Category Archives: Travel

White Christmas, Snowboarding, Colorado

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I just returned from a skiing trip at Wolf Creek Ski near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, with friends and family. It was a cold, exhausting and unforgettable experience. We also stopped by Great Sand Dunes National Park on the way back. Colorado is a beautiful state with its snowcapped mountains, plains, rivers and quaint, small towns. Maybe I’ll move there someday instead of California.

After this trip I’ve felt much saner; the wilderness distracted me from civilization, which is filled with things that are damaging but superficially pleasing. The trip reminded me of more important things.

Nevada Trip

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Got back from Nevada. First stop was Vegas. Walked about the strip for a little while. For such a freakishly hot location, there seems to be little concern about water usage. From the plane, Las Vegas was dotted with pools and patches of bright green. The second morning woke up at around 4:00 and began driving to the Hoover Dam. Pretty cool. Then drove to the Grand Canyon. Was pretty amazing for the first 20 minutes or so, but then it got boring due to the lack of visual diversity.

Afterwards drove back to Vegas at around 6:00 PM. Watched a beautiful desert sunset. The Hoover Dam would have made from some amazing industrial photographs. It was pitch black, but the area was lit by several spotlights which had a light blue glow. Plus they were building a new suspension bridge. The patterns created by light and shadow should have been perfect. Unfortunately, I had no idea how I could compose a beautiful shot. Afterwards one of the most amazing scenes was driving through the mountain passes until Las Vegas springs into view. A field of glittering yellow lights as far as you could see. An amazing sight.

Aside from the scenery, what of the hotels?

Circus Circus

Why did we even visit this place. Creepy clown decorations, and seems like a fitting scene for a clown horror film. It was built before 1970 though.

Luxor

Exciting exterior design, but the interior was rather bland.

Venetian

Beautiful design inside and out, but not the best.

Caesar’s Palace

Very grand design. High end stores finish it up.

Bellagio

My eyes melted when I entered the building. Beautiful ceiling of glass umbrellas in a massive foyer. Also a fantasy style indoor garden with mini ferris wheel and large watering can. Incredible marble mosaic tile ground all around and water arches. Very unique blend of luxury and fantasy. There was also a chocolate fountain at a store, a la Willy Wonka.

Wynn / Encore

Probably second only to the Bellagio. Marble tile with butterfly mosaic pattern. Incredibly bright and airy with modern decorations – crystal light covers. Saw a $10,000 table with a base made of a giant cut amethyst crystal.

T.I.

Themed design. Not bad, but not amazing.

New York New York

Nice exterior. Interior was nothing exceptional.

Mirage

Pretty nice tropical interior.