E phatlaladitšwe: 20.10.2016
Today we start our day with breakfast, which is included in the overnight stay. It is very good and we enjoy starting the day this way. Afterwards, we make our way to Bryce Canyon National Park after a short stop for refueling.
After the usual entrance control at the park entrance, where we also receive a map and the necessary information, we head straight to the first viewpoint to get a first impression of the landscape in Bryce Canyon. However, this doesn't work out as we can't find a parking space.
Therefore, we continue to Rainbow View Point, where we are both surprised and impressed by our first view of Bryce Canyon. We are surprised because we didn't expect such a beautiful landscape. Inverted 'dripstones' rise 10 to 20 meters high, creating an incomparable landscape. The colors and shapes are unique and incredibly beautiful.
We also stop at the next viewpoint and take even more beautiful photos. Then we decide to go to the last viewpoint in the national park, where you have a complete view of the entire canyon. After that, we also stop at the Natural Bridge. This is a type of arch, which is also formed in the porous rock formation of the 'stilts'.
The last pictures at this 'bridge' conclude our visit to Bryce Canyon, although it would be worth it to do some hiking here as well. But we have to leave to drive 4 hours to Las Vegas. We drive across Highway 12, passing through Zion National Park along the way.
Here, too, we see an impressive and beautiful landscape. Then we drive onto Interstate 15. This is a freeway with four lanes where you can only go straight.
Once we arrive in Las Vegas, we go directly to our hotel, the legendary 'Bellagio', and decide to use valet parking at the entrance. We have never done this before and think it is part of our Las Vegas visit. After checking in and taking a shower, we get ready for our first walk on the Strip.
It is now night and the light show and hustle and bustle on the Strip are simply amazing. It is almost indescribable what is happening here and one is almost overwhelmed by the neon signs and light shows.
Unfortunately, we can't decide where to eat and end up going to Bubba Gump at the Planet Hollywood Hotel. The food is okay, but nothing special. Our biggest mistake was ordering a beer without looking at the prices on the menu. Here, you get a beer and then you get the glass 'for free', but you have to pay $14.20 for the beer. This makes us a bit angry afterwards, especially because we were not informed about it.
We return to our hotel and admire the water fountains outside and enjoy the music and atmosphere. Since we are in the city of gamblers, we decide to play a bit in the Bellagio casino.
Not a very successful endeavor, but it's fun and we go to bed to be ready for tomorrow's tour.