Last updated April 18, 1998
05:00 AM - Snowing heavy in Vancouver (worst storm in 60 years). Attempt to get a cab, first company said to phone back (received busy signals from that point on), called another (Kimber Cabs, Yellow pages ad stated a Richmond company serving Richmond, they told us to basically pound salt as they have no one in Richmond and it would be a LONG LONG while before they feel they could get one into Richmond. Apparently the company is owned by Yellow cabs in Vancouver and they, as a rule, do not serve Richmond after business hours.
06:00 AM - Drive to airport - We were lucky, our next door neighbor was called into work his 4x4 cut a path in snow out of our complex. Arrived at airport - first Park n' ride lot 'full' - drove to next one and found a spot within seconds. Took shuttle to departures area. Found our friends that were coming to Las Vegas with us, they took a cab $75 to get there.
06:30 AM checked in at the Royal Airlines counter, told no delay, should not be one.
08:00 Clear Customs
08:01 AM - Wait for 10:00 AM boarding call and departure.
10:00 AM came and went - no information from Royal Airlines
11:00 AM Finally some news - delayed until 19:00 hours. Told to check at Royal counter at 18:30 hours
Had to clear Customs even though we didn't go anywhere. We sat around eating, reading playing card games (going to Vegas?? maybe).
18:00 hours - Checked with Royal - no problems should get out on time.
18:30 Clear Customs again.
18:31 - Wait and wait as time goes past, no information again.
20:00 hours Told will be delay until 22:00 hours.
21:50 hours - told no flight - because officially the airport was closed - watched other planes arrive and depart.
Unofficially told that crew could not fly after 23:00 hours due to law. The airline did not want to get a new crew.
During this time we were told by various people that since this was an "act of god" they didn't have to honor our ticket. Contacted airline - they will reschedule the flight for next day at 21:00 hours - we lost two days of our 5 day vacation. As we were attempting to leave a security guard with attitude was trying to tell us no you can not leave. Tried telling him that flight canceled - he didn't care. After the rest of people arrived at the door (over 100) he relented - I guess he didn't want a riot from all the hungry depressed people who just spent most of the day sitting around fuming at Royal airlines.
At first Sunquest-Silverwing Holidays were not going to reimburse for our missed night at hotel - they changed their tune after much screaming and complaining. They made it out to be a big favor for us - (I guess they figured out that they would never have us fly them again and tell everyone under the sun about what a lousy company they are).
Spent day at home with our friends and did time until 18:00 hours. Drove to Airport, found a parking spot again within seconds (lot full signs blinking). Arrived at Royal airlines counter by 18:20 hours, day before they said some one will be there to assist us. 19:35 Royal airlines counter opens. Told no delay. Went though customs yet again, We sat around, plane was late again, We finally arrived in Vegas at 01:00 hours and cleared customs. Arrived at hotel by 02:00 hours, checked in at Excalibur, up to the 8th floor. Nice room even though it reminded me of a Motel Six, but room was very clean and the view sucked (but who spends much time in the room looking out). The elevators were always quick and I liked the Security guard checking for room passes before you get near the elevator. Went downstairs, played the slots and looked around. Lost some $.
Went for breakfast at Excalibur Round table Buffet. Food was okay, price okay, hated the plastic plates. Went and looked around, played some slots and video poker - did okay. Walked the strip up to Treasure Island - looked at the many changes that have occurred in just one year - was impressed how quick things go up. Had some food in Caesars Place Mall - I like that mall - nice stores and atmosphere even better now you do not have to walk the whole place to get out. Went back to hotel for nap. Woke up, met our friends, stood in line at a restaurant in hotel - long line; long wait. After a while we decided to eat after the Implosion. Went outside and joined the thousands and waited to see the big bang. I was surprised with how few idiots were out. Big police presence - I liked that. At 21:00 one of the best pyrotechnics displays I have seen started. At the conclusion a laser came on and said Circus Circus on the building and the lights went out and then the implosion began, lots of noise and fire. After it was over the majority of it crumbled to the ground sending up a cloud of dust. Crowd went nuts. After a bit everyone started to leave. We met up with some friends from LA. Went to eat at the Roundtable, small line, same plastic plates. After dinner we went out to watch the dragon show at the main entrance - was okay, wouldn't wait to see it again.
After show we gambled, had a few drinks, received some noise makers and hats from the hotel staff, went outside just before midnight and went up to the overpass to NY NY and welcomed the year in. Very nice.
Went back in, gambled some more and won a few $.
Woke up met some friends, went to one of their rooms in the other tower on the 17th floor; looks just like our room down to the print on the wall. Still felt like I was in a upper class Motel 6. Their view also sucked.
Went to the Manhatten Buffet in the Luxor. Amazed what they have done in less than a year. I thought they were going to build another pyramid (someone later said it was because Circus Circus became superstitious with weird happenings and deaths. I don't know about that, I think they could get more rooms on the site with the 2 pyramids.)
We walked the strip, looked at the Hacienda site. A portion was still standing. Walked up to Starbucks and took the shuttle to the Stratosphere. Long walk to the elevator. Bought the tickets to go up, was a quick ride up. Went on the roller coaster - was okay, not great. Went on the ejection ride - that was worth $5. If you do a ride, do this one, was a very good rush. Looked at the valley in the observation deck. Went down and looked around the mall, caught the shuttle backdown the strip and walked to Hard Rock casino from Starbucks. Attempted to find out some information about their slot card - it was like pulling teeth from a killer whale. Its not worth getting unless you want a cool looking slot card. Went back to our hotel and had a nap.
Woke up met our friends, went for dinner at the Excalibur Round table - dinner show. Paid $30 each. Dinner was a bowl of soup, a chicken (whole), potato, broccoli, bread and a Pepsi. You ate with your hands and watched a jousting tournament. Overall I liked the show - a few slow periods - but it was quite entertaining. They had good audience participation. I would recommend you see this show at least once. This would be a good place to take the kids. It was worth the money.
Went and played some slots, did okay.
Finally found a newspaper - hard to come by. Our friends were to go on a flight over the Grand Canyon - it didn't happen due to weather - they were refunded their money with no problems. (Royal Airlines should learn some customer service lessons from this Grand Canyon Airline). We had breakfast again at the Luxor - good food - small line - quick service. We went to Boulevard mall to do some shopping (had a scary cab ride there with a old man with a hat cabby), went to Mirage to the dolphin show and gardens - this was worth the $10 to get in. Looked at the dolphins including a tiny one born 7 weeks ago. Walked though the Sigfried and Roy Garden. My wife met and shook hands with Sigfield who was out with a couple of ladies. It was good to see that he talked to the common folk and signed autographs and posed for pictures. Next time we will see the show (we couldn't this time because of Royal Airlines). Spent the afternoon wandering around and just playing slots. Had dinner at the Sherwood Forest - stay AWAY - wife was asked how she wanted her chicken burger (she said cooked). The service was SLOW - 25 min. line up because staff move like slugs - lots of room inside. Food was below expectations. Stay away go, somewhere else.
I won $90 in quarters about 10 minutes before we were to go catch the shuttle to the airport. Nice feeling. Cashed in our slot card points and had a choice of tacky T-shirt or $7 we took the money and ran. Bus was late due to traffic on the strip. Arrived at airport. Of course made the wrong choice for line up. The gentleman who finally helped us did 8 people in the time it took the other 2 clerks to help the rest of the plane. A unexpected flight change of 1 hour - we were never told - just expected to be good cattle and accept it. We were never told why the delay, but talking to one of the staff, they said the plane was here but was being cleaned. We waited and waited almost 3 hours later did we board and leave. Arrived back to Vancouver just as a flight arrived from Hawaii (they had a better time - left before the snow) - only 3 customs agents trying to help a couple hundred people, felt sorry for them. Took 45 minutes to clear customs. Picked up car had to pay extra day because of Royal Airlines being late AGAIN. Drove everyone home and collapsed.
Our time in Vegas was very good. I can not wait till my next trip. Note: A few details concerning our flight were left out because you do not want to read all of the gory details, but I would recommend NEVER using Royal Airlines or Sunquest Vacations (formerly Sliverwing). I know we will never use them again. Please use someone else and save yourself the headache.
This was our trip in Vegas (when we got there).
Thanks for reading.
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Victor Griffiths
Phone (604) 644-9165
Fax (604) 272-0513
Suite 135 - 140 8380 Lansdowne Road
Richmond, B.C, V6X 1B9
