A Trip to Las Vegas With a Planned Surprise

Hello friends and Hivians. Today I show and tell my experience I had this past weekend in Las Vegas. It was a surprise visit by myself, two of my sisters and my mother that one of my Sister-in-laws set up for her husband, my brother, Tom.

The planning took place prior to my brother's birthday back in November. My brothers birthday present was a trip to Southern California and a few days in Las Vegas. What wasn't known to him that his siblings would surprise him in Las Vegas. What you see above is a Christmas card from his wife to me. What a wonderful thing to meet-up and a get token of appreciation (My XMAS present)in the form of dinner and show tickets for accepting to go. We haven't seen each other in over 18 years. Now not because of any bad miscues or anything like that.

I had a late flight out of Omaha on Friday. My excitement led me to the airport a bit ahead of schedule. I may have been the first one to check in, haha. It was a nice comfortable flight and I got the only windiw seat out of all my flights. The night lights you see out my window is of Omaha, Nebraska.

I didn't arrive to my hotel until after midnight on Friday which would have been after 2 a.m. in Omaha so I embraced the bed. The next morning we first checked out some of the hotel amenities. The best one is the pool area that I could see out the window of my 10th floor hotel room. There were a few separate pools but the coolest one had an aquarium in its middle. It had nurse sharks, sting rays, sea bass and some other fish that I'm not familiar with. Pretty much all casino hotels in Las Vegas have some form of elaborate attractions.

Afterwards we left the hotel, I stayed at the Golden Nugget. Right outside one of the entrances of the hotel is Fremont Street. We elected to stay down town for better parking and it was cheaper. Also they had a marathon going on this weekend on the Vegas Strip so it would have been even harder to get around with a car.

Fremont Street is sort of miniature Las Vegas Strip. It really has a lot going on and a lot of people hang out there for the night scene. It's pretty cool how it is outside but is completely covered. One particular thing I found interesting is you can zip line across the majority of it in a superman like pose. I didn't investigate on the cost as it would probably be something I would have tried maybe 20 years ago 😃

Brother and his wife, her photo.

Sister-in-law's photo

My Sister Lisa's photo

So it became time for the surprise meet up with my brother. We had a group text chat going on to communicate where we all were at. We took pictures of each other so we knew what each of us were wearing and looked like. The one with me in it, I was buried in my phone I didn't know she was taking a picture. My sisters and I decided on a meet up place and a kind of a cool plan to surprise my brother.

Sister in Law's Photo

Well we decided to meet up on the Skywalk near the Venetian. We spreaded out and if he didn't notice us we would fall behind him and his wife, Peggy. Peggy told him she wanted to check out the canal system of the Venetian. I took the warning shot in the group chat that they were almost there.

Well he didn't notice us because he was fixitated on the surroundings. Peggy smiled, waved and lip talked to us as she passed by. So when we got to the end of the Skywalk Peggy said,"Oh my God look who it is." MY brother turned and seen my sister Lisa and gave her a hug. He started to talk and couldn't believe she was here while my other sister and I stood there waiting to see if he noticed us. Well Peggy told him to look who else is here. He was shocked and then realized this was a surprise for him. After all the hugs and some chit chat we took a sibling photo.

Afterwards we got lunch at the Outback and walked the Las Vegas strip. A lot more chit chat and catching up was had. It was tough staying together, a lot of people to weave through for 5 people. We did end up pairing up and switched it up at times. A lot of different conversations were had that way. We didn't stop everywhere but took pictures and witnessed a lot of cool things. I like Treasure Island, I do miss the pirate battle they use to do. At least they have some ships not sure if they are the orginal two that battled.

We decided to check out the Flamingo. They have a nice pond exhibit which included of course flamingos. It was a nice break to witness some of nature in a bustling city such as Las Vegas. Plus it slowed down our step count. We did take another sibling photo where I took a photo of my brother and wife but it wasn't shared I'll have to ask for it.

Fast forwarding a bit, Sunday we had dinner reservations at 7:00 and had a show to attend at 9:30 both at the Bellagio. We decided to head to the strip at around 5:30 because we didn't want to be late due a marathon that was being run on the Las Vegas Blvd.

We arrived via a shuttle at the Excalibur from the resort my brother and his wife were staying at time. A lot of the popular hotel and casinos above that we all took some shots of. I don't know of the exact number of hotel casinos in Las Vegas but I wouldn't be surprised if the number is near a hundred. When the sun dips the night life is beautiful with so many lights. Also a hell of a lot people!

We arrived at the Bellagio and out of all casinos I believe this one is the most elegant. Outside you can witness a very cool water fountain show. In my opinion it's best at night because of the changing lights. Inside it well known for its garden. It's never the same and changes quite often. This time it was Asian themed. Many of the displays like the pandas and dragons were made completely out flowers. Only is it a sight to see the smell in thier is really refreshing.

We ate at the Jasmine and let me tell you it was amazing. In my opinion, as close to as a 5 star resturant as you get. Beautiful views of the water fountain show can be seen at your table. They set up the table with display plates. They removed them all before our appetizers were delivered. The ambience and the service is top notch. Be careful what you order because some of the plates are over $200 a plate. I ended up getting fried squid which was the best I have ever had. My brother took care of the bill for all. Afterwards we proceeded to the theatre to catch the show.

The show we watched was "O" by Cirque du Soleil. It included entertainment with the use of stunning acrobatics and diving surrounded by air, fire, and mostly water. I don't know how the floor turned from surface to water and back so quickly, that in itself was amazing. Not just amazing performances there were also comical acts that at times even included audience members to give laughter. They say "O" is just not the name of the show, it will also be the sound you and the rest of the audience will hear and make. The whole 90 minutes it lasted it was well worth the time!

Taken by Peggy's phone

This trip though a small getaway was so much fun. It would have not been as fun if it wasn't shared with my siblings. Above is the last group photo we took together, this time Peggy even got in it. We would be complete if my oldiest brother was able to be attendance.

We all made a pact, to see each other again and this time to not wait so long. Hopefully in the near future I'll be going back to the East coast to do some deep sea fishing with both of my brothers. Family is great thing and we should spend as much time with them as humanly possible.

That's all I have for you this time. Take care, stay safe and enjoy what's left of your weekend. Until next time!