Last Night I was on Top of the World
December 9, 2008
I did a little running around last night. Unfortunately, I thought the new volcano debut at the Mirage was at 7pm, but it turned out to be 5pm. By 4pm, I had last minute dinner plans so I just went ahead with the plan and caught the volcano at 7pm.
Dinner was great. I have been to Raffles in Mandalay Bay before and it was so good that I went again. It is a very nice, quiet place. It is really difficult to find a restaurant with a quiet, cozy atmosphere where you can just talk in Las Vegas. This is one of my pet peeves about this city. There are times a girl just likes to relax and get to know someone better. Not so easy to do around here. I highly recommend this place Raffles. Service is very good and the food is always wonderful. And it is quiet and cozy.
Full from dinner and stinking of onions, (I forgot to tell the waitress to skip those), I headed off to the volcano. I hate to admit this, but I don’t think I’ve ever stood there and watched the volcano before. I don’t know what might be different about it now, but I do know it was pretty awesome. I loved the drumming. It sort of reminded me of hanging out with the Witches back in the day. (Long story that I’m not about to go into. Aidan, I wish you well…) The water starts flowing first then the drumming starts. Soon after there is fire shooting out from everywhere. You can actually feel it from many feet away. It is a pretty powerful sight.
Not ready to just go home after all that drumming, I went to finally check out the Stratosphere’s Top of the World Lounge. As it turns out you do not have to pay the cover charge to go up there. You do need to dress for the occasion however, so gussie up first.
I have a bit of vertigo and this probably is not the best choice of places for me to hang out, but what the hell. The elevator scared the crap out of me first. It zooms up all that height in about 23 seconds or something. It is a woosh and you are there.
We were joking with the elevator operator on the way up because, well, I was scared and hanging on for dear life. He said to just watch him, if HE gets scared then there is a problem. When asked how long he has worked there, he said, “Two months.” TWO MONTHS? How would HE know if there WERE a problem??
View from the Lounge
I was struck by the view right away. I made a bit of a mistake by looking down first. Don’t do that if you have problems with height. Just sit down then look down. The lounge is above the restaurant by several feet. The restaurant moves in a circle around the middle of the Stratosphere. I cannot stand there and look down and watch that move, it makes me want to fall over.
The lounge is also quiet and cozy. I got lost in the view many times while sitting there talking. My daiquiri was just the bit of sugar I needed to get through the night. I heard the most wonderful bit of gossip that ended up getting reduced to just one word. Every once in a while I shouted the word and just cracked up. That was the best story I have heard in a good long time and it had me in stitches every now and then for the rest of the night. I will never be able to repeat it, but it doesn’t matter, haha, it was just that great so I’ll keep it all to myself. I officially feel so much better about some of the things I’ve done in my life.
View from the Lounge
The lounge has a jazz act. It is a jazz act. I don’t care for that type of music but somehow it seems to fit the 1960’s-ish theme they have going in there. All the tables are small and obviously intended for quiet moment for couples. There were some larger tables and even some with drapes around them for those very romantic times you want to whisper sweet nothings. It is a very private place, romantic place. I’m surprised people don’t talk about this place more. Maybe it is one of those lounges people take their mistress, I don’t know.
The wind kicked up and there was some rumbling. This went over well with me, as you can imagine. But I hung on. I did really enjoy myself up there last night. It was a good time. Check it out if you have a sweetheart, she’ll be all smiles.
The elevator down was just as unnerving as the ride up. I expected worse, but it wasn’t. Soon I was free to run around on the street once again. It was a fun night. There are quiet places you can talk in this town afterall!
Written by Chuck on December 10, 2008 at 1:04 am
Probably too far for some people to go to (if they are walking). Might check this out as well since I put some miles on my feet when I’m in Vegas. Hmmm, a thrill ride before dining. Hope that the drinks and food are settled before venturing downward when leaving…Ha !!!!