Previously published at MoneyLife
Mankind and nature’s grand creations
August 11, 2011 09:46 PM
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Jaideep Mukerji with Veeresh Malik
Visited by millions of people every year, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon represent the grandest of spectacles that mankind and nature can provide
Over the past many months, I have shared with you a number of travel destinations that may be thought of as being away from mainstream tourist trails. Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon are anything but that; both are visited by millions of people every year and each represents the grandest of spectacles that mankind and nature can provide. Experiencing the glitter of Las Vegas’ famous ‘Strip’ allows one to appreciate the solitude of a remote mountain valley from a completely different perspective.
In 1829, a trading caravan of 60 men led by a Mexican merchant Antonio Armijo was charged with establishing a trade route from what was then Mexican territory to Los Angeles. By following a route through a tributary of the Colorado River, the caravan came upon a green valley amidst the arid desert. The travellers named the area ‘Las Vegas’ which was Spanish for ‘The Meadows’.
Las Vegas has seen unbelievable expansion since it emerged from the desert just over 100 years ago. In the early 20th century, water from natural wells was piped into the town, providing a reliable source of fresh water as well as the means for additional growth. The increased availability of water in the area allowed Las Vegas to become a water stop, first for horse-drawn wagon trains and, later, for trains, on the trail between Los Angeles in California and regions to the east.
In 1931, work started on building the well-known Hoover Dam on the Colorado River; the Las Vegas population increased from around 5,000 to 25,000, with most of the newcomers looking for a job on the dam building site. However, the workforce consisted entirely of males from across America and this created a market for large-scale entertainment. A combination of local Las Vegas business owners, Mormon financiers and Mafia crime-lords helped develop the casinos and showgirl theatres to entertain the largely male dam construction workers.
Now, the sights and sounds of Las Vegas are enjoyed by millions of visitors every year. They stay in some of the most glamorous, unique, themed hotels in the world. They eat at five-star restaurants and expensive buffets. They play at casinos, pools, health spas and golf courses. The state is also relatively liberal in handing out marriage permits—Vegas is a major marriage destination. The Las Vegas Strip is where every visitor wants to go. The Strip is a nickname for the road named Las Vegas Boulevard and is ground zero for the shows, nightlife, luxurious hotels, exciting casinos and all the best things to do in Vegas that make the Strip famous the world over. Study a Las Vegas Strip map before your visit and familiarise yourself with the highlights to be found. The Stratosphere is an observation tower at the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard and has great views of the Las Vegas Strip hotels when they light up at night.
It is easy to be dazzled by Vegas; the sheer number of things to see and do seems overwhelming at first. With the large number of celebrities who come to Vegas frequently, people-watching can be the main entertainment. And there are no better ‘spot people’ than the Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Hotel, a French bistro right on the Strip, directly across the street from the famous Bellagio fountains or the Bar & Grill at Planet Hollywood, from where you can scan CityCenter, the Bellagio and the Strip all at once.
Walking the Strip is a must for any first-timer and, as you cruise, check out the signs for the famous Cirque du Soleil shows. Besides being home to the top hotels, casinos and resorts, the Las Vegas Strip is a hub for other attractions like the Showcase Mall, Thomas & Mack, Sands Expo and the Fashion Show Mall that draw visitors to their world-class shops and designer boutiques.
Thirty mega hotels and resorts, with a variety of themes, pride themselves on being strategically situated near the Las Vegas Strip. Billions of dollars have been invested in the creation of this hotel wonderland; each of the major Las Vegas hotels tries to outdo the other in style and magnificence. From the pirate-themed Treasure Island, the Mirage Hotel with its artificial erupting volcanoes, to the elegance of the Venetian, a walk down the Strip wows the visitor.
The Bellagio, Venetian, Caesars Palace and the Luxor are representative of the luxury that you will find along the Las Vegas Strip. The names alone tell you what to expect; names like New York, Luxor, Paris, Orleans, Monte Carlo and Circus Circus make it clear what you can find. Other hotels have replicas of famous monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the ancient temples of Egypt, the canals of Venice or the New York skyline including a mock Empire State Building. All Las Vegas hotels feature shows with international music stars, the best of Broadway musicals and the world’s best magicians.
While in Las Vegas, you almost have to gamble a little; many hotels offer free lessons for the beginner. Until recently, Las Vegas used to be famous for buffets; now, it’s more about celebrity chefs. Still, the buffet at the Bellagio with its international selections, the Cravings Buffet at the Mirage Hotel with 11 live cooking stations or the Rio Hotel’s Carnival World Buffet are experiences in their own right. Caesars Entertainment offers a 24-hour buffet pass valid at seven different hotel buffets while MGM Mirage has an all-day pass valid at other hotels, all priced between $35-$45.
If you are seeking adventure, then SkyJump at the Stratosphere which, at 108 stories, is the longest controlled freefall of its kind, the Fremont Street Flightlinez where you get hooked to a harness and zip right over the crowds on Fremont Street or swimming with the sharks at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, are all possibilities.
Once you have had enough of the manmade attractions in Las Vegas, take the daily sightseeing coach for the five-hour long drive to the powerful and inspiring landscape of the southern rim of the Grand Canyon in the neighbouring US state of Arizona. The drive across the flat and mostly arid landscape of Arizona is dull and an opportunity to unwind from the intense experiences of Las Vegas.
The Grand Canyon is considered one of the Wonders of the World, largely because of its natural features. The exposed geologic rock strata—from the bottom-most 1.8 billion years old layer called Vishnu schist—to the topmost called the Kaibab limestone, represents one of the most complete records of geological history that can be seen anywhere in the world.
The Grand Canyon overwhelms your senses with its immense size—446-km long river, up to 29km wide, and 1.6km deep, layer upon layer of rock seems to rise over a mile above the Colorado River.
Given US government protection (in 1893) as a Forest Reserve, the Grand Canyon became a full-fledged National Park in 1919 and, today, receives close to five million visitors each year, a far cry from the 44,173 people that the Park received in 1919.
Given the considerable distance from Las Vegas, a day trip allows you only a few hours at the Canyon itself split between the spectacular viewpoints at Mathers and Yavapai Points and some time at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center with its interpretive displays and exhibits. If you visit during the winter months, as I did, a passing squall can result in a dusting of snow highlighting the rock layers while shafts of sunlight breaking through the storm clouds dramatically illuminate the rock spires and canyons.
If you wish to spend more time at this dramatic landscape or walk down to the Canyon floor along one of the many trails, you will have to spend a night at one of the hotels in the area. Some are located outside the National Park gates while others, operated by local indigenous people, are located within the Park boundary.
Allow yourself at least three days to experience the entertainment capital of the world and see one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
Why Go There: Las Vegas is unique—there is no city in the world that can offer a grand mix of larger-than-life experiences. Round-the-clock entertainment, the world’s best shows and hotels like you have never seen or stayed in before, Vegas has it all. The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s must-see natural wonders.
Getting There: There are direct flights to Las Vegas from several European cities with convenient connections from most major metro cities in India. There are flights to Las Vegas from most major American cities.
Visas: Indian nationals require US visas.
Where To Stay: It is easy to book Las Vegas hotels online. The official Vegas tourism website has a wealth of information and includes a hotel booking facility: www.vegas.com. Also, check out www.visitlasvegas.com.
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