OUR FREE FUN IN LAS VEGAS (PART 1)

If you are planning to go on a trip to Las Vegas, you should remember that it is ALSO another CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS. Why? Because there is just a lot to do!!  Besides the casinos that are open 24/7, restaurants, shows, and events, LAS VEGAS loves the people so much that it also gives out entertainment for FREE!

Yup! You read that right!

Of course, you could still save money if you want to watch  Las Vegas' popular shows such as Cirque De Soleil, BEATLES' LOVE, David Copperfield, etc. etc. BUT do know too that there are other activities for you to enjoy that won't cost you a dime.

And that's what my little family did for an extra enjoyable time at LAS VEGAS that cost us nothing!

WE L-O-V-E Las Vegas!

On our first day in Las Vegas, we did not immediately go to the strip. But even if we did have an enjoyable dinner, we felt it calling out to us.  And yes, the lights of the strip may be so alluring but we have another thing planned for the next day!

And yes, we were up so early for it! 

Like our hats?

BLUEBERRY HILL (US TRIP)

My eldest brother and his wife went to the US last year where they also dropped by Las Vegas for a short visit. Of course besides the casinos, shows, and hotels, my brother cannot stop raving about the food. Though he already had his fare share of food trips in various restaurants in the Philippines and around the globe (he's more of a traveller than I am), he has always been yearning to eat in a true blue American diner -- the type that you would find in the movies where the waitress comes up to you by the counter and asks "More coffee honey?"

My brother was so happy that my cousin brought him to BLUEBERRY HILL, a 24 hour diner that was every bit of how he envisioned it to be. Not only was he able to get fluffy pancakes at midnight  but yes, a waitress did offer him coffee while holding a steaming pot. Believe me was one happy guy right there and then (it doesn't take much to make us happy... he he he he).

So when THE YAPPY BUNCH went to Las Vegas, I was also counting the days till we eat at BLUEBERRY HILL. Finally, after we checked out from our wonderful NEW YORK HOTEL staycation (SEE HERE) we were able to do just that. Like my brother, never again will I be curious of how they serve things at a real US diner. We ate what we wished for AND with a LOT of extra cups of coffee on the side. :)

BLUEBERRY HILL FAMILY RESTAURANTS!!

BLUEBERRY HILL seems like your typical Las Vegas restaurant on the outside built with red hued cement walls and pillars. 

PANDA EXPRESS (US TRIP)

While we were planning our US trip this year, I immediately suggested... no demanded..... wait, hold the phone, I force choked Yub into submission rather, that we should eat in PANDA EXPRESS with the boys. I mean, yeah I'm sure that he would agree without the need for my "masochistic love" but I was not taking any chances right?

And I know that with just the words "ORANGE CHICKEN" you might even help me in pinning the Chinese Adonis down.

Oooh... (Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye)...

KIDDING A-SIDE. Yes! Though I know there is an abundance of steak, burgers, ribs, etc., etc., in the US, I also know that sooner or later we will look for rice, noodles, stir fry, soup, and yes, rice again. We cannot NOT have our daily dose of Asian food and the one that I feel that would be up to the task, besides Filipino food, would always be PANDA EXPRESS.

It was my favorite then. I'm sure it will be my little lords' favorite now.

And I was right!

PANDA EXPRESS!

NEW YORK HOTEL AND CASINO LAS VEGAS STAYCATION

Before I start, let me give you a warning that this is a PRETTY long post. Longer than usual actually (is that possible??) because I wanted to record the great time and special memories that we had in our first US staycation!

If that doesn't bother you, then carry on. He he he he!
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While the Chinese Adonis and I were planning our itinerary for our trip to the US, we agreed that we will be having at least one overnight stay at a Las Vegas hotel so that the kids will experience a staycation at the other side of the globe. Of course, we made the usual criterias in selection: the hotel should be kid-friendly, with free wifi, pool, should be clean and in a very safe environment.

After scrutinizing the choices, the winner for us was NEW YORK HOTEL AND CASINO in LAS VEGAS. Not only did it have all those I mentioned above, but it was also located right at the Las Vegas strip! Now what could be more thrilling than that?

Ooops.... sorry. Can't tell. You know the drill -- what happens in Vegas, STAYS in Vegas! He he he he!

Except body odor. That'll go with you EVERYWHERE. Ha ha ha!

And here we are.... 

NEW YORK HOTEL AND CASINO, LAS VEGAS!

Valet parking was free for hotel guests. You could even go to NEW YORK HOTEL early to leave your bags with the valet and they will just issue you a ticket. When you are ready to check in, just present your valet ticket to the front desk OR call them from your room so they'll bring up all your bags. 

IN N' OUT BURGER (US TRIP)

One of the usual "pit stops" for tourists going to the US is IN N' OUT Burgers. What is it about this place? Even if it was not a themed restaurant, a hotel buffet, or a Michelin starred bistro, almost everyone I know goes to the very simple eatery for some of their no frills burger and fries. Come to think of it, it's not just the tourists -- even the locals would swear by their loyalty to the fast food joint. To think that their menu is very limited compared to other US diners -- egad, they don't even have fried chicken! But go here we did (I am Yoda) because of that very reason -- we just wanted some effin good burgers. And I guess since IN N' OUT has been serving the same kind of burgers since 1948, a superkaduper number of their loyal loving diners will agree with me (for once).

So to IN N' OUT we will eat. There is no try. (He he he doing the Yoda voice again.)

IN N' OUT BURGER!

The place with the golden arrow! 

OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION 2014

It's June 12, 2014, a national holiday for all Pinoys alike and my family will be celebrating our independence the YAPPY way! I know, I know, that you may (or ARE??) already be tired from hearing this over and over again but the Chinese Adonis and I have agreed on having little traditions for our little family for various events. EXAMPLE! For the Chinese New Year it is already tradition for us to go to Binondo (SEE HERE), for our New Year we do our annual Hotel Hopping (SEE HERE), for Valentime's every year my little lords take me out on dates (AND HERE!!!).... Etc... Etc... In fact I remember somebody telling me already "Tradition again??" Ha ha ha ha! Oh well... Maybe it's just really important for me to instill these practices on my two little lords so that they'll do the same with their own children when they grow up to rule the world or something. He he he he!

Anyway, last year we celebrated Manila day by going to Baywalk, Rizal Park, and the Planetarium (See HERE). This time around, my husband and I planned to take the kids to different museums in Manila. Unfortunately when I called to make inquiries, most of them were closed because of the holiday. So we came up with another route for the kids which still gave us a grand yet educational time!

So Manila, here we come! Mabuhay!!!! 

THE YAPPY BUNCH are going to Manila!!!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY everyone! 

Wait a minute... We seem to have an extra kid..... Hmmm

JOE'S CRAB SHACK

For THE YAPPY BUNCH's trip to Las Vegas, I vowed to do 2 things: One, to take my little lords to all the theme parks that they wished for, and Two, to eat in my favorite restaurants that we do not have yet in the Philippines.

Yes, the second one may be a little selfish on my part but I could always justify it by saying we all need to eat right? He he he he!

So  one of the restaurants that topped my list was JOE'S CRAB SHACK. I remembered that for the many times I have been to the US, my relatives would always take me to Red Lobster, another seafood restaurant that is popular there (I think). But for the many times that I have eaten there, I was still not a fan. I just don't like the food that much. As for THE SHACK, it was a different story. I often see it many times going to and from my cousin's  house and when we finally ate there, it was what my taste buds were craving for. With that, I promised that for every trip to Las Vegas, we would always have one night reserved for it. And thus, my family was introduced to JOE'S CRAB SHACK. 

JOE'S CRAB SHACK!

JOE'S CRAB SHACK is very casual and vibrant. It's like a restaurant where surfer dudes would hang out.  

A LE BOUCHON LYONNAIS EXPERIENCE AT BRASSERIE CICOU

My husband and I have been already going out for 15 years and have gained tons of pounds from all our food trips... 

Wait a minute, has it been 15 years already?? It seems just like yesterday we had our blind date at Chili's! Hi hi hi! Eww kidding. I'm just being nice since we just had Father's Day yesterday... Tee hee!

Anyhoo, we always pig out on Chinese, American, Filipino, Japanese, Italian, Korean, etc etc, but it just dawned on me that we never set foot at a French restaurant or even a bistro at that! (Does Delifrance count? He he he he) We always get this notion that French restaurants are snooty and they might not let the likes of US in since we could get too "comical" for comfort. But then we received an invite to BRASSERIE CICOU to experience a meal like what they served in Le Bouchon Lyonnais, and suddenly, we were "sacre bleu-ing" at what we have been missing all these years.

Yes, French food is nothing to be feared by your palate, wallet, and personality. It's actually something that could really be enjoyed by everyone who just LOVES to eat. And we were able to enjoy just that very thing plus MORE last Saturday!

BRASSERIE CICOU!

My thoughts exactly!