No major running going on lately.  I average 4 miles a day, 5 days a week to maintain fitness and to offset my chocolate indulgences.  My summer has been filled with travel.  Latest stop:  Las Vegas.

The resort complex is the world's largest hotel.

As a Vegas first-timer, the Venetian exceeded my expectations from the moment I walked inside.

The Venetian Globe inside lobby.

My body was still on Eastern time the first day.  I was up and alert at 4:30 a.m. for my green tea and a stroll around the hotel to familiarize myself with the layout. 

Section of the 31,000 square foot lagoon.

It took a team of 20 florists to install the summer display topiary women.

The temperature was in the triple digits at that time of the morning and it did not stop people from exercising by running down the strip.  It was refreshing to see the health conscious, but I left my sneakers at home after a pre check of local races didn’t have anything I could do while I was there.  The low dew points and low humidity levels make running manageable as long as you are properly hydrated.

Facing North on the strip.

Facing South on the strip.

View from Treasure Island

The Venetian has a beautiful garden pool that opens at 6 a.m. on the 10th floor of the Venezia Tower.

I waited until the sun was on full blast over the Festiva Pool.  I claimed a luxurious daybed as my lounging spot. As much as I love the water, I couldn’t get too comfortable like this was a Florida vacay.  The Venetian and Palazzo have so much to offer with shopping and dining.  The Grand Lux on the casino floor has a menu as diverse as the Cheesecake Factory and everything I ordered was excellent.

Work hard. Play hard.

A highlight of the Venetian is the gondola ride.  You can choose from indoor or outdoor, and private or group.  The ride only lasts 10 minutes, but well worth the experience.

It’s easy to see that the Venetian is indeed a resort hotel.  Despite being the largest hotel in the world with 5 diamond amenities, we still had to branch out and explore the strip.  The nearest monorail station is behind Harrah’s.  We rode down to the Stratosphere and back to the MGM where I got excited from seeing Floyd Mayweather’s photo. 

I can't wait until September 12th!

We loved the atmosphere in and around the MGM and New York New York.  There were a lot of guys from Cali promoting their music and people hustling $1 waters which came in handy in 113 degree weather.

"Cold water, one dolla" all day!

Later that night down the strip:

Bellagio fountains, erupting volcano at the Mirage, Flamingo and Koval intersection where my all-time favorite rapper Tupac was killed.

The question everyone wanted to know is did I go to any shows.  I would have loved to see Mariah Carey perform but she was off for the month of June.  Comedy shows and wax museums don’t tickle my fancy.  A salesperson offered me $100 to listen to a three hour time share presentation.  Nope!  Instead, I took a wind dancer sunset helicopter tour.  We flew over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Fortification Hill, Grand Canyon (west rim with landing), Colorado River, and the Vegas Strip. 

Thank you Jonathan, our pilot. Temps were 114° where we landed and sipped fizz with cheese and grapes.

After the helicopter ride we stopped in M&M Soul Food Café.  The service was great but the food was average.  We jumped in a limo and went downtown to Freemont Street.  The driver told us this is where are the locals party.  We saw some of everything and loved the atmosphere.  

Freemont Street Downtown Vegas

Downtown Las Vegas

‘Til next time!

♡KelsieLou♡