Las Vegas

BOU AVENUE
Las Vegas

Kicking off our Christmas vacation, Zosia Zgolak and I flew to Las Vegas, Nevada on the evening of 21 December 2023. After picking up our rental car--a Chevrolet Equinox--we checked into Ellis Island Hotel and then walked a few blocks north to see the exterior of the newly-opened Sphere which, to date, is the most expensive (~$2.3 billion USD) entertainment venue built in Las Vegas. Our original plan had been to depart the city that same evening to begin our outdoor adventures, but with heavy rain predicted for the region, we decided to stay an extra day in Las Vegas to wait out the inclement weather.

	Zosia stands next to a Christmas Tree at Ellis Island Hotel.
	High Roller is the world's tallest operational Ferris wheel (the tallest one--Ain Dubai--in United Arab Emirates has been closed indefinitely since 2022 due to safety concerns).
	At a cost of about $2.3 billion USD, Sphere is the most expensive entertainment venue built in Las Vegas.
	The imagery on the Sphere changes constantly. Click here for a sample video of the Sphere.

On 22 December 2023, Zosia and I hooked up with our resident friend, Shin Goto, for a nice brunch at a breakfast restaurant called Egg Works. He even joined us for a few holes of disc golf at nearby Sunset Park before he had to head off to work. Zosia and I continued to play, but our round was cut short by rain. We spent the rest of the afternoon grocery shopping before returning to our hotel to clean up and have dinner. In the evening, we walked to Planet Hollywood Casino Resort to watch V-The Ultimate Variety Show. True to its name, the show featured a variety of entertainers including a juggling emcee, a magician from Canada, and a host of different acrobats with specialized skills. Zosia and I both thoroughly enjoyed the show, and I highly recommend it. We rounded out our evening with a walk across the street to watch the Fountains of Bellagio before returning to our hotel.

	Shin, Sonny and Zosia prepare to eat a delicious brunch at Egg Works.
	At Sunset Park, Sonny gives Shin a few pointers on how to throw for disc golf. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Shin and Zosia attempt putting into the basket at Hole 3.
	Sonny, Shin and Zosia pose in front of the Hole 3 basket at Sunset Park disc golf course.
	With rain cutting short the round of disc golf, Sonny gets his thrills fooling some geese into thinking that he has some food in his hands. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Sonny and Zosia stand outside the theatre entrance at Planet Hollywood where they would later watch V-The Ultimate Variety Show.

One of the top attractions of the Las Vegas Strip.

The Fountains of Bellagio never fail to impress.

	Zosia emulates The Nutcracker in the conservatory at the Bellagio.
	Here is a last look at the Fountains of Bellagio with Paris in the background.