Las Vegas 2025

November 14-17

Las Vegas

Off to Las Vegas to see my family again. Last year it was only Michelle and I. But this year Jessica and Gemma, Quincy and Anthony were coming as well. Not only that Malia and Jared told us last minute that they wanted to come. 

We left on a Thursday and that was hard in itself because both Michelle and I had work. Michelle left early because the government was shutdown and even though she was working, she was on furlough, so her boss let her leave to pick up Jared from New Mexico State. 

Getting there was smooth. I do say that El Paso Airport is the best airport I've been to. Our plane left at 7pm and we got to Phoenix by 8pm, then went to Vegas. I was so happy that TSA was smooth going because of the government shutdown. We found out that congress struck a deal and was going to open the government and that all workers should report to work. 

We got to Vegas late and we still had to pick up the rental and go to Walmart. Walmart has always been a place where we get all the necessities like body wash, shampoo, water, small snacks. Not only does it save money, we don't have to pack much. 

After Walmart I drove to the Conrad at Resorts World. Driving to the Conrad was so much better than last year. Just the experience last year got us prepared for this year. If you remember last year we to Vegas during the F1 Formula Race event and many roads were shutdown. This year the drive was smooth and getting to the Conrad was very simple. 

When we entered the Conrad we saw Malia and Quincy's director. We said hi and tried to check-in. Check-in was difficult, there was a QR code but that didn't work, so I went to the front desk. Because it was so late at night, the front desk only had 2 people working and they were slow. The customers was good though and at around 11:30pm we got to our hotel. 

Everyone was so tired, but I stayed up and went downstairs to gamble. I lost $80 in less than 20 minutes and went back upstairs exhausted. 

On Friday morning, I went down the to the fitness center. I was blown away at the Resorts World Fitness Center. By far, it was the best fitness center I've ever seen at a hotel. They had all the machines of Planet Fitness and they even had 5 thera guns and 2 massage tables. I did some cardio and weights to start the day, then went back up to the room to eat my oatmeal and drink coffee. I learned from last year to purchase a hot water maker because coffee on the Las Vegas Strip is $8. I was able to buy the hot water maker for $30 and a small can of instand Starbucks coffee for $8. If you think about it, the 5 days in Vegas more than paid for the hot water maker and can of instant coffee because I drink 2 cups of coffee every morning. I went to the airport to pick up Quincy and Anthony. 

Michelle and Jared said Malia and I snored too loud last night and couldn't sleep. Michelle, Malia, and I went down to eat at Suns Out Buns Out. I ate the Avocado Toast for $15. It was good though and we had a great time at breakfast. In the afternoon Jared and I went to Circus Circus while Michelle and Malia slept. Then I went to pick up Jessica and Gemma from the airport drop them off and MIchelle and I went to Trader Joes to buy snacks. In the evening, we went to Zippy's for local Hawaii food. The prices were expensive, but the taste was the same. 

Saturday morning came and I did a nice workout. After the workout the kids and I wanted to go to Circus Circus, but when we got there the Midway was closed, so we caught the bus to Bellagio. However the bus couldn't stop at the Bellagio because they were preparing for the F1 event, so we got off at New York New York hotel. There were some crazy people on the bus and it is not a good idea to catch the bus early in the morning. We ate breakfast at New York New York, 2 crepes were $30. After breakfast we caught the bus back to the Conrad and got ready for the Outlet Mall. We all met at the Simon's Outlet Mall a bit after 10am. It was the first time I saw my parents in person in over a year. They were at the Lacoste Store shopping. It rained a little and we got to hang out at the foot court. In the evening we met for the Garden Buffet at Main Street Station. The crab buffet is known to be good, but the crab sucked. The rest of the food was all right as the star was the prime rib. I love how they kept the fat and you could ask for the fat pieces. The buffet is reasonably priced at $33. 

Sunday came around the corner and I did some gambling in the morning after my workout. Malia joined me and I tried to loosen her back and glute with the thera gun. Jared wanted to watch the Bills game. I took Malia to breakfast at Broken Yolk. It is a little pricey but the food was great. Malia drank alcohol and got tired. I dropped her off at the California in my parents room, thengambled with my mom and dad. I left Malia at the hotel and joined Michelle and Jared at the Sports Bar to watch the Bills game. The Bills beat the Bucs and I think Jared was happy. In the evening we went to Zippy's again to eat Hawaii food. This time I got the wun tun min which was excellent. They didn't have malasadas for dessert unfortunately.