USA Day 3- B: Kà by Cirque du Soleil

A visit to Las Vegas will not be complete without watching their famous shows. I have always wanted to watch a Cirque du Soleil show - my friends were all raving about them when they went on tour to the Philippines. There are 8 Cirque du Soleil shows playing all year round in Las Vegas, but then there's also the David Copperfield magic show and ...the Chippendales  :).

I cannot contain my excitement when my friend surprised me with a ticket to Ka, a  Cirque du Soleil show playing at MGM Grand Las Vegas. It's one dream coming true.

After our Red Rock Canyon trip, we had early dinner then we headed to the hotel to dress up for the show.  Then we were off to see my very first Las Vegas show.

All set for the show! Let's go!

Off to MGM! Weeeee!

There were already people waiting to enter the theater when we reached MGM.  I bet I was the most excited of all- having travelled all the way from the Philippines to watch a Las Vegas show.  

When the theater opened, guests were greeted, and seated, by the actors of Kà. The actors also did some flips and stunts and leaps from the left and right side of the stage into the audience, in an attempt to scare them (us). Too bad, take pictures were not allowed during the show.  I was able to take a picture of the very elaborate stage before the performance started , though. It looked lavish.

Kà , which features some 80 actors and actresses, is the story of "the coming of age of a young man and a young woman through their encounters with love, conflict and the duality of Kà, the fire that can unite or separate, destroy or illuminate." I could not concentrate on the story, however, because I was too amazed with all the jaw-dropping acrobatics, pryotechnics, special effects and the costumes. I particularly liked how they used the 2 moving platforms and lifts, which re-configures the stage every time they move them. The shadow play was also a favorite.

An experience I will never forget.  I love Cirque! 

USA Day 3-A: Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

I love road trips- and I wouldn't miss it even when I am in one of the world's biggest gaming and entertainment center.  You can imagine how excited I was to go to the Red Rock Canyon on my second day in Las Vegas.

On the way to the Red Rock Canyon

Less than an hour drive away, the Red Rock Canyon is a stark contrast to the cityscape of the Las Vegas Strip. I found myself in this part of the Mojave desert ("mountain-and-basin topography with sparse vegetation"). The scenic rock formation and cliffs in very vivid colors, in a desert landscape is very striking.  

To the visitor center

We headed to the observation deck in the visitor center- where one can have the best view of the Calico Hills.  We could not help but click our cameras away! 

At the view deck

Calico Hills from the view deck

Calico Hills from the view deck

  

The fee of USD7 per car includes the 13 mile scenic drive within the canyon. Calico Hills, a beautiful red sandstone formation, is by the entrance of the scenic drive loop.  We stopped to take pictures upclose. 

We drove onwards, and I cant help but be in awe at this beautiful landscape.It amazes me that the same rock formation would have different view, depending on your angle. 

Next  stop was the Sandstone Quarry, where many hikers were resting at the nearby parking lot. 

The next stop is the High Point Overlook, which gives a breath-taking 360 degree view of the canyon.  

And then from that point on,  everything looked the same (haha!) We did enjoy the 13 mile drive singing Tagalog songs. 

Too bad we did not have the time to do horseback riding, or biking or maybe at least trekking.  But I was driving in a beautiful car, through a beautiful scenery. What more could I ask for?

Cheers to more road trips!