You only turn 21 twice (sometimes 6 years apart) and I was determined to make the most of it.
Samantha and I began the day with a light, healthy meal from Johnny Rockets.
My thickshake was strawberry flavoured, so I was basically just having a super nutritional smoothie.
Then we moved onto Circus Circus and I realised I was a ring master.
We still had our 24 hour bus passes from the night before so opted for the double decker mode of transport. We tested some rides (while they were stationery).
We sampled some of the games.
Samantha tried her hand at one of those games where you drop a coin in the top. It usually looks like you'll receive quite a hefty return once the coin from the top pushes out the coins at the bottom. The only problem was Samantha's quarter didn't reach the bottom. She requested her quarter back and ended up receiving two, even after explaining what had happened.
We'd made our first quarter in Vegas. We were feeling lucky.
Inside the resort you can watch circus acts for free. We arrived in time to gasp at the spinning, lifting and swinging of a trapeze artist. (It's free, by the way).
After spending the early afternoon at the circus we caught the bus back to New York, New York. We were missingthe roller coasters of Disney and thought this one seemed fun.
There was a $14 price tag, but it was my birthday and any money spent or calories consumed on a birthday don't count... until you try to fit back into your jeans while reflecting on your depleted bank account.
Following our rooftop roller coaster ride we headed back to our hotel room to freshen up. Once again we took the long way around the lobby to avoid being pestered by a couple of "Australian" performers from Thunder Down Under who wanted us to see their show.
After our costume change the Vegas nightlife beckoned.
I was a little unsure about my birthday princess ensemble, but decided I was in the most appropriate place for that sort of get up.
We began with dinner at the Sea Thai Experience at Bally's.
The meal was delicious, the decor was oriental, the service was efficient and it was all very reasonably priced. A restaurant in Vegas that doesn't require you to take out a small loan is quite rare.
We found a restroom that actually had room to rest.
Bally's next door neighbour is the beautiful Paris hotel.
One construction student was going to photobomb, but then the whole class got involved... and their professor took a photo.
A birthday cocktail was next on the agenda. At the first lounge we were ignored. In a Pretty Woman moment I wanted to let them know it was a big mistake. I had the budget to purchase an entire cocktail. Instead, we moved onto another lounge and didn't look back.
We discovered Le Cabaret and it was much better than the first lounge.
This place had a great atmosphere with a talented live band playing a wide range of tunes that made me feel like dancing. The singer even noticed my special accessories and suggested someone should buy a drink for my "21st" birthday.
Samantha and I selected our cocktails.
Samantha a Cosmo.
And mine has a name I don't remember. It was a smooth, sweet, fruit punchy alcoholic delight.
The cocktail waitress placed our receipt on our table and almost immediately a gentleman at the next table swiped it. He was there with his wife and another couple. They thought we deserved our cocktails on them.
We left Le Cabaret for The Hyde. There's this website where you can put your name down to score free entry into a nightclub. The cover charge is usually around $20. I'd spent the past two days researching reviews, images and locations of nightclubs before settling on The Hyde in The Bellagio. We got to stroll past a stunning view on the way to the club.
Samantha and I waited by the shiny disco horse for my fellow Pizza Planetear, Alex and her friend, Bex to join us.
While we waited we were approached by a club scout. He not only offered us free entry, but we got to skip the lines and gave us tokens for free drinks for the first couple of hours.
Samantha and I decided to wait for Alex and Bex inside the club. Both The Hyde and my birthday princess ensemble proved to be excellent choices. The club offered a happening vibe and stunning views of The Bellagio fountains.
The only problem was the lack of seats, but the DJ was killing it, so Samantha and I started ripping up the dance floor. It wasn't long before an employee of the club invited us into a roped off section. This area even had seats. There was the normal level of the cushioned bench you'd sit on and then there was the level above the back rest that we were helped onto.
Samantha and I got free birthday shots without using a token. Alex and Bex arrived.
An employee encouraged us to dance on top of the top of the benches. We were having a top night.
After another free drink and some fabulous dancing we were invited into the DJ booth. Samantha declined, but Alex, Bex and I grabbed the opportunity. We climbed up a slightly awkward ladder then we were dancing with another free drink in our hands.
We finally left the club around 2:30am, 3am or something like that. We talked to a few randoms because that's what you do on holidays.
Then did a spot of gambling ($1 worth) because Vegas.
My awesome second "21st" birthday ended when Samantha and I arrived to our final Excalibur night after farewelling Alex.
Alex and I might not be neighbours anymore, but at least we both live in the same country. Maybe we'll catch up one day soon and reminisce about an amazing year tossing salads on the other side of the world.
