November 22, 2006

It is my personal opinion that one’s first view of Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the US, should be at nightfall. Irrespective of whether it is your first visit to Sin City or your hundredth, you cannot fail to be mesmerized by the grandiose casinos lit up with hundreds of thousands of multi-colored lights, blazing neon billboards, and glittering facades. Throngs of humanity pour in and out of the various casinos and restaurants, and spill onto the pavements and the streets.

 The Brahma shrine outside Caesar's Place

The city is a popular adult weekend getaway through the year and sees millions of visitors from all over the world. Situated like an oasis in the midst of the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas literally means “The Meadows” in Spanish. This railroad town has come a long way and has been  featured in numerous movies and television shows both domestic and international. All the famous casino-hotels are located along a four mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South, popularly known as  “The Strip”.

Slot machines

Gambling is of course, the chief attraction here and even the biggest miser cannot resist feeding the slot machines a few dollars just to listen to the tinkling music and see the spinning counters. But if you go there dreaming of walking out with a jackpot, be prepared to be disappointed. Vegas slot machines have the notorious reputation of  rarely rewarding eager visitors.

The blackjack and poker tables, however, are a different matter altogether. This is where luck and skill go hand in hand. Many fortunes are made and lost here each day. The lowest bets in the major casinos start around $5 and keep going up depending on the tables you sit at. The high stakes tables are cordoned off and only the ‘real’ players dare go there!  

The gondolas inside the Venetian

A couple of days is too little time when visiting Vegas as there is so much to see and do. Each casino is built around a particular theme and these themes are reflected in the names of the casinos, which often represent entire cities. Circus Circus, MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace, The Bellagio, The Venetian, Luxor, Paris, New York-New York, Excalibur and Tropicana are but some of the names that come to mind when one thinks of Las Vegas. Each of these are architectural wonders in their own right.

The lobby of the Bellagio

Caesar’s Palace is modeled on ancient Rome and looks like a Roman palace on the outside. Inside there is a multitude of fountains, paved roads, and blue skies. This casino also has a shrine dedicated to Lord Brahma near its entrance. The Venetian, as its name suggests, is a smaller version of the city of Venice complete with a canal along which visitors can take gondola rides. The gondolier’s songs echo melodiously all along the route. The Bellagio has a conservatory and miniature trains and models besides its musical fountains that entertain visitors throughout the day.

 Inside Caesar's Palace

Circus Circus has circus performances going on through the day and night. This casino- hotel also has numerous games and shows targeted at children who go home happy with the many soft toys and other prizes that they win. Excalibur is modeled on an English castle and has knights in armor who perform in jousting shows. The Luxor has an Egyptian theme and the building itself is in the form of a pyramid.