Smart Baccarat

This was my Vegas birthday trip that was planned back in March/April. I originally had a comp'ed Palazzo offer for March -- but, I basically postponed that offer for a June trip. This would be my first trip to Vegas for 2008, the last being in September of 2007 during the VMA awards.

The Palazzo offer got sweeter, as a birthday offer, and included :
Comp Palazzo Suite for up to 4 nights with an upgrade to a Concierge Bella Suite
2 Bottles of Sparkling Wine
2 Bathrobs
The Ultimate Birthday Dinner for 2 (tasting menu) at Jade (Palazzo)
2 Venetian Monkeys (gotta love that)
Chocolates
and some free slot play

This offer was très bon, and was a bit hard to figure; as I only played some video poker a few times last year at Venetian.

So, it was June 26th, my OFFICIAL birthday and I was off to Vegas for the first time in 2008.

Our flight departs 7'ish from BOS (Boston Logan) so Dave and Meredith (Merf) pick me up super early, so we don't need to stress with our arrival at the airport. We get to BOS in record time, and I suggest we pull up at departures and Merf and I jump out and got to First check-in to drop the bags and grab our boarding passes. This works perfectly, and we are all set in under 10 minutes. Hop back into the car, and drop off at Logan long term economy parking. Luckily, just moments after we get to the bus shelter a bus arrives to take us to the terminal. We chuckle at all the people schlepping their bags on the bus --- and mention how sweet it was we dropped the bags first, before parking.

At the terminal, we use the First (& Shuttle) security line and clear TSA security in under 10 minutes. Merf has a bit of extra screening, but it's not much of an issue. I of course get my lighter through, as I'm expert at placing my lighter in the carry-on bag. Though, my real Colibri lighter is de-fueled and packed in my checked luggage. Can't risk having a $100 lighter taken by the TSA security folks.








We go to the Delta Crown Room by our gate (A17 if I recall correctly) --- of course, I tell the Crown Room desk lady that it's my birthday --- I just can't help it..... as I'm so excited to be going to Vegas on my birthday. (By the way, I score a present --- a Business Elite amenity kit --- as a birthday gift... very nice!)













Gotta love this pic of two of my favorite places, Israel and Vegas
























And for those who thought we got trashed at 6AM at the Crown Room, unfortunately, there is NO alcohol until 8AM due to Boston liquor laws --- so, it was just coffee, orange juice, and sparkling water.

We got to the gate (which was pretty close to the Crown Room) in time for Zone 1 (First Class) boarding, and used the Delta Breezeway to board immediately. Once on the plane, I had my usual sparkling water and lime for pre-departure drink.

after we were airborne, I ordered a mama-mia martini; the flight attendant searched the entire first class galley for the new premium tequila --- but, alas, there was none to be found (and also none in the economy section).

Delta's description of this new drink :

Margarita
The thought of a top-shelf
margarita—served at your seat—
available only on a Delta flight . . .
kinda leaves you speechless. With
Tequila Herradura Silver–100% de
Agave and Midnight Bar Collection
Margarita Mixer

instead, I ordered a pomegranate martini per Delta's menu :

Pomegranate Martini
One of the hottest flavors going
today, this Pomegranate Martini
is fabulous.

at first, they brought it in one of the funky party glasses that Delta uses for specialty drinks when sold in economy.



of course, I quickly asked the lovely flight attendant (and she was very nice) if she could swap that out for a proper REAL FIRST CLASS glass.




For breakfast (pic to the right and below), I pre-ordered an Asian Vegetarian meal. It was actually pretty good, though I think I would have preferred the breakfast cheese quesidilla with spicy sausage. I continued drinking vodka (with just a splash of the juice) as well as sparkling water with lime (hydration is key when flying).






After lunch and my few beverages, I was able to catch around 2+ hours of sleep, which was awesome -- as I went to sleep the night before around 11PM only to wake up at 4AM. I'd been super busy over the past week (work, OpenSkies trip to Paris) -- so, I really did need to get a bit of rest on this flight. Can't remember what the movie was, but I had no interest. Just sleep and listening to some tunes on my ipod.





OH, and I almost forgot..
Guess who was in row 6 of the First Class cabin on this flight from BOS-SLC,
CELTICS #0 Leon Powe. And, what an exteme gentleman. I was originally in row 6 (next to Powe), but switched to row #1 so he could sit next to his SO and child. And, what a cute little boy, especially when he was sleeping on Powe's chest. I really wanted to snap a pic, but that would be bad form. I chatted with Powe for a few moments when I woke up from my nap, and he gladly signed BOTH of my Delta boarding passes... ahhh... an autographed boarding pass to Vegas --- that really rocks (in my opinion).




What a nice person he was... I was so impressed, and was glad to tell him that I was in the garden on that first Sunday of the finals. GO CELTICS! YOU ROCK!

We arrived in SLC with 20 minutes to make our connection from SLC-LAS --- Merf needed a smoke (real bad), so we obliged and stopped in the smoking chamber on our way to the next gate (and of course, she was impressed when I pull out my lighter to light her Camel Red Lights --- I really am trying to turn her into a Dunhill Red Girl). We arrive at the gate while they were in the middle of boarding, but were able to cut the boarding line (hey, we're in First Class --- and I'm a Medallion) using the Delta Breezeway.

Got situated in our seats, and immediately asked the flight attendant if they had any tequila. I didn't want a repeat performance of no tequila, like the BOS-SLC flight. Of course, she had some, but this flight was only 1 hour --- so, I'd have to get ready to really drink heavy, to catch up on my initial loss of margariatas... No worries, since I was now well rested --- and consumed by tobacco smoke after a few moments in the smoking lounge.

This flight attendant from Puerto Rico was a real blast....

ahhh....... I finally get my margariatas! (notice I splased in Amaretto, since Delta no longer stocks Grand Marnier on domestic flights --- BOO!)




1 hour later, and well, just a few margaritas later.... we touch down in THE VEGAS.....

With flights like this, you can just imagine what's in store for the trip........ You'll never guess.... well, maybe you will.....

Labels: baccarat_king, celtics, delta, first class, las vegas, leon powe, palazzo, venetian