Check-in at Paris Las Vegas was very quick and efficient. We got an excellent room (number 1021) with a view of the Eiffel Tower, the pool and parts of the Bellagio Fountains just by asking nicely (and probably the fact that we had already stayed at Park Place properties before). We made the room reservations back in May 2003, so we got really good room rates - US$ 79 per night excluding taxes. We also signed up for a Park Place Connection card, which we picked up after we were given our room keys.

Although this was our 4^th trip to Las Vegas, there were again some things we haven't done or visited before. On September 23 we saw "Mystere" by Cirque du Soleil - we sat in seats in row #1, which by the time the show started did not seem to be spots that guarantee you being left alone by the clown and the "giant baby" that appear now and then before and during the show. Every time these two characters appeared we hoped that we were not going to be dragged onto the stage. There was even one guy who they locked into a wooden box while the clown sat next to his girlfriend/wife. Otherwise the show was well worth the money - and there were at least three things going on at the same time. You have to turn your head constantly left, right, up and down. There is no way to see everything just by visiting one show.

We also managed to see the Masquerade Show in the Sky at the Rio. The Show in the Sky performs seven times daily in the Rio's Masquerade Village, featuring floats that are suspended from the ceiling and parade above the casino floor. At the same time performers in brilliant costumes entertain with music and dance on the stage.

The Lunch Buffet at the Bellagio was also a first for us. We arrived at the time they switched from breakfast items to lunch items. Although the selection of food was really excellent we did not find the atmosphere very appealing. Another first immediately let us pose the question "why didn't we go there before" - the Spice Market Buffet at the Aladdin. We had an early dinner there on our last day in Las Vegas. Although it was not as low priced as other buffets, it was well worth the money.

As always, the time in Las Vegas flew by too fast. On September 25, after our delicious dinner at the Aladdin, we headed for the airport for our 11.15pm red-eye flight to Toronto, Canada.