Crisp air and a warm golden Sun was an unexpected bonus in our continuing celebration of my 50th in Las Vegas. This was our first post pandemic all boys trip, and anticipation was hanging in the air.
Figure 1: Reunion before getting into our comfy Chevy Tahoe Uber, Las Vegas Airport
We arrived post lunch time, but Vegas is super busy on Friday’s, and securing a table in Senor Frog was a twenty minute wait. We sauntered off to the nearby Golden Circle bar, and kicked off the celebrations with a chilled and zippy Dos Equis beer!
Figure 2: Cheers at the Golden Circle, Treasure Island, Las Vegas
Long glass margaritas along with dirty nachos, mango habanero wings, and quesadilla whetted our appetites.
Figure 3: Enjoying bar snacks, Senor Frog, Las Vegas
We retreated into our rooms for a brief siesta before the main event planned for the day: “Michael Jackson One by Cirque du Soliel”. We lucked out when the usher allowed us to exchange our seats to THE premium seating area, right in front of stage! Resounding bass, giant projections along with dances on the sides of the main stage, coupled with a floating singing performer truly immersed us into a different reality. Foot thumping numbers from Beat It to Bill Jean to Thriller to Black and White made us sing along and clap in glee like teenagers.
Figure 4: Immersive, entertaining, and foot thumping, Michael Jackson Show, Las Vegas
Grabbing juicy and spicy burgers at The Burger Bar in Mandalay Bay, and sharing a single macaroon across four people was funny and heart warming at the same time!
Figure 5: Sharing is caring, The Burger Bar, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
The small dinner teed us nicely for late night clubbing ♣️ vegas style! The phrase “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” contract holds, and so no information will ever be shared! 😉 👯 🙊
Figure 6: Gorgeous saturday morning, Treasure Island Ship, Las Vegas
We were blessed with another gorgeous morning, and we landed in the always yummy place for brunch: Urth Caffe at the Wynn. Right from the desserts to the latte’s to the poached eggs and omlettes, the food was healthy and tasty!
Figure 7: Yummy Tiramasu and Hazelnut, Urth Caffe, The Wynn, Las Vegas
After a wholesome meal, we wandered across the beautiful and elegant Wynn’s lounge, and marveled at Pallazo’s and Venetians Grand Canal.
Figure 8: Flowers and LOVE Exhibit for Valentine, Palazzo, Las Vegas
Next on the activity list for the day was perfecting our aims at the American Shooting Range. All of us took the beginner $100 package of handgun, semi-automatic, and machine gun. Not knowing what to expect, and firing the first shot was surprising, and nerve wracking. The whole activity turned out to be thrilling, adventurous, and fun! I gained a tremendous respect for fire arms, and plan to do some practice runs in ranges in the future.
Figure 9: Doing surprisingly well, American Shooting Range, Las Vegas
To relax and refresh, we pampered ourselves at The Imperial Spa. The massages were astounding, and red clay, jade, clay ball rooms made the experience interesting and memorable.
Figure 10: Rejuvenated, Imperial Spa, Las Vegas
Thoroughly relaxed, we headed back to our hotel to chill out in the rooms with deliciously aromatic and smooth Suntory Toki whiskey! Nothing against the cocktails on the strip, but it is way less sugary and fun to concoct your own drinks in the hotel room.
Figure 11: Setting up our own room bar, Las Vegas
A nostalgic evening kicked off with Naira Noor, and we bonded over sentimental song medleys with Sufi, SD Burman, Kishore Kumar, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The conversation was candid, and cajun mixes, ghost pepper chips kept us munching.
Figure 12: Warming up with Tadka Dal, Mint Indian Bistro, Las Vegas
We split for dinner, with Supreet and Ajay going for filet mignon, and Abhai, Murali, Kislay and I shunting off to the Mint Indian Bistro. The Indian food was surprisingly good: the seekh kebab was juicy, malai kofta tender, tadka dal hearty, and the paneer tikka flavorful. The stuffed and chilli Nan’s were hot and tasty.
Figure 13: Walking it off, Ceasars forum shops, Las Vegas
Feeling full, we took one long last walk across the strip to Caesars Forum Shops, and said our goodbyes to an amazing city in the middle of the desert. 👋
Figure 14: Cheers to friendship, Las Vegas