HIGHS AND LOWS IN LAS VEGAS
ANDY RICHARDSON jets out to re-appraise Sin City – leaving the neon lights behind on an outdoor adventure With its millions of lights, NASA has identified Las Vegas as the brightest spot on Earth
IHAD last experienced the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas nearly a decade ago. I’d travelled to Nevada to support boxer Joe Calzaghe in his World Championship title defence against Bernard Hopkins.
I absolutely loved the atmosphere of the Strip and mixed boxing with a number of spectacular shows, dined in some great restaurants and, of course, spent too many hours on the gambling tables. I had always promised myself a return trip.
However, when I was invited back by the Las Vegas Tourism Board, it soon became apparent how much I had missed out on during my first visit all those years ago.
This time I would be going from Neon to Nature and experiencing everything Las Vegas had to offer – but away from the bright lights of the strip.
And what an experience. In five unforgettable days I flew across the Grand Canyon in a helicopter, conquered my fear of heights by walking across a 4,770ft Skywalk, kayaked down the Colorado River and went off-road in a jeep.
On arrival, I checked into the Aria Resort and Casino Hotel, then enjoyed some fantastic food at the Harvest Restaurant at the Bellagio. That was the appetiser for the main course: the High Roller at the Linq Promenade, which offers a 360-degree view of the city.
It’s the world’s tallest observation wheel at 156.5 metres – even higher than the 120-metre London Eye. It takes 30 minutes to do a full rotation, which gave me a fantastic opportunity to take some amazing pictures.
Exciting as that was, taking a trip by helicopter to the Grand Canyon, however, was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Our Sundance Helicopter flew us outside the city, past the Hoover Dam and over the Grand Canyon, where the dramatic landscape took my breath away.
We stopped at the west rim of the Canyon to take a step out on the Skywalk – a glass-floored walkway that lets you look nearly 5,000 ft down.
I have always been afraid of heights and didn’t expect myself to do it, but gingerly took my first steps (wearing special footwear so as not to damage the glass). It was a milestone moment, worth every tiny shuffle across.
The climax to our helicopter ride was flying down The Strip with Elvis’s Viva Las Vegas ringing in my ears. It was a breathtaking moment as we soared over the Stratosphere, Bellagio with its incredible fountains, Caesars Palace and the Luxor hotels.
The next adventure was kayaking in a glass-bottomed boat down the Colorado River.
Vegas Glass Kayak Tours picked us up from our hotel and drove us out to Willow Beach on the Colorado River to explore the enchanting Black Canyon.
Our group paddled three miles upstream in clear kayaks that allowed us to see the world beneath the water.
It was hard work battling against the wind on the way but great fun, and the specially prepared lunch was a real treat when we landed on a beach for a well-earned rest.
The views of the canyon were incredible and it was amazing to see the landscape from a different perspective.
The good news is that the hard work had been done paddling upstream against the wind, and the return journey was a breeze. This is a must-do and you don’t have to be a powerful kayaker to enjoy the experience.
Our next adventure was a Pink Jeep Tours off-road ride to the Red Rock Canyon, only a short drive away from the The Strip.
The drivers know everything about the flora and fauna of the Red Rock and give you an exhilarating ride. I found myself holding on for dear life as we sped across the uneven terrain but it is an unforgettable journey.
The tour also features a brief hike, allowing guides to point out natural springs and ancient handprints left on the stone by native Indians.
Just a short drive from The Strip is a public art installation called Seven Magic Mountains, cooked up by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. The large-scale work features seven totem-like rock pillars, all in different fluorescent colours. It is just a short walk away from Interstate 15, and has the the Mojave Desert as a spectacular backdrop.
However, as much as I loved the natural aspect of my return to Las Vegas, I will always love the neon lights of this great city.