA farmers markets, Venice Beach and seeing the Hollywood sign from a distance.

For those that know Dan’s inexplicable obsession with Billy Bob Thornton, I am pleased to share a photo of Dan and the Billy Bob Thornton star on Hollywood Blvd. We also saw a scene from the US version of Wilfred being filmed on Venice Beach and drove down famous Rodeo Drive (with a shotgun).

(Rage Against the Machine fans will understand the shotgun reference)

After much needed sleep, we collected our awesome red Mustang convertible for our uneventful (and terribly boring) drive to Las Vegas. We’re currently staying at the Flamingo, opposite Caesars Palace, and in the very centre of The Strip.

And, so far we’ve had such an incredible trip!

Flying high in Las Vegas

In only three days we have enjoyed an amazing Mystere Cirque du Soleil show at Treasure Island, played bonus poker at Billy’s (a lot), saw the gondolas at the Venetian, played Black Jack IN the Caesars Palace pool, watched the Bellagio fountain from our hotel room, (Dan) screamed on the roller coaster at New York New York, walked many kilometres after our cab broke down just off the strip, ate $1.99 foot long hotdogs at Casino Royale, shopped at Las Vegas Premium Outlets South, wandered through the Shark Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Casino, marvelled at the dolphins and tigers at the Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage…

And, rode the Big Shot ride after enjoying a lovely lunch with Anabelle and Rory at the revolving Stratosphere restaurant, situated 871ft (265m) above ground level with magnificent panoramic views of Vegas.

We all thought it would be a great idea to re-new our marriage vows, so Rory and Annabelle (married for 12 days at the time) and Daniel and I (married for 33 days at the time) re-married at the famous Chapel of the Bells, featured in such films as The Hangover and National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation. There is even a video of this somewhere!

I am yet to enjoy a massage at a spa, and Dan is planning a night of poker at Harrah’s or the Bellagio… I think we are easily becoming immune to the bright lights and schoolies-like atmosphere of Vegas.

Tomorrow we fly to San Francisco where we will return to the real world, count our pennies and consider surviving the next few months off a more realistic budget… perhaps…

Lots of love to our friends and family! We miss you all!

xx J & D

First Published on: May 12, 2012 @ 3:26