tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13574738885394998282024-03-14T05:32:32.136+08:00US TravelsUS Travels is a travel website that document travel stories in the united states and occasionally around the world. Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-11145449556140128512020-01-09T15:03:00.001+08:002020-01-09T15:08:37.774+08:005 Reasons To Stay at Generator Miami<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a budget traveler, I am always on the lookout for bargain deals. Whether it be food, hotel accommodations, experiences, or transportation, Saving some hard-earned money is always a good idea. In my recent <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2020/01/visit-miami-on-a-budget.html" target="_blank">visit to Miami</a> in November 2019, I found a place to stay that charges as little as US$20 per night. I actually found it through my <a href="https://mgmee.americanexpress.com/refer/us/en/57D82CE35C103C93573182AF14D7D237EE79F8F2F61AFF2E3AD8900CBF5BDBCD42F5FB1476008E149E963B9128CC555473F501BE36D972816340051771A7E0A3C588BC2527BD992B4EF947443ACD1D1FBEA42553B29591751B20BD4F76026AF80803C0A37BE34F86FA2B2BE5CFB16044051F311350B667BF21B1ED3303D174A6?GENCODE=349992649298334&extlink=US-MGM-DEFAULT-copypaste-795-201329-GBZA:0008&CPID=201329&CORID=T:H:A:D:D:E:1:o:M:Y-1578553059237-2105253060" target="_blank">American Express</a> membership rewards program.</div>
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Generator Miami</h2>
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Generator Miami is Generator's first location in the United States of America. Located along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, there are many reasons why you would want to stay here while visiting the Magic City and exploring the Billionaires' Sandbar. Let me give you my take on that.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Generator Miami along Collins Avenue</td></tr>
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Why Stay at Generator Miami Reason #1: The Beach is 100 Feet Away </h3>
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Located along Collins Avenue in the Mid-Beach district of Miami Beach, it takes less than 2 minutes to get to the beach from Generator Miami. The beach is literally across the street. Better yet, beach towels are complimentary. All you gotta do is drop your room key at the front desk, ask for your towel, get to the other side of Collins Avenue, a few more steps and you are at beach paradise.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thadz at Miami Beach, Florida</td></tr>
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Why Stay at Generator Miami Reason #2: It is Very, Very Affordable </h3>
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The cost of a bed to stay the night at Generator Miami is as low as US$20 per night in a 6-bed dormitory-type room. During my recent visit, I stayed at a 4-bed dormitory and it cost me US$25 per night. On top of that is some taxes and a very minimal resort fee. The resort fee was less than US$20 for the 3 nights I stayed there. Sure there are cheaper options around. In fact, I've seen prices as low as US$15 per night on Expedia. And I'm pretty sure there are great bargains on <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/c/thaddeaue?currency=USD" target="_blank">AirBnB</a> as well. But as it is, US$20-25 per night at a top tourist destination is already a good deal to me.<br />
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Why Stay at Generator Miami Reason #3: Stay at an Art Deco Building </h3>
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Known for it's Art Deco architecture, Miami Beach has the largest collection of Art Deco buildings anywhere in the world. Count Generator Miami among those buildings. Wouldn't be cool to stay at a historical building. Just leave out the spooky ghost stories and all will be well.<br />
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Why Stay at Generator Miami Reason #4: It's Right in the Middle of Everything </h3>
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Located right at the middle of the Billionaires' Sandbar, Generator Miami has great accessibility to places of interest around town. A northbound trolley stop is across the street. It is within 2 miles of a major shopping area. May restaurants can be found nearby.<br />
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Why Stay at Generator Miami Reason #5: Meet New Friends </h3>
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During my recent stay at Generator Miami, my roommates were from all over the world. The first was a New York resident who originated from Egypt. The second was an Italian enriching his understanding of the English language. And the third was a tourist from Russia. We had interesting conversations. I even had a few beers with the Italian chap.</div>
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Are you considering booking a room here? <a href="https://staygenerator.com/hostels/miami?lang=en-GB" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to redirect to their website.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-82379678828989496912020-01-09T13:18:00.000+08:002020-01-09T14:56:44.888+08:008 Tips To Visit Miami on a Budget<div style="text-align: justify;">
I once found a round trip flight on American Airlines from San Francisco, California to Miami, Florida that cost me less than US$ 300 (with a stopover at Dallas, Texas). Since I arrived in the United States in June 2016, I have only stepped on the states of California, Nevada, and New York. That's not counting airport connections in Dallas, Texas and Denver, Colorado, and the home stay in New Jersey for my New York trip. I thought it was a pretty good deal so I bought the ticket for Thanksgiving Week 2019. Florida , the Sunshine State, was going to be the fourth state I would visit in the United States of America.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thadz visits Miami, Florida</td></tr>
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I'm not super rich and I earn just enough to get by. Planning for a trip is some sort of a luxury. That is why prior to my trip, I did my research on how I can maximize my time in Miami, Florida without breaking the bank.</div>
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How to Visit Miami on a Budget</h2>
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Based on my experience, here are 8 tips on how you too can visit Miami on a budget. It is not a comprehensive list but a practical one. Hopefully you will find this helpful.<br />
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Visit Miami on a Budget Tip #1: Visit the Magic City in Late November</h3>
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Miami is known for it's year-round sunshine. After all, the Magic City is one of the major cities of the Sunshine State. The peak tourist months are from December to June, outside of the Atlantic hurricane season. It is also the time people gravitate toward warmer temperatures to escape the cold of winter. I suggest that if you want to visit Miami on a budget to go in late November, right around Thanksgiving week. By this time, it is already the tail-end of hurricane season, students are still in school, and the weather is neither too hot or cold. Hotel prices at this time are not at peak prices, the beaches are not very crowded, and there are no long tourist queues to deal with.<br />
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Visit Miami on a Budget Tip #2: Stay at a Hostel, Dormitory Room, or AirBnB Rental</h3>
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Finding a place to stay is one of the biggest expense items on every traveler's list. While Miami and Miami Beach is home to one of the most expensive real estate markets in the United States, one can still find bargain hotel prices around. </div>
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Through my <a href="http://refer.amex.us/THADDE1oMY?xl=cp01" target="_blank">American Express</a> membership, I booked a bunk bed at a mixed dormitory room at Generator Miami. Generator Miami is a quaint hotel along Collins Avenue in the Mid-Beach district of Miami Beach. The beach is literally across the street and beach towels are complimentary. The price? Around US$25 per night plus tax and a very minimal resort fee (less than US$20 for my 3 nights). Pretty good deal huh? The 6-bed dorm can even be cheaper starting at just US$20 per night.<br />
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Of course there are trade-offs. You must be comfortable sharing a room with strangers you met the first time. Aside from sleeping space, you also share a single shower stall and a single toilet. The perks? There is the possibility of meeting new friends and being able to interact with peoples of different cultures. My roommates were all from different countries. One was an Egyptian living in New York. Another was an Italian enrolled in an English as a Second Language class. And the third was a Russian tourist.<br />
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There are other hostels to choose from too, so your choice isn't really limited to just my recommendation. I did have reasons why I chose to stay at the Generator Miami and they are: The points I earn for Amex Rewards and relatively high guest ratings.<br />
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After my stay, I felt it was a great decision to stay there. Service was excellent, staff were always looking our for your needs, and it was at a very convenient location.<br />
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To book a room at the Generator Miami, visit their <a href="https://staygenerator.com/hostels/miami?lang=en-GB" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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Another affordable option you may also want to consider is AirBnB. I am pretty sure, you can find great deals there too.<br />
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If you haven't used AirBnB yet, <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/c/thaddeaue?currency=PHP" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to unlock a discount on your first AirBnB rental.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Generator Miami along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4-bed mixed dormitory</td></tr>
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Visit Miami on a Budget Tip #3: Take a Walk Along Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive </h3>
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I love walking! Any new place I go, I'm sure to be walking around exploring. It was no different when I visited Miami. Collins Avenue is Miami Beach's main thoroughfare. Walking along Collins Avenue allows you to appreciate the 4 distinct architectural styles that define Miami Beach: Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, Streamline Moderne, and Miami Modern or MiMo.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mediterranean Revival architecture along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPr4rBlq5Sc/XhafxuwR1rI/AAAAAAAASik/YUfIe-ZkgIw8iDpdbaABQ7_WWHzDDDixQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191126_193435_599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Visit Miami on a Budget: Enjoy the architecture along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach Florida" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPr4rBlq5Sc/XhafxuwR1rI/AAAAAAAASik/YUfIe-ZkgIw8iDpdbaABQ7_WWHzDDDixQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191126_193435_599.jpg" title="Visit Miami on a Budget: Enjoy the architecture along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach Florida" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Deco Architecture along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streamline Moderne Architecture along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miami Modern or MiMo architecture along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida</td></tr>
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There's an area that encompasses Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue that hosts the world's largest collection of Art Deco buildings. The area is aptly designated as the Arts Deco district. I learned that as a part of preserving Miami's heritage, there is a law that prohibits revising the exteriors of art deco buildings in Miami-Dade county.</div>
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Shopping and dining are 2 other activities one can enjoy while strolling along Collins Avenue. For nightlife, head to Ocean Drive deep into the night as that is where the party is at. I ate several times at the Tropical Beach Cafe and once at Big Pink. My shopping was mostly done at Alvin's Island.<br />
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Visit Miami on a Budget Tip #4: Get Around the Billionaire's Sandbar on the Citywide Free Trolley </h3>
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If you are too lazy to walk while exploring Miami Beach, worry not. Just use the citywide free trolley service. With 4 loops, all areas of Miami Beach is accessible with the citywide free trolley service. The 4 serviced loops are South Beach, Mid-Beach, Collins Express, and North Beach. Trolley service operates from 6 a.m. to midnight from Mondays to Saturdays. On Sundays, the hours of operation for the citywide free trolley are from 8 a.m. to midnight. Schedule frequency is between 15 to 20 minutes.<br />
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For more information about this citywide free trolley service, you may visit their <a href="https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/transportation/trolley/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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Visit Miami on a Budget Tip #5: Do Not Forget to Enjoy the Beach </h3>
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One of the regrets I had with my visit to Miami was not taking a dip on the waters of Miami Beach. If you ever find yourself in Miami, I suggest to designate the first day or two as beach days. The spots to be at are the beaches of Key Biscayne and Miami Beach. Should you happen to be staying at a hotel along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, the beach is more likely be less than a 100 feet from your hotel so enjoy it! Furthermore, the beaches can be enjoyed free of charge! Be cautious though. Riptides and shark attacks are real.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy the beach in Miami, Florida</td></tr>
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Visit Miami on a Budget Tip #6: Join a Bus and Boat Tour</h3>
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One of the smartest decisions I made during my Miami trip was to purchase a bus and boat tour ticket. I suggest purchasing the package at a local sales location as it provides you an opportunity to haggle for a better deal. I haggled twice and got my bus tour + boat tour package at a bargain price of only US$ 39. I purchased my tour package at a sales booth inside Alvin's Island at the intersection of Collins Avenue and Lincoln Road.<br />
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I was picked up at my hotel at 9 a.m. They then brought me to their office for check-in then I hopped on a bus at 9:30 a.m. We had an awesome tour guide who was very knowledgeable about Miami. The tour guide spoke in English then Spanish. This is pretty standard in Miami, which is sometimes jokingly referred to as the "Capital of Latin America".<br />
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The bus tour took us around to the following places:<br />
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<li>The Arts Deco District</li>
<li>Ocean Drive</li>
<li>South Beach</li>
<li>Key Biscayne</li>
<li>Coconut Grove</li>
<li>Downtown Miami</li>
<li>Little Havana </li>
<li>Bayside Marketplace</li>
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We had a half an hour stop in Little Havana. While in Little Havana, they gave us free samples of Cuban coffee, we watched how handmade Cuban cigars are rolled, and shopped a little at the Little Havana Visitor Center. We had lunch at Largo's Grill in Bayside Marketplace before we boarded the boat for the Millionaire's Row boat tour. Do note that lunch was a personal expense.</div>
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To book the bus tour, you may visit their <a href="https://miamidoubledecker.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div>
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The Millionaire's Row boat tour was through Bayride Cruises. It starts with a pictorial right after boarding the boat. They then sell you the photo for US$20 towards the end of the boat tour. The boat tour passes by Biscayne Bay, the downtown skyline, Star Island, Fisher Island, Miami Beach, and Port Miami. Much of the tour focuses on showcasing the mansions of the rich and famous. Among the most prominent are real estate owned by Shaquille O'neal, Matt Damon, Shakira, Dr. Robert Frost, Gloria and Emilio Stefan, Frank Sinatra, Al Capone, Rihanna among others.<br />
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To book a Millionaire's Row boat tour, you may visit their <a href="https://www.bayridecruises.com/index.html" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ddc7BrUOP3k/XhajWM_93-I/AAAAAAAASjY/9-na6el-MB8vOOeiLNcH2f6shFWOnNzPQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191127_165420_228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Visit Miami on a budget: Enjoy the highlights of Miami on a bus tour" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ddc7BrUOP3k/XhajWM_93-I/AAAAAAAASjY/9-na6el-MB8vOOeiLNcH2f6shFWOnNzPQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191127_165420_228.jpg" title="Visit Miami on a budget: Enjoy the highlights of Miami on a bus tour" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eiJtVMFgF4/XhajWHQhl4I/AAAAAAAASjY/MwuXXUne-U0dg8rZ8ptMsusje_cYgi1MACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191127_153114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Visit Miami on a budget: Enjoy the highlights of Miami on a bus tour" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eiJtVMFgF4/XhajWHQhl4I/AAAAAAAASjY/MwuXXUne-U0dg8rZ8ptMsusje_cYgi1MACKgBGAsYHg/s320/20191127_153114.jpg" title="Visit Miami on a budget: Enjoy the highlights of Miami on a bus tour" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The American Airlines Arena: Home of the Miami Heat</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdFaex4Kb_o/XhajWBveoCI/AAAAAAAASjY/WQM_8U5TbSoC5cUV5ujyCgne426horn3ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191127_133017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Visit Miami on a budget: Enjoy the highlights of Miami on a bus tour" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdFaex4Kb_o/XhajWBveoCI/AAAAAAAASjY/WQM_8U5TbSoC5cUV5ujyCgne426horn3ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/20191127_133017.jpg" title="Visit Miami on a budget: Enjoy the highlights of Miami on a bus tour" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Miami</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBt2ERpBX2Y/XhajWLMjhxI/AAAAAAAASjY/Tuy9rG2v0QA2cdNsVhoU5c6VB_knpZidACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191127_114358_964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Visit Miami on a budget: Enjoy the highlights of Miami on a bus tour" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBt2ERpBX2Y/XhajWLMjhxI/AAAAAAAASjY/Tuy9rG2v0QA2cdNsVhoU5c6VB_knpZidACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191127_114358_964.jpg" title="Visit Miami on a budget: Enjoy the highlights of Miami on a bus tour" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thadz in Little Havana</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3APJfxj07o/Xhah7zuel9I/AAAAAAAASi4/XlZBB3JLKK8v7jxVl7oAMR6nuesrwvIdwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191127_163703_847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Visit Miami on a budget: Join a boat tour" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3APJfxj07o/Xhah7zuel9I/AAAAAAAASi4/XlZBB3JLKK8v7jxVl7oAMR6nuesrwvIdwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191127_163703_847.jpg" title="Visit Miami on a budget: Join a boat tour" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thadz joins a boat tour in Miami, Florida</td></tr>
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Visit Miami on a Budget Tip #7: Get Around Downtown on the Metromover for Free</h3>
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Another thing that I wish I could have done during my visit to Miami was to explore Downtown Miami. After all, it was free to move around downtown and the Brickell Financial District using the Metromover. The service also extends to the Arts and Entertainment district as well as the Park West neighborhood. It has 3 loops and 21 stations spaced out at an average of 2 city blocks.<br />
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To learn more about the Metromover, visit their <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/transportation/metromover.page" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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Visit Miami on a Budget Tip #8: Share Your Rideshare Rides</h3>
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In my travels, I use rideshare apps to get me from the airport to my hotel and vice versa. Two of the more popular rideshare apps are Lyft and Uber. In some cities, you have the ability to share the costs through Lyft Shared or Uber Pool. I used this feature in <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2018/12/welcome-to-fabulous-las-vegas.html" target="_blank">Las Vegas</a>, Nevada when I visited Sin City in November 2018. And just recently, I used it again in Miami. Where the feature is available, utilize it to unlock savings on your end.<br />
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If you haven't used Lyft yet, <a href="https://www.lyft.com/invite/THADZONLINE28" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to unlock a sign-in bonus toward your first ride.<br />
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So there you go folks, 8 practical tips to visit Miami, Florida on a budget. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-72412575492086267842019-11-25T08:29:00.000+08:002019-11-25T10:56:09.842+08:00Bridge of Sighs: The Virginia Street Bridge in Downtown Reno, Nevada<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the places I visited when I was out and about in Downtown Reno, Nevada last December 2018 was the Virginia Street Bridge. This article covers sections about the location of the Virginia Street Bridge, a history of bridges constructed on the site of the Virginia Street Bridge, the legend of the Bridge of Sighs, nearby attractions within walking distance, as well as other relevant information relating to the bridge.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77QqqpctOGs/Xdr6e519mPI/AAAAAAAAR9E/kzef2MyBCngpRSh3y4JWDRKSVV1XrvqDACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20181226_081631_723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bridge of Sighs in North Virginia Street Reno Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77QqqpctOGs/Xdr6e519mPI/AAAAAAAAR9E/kzef2MyBCngpRSh3y4JWDRKSVV1XrvqDACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20181226_081631_723.jpg" title="Bridge of Sighs in North Virginia Street Reno Nevada" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bridge of Sighs in downtown Reno, Navada</td></tr>
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The Legend of the Bridge of Sighs </h2>
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The city of Reno in the state of Nevada is known as the "Divorce Capital of the World". This distinction and the circumstances that happen around it gave birth to the legend of the Bridge of Sighs. While officially known as the Virginia Street Bridge, urban legend has nicknamed it as the "Wedding Ring Bridge" or the "Bridge of Sighs". According to legend, newly divorced women threw their wedding rings into the Truckee River upon exiting from the Washoe County Courthouse.</div>
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Location of the Bridge of Sighs</h2>
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The Bridge of Sighs or the Virginia Street Bridge connects the southern bank and the northern bank of a stretch of the Truckee River in downtown Reno, Nevada. It runs along Virginia Street which in turn is a part of the Carson-Reno Highway. The bridge sits right where Reno traces its beginnings.</div>
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A History of the Bridge of Sighs</h2>
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The current Virginia Street Bridge is not the original bridge built on the site. In fact, it is the fifth one constructed on the site. The original wooden bridge was installed by Charles W. Fuller in 1860. Known as Fuller's Crossing, the wooden bridge was destroyed by flood shortly after. The second bridge was a toll bridge completed and sold to Myron Lake in 1861. The second bridge was also destroyed by flood in 1867. In 1877, the construction of a tied-arch bridge made of iron was authorized by Washoe County. The iron bridge was moved in 1905. By that time, another bridge was designed by John B. Leonard of San Francisco, California. It was built by the Cotton Brothers and Company from Oakland, California. Due to concerns in structural safety and flooding, the current Bridge of Sighs was installed in 2016.</div>
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Attractions Around the Bridge of Sighs</h2>
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Being centrally located in the heart of downtown Reno, the Bridge of Sighs is actually surrounded by tourist attractions and many places of interest. Here is a list of nearby attractions that may be of interest to tourists of different preferences:</div>
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<li>Washoe County Courthouse. Unofficially referred to as the Great Divide, the Washoe County Courthouse is an enduring landmark of Reno's reputation as the Divorce Capital of the World.</li>
<li>Pioneer-Theatre Auditorium. Because of it's unique roof design, it is endearingly called the Golden Turtle. </li>
<li>The Reno Arch at North Virginia Street. An enduring symbol of the Biggest Little City in the World is the Reno Arch. The third installation of this arch is found on North Virginia Street.</li>
<li>The Reno City Plaza. Marvel at the public art installations at the Reno City Plaza. Many of these artwork also graced the Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada.</li>
<li>Downtown Reno Post Office. The site of the Downtown Reno Post Office is also the site of the Carnegie Free Public Library.</li>
<li>Powning Veteran's Memorial Park. Within Powning Veteran's Memorial Park, one can find a statue of Major General Jesse Lee Reno. The city of Reno was named after the Union general.</li>
<li>The Reno Arch at Lake Street. An older version of the Reno Arch is installed along Lake Street. It is adjacent to the National Automobile Museum in Reno.</li>
<li>The Masonic Temple. Lodge Number 13 is the first Freemasonry lodge in the Reno area.</li>
<li>The Colonial Apartments. Now known as the Westlyn Apartments, it also used to be known as the Ross Apartments. The architecture used is of the Colonial Revival style.</li>
<li>First United Methodist Church. This is one of the oldest remaining churches in Reno.</li>
<li>Wingfield Park. A collection of five parks that include Wingfield Park East Island, Brick Park, Bennett Park, Wingfield Park West Island, and the Truckee River Whitewater Park.</li>
<li>Trinity Episcopal Church. This church was built in the course of 25 years, spanning the Great Depression and World War II.</li>
<li>Lake Mansion. The Lake Mansion used to stand where Reno traces its beginnings. It is a home associated with Myron Lake who was one of Reno's founding fathers.</li>
<li>Truckee River. A stretch of the Truckee River runs through downtown Reno. The Truckee River is the largest river in western Nevada.</li>
<li>St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral.</li>
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Other Interesting Information About The Bridge of Sighs</h2>
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In 1980, the Bridge of Sighs was included in the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed to be among the 11 most endangered historical places in Nevada by a group called Preserve Nevada in 2002 and 2006.</div>
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References</h4>
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<a href="http://renohistorical.org/tours/show/5" target="_blank">Historic Riverfront Walking Tour by the Reno Historical Team</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Street_Bridge" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-91144593285420622612018-12-07T04:49:00.001+08:002018-12-25T05:22:11.573+08:00Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My first out-of-state trip since permanently residing in the California a little over two years ago took me to the heart of the Silver State: Las Vegas, Nevada. From the afternoon of 14 November 2018 to the evening of 16 November 2018, I explored the city with a lot of nicknames. This trip was the second leg of my three-leg #novembernomad tour. The first leg was a short drive to see Old Sacramento and the Sacramento Capitol District. A trip to New York would complete the travel trilogy for my birth month.<br />
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In this blog post, I retrace my steps as I visited the 28th most populous American city. For more of our photos in Las Vegas, you may follow us on social media:<br />
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Instagram:<br />
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<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jt_simple/" target="_blank">@jt_simple</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thadzonline/" target="_blank">@thadzonline</a></li>
</ul>
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Or you may use the hashtags:</div>
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<li>#thadzinlasvegas</li>
<li>#novembernomad</li>
<li>#travelwiththadz</li>
<li>#touristhadz</li>
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Getting There</h2>
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It was relatively easy for me to get to Las Vegas from my hometown in Stockton, California. Allegiant Air provides has direct flights from Stockton to Las Vegas. I scored a $50 one-way ticket and added $18 for a carry-on luggage, a great deal. I went with my cousin Jonathan, who is visiting out of Cebu City, Philippines.</div>
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A City of Nicknames </h2>
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Las Vegas has a lot of nicknames. Among it's nicknames are Sin City, the City of Lights, Gambling Capital of the World, the Entertainment Capital of the World, Capital of Second Chances, the Marriage Capital of the World, Silver City, the City of Lost Wages, and America's Playground.</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Sin City </span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">The old Las Vegas reputation is of it being Sin City. That is because it can offer any vice available to it's visitors. Whether it be drinking, gambling, or prostitution. Yes folks, all these still happen in Vegas to date. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">City of Lights </span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">Along with Paris, France, Las Vegas is also known as a City of Lights. Neon lights of old litter Downtown Las Vegas and newer LED-lighted signs abound in The Strip. Many shows also use some form of light as a feature such as the Bellagio water and lights show, The Luxor light beam, and the Mirage Volcano eruption.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Neon Capital of the World</span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">Neon signs are the most iconic art form of the Las Vegas of old. Even to this day when more modern LED lights have become the norm, neon signs still abound in Vegas specially in the downtown area. To preserve this art form, there is a Neon Museum in Las Vegas. Take a look at some of the neon signs in Las Vegas:</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-IR2uK2C8c/XAQsabp7MoI/AAAAAAAAPTs/HewCZyxzuv89sehTpF6y1xR_BwEkrWdtACKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_214240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Neon cowboy at Fremont Street Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-IR2uK2C8c/XAQsabp7MoI/AAAAAAAAPTs/HewCZyxzuv89sehTpF6y1xR_BwEkrWdtACKgBGAs/s320/20181114_214240.jpg" title="Neon cowboy at Fremont Street Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neon cowboy between Fremon Street Experience and Fremont East</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAWAv4b5EYc/XAQsacdW5cI/AAAAAAAAPTs/RZkp-D04ZLAJ2a-5A9IgrhAx2v4lXtVmQCKgBGAs/s1600/received_707217169656294.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lady Luck neon sign at Fremont Street Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1198" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAWAv4b5EYc/XAQsacdW5cI/AAAAAAAAPTs/RZkp-D04ZLAJ2a-5A9IgrhAx2v4lXtVmQCKgBGAs/s320/received_707217169656294.jpeg" title="Lady Luck neon sign at Fremont Street Las Vegas Nevada" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady Luck neon sign at Fremont East</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Gambling Capital of the World </span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">When one mentions Las Vegas, the quickest association one can make is casinos. Las Vegas is literally populated with casinos specially in the downtown area and The Strip. You see slot machines right at the airport. I've also seen slot machines everywhere outside casinos. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bT_k76SnafE/XAQ6O26vdyI/AAAAAAAAPUg/Xo8EOGVroDgfjWPAGvrtE_aw-Fkov8BOwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_152941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="slot machines at Las Vegas airport" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bT_k76SnafE/XAQ6O26vdyI/AAAAAAAAPUg/Xo8EOGVroDgfjWPAGvrtE_aw-Fkov8BOwCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_152941.jpg" title="slot machines at Las Vegas airport" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan at the airport</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmFgkWkSci0/XAQ6OweGCUI/AAAAAAAAPUg/h180olp2yko8Oo-P_Tp_KZe9MGZnnbjUgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_152847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="slot machines at Las Vegas airport" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmFgkWkSci0/XAQ6OweGCUI/AAAAAAAAPUg/h180olp2yko8Oo-P_Tp_KZe9MGZnnbjUgCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_152847.jpg" title="slot machines at Las Vegas airport" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me at the airport.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;">Entertainment Capital of the World </span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">While it started with Sin City as it's main reputation, Las Vegas has somehow transformed itself to become a more inclusive destination. While all the gambling, drinking, and adult entertainment is still alive and rampant, Vegas has attracted family crowds and those who just want good, clean, fun. Resident shows have drawn crowds who want to see celebrities of the present and the past on stage. Back to the days when Elvis Presley broke every attendance record there was, Vegas currently has resident shows for Gwen Stefani, Cher, Backstreet Boys, Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, and Lady Gaga.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Capital of Second Chances </span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">The draw of winning huge sums of money probably gave Vegas the nickname of being the capital of second chances. That's because winning big will definitely revive dreams one has shoved into oblivion because they can't afford it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Marriage Capital of the World </span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">Las Vegas has a section of it's downtown they call Wedding Chapel Row. That's because that part of the city is literally littered with wedding chapels. Vegas is infamously known to issue marriage licenses so easily, one can actually obtain it within one day of filing an application. No wonder it is referred to as the marriage or wedding capital of the world. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Silver City </span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">Nevada is nicknamed the Silver State, thanks to a silver rush in the mid-1800's. Being the largest city in Nevada might have earned Las Vegas the Silver City nickname.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">City of Lost Wages </span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">This sounds a lot like Las Vegas! One can get lost in the promise of a jackpot win and too soon forget they may already have a gambling problem. Many men and women hoped of coming to Vegas and winning big but in the end lost all their hard-earned money because, well, the house always wins. Casinos are businesses and they must stay profitable to remain afloat. The odds of winning are slim and one must gamble only money he or she can afford to lose.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">America's Playground </span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">A visit to Las Vegas screams <b>F-U-N </b>in big bold letters. While many cities claim to be America's playground, Las Vegas definitely has some legitimacy to that claim.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">The City That Never Sleeps </span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Along with New York City, Las Vegas is also known as a city that never sleeps. Casinos run 24 hours. Many restaurants are open 24 hours. Night clubs are busiest in the wee hours of the night and into late dawn.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">The Ninth Island of Hawaii</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Another nickname for Las Vegas is the Ninth Island of Hawaii. This is because a lot of Hawaiians have moved to the city. Las Vegas and Clark County has a significant Hawaiian population.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">Bone Yard</span></h3>
<div>
<span style="color: black;">Bone Yard was with reference to all the abandoned construction projects in Las Vegas when it was hit hard with the financial crises. As the economy is currently picking up, more construction is actually happening and some of the old projects may resume activity as well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
First Things First: What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas</h2>
<div>
You have heard that phrase too often alongside any mention of Las Vegas: <i>What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! </i>Dear readers, this will not be true for me on this trip. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to share to you what I did in Las Vegas.</div>
<div>
<br />
<h2>
A City of Witty Slogans</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I do want to add one more nickname to this city based on what I saw: Las Vegas is also a City of Witty Slogans. And the following photo-diary of some shots I took will explain why I gave Vegas that new nickname.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mTXyhPxvErc/XAQqtM9cJzI/AAAAAAAAPTg/Oo1rLKuC5Xck08IDhzu1HqwJb5pN_6LvACKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_034858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mTXyhPxvErc/XAQqtM9cJzI/AAAAAAAAPTg/Oo1rLKuC5Xck08IDhzu1HqwJb5pN_6LvACKgBGAs/s320/20181116_034858.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prime lineup: We got no beef with a great steak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9xR7e0zeh8/XAQqtOjV0tI/AAAAAAAAPTg/mAz4qWOtnGojTSjKq8Tp8umkI1XFHA1AACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_164742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9xR7e0zeh8/XAQqtOjV0tI/AAAAAAAAPTg/mAz4qWOtnGojTSjKq8Tp8umkI1XFHA1AACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_164742.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before coming, consult your doctor. Before returning, consult your psychiatrist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDSTZ4FHdVU/XAQqtEmEn8I/AAAAAAAAPTg/6F0tWSaHg5sFNWFk7HcmmaZS6EKhWUypQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_162428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDSTZ4FHdVU/XAQqtEmEn8I/AAAAAAAAPTg/6F0tWSaHg5sFNWFk7HcmmaZS6EKhWUypQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_162428.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Entire store 80% off<br />
(In finer print: A few exceptions apply) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jRjsTQmBuQ/XAQqtJ4slaI/AAAAAAAAPTg/A5YTXua6pawsoJqe5aQdglCTuKoGi6magCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_134225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thirst down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jRjsTQmBuQ/XAQqtJ4slaI/AAAAAAAAPTg/A5YTXua6pawsoJqe5aQdglCTuKoGi6magCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_134225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jRjsTQmBuQ/XAQqtJ4slaI/AAAAAAAAPTg/A5YTXua6pawsoJqe5aQdglCTuKoGi6magCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_134225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok81OlAUnnM/XAQqtKHzyQI/AAAAAAAAPTg/xboJop2qqX4OIqwZPjvreKDmf_R6kMMbACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_131642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok81OlAUnnM/XAQqtKHzyQI/AAAAAAAAPTg/xboJop2qqX4OIqwZPjvreKDmf_R6kMMbACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_131642.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Runs battered in </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qorkC9Fgn64/XAQqtMKJQoI/AAAAAAAAPTg/jIYNFhAagf4yKnnuKmO8VxRi6Ldbf8irQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_131147.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">United we stand pint in hand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qorkC9Fgn64/XAQqtMKJQoI/AAAAAAAAPTg/jIYNFhAagf4yKnnuKmO8VxRi6Ldbf8irQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_131147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qorkC9Fgn64/XAQqtMKJQoI/AAAAAAAAPTg/jIYNFhAagf4yKnnuKmO8VxRi6Ldbf8irQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_131147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABvjq32Ykio/XAQqtORJJaI/AAAAAAAAPTg/dOnJwUzEllEtuDkRSMo8pUeu7LNcSd3WwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_111138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABvjq32Ykio/XAQqtORJJaI/AAAAAAAAPTg/dOnJwUzEllEtuDkRSMo8pUeu7LNcSd3WwCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_111138.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put some south in ya mouth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTKsHgYUpnw/XAQqtOh_hWI/AAAAAAAAPTg/EgD5IlxVxLAJwN9qqgnOw2H9oZfV6bVDACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_103225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTKsHgYUpnw/XAQqtOh_hWI/AAAAAAAAPTg/EgD5IlxVxLAJwN9qqgnOw2H9oZfV6bVDACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_103225.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends are born here.<br />
(If you get the joke.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-laLMj49miR0/XAQqtFGAHAI/AAAAAAAAPTg/C9cKAm0-zDIc85I9Rqi7BzZu9BODFTkzACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_104304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-laLMj49miR0/XAQqtFGAHAI/AAAAAAAAPTg/C9cKAm0-zDIc85I9Rqi7BzZu9BODFTkzACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_104304.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steaks are high</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m8tVH9UshSs/XAQqtPE6KgI/AAAAAAAAPTg/fZMn3_W5kMIo-rnEURtzpt0DcRNPsDcoACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_101341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m8tVH9UshSs/XAQqtPE6KgI/AAAAAAAAPTg/fZMn3_W5kMIo-rnEURtzpt0DcRNPsDcoACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_101341.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your grandma used to gamble here. How else do you think she met your grandpa?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzI5Z4XFQhs/XAQqtPXpFuI/AAAAAAAAPTg/8KJ2ThQhv_YYyqVqiZzgDbTP5h2Tr8EfQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_101256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzI5Z4XFQhs/XAQqtPXpFuI/AAAAAAAAPTg/8KJ2ThQhv_YYyqVqiZzgDbTP5h2Tr8EfQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_101256.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30 days. We have steaks aged longer than your last relationship.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z2o0cY98r9g/XAQqtMNXc_I/AAAAAAAAPTg/jg0nGZJ-GPAg_Kh_7ZOrKOwelDLNgnCvwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_214012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z2o0cY98r9g/XAQqtMNXc_I/AAAAAAAAPTg/jg0nGZJ-GPAg_Kh_7ZOrKOwelDLNgnCvwCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_214012.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Education is important, beer is importanter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5uqEO7DiLk/XAQqtLvuZtI/AAAAAAAAPTg/5202bAIOJ2UqN0AxWGUnITA070QNlV2_gCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_212427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5uqEO7DiLk/XAQqtLvuZtI/AAAAAAAAPTg/5202bAIOJ2UqN0AxWGUnITA070QNlV2_gCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_212427.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cWBWMl0qFQ/XAQqtKbxs6I/AAAAAAAAPTg/yx7f8Ty1f14ygTtSLLsDZZGCbnWM0PJ7gCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_212453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cWBWMl0qFQ/XAQqtKbxs6I/AAAAAAAAPTg/yx7f8Ty1f14ygTtSLLsDZZGCbnWM0PJ7gCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_212453.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't tell mama<br />
(That's a clever name for a piano bar.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTpqW5dewwc/XAQs0iooYqI/AAAAAAAAPT0/eegFCMAbjqIZAXkobchLndklH_O5hC2QACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_132551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTpqW5dewwc/XAQs0iooYqI/AAAAAAAAPT0/eegFCMAbjqIZAXkobchLndklH_O5hC2QACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_132551.jpg" title="funny and witty posters at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not everything stays in Vegas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
First Stop: Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we got to the Las Vegas airport, I knew I had to visit the aviation museum. Or at least I had to see the aircraft that holds the record for the world's longest manned flight.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">World Endurance Flight</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The highlight of the airport museum hangs atop Baggage Claim 1: a Cessna 172 aircraft. It is the very same aircraft that holds the longest non-stop manned flight to this day. Dubbed the World Endurance Flight, it broke the record in January 1959.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQcWBhMTl7k/XAQmvw55DjI/AAAAAAAAPTU/KSnCQuMxfV8SfGSgJU6YOOBK72Z_VFKwQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_153432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="World Endurance Flight display at Las Vegas airport" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQcWBhMTl7k/XAQmvw55DjI/AAAAAAAAPTU/KSnCQuMxfV8SfGSgJU6YOOBK72Z_VFKwQCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_153432.jpg" title="World Endurance Flight display at Las Vegas airport" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Endurance Flight aircraft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also on display at the museum was a red Thunderbird sports car.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JauhsIbq1Hk/XAROz-8Gz7I/AAAAAAAAPUs/9llM4W-3LJQpBRAoHEOJhNGYyb3kBPEUACKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_160910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red Thunderbird on display at the Las Vegas Aviation Museum" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JauhsIbq1Hk/XAROz-8Gz7I/AAAAAAAAPUs/9llM4W-3LJQpBRAoHEOJhNGYyb3kBPEUACKgBGAs/s320/20181114_160910.jpg" title="Red Thunderbird on display at the Las Vegas Aviation Museum" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Thunderbird on display at the Las Vegas Aviation Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFC9x6piXVY/XAROz64lMaI/AAAAAAAAPUs/HBjkZs3forsgkc1IdYbI3XwWcrNSRgr-QCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_160938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red Thunderbird on display at the Las Vegas Aviation Museum" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFC9x6piXVY/XAROz64lMaI/AAAAAAAAPUs/HBjkZs3forsgkc1IdYbI3XwWcrNSRgr-QCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_160938.jpg" title="Red Thunderbird on display at the Las Vegas Aviation Museum" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me posing with the red Thunderbird.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whMZqWRYJG4/XAROz5YHmAI/AAAAAAAAPUs/NPjYgABSko8bMilrz6ffCxiZ6m3za2UMwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_161001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red Thunderbird on display at the Las Vegas Aviation Museum" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whMZqWRYJG4/XAROz5YHmAI/AAAAAAAAPUs/NPjYgABSko8bMilrz6ffCxiZ6m3za2UMwCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_161001.jpg" title="Red Thunderbird on display at the Las Vegas Aviation Museum" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan posing with the red Thunderbird.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Second Stop: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From the airport, we hailed a <a href="https://www.lyft.com/invite/THADDEAUII09584" target="_blank">Lyft</a> ride to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Installed in 1959, the sign is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5QDU5b8abQ/XAQ43BN_nFI/AAAAAAAAPUU/psgMuvxNW3EDBxdQsWxQNz8L30FmKnoNQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_164733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5QDU5b8abQ/XAQ43BN_nFI/AAAAAAAAPUU/psgMuvxNW3EDBxdQsWxQNz8L30FmKnoNQCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_164733.jpg" title="Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ayRHePOfqk/XAQ43PBJJOI/AAAAAAAAPUU/vog25eXxcc4WqftU3TcMCxaF4Bv0xUBsgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_164649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ayRHePOfqk/XAQ43PBJJOI/AAAAAAAAPUU/vog25eXxcc4WqftU3TcMCxaF4Bv0xUBsgCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_164649.jpg" title="Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.</td></tr>
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Third Stop: Harley Davidson Las Vegas </h2>
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After snapping a few photos as the welcome sign, we then walked to Harley Davidson Las Vegas. We really didn't do much here except buy bottled water and wait for our bus that will take us downtown. </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Our Tour Ticket: Big Bus Tours</h2>
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Prior to arriving at Las Vegas, I booked a tour package from isango. The package was a 3-day hop-on, hop-off pass on Big Bus Tours. The package also included a night tour and a ticket to the Eiffel Tower observation deck at the Paris Hotel Las Vegas.</div>
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Fourth Stop: Plaza Hotel and Casino </h2>
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Prior to arriving, I booked a three-night stay at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas. We were give a room on the 20th floor with good views of Clark County. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21Ry5d3HW_8/XARPwkKIY_I/AAAAAAAAPU4/u17uGxICgLYW3icE3Ao4EBtNWbss6PQ5gCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_230938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Plaza Hotel and Casino Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21Ry5d3HW_8/XARPwkKIY_I/AAAAAAAAPU4/u17uGxICgLYW3icE3Ao4EBtNWbss6PQ5gCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_230938.jpg" title="Plaza Hotel and Casino Las Vegas" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza Hotel and Casino</td></tr>
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Plaza Hotel was also right across the Golden Gate, the oldest hotel in Las Vegas. It has operated since 1906 when it opened as Hotel Nevada.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-md1E9U08Yms/XAWGAG8Qa6I/AAAAAAAAPXA/qpj9M48QI54WT29E3Lzyj0vRCH3XOhayACKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_204739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Golden Gate Hotel in Downtown Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-md1E9U08Yms/XAWGAG8Qa6I/AAAAAAAAPXA/qpj9M48QI54WT29E3Lzyj0vRCH3XOhayACKgBGAs/s320/20181114_204739.jpg" title="Golden Gate Hotel in Downtown Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Gate Hotel in Downtown Las Vegas</td></tr>
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Day 1 Dinner: Manchu Wok</h2>
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We settled for Chinese food for our first day dinner. At the Plaza Hotel food court, we ordered combination plates at Manchu Wok. Not the best meal we had in Vegas but the price was reasonable.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjrNK_wu0IU/XAQwKPInY4I/AAAAAAAAPUA/Bkhgz6TbzNkZJk1Bnu_hm06QJRAuI_0FwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_195921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="3-item plate at Manchu Wok Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjrNK_wu0IU/XAQwKPInY4I/AAAAAAAAPUA/Bkhgz6TbzNkZJk1Bnu_hm06QJRAuI_0FwCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_195921.jpg" title="3-item plate at Manchu Wok Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three-item plate at Manchu Wok</td></tr>
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Fifth Stop: Fremont Street Experience </h2>
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After dinner, we went to the Fremont Street Experience which was right across the Plaza Hotel and Casino. The Fremont Street Experience was a 5-block pedestrian-only stretch of Fremont Street with an overhead canopy. The sides are lined up with hotels, casinos, bars, souvenir shops, and other commercial shops. On Fremont Street itself were entertainers of various art forms. The atmosphere reminded me of the party scene in my homeland of <a href="http://www.wonderfulcebu.com/" target="_blank">Cebu City</a> in the <a href="http://www.aroundthephilippines.com/" target="_blank">Philippines</a>.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcfiu-9U_VI/XARQSKTJWDI/AAAAAAAAPVA/qs8LHM73iFgp2Z5Qn7oqrN-u5SVGUM7dwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_211606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcfiu-9U_VI/XARQSKTJWDI/AAAAAAAAPVA/qs8LHM73iFgp2Z5Qn7oqrN-u5SVGUM7dwCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_211606.jpg" title="Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BsF0VvzZAxk/XARQSKTP2pI/AAAAAAAAPVA/3lycF9aVvT8DBPYMZ1IEeuZHp1RMeUIswCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_211105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BsF0VvzZAxk/XARQSKTP2pI/AAAAAAAAPVA/3lycF9aVvT8DBPYMZ1IEeuZHp1RMeUIswCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_211105.jpg" title="Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recreational marijuana activist at Fremont Street</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zg39icouTQc/XARQSOGnV0I/AAAAAAAAPVA/zcFx6Ea1rXQwRSjat5pnl-PQMPL7u6P_gCKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_211005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zg39icouTQc/XARQSOGnV0I/AAAAAAAAPVA/zcFx6Ea1rXQwRSjat5pnl-PQMPL7u6P_gCKgBGAs/s320/20181114_211005.jpg" title="Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan at Fremont Street Experience</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbFfAORqnFo/XARQSDYNHSI/AAAAAAAAPVA/lbHybG9UuJUtoW5TTp8EamJNkvc7QgNKACKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_211003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbFfAORqnFo/XARQSDYNHSI/AAAAAAAAPVA/lbHybG9UuJUtoW5TTp8EamJNkvc7QgNKACKgBGAs/s320/20181114_211003.jpg" title="Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan at Fremont Street Experience</td></tr>
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Here's a short clip from the Fremont Street Experience:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WblWVD8-yEU" width="560"></iframe>
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<h3>
<span style="color: red;">Viva Vision Light Show </span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">One of the highlights of the Fremont Street Experience is the Viva Vision Light Show which is shown on the overhead canopy. Formatted like a music video, images are projected on the canopy measuring 1500 feet long and 90 feet wide.</span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4hTicGg3QwM" width="560"></iframe>
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<h3>
<span style="color: red;">Photo with $1,000,000</span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">We took advantage of a free opportunity to take our photos with a stash of $1,000,000 at Binion's Gambling Hall. Each person is allowed one photo and the processing takes about 30 minutes to complete.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdecc-tHopE/XAmFZvGQPhI/AAAAAAAAPbs/qqGYlPJLjDYNEH5WXAmzMDZWIwju1ViRwCLcBGAs/s1600/Binion%2527s%2Bmillion%2Bdollar%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Photo with $1000000 at Binions Gambling Hall in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1171" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdecc-tHopE/XAmFZvGQPhI/AAAAAAAAPbs/qqGYlPJLjDYNEH5WXAmzMDZWIwju1ViRwCLcBGAs/s320/Binion%2527s%2Bmillion%2Bdollar%2Bpic.jpg" title="Photo with $1000000 at Binions Gambling Hall in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our photo with $1,000,000</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">Vegas Vic</span></h3>
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<span style="color: black;">One of the remnants of the Las Vegas of old was the Vegas Vic installation on Fremont Street. Only a shade of it's former glory, the art piece no longer operated as it did. It is no longer lighted, no longer waves it's hand, and no longer speaks.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3MYrlO-kq4/XAWAhuRfOAI/AAAAAAAAPW0/utxIDrXBSZ0bt3q36SLj9oP402T8dI8WQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181202_231317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vegas Vic at Fremont Street Experience" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3MYrlO-kq4/XAWAhuRfOAI/AAAAAAAAPW0/utxIDrXBSZ0bt3q36SLj9oP402T8dI8WQCKgBGAs/s320/20181202_231317.jpg" title="Vegas Vic at Fremont Street Experience" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegas Vic at Fremont Street Experience</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Sixth Stop: Fremont East Experience </h2>
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To cap our first day in Vegas, we went past the Fremont Street Experience and crossed to the Fremont East Experience. The highlight was a visit to the giant praying mantis at the Downtown Container Park and a photo with Lady Luck.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xs5blxY-LA/XAYXSks7x6I/AAAAAAAAPYM/3cogpP65_TgluP10LSCEENJfvOcsq8HHwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181202_231353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Giant praying mantis at Downtown Container Park in Fremont East Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xs5blxY-LA/XAYXSks7x6I/AAAAAAAAPYM/3cogpP65_TgluP10LSCEENJfvOcsq8HHwCKgBGAs/s320/20181202_231353.jpg" title="Giant praying mantis at Downtown Container Park in Fremont East Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant praying mantis at Downtown Container Park in Fremont East</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JumxoLA6-dk/XATQOoVrYUI/AAAAAAAAPVw/lFePwUWao48cNswF_J6hl5rum9ippZeoACKgBGAs/s1600/20181114_212156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fremont East Experience in Downtown Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JumxoLA6-dk/XATQOoVrYUI/AAAAAAAAPVw/lFePwUWao48cNswF_J6hl5rum9ippZeoACKgBGAs/s320/20181114_212156.jpg" title="Fremont East Experience in Downtown Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fremont East Experience in Downtown Las Vegas</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Day 2 Breakfast: Brightside Cafe</h2>
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For breakfast on our second day, we went to Brightside Cafe which is within Plaza Hotel and Casino. Prices were reasonable at this cafe: $9.99 for a burger and beer and $7 for a 7-item breakfast plate that had 2 bacon strips, 2 waffles, 2 eggs, and a sausage.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QUCH7sMsPJQ/XAQw4cTW88I/AAAAAAAAPUI/f6GrBpLIScIHaYS5pUikH9Hx1WmMBOIGQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_094005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Burger and beer at Brightside Cafe in Plaza Hotel and Caisno Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QUCH7sMsPJQ/XAQw4cTW88I/AAAAAAAAPUI/f6GrBpLIScIHaYS5pUikH9Hx1WmMBOIGQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_094005.jpg" title="Burger and beer at Brightside Cafe in Plaza Hotel and Caisno Las Vegas" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burger and beer</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhdjTPavP1A/XAQw4bSPhdI/AAAAAAAAPUI/HPSSw-Edln4n-aKv-Ufuj0wAgyThooYUgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_093449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="$7 for 7 breakfast plate at Brightside Cafe in Plaza Hotel and Caisno Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhdjTPavP1A/XAQw4bSPhdI/AAAAAAAAPUI/HPSSw-Edln4n-aKv-Ufuj0wAgyThooYUgCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_093449.jpg" title="$7 for 7 breakfast plate at Brightside Cafe in Plaza Hotel and Caisno Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$7 for 7 breakfast</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Seventh Stop: Gold and Silver Pawnshop </h2>
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We hopped on our tour bus later in the morning of our second day in Las Vegas. Our first stop for the day was at Gold and Silver Pawnshop of Pawn Stars television fame. Inside, a portrait of Marilyn Monroe caught my attention. Another thing that drew my attention were artworks by Pablo Picasso. Here are some photos of the Picasso artworks:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X5oRlJ6oWTA/XAWAHpFkNkI/AAAAAAAAPWs/QXNY4k_6hTUa6wC6EOgWqM-7rmyetV9fACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_110753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pablo Picasso artworks at Gold and Silver Pawnshop Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X5oRlJ6oWTA/XAWAHpFkNkI/AAAAAAAAPWs/QXNY4k_6hTUa6wC6EOgWqM-7rmyetV9fACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_110753.jpg" title="Pablo Picasso artworks at Gold and Silver Pawnshop Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pablo Picasso artwork at Gold and Silver Pawnshop</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9nDojHnC0E/XAWAHv-he6I/AAAAAAAAPWs/ifytqK3mCIQJ28FSP50YBVuuG-63wZodQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_110733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pablo Picasso artworks at Gold and Silver Pawnshop Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9nDojHnC0E/XAWAHv-he6I/AAAAAAAAPWs/ifytqK3mCIQJ28FSP50YBVuuG-63wZodQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_110733.jpg" title="Pablo Picasso artworks at Gold and Silver Pawnshop Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pablo Picasso artwork at Gold and Silver Pawnshop</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riuOrReT8MA/XAWAHsipQMI/AAAAAAAAPWs/yWN9AknFxkAPVeRJIeTCUmRTOwTfHTDdACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_110730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pablo Picasso artworks at Gold and Silver Pawnshop Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riuOrReT8MA/XAWAHsipQMI/AAAAAAAAPWs/yWN9AknFxkAPVeRJIeTCUmRTOwTfHTDdACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_110730.jpg" title="Pablo Picasso artworks at Gold and Silver Pawnshop Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pablo Picasso artwork at Gold and Silver Pawnshop</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGgI8ikK89o/XAWAHthdh9I/AAAAAAAAPWs/AanFt0zs_bYsXYM2yA_04qQxgr6_Ht2pwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_110726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pablo Picasso artworks at Gold and Silver Pawnshop Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGgI8ikK89o/XAWAHthdh9I/AAAAAAAAPWs/AanFt0zs_bYsXYM2yA_04qQxgr6_Ht2pwCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_110726.jpg" title="Pablo Picasso artworks at Gold and Silver Pawnshop Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pablo Picasso artwork at Gold and Silver Pawnshop</td></tr>
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Eighth Stop: Welcome to Downtown Las Vegas Sign and Stratosphere Hotel and Casino </h2>
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After snapping a few photos at Gold and Silver Pawnshop, we decided to walk towards the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino rather than wait for the next bus for a half hour. We thought it ws going to be a short walk because we could see the Stratosphere Tower from where we were. But it seems like it just appeared close because of it's enormity. </div>
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<span style="color: red;">Stratosphere Tower </span></h3>
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We marveled at the enormity of the Stratosphere Tower. At 1,149 feet, it is the tallest structure in the whole of Nevada. It is also the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and the second tallest in the western hemisphere after the CN Tower in Ontario.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPJYWoObln4/XAWNKIiOeII/AAAAAAAAPXM/7XDy5TSVhr0699JBTy9do3NpdJaTb-EVgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_114026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NPJYWoObln4/XAWNKIiOeII/AAAAAAAAPXM/7XDy5TSVhr0699JBTy9do3NpdJaTb-EVgCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_114026.jpg" title="Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stratosphere Tower</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGGtuCPF0_A/XAWNKAMZabI/AAAAAAAAPXM/zyR22QTnrDcAnL__vinGm6_wbhQlmp1pQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_111623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGGtuCPF0_A/XAWNKAMZabI/AAAAAAAAPXM/zyR22QTnrDcAnL__vinGm6_wbhQlmp1pQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_111623.jpg" title="Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stratosphere Tower</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">Welcome to Downtown Las Vegas</span></h3>
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A few weeks prior to our visit, a new welcome sign was installed at the southern limits of the City of Las Vegas. The installation across the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino featured gambling paraphernalia and lady figures in burlesque costumes.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jeec5fDLAus/XAWOWA48iRI/AAAAAAAAPXY/vfKAGUHVzfcLFHrWaQrptFnaa8tJSozdACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_114620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Welcome to the City of Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jeec5fDLAus/XAWOWA48iRI/AAAAAAAAPXY/vfKAGUHVzfcLFHrWaQrptFnaa8tJSozdACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_114620.jpg" title="Welcome to the City of Las Vegas" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the City of Las Vegas</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CsA18wnGDHo/XAWOWLEZ05I/AAAAAAAAPXY/niXH1f19uYI6j1NUKmNrNq9lXGe3BKGRQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_114748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Welcome to the City of Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CsA18wnGDHo/XAWOWLEZ05I/AAAAAAAAPXY/niXH1f19uYI6j1NUKmNrNq9lXGe3BKGRQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_114748.jpg" title="Welcome to the City of Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the City of Las Vegas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oapmv_IDkZQ/XAWOWERb4JI/AAAAAAAAPXY/2zgZLJr7jUkXCJRQQ90Jfc88V-zbaX3YwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_114909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Welcome to the City of Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oapmv_IDkZQ/XAWOWERb4JI/AAAAAAAAPXY/2zgZLJr7jUkXCJRQQ90Jfc88V-zbaX3YwCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_114909.jpg" title="Welcome to the City of Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the City of Las Vegas</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Ninth Stop: Treasure Island </h2>
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From the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, we again hopped on the the tour bus to get to The Strip. We made a restroom stop at the Slots-a-Fun Casino at the Circus Circus Hotel. We hopped off the bus at the Treasure Island stop. This was the starting point where we did a lot of walking in the Las Vegas Strip. </div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;">Trivia: The Strip is Not Part of Las Vegas</span></h4>
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Before I proceed with our walking tour of The Strip, here's a bit of trivia. While The Strip is what a lot of people actually associate with Las Vegas, it is technically not part of the City of Las Vegas. It is located in the unincorporated communities of Paradise and Winchester in Clark County, Nevada.</div>
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<h4>
<span style="color: blue;">More Trivia: The Las Vegas Strip is the Most Visited</span></h4>
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The Las Vegas Strip is the world's most visited tourist attraction. It attracts some 39.6 million visitors a year.</div>
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Reference: <a href="https://www.farandwide.com/s/most-visited-tourist-destinations-bc849c0424864219" target="_blank">Far and Wide</a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">No More Pirate Battles</span></h3>
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Outside Treasure Island, we snapped photos with pirate ships in our background. We later found out that these pirate ships actually staged pirate battles on a nightly basis. This has so far been discontinued. That would have been a spectacle to watch. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1ODduO904o/XAWPLTmL5DI/AAAAAAAAPXk/t8HwPUFyCm8taOb7BrCo7kCvnfGXhpgAACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_124259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pirate ship at Treasure Island Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1ODduO904o/XAWPLTmL5DI/AAAAAAAAPXk/t8HwPUFyCm8taOb7BrCo7kCvnfGXhpgAACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_124259.jpg" title="Pirate ship at Treasure Island Las Vegas" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasure Island pirate ship</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivio_pUaZfI/XAWPLXzxubI/AAAAAAAAPXk/urOMLYzGFeYm0sQxIReab3a19e1KbaMngCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_124121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Treasure Island Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivio_pUaZfI/XAWPLXzxubI/AAAAAAAAPXk/urOMLYzGFeYm0sQxIReab3a19e1KbaMngCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_124121.jpg" title="Treasure Island Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me at Treasure Island Las Vegas</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VoFrSNn4E7o/XAWPLQdpEMI/AAAAAAAAPXk/rN_rGBGYhJkkY1ZIAcC3J4XJeEs-iRxIgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_123927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Treasure Island Las Vegas" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VoFrSNn4E7o/XAWPLQdpEMI/AAAAAAAAPXk/rN_rGBGYhJkkY1ZIAcC3J4XJeEs-iRxIgCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_123927.jpg" title="Treasure Island Las Vegas" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me at Treasure Island Las Vegas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Tenth Stop: Wynn Hotel </h2>
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From Treasure Island, we crossed over to the Wynn Hotel. Right outside the Wynn Hotel was a water feature: The Lake of Dreams. We snapped a few photos and moved on.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTj8TsWHxkU/XAWPrJ4x9gI/AAAAAAAAPXs/L0hpZWx-VKM5E0PZ26Qee7lPhlVuBCqOgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_125533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Me outside the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTj8TsWHxkU/XAWPrJ4x9gI/AAAAAAAAPXs/L0hpZWx-VKM5E0PZ26Qee7lPhlVuBCqOgCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_125533.jpg" title="Me outside the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me outside the Wynn Hotel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ7p22lTPzQ/XAWPrLpcrUI/AAAAAAAAPXs/8Xv3P0vRFPYMlFEQZl0MC75QXzJze5iOwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_125255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Waterfalls at Wynn Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ7p22lTPzQ/XAWPrLpcrUI/AAAAAAAAPXs/8Xv3P0vRFPYMlFEQZl0MC75QXzJze5iOwCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_125255.jpg" title="Waterfalls at Wynn Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls at Wynn Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKEKhU0cHnk/XAWPrDhcMUI/AAAAAAAAPXs/rUwfjhwjE-IVVxqn8FjaD4xac9nmJkFPQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_125225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lake of Dreams at Wynn Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKEKhU0cHnk/XAWPrDhcMUI/AAAAAAAAPXs/rUwfjhwjE-IVVxqn8FjaD4xac9nmJkFPQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_125225.jpg" title="Lake of Dreams at Wynn Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake of Dreams at Wynn Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-ek1WFWrLU/XAWPrOt0h9I/AAAAAAAAPXs/fKMHePgbKM0rm7QOiTjE26QaCjgO_uTugCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_125329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jonathan outside the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-ek1WFWrLU/XAWPrOt0h9I/AAAAAAAAPXs/fKMHePgbKM0rm7QOiTjE26QaCjgO_uTugCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_125329.jpg" title="Jonathan outside the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan outside the Wynn Hotel</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Eleventh Stop: Palazzo and The Venetian </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a few snaps outside the Wynn Hotel, we crossed the pedestrian bridge to get to the Palazzo and The Venetian, the second largest hotel in the world. Inspired by the Italian city of Venice, Many of the features of the Palazzo and The Venetian are replicas of attractions in Venice. There were gondolas, painted ceilings, Italian restaurants, a recreation of the Grand Canal, a building facade inspired by the Doge's Palace design, replicas of the Rialto Bridge and the Bell Tower, and various sculptures.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gN1l7rrnmB8/XAWXjE4isxI/AAAAAAAAPX4/kZBhKSmAVEQ3REf_ldSe22MErP7h-PPDACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_135453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rialto Bridge replica at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gN1l7rrnmB8/XAWXjE4isxI/AAAAAAAAPX4/kZBhKSmAVEQ3REf_ldSe22MErP7h-PPDACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_135453.jpg" title="Rialto Bridge replica at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rialto Bridge replica at the Palazzo and The Venetian</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrmjvmYPLnA/XAWXjAmwIqI/AAAAAAAAPX4/7mIeB0XFe4k5s-pVHdC4iPmcz8UcbzYNACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_135234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Campanile di San Marco replica at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrmjvmYPLnA/XAWXjAmwIqI/AAAAAAAAPX4/7mIeB0XFe4k5s-pVHdC4iPmcz8UcbzYNACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_135234.jpg" title="Campanile di San Marco replica at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campanile di San Marco replica at the Palazzo and The Venetian</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9wN3th3RhTU/XAWXjJlv3gI/AAAAAAAAPX4/Ra2xoEjbII0hMRXi268U0blgM-3CjYvawCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_135127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sculpture at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9wN3th3RhTU/XAWXjJlv3gI/AAAAAAAAPX4/Ra2xoEjbII0hMRXi268U0blgM-3CjYvawCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_135127.jpg" title="Sculpture at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculpture at the Palazzo and The Venetian</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cxmDxYNyOY/XAWXjNK5rLI/AAAAAAAAPX4/wG_tSzT1oy4tBRzbYYWIs-iWb5b98-v1QCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_133931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gondolas at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cxmDxYNyOY/XAWXjNK5rLI/AAAAAAAAPX4/wG_tSzT1oy4tBRzbYYWIs-iWb5b98-v1QCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_133931.jpg" title="Gondolas at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gondolas at the Palazzo and The Venetian</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7OX0ChW1vg/XAWXjPiytCI/AAAAAAAAPX4/qi5LP1s5P8gjHSTCYskst3yuviiNVlUVQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_133418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Painted ceiling at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7OX0ChW1vg/XAWXjPiytCI/AAAAAAAAPX4/qi5LP1s5P8gjHSTCYskst3yuviiNVlUVQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_133418.jpg" title="Painted ceiling at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted ceiling at the Palazzo and The Venetian</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QWzorALy7Q/XAWXjDzYKCI/AAAAAAAAPX4/NOTxJPteJ3IoKBFmpQxJ2TjSl7XJEcDFACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_133752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Balcony at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QWzorALy7Q/XAWXjDzYKCI/AAAAAAAAPX4/NOTxJPteJ3IoKBFmpQxJ2TjSl7XJEcDFACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_133752.jpg" title="Balcony at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balcony at the Palazzo and The Venetian</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7R6rnEE0n3I/XAWXjGGoheI/AAAAAAAAPX4/heEUtuJ0mxUtxJ2fXi8oNOydobIJ9Mx-QCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_133834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Balcony at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7R6rnEE0n3I/XAWXjGGoheI/AAAAAAAAPX4/heEUtuJ0mxUtxJ2fXi8oNOydobIJ9Mx-QCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_133834.jpg" title="Balcony at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balcony at the Palazzo and The Venetian</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0NzSsCBasc/XAWXjKaYGuI/AAAAAAAAPX4/dGlihMVJoYclYoWm-FcblZI9RYTs9ucMwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_135116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Doge's Palace-inspired building facade at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0NzSsCBasc/XAWXjKaYGuI/AAAAAAAAPX4/dGlihMVJoYclYoWm-FcblZI9RYTs9ucMwCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_135116.jpg" title="Doge's Palace-inspired building facade at the Palazzo and The Venetian in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building facade at the Palazzo and The Venetian<br />
(inspired by Doge's Palace facade)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Twelfth Stop: The Mirage </h2>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After spending some time in the Palazzo and The Venetian, we crossed the road towards The Mirage. There we again marveled at the exquisite water feature. Note that we are in the middle of the Mojave Desert. While Las Vegas seems like it has all these extravagant water features, I've been told much of the water used are recycled.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L87j1GLKeMM/XAYYn-7K1FI/AAAAAAAAPYY/cGxfqZtBfTkOAcVIZv3oO1aH8KE0PT5TACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_135738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Outside The Mirage in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L87j1GLKeMM/XAYYn-7K1FI/AAAAAAAAPYY/cGxfqZtBfTkOAcVIZv3oO1aH8KE0PT5TACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_135738.jpg" title="Outside The Mirage in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside The Mirage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIAO0jjEl1Q/XAYYn30SEdI/AAAAAAAAPYY/k0uqAxeMzdoBk_Aon5vzc22MHzSdW_3CQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_140024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Outside The Mirage in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIAO0jjEl1Q/XAYYn30SEdI/AAAAAAAAPYY/k0uqAxeMzdoBk_Aon5vzc22MHzSdW_3CQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_140024.jpg" title="Outside The Mirage in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan outside The Mirage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reVqMuGSm-k/XAYYn9-LTFI/AAAAAAAAPYY/kH6luxEi7IIzl_EduTiCsXaOzvDCnVUagCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_140315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Outside The Mirage in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reVqMuGSm-k/XAYYn9-LTFI/AAAAAAAAPYY/kH6luxEi7IIzl_EduTiCsXaOzvDCnVUagCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_140315.jpg" title="Outside The Mirage in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me outside The Mirage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w59S_wD6N0c/XAYYn-uF0wI/AAAAAAAAPYY/mYIipE45p20L2M_xUtUK14fXjMScsjQ_gCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_135938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Outside The Mirage in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w59S_wD6N0c/XAYYn-uF0wI/AAAAAAAAPYY/mYIipE45p20L2M_xUtUK14fXjMScsjQ_gCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_135938.jpg" title="Outside The Mirage in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water feature at The Mirage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Thirteenth Stop: The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We continued into the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace further down South Las Vegas Boulevard. The design was inspired by ancient Rome. Popular features include a reflecting pool, Neptune's Fountain, the Fountain of the Gods, the Fall of Atlantis show, and various sculptures. Right outside the Forum Shops is a recreation of the Trevi Fountain and right beside is a replica of the Colosseum.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDvGulqoTIw/XAghBOz6lVI/AAAAAAAAPYw/ubxV9FEA_P4-nZDA4hMgJYDZKAlksldmgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_142833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fountain of the Gods at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDvGulqoTIw/XAghBOz6lVI/AAAAAAAAPYw/ubxV9FEA_P4-nZDA4hMgJYDZKAlksldmgCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_142833.jpg" title="Fountain of the Gods at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountain of the Gods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFHsmM5Kh98/XAghBG4xXQI/AAAAAAAAPYw/T2t7U_HCTXki-dtrdpng1hHnHVaX7VRuACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_143815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Fall of Atlantis Show at the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFHsmM5Kh98/XAghBG4xXQI/AAAAAAAAPYw/T2t7U_HCTXki-dtrdpng1hHnHVaX7VRuACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_143815.jpg" title="The Fall of Atlantis Show at the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fall of Atlantis show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtA9v3turOE/XAghBHfIQ-I/AAAAAAAAPYw/jqvX438YMG0jeEaZ4dAD0VBnMeEd2bXMACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_150848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trevi Fountain replica outside the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtA9v3turOE/XAghBHfIQ-I/AAAAAAAAPYw/jqvX438YMG0jeEaZ4dAD0VBnMeEd2bXMACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_150848.jpg" title="Trevi Fountain replica outside the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevi Fountain replica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MtXtYn8ik4c/XAghBBNYneI/AAAAAAAAPYw/imjnCvW35ss38PQdEwJU3x0RK4WJPBmMgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_142230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Neptune's Fountain at the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MtXtYn8ik4c/XAghBBNYneI/AAAAAAAAPYw/imjnCvW35ss38PQdEwJU3x0RK4WJPBmMgCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_142230.jpg" title="Neptune's Fountain at the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neptune's Fountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfoqIsKi-RI/XAghBJ0EqwI/AAAAAAAAPYw/o_DM_n1XK0EHiF830N5EN7p7xG5pI4HOgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_150548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jonathan at the Trevi Fountain replica outside the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfoqIsKi-RI/XAghBJ0EqwI/AAAAAAAAPYw/o_DM_n1XK0EHiF830N5EN7p7xG5pI4HOgCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_150548.jpg" title="Jonathan at the Trevi Fountain replica outside the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan at the Trevi Fountain replica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rE0wP3Z9kMc/XAghBDJuqaI/AAAAAAAAPYw/pyqOCnFUCgUxEacf0SgxCl2VEPHJMC-LQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_150612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trevi Fountain replica outside the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rE0wP3Z9kMc/XAghBDJuqaI/AAAAAAAAPYw/pyqOCnFUCgUxEacf0SgxCl2VEPHJMC-LQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_150612.jpg" title="Trevi Fountain replica outside the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevi Fountain replica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Fourteenth Stop: High Roller and Linq Promenade</h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our next stop was at the Linq Promenade where we looked for a place to eat late lunch. It was already about 4 in the afternoon by then. Towering over the promenade was the High Roller, the world's tallest Ferris wheel at 550 feet and a diameter of 520 feet.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zVeUSkQt9o/XAgkTb7CaOI/AAAAAAAAPZI/a2_jiwDsldsaH4OlON7roOCD4JKBx-PVACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_151742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The High Roller at The LINQ in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zVeUSkQt9o/XAgkTb7CaOI/AAAAAAAAPZI/a2_jiwDsldsaH4OlON7roOCD4JKBx-PVACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_151742.jpg" title="The High Roller at The LINQ in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at the LINQ Promenade with the High Roller in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Fifteenth Stop: Jaburritos </h2>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lots of walking makes you hungry and indeed we were. We stopped by Jaburritos at the LINQ Promenade to grab a bite. Jaburritos is a Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant serving sushi-burritos. We ordered their rice bowls and had a good fill.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5iBv3riw0w/XAglEpI7BXI/AAAAAAAAPZQ/JqSMm5BSYlYMEcpHzjnvjSceTcZRRThdACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_152704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rice bowl at Jaburritos at the LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5iBv3riw0w/XAglEpI7BXI/AAAAAAAAPZQ/JqSMm5BSYlYMEcpHzjnvjSceTcZRRThdACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_152704.jpg" title="Rice bowl at Jaburritos at the LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice bowl at Jaburritos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-7MOMAFMXk/XAglElXaj7I/AAAAAAAAPZQ/XORJpTU-oFwhIttDIyBUQ5hLKk6QCubsQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_152711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rice bowl at Jaburritos at the LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-7MOMAFMXk/XAglElXaj7I/AAAAAAAAPZQ/XORJpTU-oFwhIttDIyBUQ5hLKk6QCubsQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_152711.jpg" title="Rice bowl at Jaburritos at the LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice bowl at Jaburritos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Day 2 Lunch: Flamingo Wildlife Habitat </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a good lunch, we proceeded to the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat next door. Of course the highlight of the habitat were Chilean flamingos among many other animal species. There were California brown pelicans, water turtles, Mandarin ducks, hooded mergansers, hummingbirds, albino channel catfish, koi fish, wood ducks, red-crested pochards, ringed teals, and northern shovelers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5dj5sXSgGo/XAgly1HRLbI/AAAAAAAAPZY/44-y2mvUaHs-ezjT1U5R9VhtQwps08MTACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_162722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chilean flamingos at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5dj5sXSgGo/XAgly1HRLbI/AAAAAAAAPZY/44-y2mvUaHs-ezjT1U5R9VhtQwps08MTACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_162722.jpg" title="Chilean flamingos at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat in Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilean flamingos at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Sixteenth Stop: Paris Hotel Las Vegas </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Paris Hotel Las Vegas was our next stop. As it's name suggests, the hotel's design is inspired by the French capital city of Paris. There's a replica of the Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre III bridge, and the Arc de Triomphe.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">Pont Alexandre III </span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">The walkway leading to the general admission deck of the Eiffel Tower replica is another replica of a Paris landmark: the Pont Alexandre III bridge. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuFR7uaIHDc/XAgqNMlOEKI/AAAAAAAAPZk/kE44_RYalzkX72dAqlisWpgBtJyljINzwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_170357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jonathan at the Pont Alexandre III bridge replica at Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuFR7uaIHDc/XAgqNMlOEKI/AAAAAAAAPZk/kE44_RYalzkX72dAqlisWpgBtJyljINzwCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_170357.jpg" title="Jonathan at the Pont Alexandre III bridge replica at Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan at the Pont Alexandre III bridge replica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">Montgolfier Balloon </span></h3>
<div>
<span style="color: black;">A prominent feature outside the Paris Hotel is the Montgolfier Balloon replica. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUIVIxOj0Hc/XAgsYh3jHFI/AAAAAAAAPZw/9WVJ0QH6cqsPhOA8tt5vu3z9ACOqOUevACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_164647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Montgolfier Balloon at Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUIVIxOj0Hc/XAgsYh3jHFI/AAAAAAAAPZw/9WVJ0QH6cqsPhOA8tt5vu3z9ACOqOUevACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_164647.jpg" title="Montgolfier Balloon at Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montgolfier Balloon at Paris Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">Eiffel Tower</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Our tour package included a ticket to the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower replica. The experience afforded us great overhead views of Las Vegas. The Strip's Eiffel Tower rendition was a half-scale replica of the original in Paris, France.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2sPBInG0Fw/XAgtM-v9USI/AAAAAAAAPaE/yXf7SqodL541p_saO-p7a-DVFpLDQW4ZwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_123758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2sPBInG0Fw/XAgtM-v9USI/AAAAAAAAPaE/yXf7SqodL541p_saO-p7a-DVFpLDQW4ZwCKgBGAs/s320/20181116_123758.jpg" title="Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eiffel Tower replica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulIcDabmMoU/XAgswJRyaXI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/MIbwElqgLuQqT1yJUklei-4igNiHbRTIQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_171058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View from the Eiffel Tower observation deck in Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulIcDabmMoU/XAgswJRyaXI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/MIbwElqgLuQqT1yJUklei-4igNiHbRTIQCKgBGAs/s320/20181115_171058.jpg" title="View from the Eiffel Tower observation deck in Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Eiffel Tower observation deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VSqZdmN5BjA/XAgswLHC9PI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/hLKtYTs-4-E3OHqJ6T-B1AdStquTAi69ACKgBGAs/s1600/20181115_170957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View from the Eiffel Tower observation deck in Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VSqZdmN5BjA/XAgswLHC9PI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/hLKtYTs-4-E3OHqJ6T-B1AdStquTAi69ACKgBGAs/s320/20181115_170957.jpg" title="View from the Eiffel Tower observation deck in Paris Hotel Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Bellagio from the Eiffel Tower observation deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">The highlight of the experience was witnessing the Bellagio Fountains water and light show from above. I filmed a few videos of the show. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QHgWHCH99Qg" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yGgRUO5CqH8" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p_-1wUVNpis" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1HFi3bJ2tPE" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Seventeenth Stop: Las Vegas Night Tour </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A night tour ticket was also included in our tour package and we took advantage of it. After our time at the Eiffel Tower observation deck, we went back to the LINQ promenade to catch our night tour bus. The guided tour crawled through The Strip before heading to the Golden Nugget Hotel downtown.</div>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">Mirage Volcano Eruption</span></h3>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">The tour bus stopped by The Mirage so we could witness the eruption of the volcano. Sure enough, I filmed a video of the eruption before my phone died out. Talk about luck!</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O9iwbgI6128" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Day 2 Dinner: Brightside Cafe </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When the tour bus stopped at the Golden Nugget for its Fremont Street Experience stop, we decided to call it a night. Hungry, we went straight to Brightside Cafe and ordered their $9.95 steak. Always served well done, it wasn't the best of steaks. If the meat was just more tender, it would have been a better value for money. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Day 3 Brunch: Zaba's Mexican Grill </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My cousin Jonathan left for New York early on 16 November 2018 so I was by myself for that day. To start the day, I had breakfast at the Plaza Hotel food court. This time I tried on some Mexican Food at Zaba's Mexican Grill. Zaba's was a local restaurant and I'm always happy to eat local wherever I am. I had a rice bowl with fried breaded fish fillet as the entree. For appetizers, I ordered some jalapeño balls. While the food was nothing to really rave about, it was a decent meal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLJJN-amqzk/XAucLXGkD4I/AAAAAAAAPb4/P4KRww-plZAmd3vpgtLHUvk4uE1PB2aQwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_111057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Zaba's Mexican Grill at the Plaza Hotel food court in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLJJN-amqzk/XAucLXGkD4I/AAAAAAAAPb4/P4KRww-plZAmd3vpgtLHUvk4uE1PB2aQwCKgBGAs/s320/20181116_111057.jpg" title="Zaba's Mexican Grill at the Plaza Hotel food court in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zaba's Mexican Grill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h3N2dzEqNlY/XAucLVO99nI/AAAAAAAAPb4/9F-bsD2MrfgiIQTeWZlXgIZtfmOZy0UmACKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_111348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Zaba's Mexican Grill at the Plaza Hotel food court in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h3N2dzEqNlY/XAucLVO99nI/AAAAAAAAPb4/9F-bsD2MrfgiIQTeWZlXgIZtfmOZy0UmACKgBGAs/s320/20181116_111348.jpg" title="Zaba's Mexican Grill at the Plaza Hotel food court in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice bowl with breaded fish fillet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdyeAVyCPN4/XAucLXvwhkI/AAAAAAAAPb4/-o127AV7SHg6CRJt_C7HZS1aI0BYMBG2gCKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_111753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Zaba's Mexican Grill at the Plaza Hotel food court in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdyeAVyCPN4/XAucLXvwhkI/AAAAAAAAPb4/-o127AV7SHg6CRJt_C7HZS1aI0BYMBG2gCKgBGAs/s320/20181116_111753.jpg" title="Zaba's Mexican Grill at the Plaza Hotel food court in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jalapeño balls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Eighteenth Stop: Day Tour </h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On my last day in Las Vegas, I hopped on the tour bus for the day tour. The bus went around Downtown Las Vegas and all the way to the southernmost end of The Strip. I snapped photos of whatever I can find interesting. Here are some of those photos:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AfyY4OPI5EA/XAl9fAUF3kI/AAAAAAAAPbg/eLjy9yNbIBgf1uV2eVwi7ZaK58cQHPJCgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_120425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Federal Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AfyY4OPI5EA/XAl9fAUF3kI/AAAAAAAAPbg/eLjy9yNbIBgf1uV2eVwi7ZaK58cQHPJCgCKgBGAs/s320/20181116_120425.jpg" title="Federal Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas Nevada" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Federal Courthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dikuRddY_0I/XAl9fCX1cTI/AAAAAAAAPbg/mXJawqAQdpoaAhPBb5t0AOWUlmcsWU6kwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_125348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New York New York Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dikuRddY_0I/XAl9fCX1cTI/AAAAAAAAPbg/mXJawqAQdpoaAhPBb5t0AOWUlmcsWU6kwCKgBGAs/s320/20181116_125348.jpg" title="New York New York Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New York, New York</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zN9LmtrqgAI/XAl9fGJY4jI/AAAAAAAAPbg/sozLjQKKkZkshVz_xCx1r-grcEb43AIRgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_125446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zN9LmtrqgAI/XAl9fGJY4jI/AAAAAAAAPbg/sozLjQKKkZkshVz_xCx1r-grcEb43AIRgCKgBGAs/s320/20181116_125446.jpg" title="Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excalibur Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6bvog1Xtis/XAl9fAwa32I/AAAAAAAAPbg/4qH9ayBA7SgtZhkF40YvNxqB7AduPGYlwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_130307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6bvog1Xtis/XAl9fAwa32I/AAAAAAAAPbg/4qH9ayBA7SgtZhkF40YvNxqB7AduPGYlwCKgBGAs/s320/20181116_130307.jpg" title="The Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Luxor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTM4qisO2bg/XAl9fIL5ODI/AAAAAAAAPbg/-lfA5NRcR98e_uCX3DRwjr9B_UrfbXy4gCKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_131945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Leo the Lion sculpture in Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTM4qisO2bg/XAl9fIL5ODI/AAAAAAAAPbg/-lfA5NRcR98e_uCX3DRwjr9B_UrfbXy4gCKgBGAs/s320/20181116_131945.jpg" title="Leo the Lion sculpture in Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Leo the Lion </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Biggest Coca-cola bottle in the world at Las Vegas Nevada" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SONUp38ecK8/XAl9fCoo_rI/AAAAAAAAPbg/sFrVs3f_zWIWvfjY00wopB499eB5el0jACKgBGAs/s320/20181116_132135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Biggest Coca-cola bottle in the world at Las Vegas Nevada" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biggest Coca-cola bottle in the world?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SONUp38ecK8/XAl9fCoo_rI/AAAAAAAAPbg/sFrVs3f_zWIWvfjY00wopB499eB5el0jACKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_132135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SONUp38ecK8/XAl9fCoo_rI/AAAAAAAAPbg/sFrVs3f_zWIWvfjY00wopB499eB5el0jACKgBGAs/s1600/20181116_132135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Nineteenth Stop: Pai Gow Poker at 4 Queens</h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hey, I'm in Vegas. I'm supposed to be gambling even for just the slightest bit. So for the afternoon of November 16, I withdrew $100 and sat down at a Pai Gow Poker table at 4 Queens in Fremont Street. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">The House Always Wins</span></h3>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">The house always wins. That saying must be true most of the time. And well, the house wins and I lost. There was no first timer's luck for me. But it was fun!</span></div>
</div>
<h2>
<span style="color: black;">Plans for a Future Visit</span></h2>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">Three days is too short a time to explore Las Vegas. So a few weeks removed from my first visit to Las Vegas, I already look forward to going back someday. And following are my plans for my future trips:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>Visit the many wedding chapels.</li>
<li>Tour the Hoover Dam in Boulder City, Nevada. </li>
<li>Swing to Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona.</li>
<li>Shop at the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets.</li>
<li>Watch some shows at The Strip.</li>
<li>Visit the Bellagio.</li>
<li>Visit the Wynn Hotel.</li>
<li>Explore the display at Harley Davidson.</li>
<li>Explore the Hawaiian Marketplace.</li>
<li>See the Hand of Faith Golden Nugget display.</li>
<li>Shop at the Bonanza Gift Club.</li>
<li>Ride the High Roller.</li>
<li>Shop at the Downtown Container Park and witness the Giant Praying Mantis ritual.</li>
<li>Visit the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino.</li>
<li>Visit the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.</li>
<li>Visit the Luxor Hotel and Casino.</li>
<li>Explore more of downtown Las Vegas.</li>
<li>Go on top of the Stratosphere Tower. </li>
<li>Gamble at El Cortez Hotel and Casino.</li>
<li>Visit the pool at Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino.</li>
<li>Shop at the Grand Bazaar Shops.</li>
<li>Watch a fashion show at Fashion Show Mall.</li>
<li>Ride a gondola at The Venetian.</li>
<li>Shop at the Grand Canal Shoppes.</li>
<li>Visit The Mirage.</li>
<li>Watch the Fall of Atlantis show at The Forum Shoppes at Caesar's Palace.</li>
<li>Visit The Cosmopolitan.</li>
<li>Visit the Aria Resort and Casino.</li>
<li>Visit Park MGM.</li>
<li>Visit Television City at MGM Grand.</li>
<li>Visit the Mob Museum.</li>
<li>Visit the Burlesque Hall of Fame.</li>
<li>Visit the Erotic Heritage Museum.</li>
<li>Visit the Neon Museum.</li>
<li>Eat at the Heart Attack Grill.</li>
<li>Witness the Swarovski Starburst at Bally's.</li>
<li>Visit Planet Hollywood.</li>
<li>Visit the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium and Gardens.</li>
<li>Visit the Mandalay Bay.</li>
<li>Visit the Silverton Hotel.</li>
<li>Visit Treasure Island.</li>
<li>Visit the Clark County Museum.</li>
<li>Visit the Nevada State Museum.</li>
<li>Visit the Lion Habitat Ranch.</li>
<li>Visit Casa de Shenandoah.</li>
<li>Visit Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens.</li>
<li>Visit the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village.</li>
<li>Visit the National Atomic Testing Museum.</li>
<li>Visit the Old Las Vegas Historic Mormon Fort.</li>
<li>Visit the Pinball Hall of Fame.</li>
<li>Visit the Springs Preserve.</li>
<li>Piss on the Berlin Wall at Main Street Station.</li>
<li>Visit Dig This Las Vegas.</li>
<li>Visit Axe Monkeys.</li>
<li>Eat buffet meals around Las Vegas.</li>
<li>Watch some naughty adult shows.</li>
<li>Ride a helicopter around Las Vegas.</li>
<li>Visit the Red Rock Canyon.</li>
<li>Drop by Symphony Park.</li>
<li>Explore the Las Vegas Art District.</li>
<li>Drop by the Las Vegas City Hall.</li>
<li>Watch a boxing match live.</li>
<li>Watch the Las Vegas Golden Nights play a live NHL game at the T-Mobile Arena.</li>
<li>Watch the Las Vegas Raiders play a live NFL game at the Las Vegas Stadium.</li>
<li>Watch the Las Vegas Aces play a live WNBA game at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.</li>
<li>Watch the Las Vegas 51s play a live MiLB game at the Las Vegas Ballpark.</li>
<li>Watch the Las Vegas Lights FC play a live USLC game at the Cashman Field.</li>
<li>Explore Bonnie Springs Old Nevada.</li>
<li>Explore Chinatown.</li>
<li>Explore Clark County Wetlands Park and Nature Center.</li>
<li>Do a pub crawl.</li>
<li>Do a food crawl.</li>
<li>Enjoy the nightlife.</li>
<li>Experience a cowboy trail ride.</li>
<li>Visit Death Valley National Park.</li>
<li>Explore the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.</li>
<li>Explore Summerlin.</li>
<li>Experience an El Dorado Canyon mine tour.</li>
<li>Try the Slotzilla zipline.</li>
<li>Visit the Seven Magic Mountains.</li>
<li>Visit the Polaroid Museum.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-74144572379352722222018-11-01T14:56:00.003+08:002018-11-01T15:02:25.982+08:00A Walking Tour of Pacific Grove Parks<div style="text-align: justify;">
On 23 October 2018, my brother and I took some time off our busy work schedules. That day, we visited the city of Pacific Grove. This quiet city is located in Monterey County along California's central coast.<br />
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Not wanting to spend a fortune, we decided to embark on a walking tour of some of the city's 28 parks. This activity was suggested for visitors in the Pacific Grove <a href="https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJSrUyZY-Ks/W9pbhuctosI/AAAAAAAANu0/-_eIVZ7vsmIl9jcjMpQJ9I9S65p0-lErACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181025_165433_218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A photo-mosaic of my Pacific Grove visit" border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJSrUyZY-Ks/W9pbhuctosI/AAAAAAAANu0/-_eIVZ7vsmIl9jcjMpQJ9I9S65p0-lErACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_20181025_165433_218.jpg" title="A photo-mosaic of my Pacific Grove visit" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo-mosaic of my Pacific Grove visit</td></tr>
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Parking in Pacific Grove</h3>
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The first order of the day was to find a good parking spot. While there are many parking spots in Pacific Grove, most of them are limited time spaces. We did find a 24-hour parking lot bounded by 15th Street, Fountain Street, Lighthouse Avenue, and Laurel Street. For more information about parking in Pacific Grove, <a href="https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/visiting/parking" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
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Courtesy Visit: Pacific Grove Town Hall</h3>
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Before we embarked on our walking tour of Pacific Grove parks, we made a courtesy stop at the Pacific Grove town hall. The Pacific Grove town hall was built in the tradition of classical Victorian architecture. It's classic look lives up to the fact that 75% of homes in Pacific Grove are listed in the national registry of historical places. That's 3 in every 4 buildings in this quaint and quiet town. Here's a fun fact: the city has more historical houses per capita than any other city in the state of California.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGl42WwjC_k/W9pXW4sAzSI/AAAAAAAANuc/zeBE50J-BCwT3wp_LACKdRqPiNgYhbcZQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_084434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Town Hall at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGl42WwjC_k/W9pXW4sAzSI/AAAAAAAANuc/zeBE50J-BCwT3wp_LACKdRqPiNgYhbcZQCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_084434.jpg" title="Town Hall at Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town Hall at Pacific Grove, California</td></tr>
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First Stop: Elmarie Dyke Open Space and Chautuaqua Hall </h3>
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The Elmarie Dyke Open Space is actually the fifth stop in the Walking Tour of Pacific Grove Parks <a href="http://pacificgrovelibrary.org/sites/default/files/general-documents/parks/map-walking-tour-pg-parks.pdf" target="_blank">map</a>. We made this the first stop of our Pacific Grove parks walking tour since it was closest to our parking spot. This open space was actually built to enhance the historical Chautuaqua Hall. Chautuaqua Hall was built by the Pacific Grove Retreat Association in 1881. The building is a listed as a state historical landmark. It hosts many dance classes to this day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvCkf5WuewM/W9pWUbnsZmI/AAAAAAAANuE/zcdj5_mifqgNvBu5UIr1LosL6YQbTEeIgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_085720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chautuaqua Hall at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvCkf5WuewM/W9pWUbnsZmI/AAAAAAAANuE/zcdj5_mifqgNvBu5UIr1LosL6YQbTEeIgCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_085720.jpg" title="Chautuaqua Hall at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chautuaqua Hall </td></tr>
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The Elmarie Dyke Open Space truly enhances the aesthetic appeal of Chautuaqua Hall. On the day we visited, several flowering plants were in full bloom. The rustic benches and gazebo gives the park an old world feel.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQtsyXlBgNM/W9pWxzSz8wI/AAAAAAAANuQ/u3K5c6W5FmoSdZdgbALIEaTindMZcAeHACKgBGAs/s1600/20181027_175732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Elmarie Dyke Open Space at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQtsyXlBgNM/W9pWxzSz8wI/AAAAAAAANuQ/u3K5c6W5FmoSdZdgbALIEaTindMZcAeHACKgBGAs/s320/20181027_175732.jpg" title="Elmarie Dyke Open Space at Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmarie Dyke Open Space </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptF5LnIQFo8/W9qWZUZ3YGI/AAAAAAAANvA/IgXvxE9xRrkZjB2WfHpSg6tu-mioh4kDwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_090408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Elmarie Dyke Open Space at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptF5LnIQFo8/W9qWZUZ3YGI/AAAAAAAANvA/IgXvxE9xRrkZjB2WfHpSg6tu-mioh4kDwCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_090408.jpg" title="Elmarie Dyke Open Space at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmarie Dyke Open Space </td></tr>
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Second Stop: Caledonia Park </h3>
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Caledonia Park was but a simple community park. It had a children's playground, a well-manicured grassy area, public restrooms, and the Thomas Richard Stillwell basketball court. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scUBZt_5p_Q/W9pbDFBAU1I/AAAAAAAANuo/E3m_hieYfx8x2Z7nOnv_oyWRKqCfGWsAACKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_093144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Caledonia Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scUBZt_5p_Q/W9pbDFBAU1I/AAAAAAAANuo/E3m_hieYfx8x2Z7nOnv_oyWRKqCfGWsAACKgBGAs/s320/20181023_093144.jpg" title="Caledonia Park at Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caledonia Park </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5AhpBoVMbs/W9pbO6B-Y1I/AAAAAAAANus/y-mLHedvL3020zBq4kR9Kb5Wl4LcrwDRgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_093208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Caledonia Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5AhpBoVMbs/W9pbO6B-Y1I/AAAAAAAANus/y-mLHedvL3020zBq4kR9Kb5Wl4LcrwDRgCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_093208.jpg" title="Caledonia Park at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caledonia Park </td></tr>
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Third Stop: Chase Park</h3>
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Chase Park is a simple park with trees and benches. By this time, I am amazed with how much greenery there is around Pacific Grove. Many of the parks are actually simple gardens or mini-forests. But a lot of them is a refreshing retreat from the urban jungle.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdIKsDZy-Ao/W9qW4EWQS3I/AAAAAAAANvI/sK05MgLY4dcbqXRwzLwQu1uopr5fVQqHwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_094806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chase Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdIKsDZy-Ao/W9qW4EWQS3I/AAAAAAAANvI/sK05MgLY4dcbqXRwzLwQu1uopr5fVQqHwCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_094806.jpg" title="Chase Park at Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chase Park </td></tr>
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Fourth Stop: Lovers' Point Park</h3>
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Among the bigger parks and more frequented parks in Pacific Grove is Lovers Point Park along the ocean. It's not really hard to figure out why people love to visit this park. For one, the ocean breeze and views is a real draw. A lot of amenities are also available in the space. There are businesses that offer tourist activities. Food is available in various stalls and cafes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59D2sUbZl_U/W9qXy-0apZI/AAAAAAAANvU/t1A3RqXEEBs0sxlrvSAF9cxWVQgj6f2WQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_101643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lovers Point Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59D2sUbZl_U/W9qXy-0apZI/AAAAAAAANvU/t1A3RqXEEBs0sxlrvSAF9cxWVQgj6f2WQCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_101643.jpg" title="Lovers Point Park at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovers Point Park </td></tr>
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Fifth Stop: Perkins Park </h3>
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Perkins Park is best described as a landscaped garden along the coastal trail in Pacific Grove. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_NLZqtWH9g/W9qYOfuh3lI/AAAAAAAANvc/lGRy8ar8u5MfCSAw_RvZHpXrKIwHQH7sgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_114105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Perkins Park in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_NLZqtWH9g/W9qYOfuh3lI/AAAAAAAANvc/lGRy8ar8u5MfCSAw_RvZHpXrKIwHQH7sgCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_114105.jpg" title="Perkins Park in Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Perkins Park </td></tr>
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Sixth Stop: Esplanade Park </h3>
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Esplanade Park is another of those parks with just benches and trees. This park though has good views of the ocean. It is also a very quiet spot in town.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvn5rig9whc/W9qZskcdTdI/AAAAAAAANvo/C9ofX_RGVewMO-pIIZa5LV_KLk9ayKGOACKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_120717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Esplanade Park in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvn5rig9whc/W9qZskcdTdI/AAAAAAAANvo/C9ofX_RGVewMO-pIIZa5LV_KLk9ayKGOACKgBGAs/s320/20181023_120717.jpg" title="Esplanade Park in Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esplanade Park </td></tr>
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Seventh Stop: Point Pinos Lighthouse</h3>
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Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the west coast of the United States of America. The lighthouse has been in operation since 1855. The Alcatraz Island Lighthouse is actually older by 8 months. However, it was replaced by a military prison in 1909. It was unfortunate that we visited on a Tuesday. Public access to the lighthouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.<br />
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Eighth Stop: Railroad Way </h3>
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From the Point Pinos Lighthouse, we proceeded to the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-Way Trail. From 1889 to 1971, the Southern Pacific Railroad operated the Del Monte Express train service. The route was from San Francisco to Pacific Grove.</div>
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We had a funny moment midway through the trail. This was when we discovered a trail caution. The sign indicated that mountain lions have been seen around the trail in the past. Somehow, this explained the presence of many deer in the area. Deer is a prey of the mountain lion.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMIebVobykk/W9qb1e3IX0I/AAAAAAAANv0/f23e60sEGoQAPLdhZIXSw3LoSWr9x3AFgCKgBGAs/s1600/received_298728784282752.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Midway through the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-way trail in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMIebVobykk/W9qb1e3IX0I/AAAAAAAANv0/f23e60sEGoQAPLdhZIXSw3LoSWr9x3AFgCKgBGAs/s320/received_298728784282752.jpeg" title="Midway through the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-way trail in Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midway through the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-way trail </td></tr>
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Ninth Stop: Monarch Grove Sanctuary </h3>
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Pacific Grove is dubbed as "Butterfly Town, USA". This is because the city is an overwintering site for monarch butterflies. The town's Monarch Grove Sanctuary is actually a dedicated space for monarch butterflies. Too bad, we haven't seen a lot of monarch butterflies during our visit. We've been told the peak butterfly population would be around Thanksgiving.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elPAXKQPXvQ/W9qeaCwQ8iI/AAAAAAAANwU/1cMN6I0Y_pc_pQInzCCOPDkZ3-89_uoVQCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-10-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Monarch Grove Sanctuary at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elPAXKQPXvQ/W9qeaCwQ8iI/AAAAAAAANwU/1cMN6I0Y_pc_pQInzCCOPDkZ3-89_uoVQCKgBGAs/s320/2018-10-25.jpg" title="Monarch Grove Sanctuary at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch Grove Sanctuary </td></tr>
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Tenth Stop: Jewell Park </h3>
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Jewell Park was our final stop at Pacific Grove on October 23. The park features a gazebo, restrooms, and a well-manicured lawn.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwVbIy-oDbE/W9qcj5l3bAI/AAAAAAAANv8/n3EtauJMlWcTsKQx8vyjuD4_dumHDJtyACKgBGAs/s1600/20181027_175158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jewell Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwVbIy-oDbE/W9qcj5l3bAI/AAAAAAAANv8/n3EtauJMlWcTsKQx8vyjuD4_dumHDJtyACKgBGAs/s320/20181027_175158.jpg" title="Jewell Park at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewell Park </td></tr>
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Right across Jewell Park was the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. We visited the museum prior to our final stops at the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce and Jewell Park. The museum featured an outdoor garden, and various displays of flora, fauna, and local history.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOdZWktDCrg/W9qiG1fmVaI/AAAAAAAANw8/_j3OTN0k0S4GB62_cRjmIBG-pEjq8Co9wCKgBGAs/s1600/received_2286257571445772.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOdZWktDCrg/W9qiG1fmVaI/AAAAAAAANw8/_j3OTN0k0S4GB62_cRjmIBG-pEjq8Co9wCKgBGAs/s320/received_2286257571445772.jpeg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facade of the museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo_pFvFKYFY/W9qiG5MpZlI/AAAAAAAANw8/NWr3orPiieQpDGaaQvjqrM-40F5TC78SgCKgBGAs/s1600/received_2495120740499830.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo_pFvFKYFY/W9qiG5MpZlI/AAAAAAAANw8/NWr3orPiieQpDGaaQvjqrM-40F5TC78SgCKgBGAs/s320/received_2495120740499830.jpeg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Az3DbW_L7Jo/W9qiG_i15hI/AAAAAAAANw8/zM2ZopEmU9c6prlv_6Ie2QK8n9sWefS5gCKgBGAs/s1600/received_248895259127168.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Az3DbW_L7Jo/W9qiG_i15hI/AAAAAAAANw8/zM2ZopEmU9c6prlv_6Ie2QK8n9sWefS5gCKgBGAs/s320/received_248895259127168.jpeg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain lion replica inside the museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcX-UxL5aCU/W9qioBaXFMI/AAAAAAAANxE/y1ZYepJAQlURSN6n-QLoqfvobthdIPaswCKgBGAs/s1600/received_257075611628303.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcX-UxL5aCU/W9qioBaXFMI/AAAAAAAANxE/y1ZYepJAQlURSN6n-QLoqfvobthdIPaswCKgBGAs/s320/received_257075611628303.jpeg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzly bear display at the museum</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbZYcczv2rQ/W9qioGaoAiI/AAAAAAAANxE/sHcgo2ST4PUiKxWd4CA3xcg_gHfnyjUlgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181027_174625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbZYcczv2rQ/W9qioGaoAiI/AAAAAAAANxE/sHcgo2ST4PUiKxWd4CA3xcg_gHfnyjUlgCKgBGAs/s320/20181027_174625.jpg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor garden at the museum</td></tr>
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Eleventh Stop: Andy Jacobsen Park </h3>
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On the second day of our Pacific Grove mini-vacation, we stopped at 3 more parks. The first stop was at the Andy Jacobsen Park. This was the suggested starting point of the walking tour map. A very simple park with a single bench facing the ocean. We couldn't find the granite marker described on the walking tour guide.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e66GqkUXHVk/W9qfKFxFltI/AAAAAAAANwc/ZbJM9J0ww_8HB_EQtOVzEIbyabi2VPrWQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181024_101856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Andy Jacobsen Park in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e66GqkUXHVk/W9qfKFxFltI/AAAAAAAANwc/ZbJM9J0ww_8HB_EQtOVzEIbyabi2VPrWQCKgBGAs/s320/20181024_101856.jpg" title="Andy Jacobsen Park in Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Jacobsen Park </td></tr>
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Twelfth Stop: Berwick Park</h3>
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A wide grassy area that is well-maintained characterizes Berwick Park. A few sculpture pieces also adorn the park.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6BenAArkPw/W9qgACX1sMI/AAAAAAAANwo/tziWLNXADsoHv3EunmxecWUyKrk8ity1gCKgBGAs/s1600/20181024_102607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Berwick Park in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6BenAArkPw/W9qgACX1sMI/AAAAAAAANwo/tziWLNXADsoHv3EunmxecWUyKrk8ity1gCKgBGAs/s320/20181024_102607.jpg" title="Berwick Park in Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berwick Park</td></tr>
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Thirteenth Stop: Greenwood Park</h3>
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Before we returned to Lovers Point Park, we made a stop at Greenwood Park. Greenwood Park is undeveloped land. It's main feature is a old wooden footbridge over a creek or ravine. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DuRS5aDl5V4/W9qgmqTk3AI/AAAAAAAANww/vCyTQ0-qVSU-DGpJeox05H7DPx1uaFfHQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181024_103937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Greenwood Park" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DuRS5aDl5V4/W9qgmqTk3AI/AAAAAAAANww/vCyTQ0-qVSU-DGpJeox05H7DPx1uaFfHQCKgBGAs/s320/20181024_103937.jpg" title="Greenwood Park" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Greenwood Park</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Other Stops at Pacific Grove</h3>
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During our visit to Pacific Grove, we also visited the Steinbeck cottage along 11th Street, Steinbeck's grandmother's house, The Beach House Cafe, and The Grill at Lovers Point. We also marveled at some church buildings and many of the historical houses in town.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0Pacific Grove, CA, USA36.6177374 -121.9166215000000236.5667599 -121.99730250000002 36.668714900000005 -121.83594050000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-9128099753251406242017-09-25T04:55:00.001+08:002017-10-30T17:06:14.671+08:00Aki's Food To Go: A Filipino Restaurant in Manteca<div style="text-align: justify;">
We chanced upon a humble Filipino grocery and cafeteria in Manteca one time. The place is called <b>Aki's Food to Go</b> and Oriental Grocery. It's probably the only Filipino food place in Manteca. This was the second restaurant I ate at in Manteca. The first one was at <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2017/09/new-china-restaurant-in-manteca-ca.html" target="_blank">New China Restaurant</a>.</div>
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For early dinner, we ordered two combination plates with 2 entrees each. Each had a huge serving of steamed rice on it. For the entrees, we got pork sisig, mechado, inihaw na baboy, and igado. Ilocano influences are evident in the dishes that they serve. After we ate, we also ordered more pork sisig, inihaw na baboy, and pork adobo for take out. We also bought some Philippine brand chocolates from their grocery.</div>
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There is a notice at the place that their menu changes daily. One constant is Crispy Pata on Saturdays. You do have to order them ahead and just pick it up on Saturday. The price for their crispy pata is $14.99 per order.</div>
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Their pork sisig is really good. The meat have bigger slices than the usual sisig I know. There's a great blend of flavors from sweet onions and the vinegar in it.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGBVBRiu3bE/WcgZS6_vtjI/AAAAAAAALTQ/KXhHmeXULHYJAOR2TgvvETYvQmIUt2YnACEwYBhgL/s1600/22008076_471549519876416_1234635030385110612_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="pork sisig at Aki's Food to Go" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGBVBRiu3bE/WcgZS6_vtjI/AAAAAAAALTQ/KXhHmeXULHYJAOR2TgvvETYvQmIUt2YnACEwYBhgL/s640/22008076_471549519876416_1234635030385110612_n.jpg" title="Aki's Food to Go in Manteca" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork sisig</td></tr>
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The igado was also good. The sauce went well with the pork liver and meat in the dish.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhdsYBrOUME/WcgZSRe-ZsI/AAAAAAAALTM/uiymHLD7SeQIxPvUiWxGfw410t265xtCgCEwYBhgL/s1600/22007463_471549496543085_3962499933517477470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="igado at Aki's Food to Go" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhdsYBrOUME/WcgZSRe-ZsI/AAAAAAAALTM/uiymHLD7SeQIxPvUiWxGfw410t265xtCgCEwYBhgL/s640/22007463_471549496543085_3962499933517477470_n.jpg" title="Aki's Food to Go in Manteca" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Igado</td></tr>
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There was nothing special about their inihaw na baboy and mechado. I only got to taste the pork adobo when we got home. But oh boy! It was delicious.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsH2xH2DmRg/WcgZSGGAGeI/AAAAAAAALTI/ufPIdavaDos1D3uyYtH3cBSFYzjF-5RGgCEwYBhgL/s1600/21768495_471549473209754_4558843004124353315_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mechado at Aki's Food to Go" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsH2xH2DmRg/WcgZSGGAGeI/AAAAAAAALTI/ufPIdavaDos1D3uyYtH3cBSFYzjF-5RGgCEwYBhgL/s640/21768495_471549473209754_4558843004124353315_n.jpg" title="Aki's Food to Go in Manteca" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mechado</td></tr>
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The chocolates we bought from the grocery though seemed like it's been there for a while. They probably don't move stuff from the grocery fast.</div>
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Contact Information</h3>
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Address: 368 North Main Street, Manteca, California 95336</div>
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Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Akis-Food-To-Go-Oriental-Grocery-1405621269684247/" target="_blank"><b>Aki's Food to Go</b> and Oriental Grocery</a></div>
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Telephone number: 209 629 8280</div>
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Have you tried the Filipino dishes at <b>Aki's Food to Go</b> in Manteca? How was your experience. You can tell us in the comments below.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-46664564832189475512017-09-25T04:29:00.003+08:002017-10-30T17:05:42.582+08:00Best Lumpia: A Filipino Restaurant in Stockton, California<div style="text-align: justify;">
There's but a few Filipino restaurants operating in <a href="http://www.visitstockton.org/" target="_blank">Stockton, California</a>. One of the more popular is <b>Best Lumpia</b>. This restaurant is located at the Thornton Plaza along Thronton Road.</div>
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I was introduced to this place because the family frequently ordered their party trays whenever there is an occasion to celebrate. The usual party trays they order are the pork barbecue, pork menudo, and pancit.<br />
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We dropped by one time to check out what else they had to offer. The best way to sample various dishes at one place is to order combination plates. We had two of those specials during lunch. 1 plate had 3 pieces of lumpia, a cup of steam rice, pancit, and pork barbecue. The other plate had inihaw na baboy, pancit, steam rice, and dinuguan.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-A1Z3L5Qmo/WcgRNnxj6xI/AAAAAAAALSs/xrFH55J0i_ARaHhavKZCZP_DUNLaegykQCEwYBhgL/s1600/21765152_471549769876391_1280325674742223625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="combination plate from Best Lumpia" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-A1Z3L5Qmo/WcgRNnxj6xI/AAAAAAAALSs/xrFH55J0i_ARaHhavKZCZP_DUNLaegykQCEwYBhgL/s640/21765152_471549769876391_1280325674742223625_n.jpg" title="Best Lumpia in Stockton" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regular combo, $7.99</td></tr>
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Prior to dining at <b>Best Lumpia</b>, I have already been a big fan of their pork barbecue. The closest thing that comes to it is the beef barbecue from Ono Hawaiian. I expected the lumpia to be good since this seems to be their specialty as their name suggests. And yes, it is good. The pancit they serve is what we know as bam-i. Cebuanos love this kind of noodle dish. It had generous amounts of shrimp and meat in it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsttg644abQ/WcgRNYx2THI/AAAAAAAALSo/Pt5TGeDqDBMKuD0JEiaebIr6KTqkxUxQACEwYBhgL/s1600/22007373_471549789876389_2281736586904408000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="combination plate from Best Lumpia" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsttg644abQ/WcgRNYx2THI/AAAAAAAALSo/Pt5TGeDqDBMKuD0JEiaebIr6KTqkxUxQACEwYBhgL/s640/22007373_471549789876389_2281736586904408000_n.jpg" title="Best Lumpia in Stockton" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double entree combo, $8.75</td></tr>
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The inihaw na baboy or roasted pork is just like the pork barbecue minus the barbecue sauce. The dinuguan was meaty. I tasted more meat than the pig's organs in it. I'll do a double take on that. It did taste good. Yet my taste buds were also looking for that familiar taste of pig's organs in dinuguan.<br />
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Best Lumpia Party Trays and Take Out Orders</h4>
When ordering party trays, you may have to order in advance. A lot of people order them and you may need to order days ahead at times. My family usually orders the pork barbecue and menudo from <b>Best Lumpia</b>. Other dishes in their menu are pork adobo, chicken adobo, sweet and sour dishes, chop suey, kaldereta, and pinakbet. They also have a lot of variety in their lumpia. It can either be pork, beef, chicken, vegetable or shrimp. I also heard the fresh lumpia is good here. That's one thing I want to try next.<br />
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My sister also took home some lechon kawali from <b>Best Lumpia </b>one time. I must say it was really good. The crunch in their lechon kawali is not only limited to the rind. Even the meat itself is crunchy. The portions at <b>Best Lumpia </b>are usually smaller than what I'm used to in other California restaurants so you might want to take note of that when ordering.<br />
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Location and Contact Information of Best Lumpia</h2>
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Address: 9305 Thornton Plaza Suite J, Thornton Road, Stockton, California 95209</div>
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Telephone Number: 209 952 8300</div>
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Fax Number: 209 952 1395</div>
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Business Hours:</div>
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<li>Monday to Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.</li>
<li>Sunday: 12 noon to 7 p.m.</li>
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Have you tried the dishes at <b>Best Lumpia</b>? Which ones are your favorites? You may tell us in the comments below.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-28352591858596195992017-09-14T04:17:00.001+08:002017-10-30T17:08:15.593+08:00New China Restaurant: Hole in the Wall in Manteca, CA<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were in Manteca to fetch some water. Then we decided to check out a local restaurant for late lunch. One restaurant had really good reviews on both Google and Yelp. So we decided to check it out.<br />
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<b>New China Restaurant</b> is located at the Marketplace shopping complex along Yosemite Avenue. The restaurant is a Chinese restaurant. But people were raving about their sushi. Sushi of course is Japanese. I'm a sucker for Japanese food and you can imagine my excitement.<br />
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We ordered some combination plates and prawn tempura. I had a combination plate with fried rice, deep fried shrimps, and sweet and sour pork. My brother had one with chow mien, fried rice and deep fried shrimp.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0NFIqT0r84/WbmPG1J1zCI/AAAAAAAAJ3U/VUKhEGYNkBAAtalUqRaU4SgNrP9ug7ApwCLcBGAs/s1600/21248307_463041484060553_5782343539767638768_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Combination plate from New China Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0NFIqT0r84/WbmPG1J1zCI/AAAAAAAAJ3U/VUKhEGYNkBAAtalUqRaU4SgNrP9ug7ApwCLcBGAs/s640/21248307_463041484060553_5782343539767638768_o.jpg" title="New China Restaurant in Manteca " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet and sour pork, fried rice, and deep fried shrimps: $6.75</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>The fried rice was good. The sweet and sour pork dish is a gem. It's really good. And I'd definitely go back for it. The chow mien had lots of vegetables on it. My brother didn't love it as much as I did though.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUgMTUxcEwg/WbmQJPUaQmI/AAAAAAAAJ3g/G1-YZRDzs9gFAyTcFwCmthl-zp-JG9csQCLcBGAs/s1600/21272696_463041424060559_7003575163167502814_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Combination plate from New China Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUgMTUxcEwg/WbmQJPUaQmI/AAAAAAAAJ3g/G1-YZRDzs9gFAyTcFwCmthl-zp-JG9csQCLcBGAs/s640/21272696_463041424060559_7003575163167502814_o.jpg" title="New China Restaurant in Manteca " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep fried shrimps, fried rice, and chow mien: $6.50</td></tr>
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The prawn tempura was below expectations. The same goes with the deep fried shrimp. Both were too oily. They did give it the right crunch. But we could taste more flour than prawns or shrimps. It felt like eating those shrimp-flavored junk foods.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpygXawj6JA/WbmQNqWGCzI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/H7v5xwFM7tIbMi5A6MjG1FkghbJpLxFvACLcBGAs/s1600/21192693_463041520727216_576753019006135021_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Prawn tempura from New China Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpygXawj6JA/WbmQNqWGCzI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/H7v5xwFM7tIbMi5A6MjG1FkghbJpLxFvACLcBGAs/s640/21192693_463041520727216_576753019006135021_n.jpg" title="New China Restaurant in Manteca " width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prawn tempura: $7.95</td></tr>
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On hindsight, we should have ordered sushi. After all, it was what people were writing good reviews about. But I guess we were just true lovers of tempura. We always order tempura when we see it on the menu.</div>
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Location and Contact Information</h2>
Address: 1457 West Yosemite Avenue, Manteca, California 95337<br />
Telephone Number: 209 825 1517<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.newchinamanteca.com/" target="_blank"><b>New China Restaurant</b></a><br />
Facebook Page: <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewChinaManteca" target="_blank">New China Restaurant</a></b><br />
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Have you tried the oriental dishes at <b>New China Restaurant </b>in Manteca? Which ones are your favorites? YOu may tell us in the comments below.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-62710328482737741642017-09-02T04:40:00.000+08:002018-11-01T15:01:52.425+08:00Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Monterrey: Where It All Started<div style="text-align: justify;">
Did you enjoy watching the movie Forrest Gump? I'm sure I did. You'd be amazed that the 1994 box office hit even inspired a whole restaurant chain that now operates in more than 9 countries worldwide. You read that right, <a href="http://www.bubbagump.com/" target="_blank"><b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b></a> operates 44 stores worldwide as of this writing. I was fortunate enough to dine at their Monterey, California restaurant where it all started in 1996. This was when I went with family after we spent the day in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea.</div>
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Everything at <b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b> screams about the movie. Their dishes are named after characters in the film. When you need the attention of the hosts, just change your table sign so it reads "Stop, Forrest, Stop". Otherwise just put the sign at "Run, Forrest, Run". And the interior decoration is dominated with stuff you see in the movie. </div>
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As it's name suggests, <b>Bubba Gump</b> <b>Shrimp Co.</b> serves many shrimp dishes. They do have other seafood dishes as well as a variety of meat dishes. Those of you who know me know that I'm a sucker for seafood dishes specially the ones with shrimps, squid, and crab on it.</div>
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Our Appetizers at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</h2>
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Bubba's Far Out Dip</h3>
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It wasn't really that far out. Tasted like <i>laing </i>from the Bicol region of the Philippines. Surprisingly, it went well with the tortilla chips. But I understand this is kinda different for some people. If you have a spirit for adventure then you can definitely go for this one.<br />
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Calamari</h3>
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The usual squid rings. Nothing really special here. And yes, I'll order it again the next time so you know it tastes good.</div>
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Entrees</h2>
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Shrimp and Veggie Skewers </h3>
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Shrimps on a skewer along with red onions, zucchini slices, and tomatoes. This is a good one from the grill. Nothing fancy but I loved the blend of eating shrimps with tomatoes and onions. The tomatoes and the red onions makes an otherwise bland grilled shrimp taste a lot better.<br />
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Grilled Seafood Trio </h3>
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A sampler of three dishes in the menu: Bourbon Mahi-Mahi, Shrimp New Orleans, and Shrimp and Veggie Skewers. Recommended when you want to try more than just one kind of dish. Just delicious! I'm very selective about fish dishes and this one tickled my taste buds.</div>
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Fried Chicken</h3>
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I love fried chicken! <b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b> just gave me one more reason to keep loving fried chicken. Right crunch, delicious batter, amazing flavor. Don't mind the corn cob but that's a bonus. The gravy is good too. They are one of the few places here that I know serve gravy with fried chicken. <i><span style="color: red;">Note: This item is not on their regular menu</span>.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried chicken <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b></td></tr>
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Surf and Turf</h3>
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About 7 or 8 grilled medium-sized shrimps on a skewer, French fries, and tender fall-off-the bone baby back ribs with a sweet and sour glaze. Everything sounded right. I was never wrong about ordering this. Did I say the meat was falling off the bone? I literally meant that. The meat was really that tender. Reminds me of my favorite baby back ribs at Casa Verde in Cebu. <i><span style="color: red;">Note: This item is not on their regular menu</span>.</i><br />
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Have you dined at <b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b>? Do you like the Forrest Gump theme of the experience? What were your favorite dishes? You can tell us in the comments section below.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-89188705680799860332017-08-25T16:04:00.001+08:002017-10-30T17:11:19.863+08:00Papaya Grill: A Filipino Restaurant in Brentwood, CA<div style="text-align: justify;">
I came across another Filipino Restaurant in Northern California. The name: <b>Papaya Grill</b>. It is located at a sprawling commercial complex in the <a href="https://www.brentwoodca.gov/" target="_blank">city of Brentwood</a>. I came here after I was invited for a job interview at nearby Oakley.</div>
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Breakfast at Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant</h2>
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I came for brunch. It was basically high noon and lunchtime but I haven't eaten breakfast yet that day. Besides I was craving for the typical Filipino breakfast fare. It was a Wednesday. A lucky day for me perhaps because breakfast meals drop $2 off their prices on Wednesdays. From the typical $8.50 price, it went down to $6.50. I ordered the <i>longsilog </i>meal.</div>
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This is what I loved the most during my visit. The <i>longganiza </i>was not as delicious as the ones I have from the Philippines. But I'm not complaining as the serving sizes were large. Just enough for my big appetite. And hey, it tastes good nonetheless. It just tasted different in a pleasant way. I did wish they put a little more salt on the scrambled eggs.</div>
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Daily Specials </h2>
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Depending on the day of the week, <b>Papaya Grill</b> serves daily specials. You do not see these specials on their menu. On the day I walked in, their specials for the day were sizzling <i>gambas</i> and pork <i>sinigang</i>. I ordered the pork <i>sinigang</i>. Unfortunately, they ran out of it. In fact, they had no soup dish available for the day. Funny how that happens and they still listed the item on the board as a special for the day.</div>
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Lechon Dishes</h2>
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<b>Papaya Grill</b> sure knows Filipinos love <i>lechon</i>. Their menu is dominated with lots of <i>lechon</i> dishes. I ordered <i>lechon kawali</i> and <i>lechon kare-kare</i>.</div>
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The <i>lechon kawali</i> had the right crunch to it. The portion size is good for 2-3 persons. There's a need for them to perfect this dish though. I still sensed the meat's pungent odor on the pork dish. You can buy this at a decent price of $12.50.</div>
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The <i>lechon kare-kare</i> was the usual Filipino curry dish. It had the delicious peanut sauce, an array of vegetables, and a side of <i>bagoong alamang </i>or<i> </i>shrimp paste. Only it had <i>lechon kawali</i> as meat accompaniment instead of the traditional ox tripe or oxtail. On a personal note, I'd prefer to order this instead of the <i>lechon kawali. </i>You get <i>lechon kawali</i> in this dish anyway. And probably because of more spices, I didn't sense a hint of the pungent odor I had with the <i>lechon kawali. </i>You can buy this at $14.95 for one order. One order can feed 2-3 people.<br />
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Have you tried the dishes at <b>Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant</b>? What are your favorite dishes? You may tell us in the comments section below.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-86681019188686302522017-08-08T11:30:00.000+08:002019-08-29T06:52:18.355+08:00Inay Filipino Kitchen in San Francisco, California<div style="text-align: justify;">
There's an unassuming Filipino food bar at the Metreon by the <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2017/08/yerba-buena-gardens-refreshing-green.html" target="_blank">Yerba Buena Gardens</a> in San Francisco, California. <b>Inay Filipino Kitchen</b> is sure to bring back good old memories of a doting mother. One whose way of showing she cares is through her cooking. And that's what <b>Inay Filipino Kitchen</b> is about: Pinoy comfort food.</div>
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I was hungry after my scheduled interview during one of my visits to San Francisco. I made sure to try some Filipino food in San Francisco. I chanced upon <b>Inay Filipino Kitchen</b> which showed up nearest from my location on search.</div>
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Most Filipino restaurants that I know only serve dishes whose origins are from Luzon. To my surprise, the first thing I noticed is bam-i. Bam-i is a noodle dish largely unheard of in Luzon. But it is popular in the Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in <a href="http://www.wonderfulcebu.com/" target="_blank">Cebu</a>. Their menu is also diversified with dishes mostly from Luzon and a few from the <a href="http://www.vibrantvisayas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Visayas</a>. They have pork sisig, boneless lechon liempo, grilled bangus belly, pork sinigang, chicken tinola, chicken adobo, pork adobo, and pork menudo.</div>
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I ordered their 2-entree combination plate : pancit bam-i, grilled bangus belly, and Bicol express. Cost of that is USD 11.95 prior to taxes being applied. For my big appetite, I couldn't finish it. The serving is good for at least 2 people with an average appetite.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled bangus belly, pancit bam-i, Bicol express</td></tr>
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The taste? The bam-i wasn't extraordinary as I've had better. The Bicol express is good. It is not as spicy as I expected it to be. But just enough spice to still retain the characteristics of the Bicolano dish. The grilled bangus belly is amazing. It was cooked just right with the right blend of spices. I did not even need vinegar and soy sauce for it.<br />
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Check them out: <a href="http://www.inayfilipinokitchen.com/home.html" target="_blank"><b>Inay Filipino Kitchen</b></a></div>
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Have you tried the dishes at <b>Inay Filipino Kitchen </b>in San Francisco? What are your favorites? You may tell us in the comments below.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-83035378651915651452017-08-05T23:44:00.000+08:002017-10-30T17:14:07.854+08:00Yerba Buena Gardens: Refreshing Green Space in San Francisco<div style="text-align: justify;">
While waiting for my job interview at a reputable tech company in San Francisco, I tried to look for a nearby space where I could spend my time and not be bored. I was also not trying to spend too much. So I knew I had to be at a public park somewhere. The nearest public park I saw on the map near where my interview happens is the <b>Yerba Buena Gardens</b>.</div>
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Bounded by Howard, Mission, 3rd, and 4th Streets, the <b>Yerba Buena Gardens</b> is a San Francisco public park that seem to be well-loved by its citizens. People do a lot of things in the gardens. Some pay tribute to popular activist Martin Luther King Jr. Others take a nap on the grassy field. </div>
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Water is abundant in this park. I loved the welcome scent of water dropping on concrete as I entered the park from 3rd Street. The 3rd street entrance featured a pool of water surrounded by fountains. One part of the park is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial adorned by man-made waterfalls.<br />
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Fitness activities are also popular. Walking and jogging is particularly popular. I saw someone do some tai chi or qi gong. I'm pretty sure some yoga enthusiasts also visit this place. Note though that bicycles, skateboards, and scooters are not allowed. The only wheeled conveniences allowed in the park are babies' strollers and wheelchairs.</div>
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Also note that pets are not welcome at the park. Flying drones, kites, lanterns, or balloons are also not allowed. Service animals that aid persons with a disability are welcome.</div>
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For security, I saw a cop on a bike patrolling the area. People are also generally nice in this area and that is somehow reassuring.<br />
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There's a lot of green beauty in this park too. They have a very wide grassy field where people have picnics, take naps, do some exercises, and watch performances on an outdoor stage.<br />
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While sitting on bench, I also noticed a flower garden. And there are flowers planted elsewhere in the park.<br />
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From the park, one can also witness some of the amazing architecture that characterizes San Francisco. One can see the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or SF MOMA on the 3rd Street side. At the Mission Street side, one can see Saint Patrick's Catholic Church. And from within the park, one can marvel at the beautiful San Francisco skyline.<br />
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The one thing I wish they added to this park is a public restroom. While I did see one indicated in the park map, I wasn't able to find it so I had to go inside Metreon to answer the call of nature.<br />
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Have you been to the <b>Yerba Buena Gardens </b>in San Francisco? We'd love to hear about your experience. You may tell us in the comments below.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-11040220575267676852017-08-05T12:09:00.001+08:002017-10-30T17:16:35.767+08:00A 2nd visit to San Francisco<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was in <a href="http://www.sftravel.com/" target="_blank">San Francisco</a>, California recently for a job interview with a known tech company. Probing the rush hour commute, I decided to hop on the earliest schedules on public transport from Stockton. That's a 2 hour plus bus ride from Stockton to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station then a light rail transit ride from Dublin/Pleasanton to BART Montgomery station in San Francisco.</div>
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This meant that I arrived very early in the morning (around 6:30) at San Francisco. By the way, my interview was scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Not wanting to waste my time, I explored the city of San Francisco a little bit. But mostly the area around the BART Montgomery station, largely a part of the South of Market neighborhood.</div>
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When I disembarked from the subway station, I walked around and was immediately introduced to the less than desirable realities of San Francisco: the abundance of mostly homeless people with mental health issues, sidewalks that reek with the smell of urine, uncollected garbage, and people that looked like zombies trying hard to make ends meet. </div>
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On a positive note, I did see things that reminded me why I wanted to work in the city despite its infamously high cost of living which is among the highest across the country. The weather was not too warm, and not too cold either. Lots of people walking around gave me that happy-to-be-alive vibe. The population is so diverse with so many Asians specially. There is a lot of green space within the city. The architecture is amazing. And people do not seem to be in a hurry all the time unlike what we picture of in other highly urbanized cities.<br />
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See also: <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2017/08/yerba-buena-gardens-refreshing-green.html" target="_blank">Yerba Buena Gardens</a></div>
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While it is a popular tourist destinations, there are tourist spots that are free to go. As well as events that do not charge a penny. The diversity of the cuisines within the city is also amazing. Lots of Asian restaurants, but also lots of Italian, American, and European cuisines.<br />
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See also: <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2017/08/inay-filipino-kitchen-in-san-francisco-california-usa.html" target="_blank">Inay Filipino Kitchen</a></div>
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Businesses are also thriving. Well maybe because I was in the South of Market neighborhood, probably the secondary business district in all of San Francisco. Next only to the Financial District. I assume there must be lots of opportunities here.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-1439402433239587002017-06-12T07:27:00.004+08:002017-10-20T18:27:17.889+08:00The Crab Zone in Stockton, CA: Enjoy Crabs and Shrimps<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.theboilingcrab.com/" target="_blank">The Boiling Crab</a> is insanely popular for its crabs and shrimps that it has drawn a lot of wanna be competitors. Two of these wannabe's are <a href="http://www.joescrabshack.com/" target="_blank">Joe's Crab Shack</a> and <a href="http://thecrabzone.com/" target="_blank">The <b>Crab Zone</b></a>. I've tried The Boiling Crab in the past and it was awesome. I now live in Stockton, California, USA and the nearest <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBoilingCrabSacramento/" target="_blank">Boiling Crab</a> store is in Sacramento, some 40 miles north of where I currently reside or at least a 40-minute drive from my new home. </div>
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So one time when me and my brother were craving for that The Boiling Crab flavor, we decided we'll try the local restaurant that offers much of the same on their menu. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Crab-Zone-274502933191/" target="_blank">The <b>Crab Zone</b></a> is a local restaurant located at 3240 East Hammer Lane, Stockton, California, USA. In this era of wanton franchising, I always get excited to try and eat local.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/s9aeTlWmFuMn5sBXeQJcuCmcIp43ytq9AaHUqVQxx6vhYGs9vHCsj8LbJFIea1AfrgsW3vArY0vxZp1RnVEZ0ueY-WJqQogRfi-vxNw_SyZy9mfdyegc6E8DX90JL5ASxgA3dt2jxj00f0ohOKJ-uxKaMS4edIgvP6yiwj2HUYOrx8Gm5zUWPjyKnFdPb-5HuNnLm8eT24kh-20Bu3jLCpnBtL2tYyJO-rgVqPuED3zm_BgwvGuzLrr0E_5eBR7J_-w3orwQSAPx1teqD-z_EnD_sYIftDwHnU8XT03mky-qM998cQBOmWC8TIvNSQoNo3vM2ngdHYf4Dg-MH1ypy88oPbYFbLW3uQRpEYzIR-S9p-d2Oni2cOPw46rPxcwMrGetuZ2ZYB54hSjPZjYXUX2Lz6z8YIxZ6jeU-Gbk4adaR8wYBBjuGo5cft7hZNVjmnjZB8YM-ntFLGu8hP9NAKHMzYJX5813lJtLKc79zn-1o88V199xdaxlq_f6fIKdJ5sSmlIycxT5tNg_yNoCkIunBHBPa5DOjjvRncN-uKHSKARs-mQkNd1WE2kayhprcB-57cxiOkmD04f7dLUd9tiYy-oy5NyllnlQqFx8yB2BAzTwWejE0mH_=w199-h353-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Crab Zone" border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="199" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/s9aeTlWmFuMn5sBXeQJcuCmcIp43ytq9AaHUqVQxx6vhYGs9vHCsj8LbJFIea1AfrgsW3vArY0vxZp1RnVEZ0ueY-WJqQogRfi-vxNw_SyZy9mfdyegc6E8DX90JL5ASxgA3dt2jxj00f0ohOKJ-uxKaMS4edIgvP6yiwj2HUYOrx8Gm5zUWPjyKnFdPb-5HuNnLm8eT24kh-20Bu3jLCpnBtL2tYyJO-rgVqPuED3zm_BgwvGuzLrr0E_5eBR7J_-w3orwQSAPx1teqD-z_EnD_sYIftDwHnU8XT03mky-qM998cQBOmWC8TIvNSQoNo3vM2ngdHYf4Dg-MH1ypy88oPbYFbLW3uQRpEYzIR-S9p-d2Oni2cOPw46rPxcwMrGetuZ2ZYB54hSjPZjYXUX2Lz6z8YIxZ6jeU-Gbk4adaR8wYBBjuGo5cft7hZNVjmnjZB8YM-ntFLGu8hP9NAKHMzYJX5813lJtLKc79zn-1o88V199xdaxlq_f6fIKdJ5sSmlIycxT5tNg_yNoCkIunBHBPa5DOjjvRncN-uKHSKARs-mQkNd1WE2kayhprcB-57cxiOkmD04f7dLUd9tiYy-oy5NyllnlQqFx8yB2BAzTwWejE0mH_=w199-h353-no" title="The Crab Zone in Stockton California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The <b>Crab Zone</b><br />
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<a name='more'></a>I also searched similar places in town but the closest that came to it was Red Lobster which had franchises in several cities. So the choice was quite easy as we have always wanted to eat local and so off to <b>The Crab Zone </b>we went.<br />
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<h2>
Crabs and Shrimps at The Crab Zone</h2>
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My brother and I ordered the same set of dishes we always order at The Boiling Crab: king crab legs and shrimp in a bag. We got a pound for the king crab legs and ordered 3 pounds of head-on shrimps. We told them we want both orders with original Cajun sauce as we did not want it too spicy.</div>
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What we love about our order was how easy it was to eat the crab meat. They had the legs cut up in small pieces and they also sliced through the shell so the meat can easily be accessed. The flavor was good except that it was too salty. This was true specially for the crabs. The next time I'm dining here, I'll make sure to tell them ahead of time to have less salt on my orders when I place them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/84z25p6oKhBdVd9km0228mCoY-QFOEcsFBsTGHEkoEHUnEIz2T3i2CzbhxE2HqaSjUrBxer7XhKil24aekTwxJ0dSXgjOJGg-Suui-hRmcMiIys8iQ1ihgsXPrbflw-p0MogNHPYyjLWPzirBv-3AL_JT9naycErpffC_CchEX9MV97JifDYId5WLtYdzsn0i8WMyOj-wKG3y_wG1hmbYfNCsLzySOdtgpTRYiuXWC_OFd_G6UpkZSOV_rVL6VJsuOcj3upBOq_BprO_2DOjVXM0MSXSGNS072w6CJ3D24jtNNc2jR30AKfaJswDExucdltr_CpXp2PcYeAcj7-HI1JLH0nXzriBpL-D5s8dnr0d2bQBnd7i8dl03x5sfYYQL3w-1L4MXfSZUFrTPqKA8dwPLY9omoAFTvj1fDFHL2X20XGn4osf6qxU0ceWWW0PGKCz0V8jPFmT5YIyCkolo55FxWw5-h_hTLK6GfBuQX02oHmHeIk3ggBpp_yRwuV_DAozHo99sG2vIwwibo8iasxStl3cgtSIVJldrqqbfXblbfjE1EtLlFHlqzGHDri1LWANvfVCMt67WXJxkklLlFjIavQ1rpxXlCaUA2RBmHTuBD6AjRhyQgc2=w548-h974-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="king crab legs from the Crab Zone" border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/84z25p6oKhBdVd9km0228mCoY-QFOEcsFBsTGHEkoEHUnEIz2T3i2CzbhxE2HqaSjUrBxer7XhKil24aekTwxJ0dSXgjOJGg-Suui-hRmcMiIys8iQ1ihgsXPrbflw-p0MogNHPYyjLWPzirBv-3AL_JT9naycErpffC_CchEX9MV97JifDYId5WLtYdzsn0i8WMyOj-wKG3y_wG1hmbYfNCsLzySOdtgpTRYiuXWC_OFd_G6UpkZSOV_rVL6VJsuOcj3upBOq_BprO_2DOjVXM0MSXSGNS072w6CJ3D24jtNNc2jR30AKfaJswDExucdltr_CpXp2PcYeAcj7-HI1JLH0nXzriBpL-D5s8dnr0d2bQBnd7i8dl03x5sfYYQL3w-1L4MXfSZUFrTPqKA8dwPLY9omoAFTvj1fDFHL2X20XGn4osf6qxU0ceWWW0PGKCz0V8jPFmT5YIyCkolo55FxWw5-h_hTLK6GfBuQX02oHmHeIk3ggBpp_yRwuV_DAozHo99sG2vIwwibo8iasxStl3cgtSIVJldrqqbfXblbfjE1EtLlFHlqzGHDri1LWANvfVCMt67WXJxkklLlFjIavQ1rpxXlCaUA2RBmHTuBD6AjRhyQgc2=w548-h974-no" title="The Crab Zone in Stockton California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">King crab legs in spicy sauce<br />
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The shrimp also lacked consistency as some were overcooked, some were a little bit raw, and a few were just cooked right. Here's where I say if you want better shrimps in a bag, nothing still beats getting it at The Boiling Crab. I mean, my brother and I can cook better tasting shrimp dishes too at a way cheaper cost than what we had here.<br />
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They gave us really spicy sauces too. I mean, I don't mind eating spicy but I just preferred a milder spice at that time and they got our whole order wrong.</div>
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Now, I don't wanna sound like it's a big deal. The food was good and we consumed everything, or maybe that's just how much we love seafood too. However, they will do really good when they can address these minor issues.<br />
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The pricing was also kind of expensive although we did order outside of crab season. It will be interesting to know how much the price drops when it's crab season.<br />
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<h2>
Contact Information for The Crab Zone</h2>
Street Address: 3240 East Hammer Lane, Stockton, California, USA 95212<br />
Telephone Number: 209 477 9111<br />
Business Hours: 3:30-9:30 p.m. Daily<br />
Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Crab-Zone-274502933191/?fref=nf" target="_blank">The<b> Crab Zone</b></a><br />
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Have you tried the seafood at <b>The Crab Zone </b>in Stockton? How was your experience? You may tell us in the comments below.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-75949880713273480162017-06-12T03:10:00.001+08:002017-10-20T18:20:24.420+08:00Hong Kong Restaurant: A Chinese Restaurant in Modesto CA<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was in Modesto, California recently for a <a href="https://www.procprclasses.com/" target="_blank">certification course on CPR, AED, and standard first aid</a>. After the 3-hour Saturday class, I looked for an Asian place to eat. I first searched for Filipino restaurants in the area. But could only find a Filipino bakery in the city. So I searched for Asian restaurants in <a href="http://www.modestogov.com/" target="_blank">Modesto</a> on Google Maps. I got attracted to <b>Hong Kong Restaurant</b> with images of dim sum dishes in my mind. </div>
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First, I went to buy some bread from the Gold'n Fresh, the Filipino bakery. Then I went on to eat lunch at <b>Hong Kong Restaurant</b> at the Crossroads Shopping Center. It's a Chinese restaurant of course as the name obviously states. And it wasn't a dim sum place.</div>
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I ordered a combination plate which they called the chef's delight. I also ordered a bowl of shrimp won ton soup. Prices were decent, around $7.00 for each order. I paid less than $15.00 for my meal including a bottled drink. And so I thought I'd devour that entire meal by myself.<br />
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<h2>
Shrimp Won Ton Soup at Hong Kong Restaurant</h2>
The shrimp won ton soup got served first and to my big surprise, that thing could feed 4 people. Lots of won ton and shrimps in it. It also had cabbage, bok choy, and carrots. The taste was okay. It not extraordinary but okay. I finished barely a third of that not because I didn't like it but because the portion were just too large even for my big appetite.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/V9bi_fvnc-PxmucZmg3OCuIMQRddWBMtUMX-PL-79Y3m06FO9ymBNASGnNtiiB13mXxAIWqhtdzJ6Jnt84jI6I-qyYAmdTSWmzfYRX5IFHVhF9aheWv-9uqAELgbsfnYNTE91vUMXykYPLvQtZwWMp0--9FbkMQLVkByEglRCn48H9fDNwMAkuK5aVXL2jXjm7rVrw_MIu_pGwLttzKWh9rs6IUoXF1qRPPCr1Ao_FnhC4nfDu18V-Opdf8S4rfG0o_w73gbV8YHKsAUE8jkMmMnMIqn2kZlmKd7yDsvX5_M0l2hONrcdreRrpYZ9-Clz2vgZ0u3EJBs_BjX3CRrRj2ySsYGlWjL4bUW4y7KkeOOLKPeP8cNfMvvuaeDwJLk54XeD0F3-RQtFKQ4nwm5-p5dWqPGRzCrKHRi4iYGMD_SHsH6scsli3LT4cGcLTIn_H5AlzWCb54smQlvCkgVtGIm2FfSmFCYI4_pw43WxO2-OS3i-P3z7Kx6VMWW_Q2z-1XRUzlzC8cx1fc4BFTyIW-pgJ0pQhT3t3T2BVsz2K6_b0JvnhT4kZ1ZM5Xy_Uathr2X7VgejrlgLYyDPjcatgIdEqTsdQRTTIuSdlVBxlHCebwvGqX8U9yn=w548-h974-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shrimp won ton soup from Hong Kong Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/V9bi_fvnc-PxmucZmg3OCuIMQRddWBMtUMX-PL-79Y3m06FO9ymBNASGnNtiiB13mXxAIWqhtdzJ6Jnt84jI6I-qyYAmdTSWmzfYRX5IFHVhF9aheWv-9uqAELgbsfnYNTE91vUMXykYPLvQtZwWMp0--9FbkMQLVkByEglRCn48H9fDNwMAkuK5aVXL2jXjm7rVrw_MIu_pGwLttzKWh9rs6IUoXF1qRPPCr1Ao_FnhC4nfDu18V-Opdf8S4rfG0o_w73gbV8YHKsAUE8jkMmMnMIqn2kZlmKd7yDsvX5_M0l2hONrcdreRrpYZ9-Clz2vgZ0u3EJBs_BjX3CRrRj2ySsYGlWjL4bUW4y7KkeOOLKPeP8cNfMvvuaeDwJLk54XeD0F3-RQtFKQ4nwm5-p5dWqPGRzCrKHRi4iYGMD_SHsH6scsli3LT4cGcLTIn_H5AlzWCb54smQlvCkgVtGIm2FfSmFCYI4_pw43WxO2-OS3i-P3z7Kx6VMWW_Q2z-1XRUzlzC8cx1fc4BFTyIW-pgJ0pQhT3t3T2BVsz2K6_b0JvnhT4kZ1ZM5Xy_Uathr2X7VgejrlgLYyDPjcatgIdEqTsdQRTTIuSdlVBxlHCebwvGqX8U9yn=w548-h974-no" title="Hong Kong Restaurant in Modesto California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shrimp won ton soup at Hong Kong Restaurant<br />
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<h2>
Chef's Delight Combo Plate at Hong Kong Restaurant</h2>
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Then came my main meal: the chef's delight combo plate. This one had 3 slices of fried chicken, fried rice, and pork chow mien. If you have tried chow mien from China Express, it's probably the same taste profile. I prefer the China Express fried chicken over this one though as it is crispier. But this one was good too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/fsUaqAWl0EqsmpfsAk5kQXD3HkVu-Ly6gyE0HooZhYUjaSLkDpRNux7R1TYmMBMNLol4rPpGhittxMd7N2MUZFJToDo81_dh37hxkMfejgDIPO6WxGseHyQ2TN-ZC5-FRKkm8D2gJYa94frkH05Hs725FboOqeStHXqBJK6dh9_Kde4UfSnm7q240RR1_PZY1MZHHTkME8I8q2XUiDP358j0ryazudQOs-dpI9QL05vc72lti5m9Z1MYMUZQPX5ctwvGQKiwUO7kX11yyvSRDPRNQ4cqq_dYY2fUYmaok_PzoM-zr_fdj3eX9ns2vASSrXBPnHvFfxPy7h4b1SiLdYgZAwNxoEg8PQrt9PzZKKbz3Ro15KIRy8fJAEr7e48strtg8T_VfSZjeAT64eDAWmuK4LE_E613fSEsIMMINrKQlbff_kizpGc89UwVNYQ403meKLc1AuF1rXlaWES8Ohd45S-xKiclLYzZaYPxHoooZqXp-ry4tnAqcC5rhQRCozjUFzcEicl4fiBd3qwD1HDWBvlvz2ifGSkqXVVNy0JgLDjivR2fVgSiil1jf0VEL-wpZ8uFb5qYNHkJYe_j8KXoZJOVpvAaH5QEMwQh2caBSu-1QRcOkcnX=w548-h974-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chef's delight at Hong Kong Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/fsUaqAWl0EqsmpfsAk5kQXD3HkVu-Ly6gyE0HooZhYUjaSLkDpRNux7R1TYmMBMNLol4rPpGhittxMd7N2MUZFJToDo81_dh37hxkMfejgDIPO6WxGseHyQ2TN-ZC5-FRKkm8D2gJYa94frkH05Hs725FboOqeStHXqBJK6dh9_Kde4UfSnm7q240RR1_PZY1MZHHTkME8I8q2XUiDP358j0ryazudQOs-dpI9QL05vc72lti5m9Z1MYMUZQPX5ctwvGQKiwUO7kX11yyvSRDPRNQ4cqq_dYY2fUYmaok_PzoM-zr_fdj3eX9ns2vASSrXBPnHvFfxPy7h4b1SiLdYgZAwNxoEg8PQrt9PzZKKbz3Ro15KIRy8fJAEr7e48strtg8T_VfSZjeAT64eDAWmuK4LE_E613fSEsIMMINrKQlbff_kizpGc89UwVNYQ403meKLc1AuF1rXlaWES8Ohd45S-xKiclLYzZaYPxHoooZqXp-ry4tnAqcC5rhQRCozjUFzcEicl4fiBd3qwD1HDWBvlvz2ifGSkqXVVNy0JgLDjivR2fVgSiil1jf0VEL-wpZ8uFb5qYNHkJYe_j8KXoZJOVpvAaH5QEMwQh2caBSu-1QRcOkcnX=w548-h974-no" title="Hong Kong Restaurant in Modesto California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Chef's delight combo plate at Hong Kong Restaurant<br />
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<h2>
Location and Contact Information of Hong Kong Restaurant</h2>
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Street Address: 901 North Carpenter Road, #47 Crossroad Shopping Center, Modesto, California, USA 95351</div>
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Telephone Number: 209 577 3888</div>
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Business Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday</div>
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If there are 2 good things that will make me come back to this restaurant, it is the huge serving portions and the decent pricing.<br />
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Have you tried the Chinese food at <b>Hong Kong Restaurant </b>in Modesto, California, USA? What are your favorite dishes on their menu? We'd love to hear your comments below.<br />
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<i>Contributing writer: Thadz Engaling</i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-85151345130029068682017-02-21T20:49:00.003+08:002017-10-30T17:17:17.486+08:00China Palace Restaurant in Stockton, California, USA<div style="text-align: justify;">
Right after my mom had minor surgery in September 2016, we had some sort of a thanksgiving lunch at <b>China Palace Restaurant</b> in Stockton, California. Second to Japanese cuisine, I am also a big fan of Chinese dishes. I guess you can say I have a bias for any of the Oriental cuisines may it be Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Mongolian.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
China Palace Restaurant</h2>
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<b>China Palace Restaurant</b> is located at <a href="http://www.katzkirkpatrickproperties.com/all-properties/the-village-at-weber-ranch" target="_blank">The Village at Weber Ranch</a>. It's a 6-minute drive from my new home. Address is indicated as 5052 North West Lane, Stockton, California. On Fridays and Saturdays, they are open between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Business hours from Sundays to Thursdays are between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (209) 955 0888.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbK7grBoUVw/WcLdZu5vcRI/AAAAAAAALDA/z1b4W_xArQ8ScywNYJGLTv8VIklvAW4bwCLcBGAs/s1600/21617816_10155124891178095_1125716012170780661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="China Palace Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbK7grBoUVw/WcLdZu5vcRI/AAAAAAAALDA/z1b4W_xArQ8ScywNYJGLTv8VIklvAW4bwCLcBGAs/s640/21617816_10155124891178095_1125716012170780661_n.jpg" title="China Palace Restaurant" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A feast at <b>China Palace</b></td></tr>
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Like many Chinese restaurants in the Philippines, <b>China Palace</b> has round tables with a revolving center. Food is placed on the revolving center. When you want something, you just turn the center to get the food you want within your reach.<br />
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<h3>
The Food at China Palace Restaurant</h3>
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I'm all too familiar with the food listed on the menu at <b>China Palace Restaurant</b>. I love Oriental cuisine and Chinese cooking is up there among my favorites. Probably the only difference is that they call it by different names compared to what I was used to back in the Philippines.</div>
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Pepper Salted Pork Chops </h4>
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My favorite dish at <b>China Palace Restaurant</b> is the pepper salted pork chops. The meat is tender and the breading has good flavor. It's a bit salty but just the way I like it. The chili that comes with it just adds to the really good flavor.</div>
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Deep Fried Shrimp Balls</h4>
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When I'm craving for shrimp and in no mood to do some peeling, this is my go to order. </div>
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Pepper Salted Prawns</h4>
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The good thing about pepper salted prawns compared to deep fried shrimp balls is that it's all prawn meat and no flour.</div>
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Moon Cakes </h4>
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Back home in Cebu, we call these moon cakes "hopia dice" and La Fortuna Bakery makes the best of them.</div>
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Fried Sesame Balls</h4>
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In the Philippines, we call this dessert item "buchi". The filling that I'm used to seeing in this dessert is peanut butter (or <a href="http://www.wonderfulcebu.com/2016/03/chix-savour-chinoy-restaurant-in-lahug-cebu-city.html" target="_blank">Chix Savour's chocolate filling</a>). Here, they fill it with mung bean paste.</div>
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Chicken Pot Stickers </h4>
Yet another item that we call by a different name back home. We call this Japanese-inspired dish "gyoza".<br />
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They have lots of other food items on the menu ranging from pork buns, rice cakes, seafood dishes, pork dishes, beef dishes, and chicken dishes. The dishes I listed here just happen to be my favorites from the restaurant. I'll make it a point to explore their other dishes in the future.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-849651975052388682017-02-14T21:19:00.001+08:002017-10-30T12:58:53.905+08:00 Sly Park Recreation Area in Pollock Pines, California<div style="text-align: justify;">
In late July, I joined two of my brothers, a sister-in-law, and two nephews to a day trip at <b>Pollock Pines</b>, California. It was a picnic trip, an easy trek, a family day, and a nature appreciation trip of sorts.
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<h2>
Sly Park Recreation Area </h2>
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We drove some 90 miles northeast from our home in Stockton, California to reach the <a href="http://www.slyparklake.com/" target="_blank"><b>Sly Park</b> <b>Recreation Area</b></a> in <b>Pollock Pines</b> at <a href="http://www.edcgov.us/" target="_blank">El Dorado County</a>. The most recognizable feature of the park is the Jenkinson Lake.<br />
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There are a variety of outdoor activities that can be done at the <b>Sly Park Recreation Area</b>. Some of these are trekking, camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, swimming in the lake, sunbathing, bathing in the waterfalls, and horseback riding.<br />
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We were there for a trek and a picnic. Out of the total eight mile hiking trail, we only did one mile. We hiked from the Hazel Creek campsite to the Park Creek Waterfalls then back. The hike was easy and a good one for beginners.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHIH_dvXYls/WcRifBmr3eI/AAAAAAAALGw/7jBCFObGouMaYhYGeftH7Zvih2osqYLswCEwYBhgL/s1600/14687CB8-A687-470F-8D10-B5F69B430CDE_zpsan5tp5kz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="getting started at Sly Park at Pollock Pines" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHIH_dvXYls/WcRifBmr3eI/AAAAAAAALGw/7jBCFObGouMaYhYGeftH7Zvih2osqYLswCEwYBhgL/s640/14687CB8-A687-470F-8D10-B5F69B430CDE_zpsan5tp5kz.jpg" title="Sly Park at Pollock Pines" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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That's me when we were just getting started</div>
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In this post, I'd like to share some of the sights we enjoyed while doing light trekking at <b>Sly Park</b>.<br />
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<h3>
Park Creek Waterfalls </h3>
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The reward for our short trek was the refreshing site of a man-made waterfall at the end of the trail. My nephews and one of my brothers took it a bit further by dipping in the cold waters of the natural pool.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsoYakMlzZ8/WcRifwl4sSI/AAAAAAAALG4/9qDI3TE53isIYij7-VvbSE_5UNjugB2ugCEwYBhgL/s1600/FF640414-202E-44F8-8822-B215D7AF4CE9_zpsktx2brr7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Park Creek Waterfalls at Sly Park at Pollock Pines" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsoYakMlzZ8/WcRifwl4sSI/AAAAAAAALG4/9qDI3TE53isIYij7-VvbSE_5UNjugB2ugCEwYBhgL/s640/FF640414-202E-44F8-8822-B215D7AF4CE9_zpsktx2brr7.jpg" title="Sly Park at Pollock Pines" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Creek Waterfalls</td></tr>
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Animal Life</h3>
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As a nature reserve, animal life must have been abundant at <b>Sly Park</b>. But all we ever saw were mallards near the shore of the lake. We did see boxes for bats and lots of information about the wildlife in the park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AG4a6IXUWog/WcRifJKij5I/AAAAAAAALG0/1sJWMq0WX4Yb2EavZKWCGdAp48SwG8w_wCEwYBhgL/s1600/B9953191-9C2E-4653-B3AF-49FF9C115E6B_zpsmsdprikn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mallards at Sly Park at Pollock Pines" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AG4a6IXUWog/WcRifJKij5I/AAAAAAAALG0/1sJWMq0WX4Yb2EavZKWCGdAp48SwG8w_wCEwYBhgL/s640/B9953191-9C2E-4653-B3AF-49FF9C115E6B_zpsmsdprikn.jpg" title="Sly Park at Pollock Pines" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallards</td></tr>
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Jenkinson Lake</h3>
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Probably the most distinguishable feature of <b>Sly Park</b> is Jenkinson Lake. This is where most guests enjoy fishing, sunbathing, boating, or swimming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du41HfIuBA0/WcRifGStMFI/AAAAAAAALGs/chkG1FokKx4ushRCN8YwgKE-BSc69HXVACEwYBhgL/s1600/9A501994-BC38-4C82-A39C-14C1DA2BB6BE_zpsmompcjdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park at Pollock Pines" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du41HfIuBA0/WcRifGStMFI/AAAAAAAALGs/chkG1FokKx4ushRCN8YwgKE-BSc69HXVACEwYBhgL/s640/9A501994-BC38-4C82-A39C-14C1DA2BB6BE_zpsmompcjdr.jpg" title="Sly Park at Pollock Pines" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenkinson Lake</td></tr>
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2016 Fee Schedule (in U.S. Dollars)</h3>
<h4>
Camping (8 People, 1 Vehicle), per night </h4>
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<ul>
<li>Family Campsite: <span style="color: red;">$80</span></li>
<li>Waterfront Campsite: <span style="color: red;">$50</span></li>
<li>Pinecone Strip: <span style="color: red;">$45</span></li>
<li>Black Oak Equestrian: <span style="color: red;">$40</span></li>
<li>Standard Campsite: <span style="color: red;">$33</span> (Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$30</span></li>
<li>Extra Vehicle: <span style="color: red;">$15</span></li>
<li>Boat: <span style="color: red;">$9</span> (Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$8</span>)</li>
<li>Pet: <span style="color: red;">$5 per pet</span></li>
<li>Reservation and Change Fee <span style="color: red;">$9</span></li>
<li>Cancellation Fee: <span style="color: red;">$15</span> (allowed up to 4 days prior to arrival)</li>
<li>Over Limit People Fee: <span style="color: red;">$10</span> per person per night</li>
<li>Late Checkout Fee: <span style="color: red;">$10</span></li>
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Group Areas (50 People) </h4>
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<ul>
<li>Group Area 1: <span style="color: red;">$320</span></li>
<li>Group Area 2: <span style="color: red;">$320</span></li>
<li>Group Area 3: <span style="color: red;">$300</span></li>
<li>Group Area 4: <span style="color: red;">$300</span></li>
<li>Group Area 5: <span style="color: red;">$325</span></li>
<li>Group Area 6: <span style="color: red;">$300</span></li>
<li>Event Center: <span style="color: red;">$330</span> (Cleaning deposit <span style="color: red;">$100</span>)</li>
<li>Additional People: <span style="color: red;">$4</span></li>
<li>Reservation/Change Fee: <span style="color: red;">$20</span></li>
<li>Cancellation Fee: <span style="color: red;">$50</span> (allowed up to 14 days prior to arrival)</li>
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Day Use (Entrance Fees per day)</h4>
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Vehicle <span style="color: red;">$11</span></div>
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<li>Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$9</span></li>
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Boat Launch <span style="color: red;">$9</span></div>
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<ul>
<li>Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$8</span></li>
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Pet <span style="color: red;">$5 per pet</span></div>
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Annual Day Use Permits (per calendar year)</h4>
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Vehicles <span style="color: red;">$132</span></div>
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<ul>
<li>Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$108</span></li>
<li>2nd Vehicle (same owner) <span style="color: red;">$50</span></li>
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Boat <span style="color: red;">$108</span></div>
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Boat Rentals </h4>
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<li>Paddle Board: 1 Hour <span style="color: red;">$20</span>, 4 Hours <span style="color: red;">$50</span></li>
<li>Pedal Boat: Half hour <span style="color: red;">$5</span></li>
<li>Kayak/Canoe: 1 Hour <span style="color: red;">$15</span>, 4 Hours <span style="color: red;">$35</span>, 7 Hours (max day) <span style="color: red;">$ 50</span></li>
<li>Deposit: <span style="color: red;">$30</span> or <span style="color: red;">$100</span> (paddle boards)</li>
</ul>
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Other Fees</h4>
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<ul>
<li>Equestrian Staging Area <span style="color: red;">$5</span></li>
<li>Bumpy Meadows (per day)<span style="color: red;"> $5</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bathkeep.com/rv-toilet/" target="_blank">RV Toilet</a> Dump <span style="color: red;">$15</span></li>
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<h3>
Contact Information</h3>
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El Dorado Irrigation District-Recreation</div>
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Telephone Number: 530-295-6824</div>
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E-mail address: <a href="mailto:recreation@eid.org">recreation@eid.org</a></div>
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Website: <a href="http://www.eid.org/">www.eid.org</a></div>
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My first visit to <b>Sly Park </b>at <b>Pollock Pines</b> was truly a nature trip I no longer experience that much. I look forward to more hiking trips in the USA soon.<br />
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Have you been to <b>Sly Park </b>at <b>Pollock Pines</b>. We'd love to hear about your experience. You may tell us in the comments below. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Top Shot Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01705708920520768359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-32908860912070672102017-02-03T13:00:00.000+08:002017-10-30T17:17:46.665+08:00Beautiful Picadilly Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.carmelcalifornia.com/" target="_blank">Carmel-by-the-Sea</a> is a little city in California. But despite that, there is much to see and appreciate in this beautiful city in Monterrey county. It was September 2016 when we drove south to enjoy the <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/09/17-mile-drive-pacific-grove-ca.html" target="_blank">17 Mile Drive</a> in nearby Pacific Grove when we got a glimpse of Carmel-by-the-Sea after our tour. We had lunch at <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/09/flahertys-oyster-bar-carmelbythesea-ca.html" target="_blank">Flaherty's Oyster Bar</a> but had too little time to go around some more.</div>
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Picadilly Park</h2>
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The one thing that we did stop by was tiny but beautiful <b>Picadilly Park</b>. It was by accident that we found this little beauty of a plaza when we were looking for a public restroom. One public restroom was located at the park itself. While the restroom was kinda dirty for tourist standards, I guess that has more to do with users not helping much in maintaining cleanliness. That aside, <b>Picadilly Park</b> is just one beautiful green spot. It's picture-perfect, Poetic, and Instagram-worthy. It blends in well with the old-world, rustic charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_csFfwT8s/WcLeyLyH8RI/AAAAAAAALDM/q8uVvYhcyUUicZpg2SnGTPjXcaCFec45wCEwYBhgL/s1600/picadilly%2Bpark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Picadilly Park" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_csFfwT8s/WcLeyLyH8RI/AAAAAAAALDM/q8uVvYhcyUUicZpg2SnGTPjXcaCFec45wCEwYBhgL/s640/picadilly%2Bpark.jpg" title="Picadilly Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea California USA" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Picadilly Park</b></td></tr>
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According to information posted on the park, a conservation group lobbied for the establishment of the public space to maintain a green area in the city. This is surprising since little Carmel-by-the-Sea is nowhere near industrialized. Small businesses and tourism dominate the commerce in the area. And while there is no obvious big industrial threat to the environment in Carmel-by-the-Sea, it is worth applauding efforts like this one.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nV_Q79UeHZY/WcLeyD0W0JI/AAAAAAAALDQ/fsVjR-sieeAo_UGyYtJpxE2yph0XZLOiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/bench%2Bat%2Bpicadilly%2Bpark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Park bench" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nV_Q79UeHZY/WcLeyD0W0JI/AAAAAAAALDQ/fsVjR-sieeAo_UGyYtJpxE2yph0XZLOiwCEwYBhgL/s640/bench%2Bat%2Bpicadilly%2Bpark.jpg" title="Picadilly Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea California USA" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting at a bench</td></tr>
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There's nothing really fancy about the public square, a small paved area surrounded by small businesses along Dolores Street. <b>Picadilly Park</b> is a garden within a city. Trees and flowering plants line its perimeter. A tree stands proud at the center of the green space and wooden benches are provided for visitors.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-20296932424910381982017-01-29T20:47:00.001+08:002017-09-22T09:18:35.555+08:00Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen: Good Chicken, Better Service Needed<div style="text-align: justify;">
While home to many Japanese restaurants, the city of Stockton in northern California also has several chicken places worth mentioning such as Jollibee, El Pollo Loco, Wing Stop, and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
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One of these places where to order some good old fried chicken is Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen. One of them Popeye's stores happen to be a very short drive away from my new home and my family frequently buy chicken from that store.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Good Chicken at Popeye's</h2>
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While I readily associate Popeye's with that spinach-obsessed sailor man cartoon character from my childhood, Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen can most readily be associated with a flavorful and aromatic fried chicken that goes so well with their variety of sauces. The fried chicken can either come spicy or mildly-spiced. What I like about their chicken is how crunchy the skin is even after you let it set for a number of hours. We usually order our chicken with coleslaw salad and gravy (it's a Filipino thing). Occasionally, we order a side of buttermilk biscuits or some popcorn shrimps too.</div>
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Service at Popeye's Needs Improvement</h3>
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Sometimes, the not so positive negate whatever is good about something. This seems to be a reality that may be associated with Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen. At least in this 1 store in Stockton, California. You see, while the fried chicken is really good, the service could really use a huge lot of improvement. </div>
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One time, when we went to order through their drive-thru, we paid the right amount for our order but got a few pieces of chicken less than what we paid for. Another time, I went inside their store. I can see part of the kitchen from behind the counter and it seemed like a mess. Even their manager on that shift had flour all over herself, it didn't look clean at all. A customer who was waiting for his order was complaining that it's been 20 minutes and he still did not get it. He demanded for a refund. They gave him the refund but the guy was obviously upset. The staff was apologetic, they mean well. But I think the issue is that they needed to have a better system to keep track of things and make sure everything is in order.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Free Chicken Offer Every 30 Days at Popeye's</h3>
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Like most restaurants in the U.S., <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2017/01/get-free-chicken-at-popeyes-louisiana-kitchen.html" target="_blank">Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen also offers a freebie promotion in exchange for customer feedback</a>. Information about this freebie promo is printed at the back of Popeye's receipts. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-36974044474857545912017-01-27T21:56:00.001+08:002017-09-22T09:25:32.571+08:00Breakfast and Pies at Coco's Bakery and Restaurant<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I drove into West Harney Lane and South Ham Lane in Lodi, California, I just started to love how quiet and beautiful the little California city is. Laid back yet with the basic essentials seemed like a good city to live in for me. I had an appointment for the dermatologist that day but I came in 2 full hours too early so I decided to check out a food place in town.</div>
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Coco's Bakery and Restaurant</h2>
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So I drove through Kettleman Lane, which I suppose is one of the major avenues in Lodi. A huge signage for Target caught my attention and I pulled up right there. There were many restaurant choices: Papa Murphy's Pizza, Chipotle Burger, <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/11/jack-in-the-box-burger-restaurant.html" target="_blank">Jack in the Box</a>. All too familiar as they all had presence in Stockton where I live. So I settled for the one restaurant that I didn't see in Stockton: <a href="http://www.cocosbakery.com/" target="_blank"><b>Coco's Bakery and Restaurant</b></a>. I ordered a pie in season as recommended by one of the crew and a pancake breakfast combo.<br />
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Caramel Apple Harvest Pie </h4>
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The literature at <b>Coco's Bakery and Restaurant</b> screams how good their pies are displaying all the accolades and awards it has won them over the years. Most of these awards were from the <a href="http://www.piecouncil.org/" target="_blank">American Pie Council</a>. So of course, they got my attention. I asked what was good and one of the crew suggested the caramel apple harvest pie which was in season. I heeded her suggestion. The pie crust was layered with apples that had a strong cinnamon flavoring, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle. The menu indicates that there was a caramel chiffon in between the apples and whipped cream but I barely noticed it. It was a treat for the sweet tooth, specially the part above the apples. The cinnamon-flavored apples came too strong for me as I am not a very big fan of apples anyway.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLTKinjW1CE/WcRlEl-fmGI/AAAAAAAALHQ/T99F2CtDPbQkJzfmqyY3VP4Bo3GVhonBgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Caramel%2Bapple%2Bharvest%2Bpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Caramel apple harvest pie" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLTKinjW1CE/WcRlEl-fmGI/AAAAAAAALHQ/T99F2CtDPbQkJzfmqyY3VP4Bo3GVhonBgCEwYBhgL/s640/Caramel%2Bapple%2Bharvest%2Bpie.jpg" title="Coco's Bakery and Restaurant" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caramel apple harvest pie</td></tr>
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Fresh Banana, Walnut, and Caramel Gluten-free Pancakes</h4>
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I love breakfast food so I ordered some. It was noon and I haven't had breakfast. But it's a good thing <b>Coco's </b>has an all-day breakfast menu. The fresh banana, walnut, and caramel gluten-free pancakes caught my attention so I ordered it along with my caramel apple harvest pie. It's a stack of 5 little pancakes topped with banana slices with walnut bits and served with 2 eggs done any way you wish (I had mine scrambled), and choice of bacon or sausage (I had bacon of course!).</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ia2JtuCzJZM/WcRlEi0MY_I/AAAAAAAALHM/xJKAU-p6Z1oM8_Ua-ulyMfNSEGasNzbhACEwYBhgL/s1600/fresh%2Bbanana%252C%2Bwalnut%252C%2Band%2Bcaramel%2Bpancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="pancake breakfast" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ia2JtuCzJZM/WcRlEi0MY_I/AAAAAAAALHM/xJKAU-p6Z1oM8_Ua-ulyMfNSEGasNzbhACEwYBhgL/s640/fresh%2Bbanana%252C%2Bwalnut%252C%2Band%2Bcaramel%2Bpancakes.jpg" title="Coco's Bakery and Restaurant" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pancake breakfast<br /></td></tr>
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Prices at <b>Coco's </b>are really not bad either. I paid USD 15.93 for my meal.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-74463304391430866342017-01-18T16:46:00.000+08:002017-09-22T09:33:11.026+08:004 Life Lessons for Kids at the Legoland California Resort<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <b><a href="https://www.legoland.com/california/" target="_blank">Legoland California Resort</a></b> at Carlsbad in <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/08/san-diego-california-usa.html" target="_blank">San Diego County, California</a> was surely built for kids and the kids at heart. It was made for the young ones and the young once. While premised largely on play, there are valuable life lessons the kids can learn by visiting the <b>Legoland California Resort</b>. Ass experiential educators believe, play builds character. People can really know more of each other through an hour of play than a lifetime of conversation. Who said this is still subject of debate, but it holds true to this day.
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I visited the <b>Legoland California Resort</b> in early July 2016 with my siblings and their little kids. Upon my personal observation, here are 4 valuable life lessons that children can learn while enjoying their visit to this theme park:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_TQUmxSMuo/WcRm0IVIq8I/AAAAAAAALHY/L6gyWC3p-gI39nsjSf48hyWkVK2rI-wwgCEwYBhgL/s1600/4951639D-9D0A-4B76-9BE2-78FE96700804_zpsa12kppqn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="On a park bench" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_TQUmxSMuo/WcRm0IVIq8I/AAAAAAAALHY/L6gyWC3p-gI39nsjSf48hyWkVK2rI-wwgCEwYBhgL/s640/4951639D-9D0A-4B76-9BE2-78FE96700804_zpsa12kppqn.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thadz at Legoland</td></tr>
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1. Respecting Diversity</h3>
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Visiting <b>Legoland California Resort</b> exposes the young to the diversity of this world. They meet people from all kinds of backgrounds and that is a good thing. It will help kids appreciate and respect differences between them and kids or people who have many differences with them. Be it language, ethnicity, gender, or other things.</div>
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2. Patience</h3>
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Sometimes, queues can really be long at the <b>Legoland California Resort</b>. This is true specially on weekends, holidays, and the summer. It is a good way for the little ones to develop their patience.</div>
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3. Obeying Rules and Regulations</h3>
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<b>Legoland California Resort</b> has rules and regulations that everyone must follow. It is a kind of transactional atmosphere. Those who do not follow rules do not get rewarded. I have also seen many parents dealing with their kids in a transactional way while at the resort. They positively reinforce good behavior and punish the opposite.</div>
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4. General Knowledge</h3>
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The <b>Legoland California Resort</b> is a great place to teach kids about general information. Popular informational tidbits about art, history, science, and a lot of other categories of knowledge are abundant. Imagine telling your kids a story about Albert Einstein when you walk by his face made of Lego pieces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWsRHR7tlb0/WcRm0UPnE1I/AAAAAAAALHg/wZVY1fykQs4zEkM4D3e9PAokolwl0LNSACEwYBhgL/s1600/204BA520-3C07-424F-9658-7C25C95EE49B_zps5fco1tov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Albert Einstein" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWsRHR7tlb0/WcRm0UPnE1I/AAAAAAAALHg/wZVY1fykQs4zEkM4D3e9PAokolwl0LNSACEwYBhgL/s640/204BA520-3C07-424F-9658-7C25C95EE49B_zps5fco1tov.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albert Einstein</td></tr>
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Or introducing the young ones to characters of the Star Wars movie franchise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAWW671LPqY/WcIZjlDspwI/AAAAAAAALBU/1uZhpFJ6PEAKshqow1wR2RDsGTtYyoHJACLcBGAs/s1600/8538934F-6E2E-447B-81C8-5FEA26025EEF_zps9xbmykof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Star Wars" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAWW671LPqY/WcIZjlDspwI/AAAAAAAALBU/1uZhpFJ6PEAKshqow1wR2RDsGTtYyoHJACLcBGAs/s640/8538934F-6E2E-447B-81C8-5FEA26025EEF_zps9xbmykof.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort in San Diego CA USA" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Wars</td></tr>
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Maybe, you will also find yourself answering questions about The Thinker. The resort has a replica of the bronze sculpture made of Lego play pieces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTWIWQ7S3Es/WcRm04-n5RI/AAAAAAAALHk/rSPQ3KXov2USyaFHb8FIzOA6RrnTUYIQACEwYBhgL/s1600/6EBA2BBB-8494-41CD-BF2C-6C6A77E4D06C_zpsascw84bf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Thinker" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTWIWQ7S3Es/WcRm04-n5RI/AAAAAAAALHk/rSPQ3KXov2USyaFHb8FIzOA6RrnTUYIQACEwYBhgL/s640/6EBA2BBB-8494-41CD-BF2C-6C6A77E4D06C_zpsascw84bf.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thinker</td></tr>
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How about something more relevant to California: the history of the Gold Rush while playfully pretending to pan gold and other treasures.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9ulI-lx9Y4/WcRm0VeiNNI/AAAAAAAALHc/7dIVLfJFBbgj6fMEAZb54K4hMFnBD-1IwCEwYBhgL/s1600/1FF03793-5561-4A4B-9D40-5E51CE84FAB6_zpsinqdnnym.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Panning for gold" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9ulI-lx9Y4/WcRm0VeiNNI/AAAAAAAALHc/7dIVLfJFBbgj6fMEAZb54K4hMFnBD-1IwCEwYBhgL/s640/1FF03793-5561-4A4B-9D40-5E51CE84FAB6_zpsinqdnnym.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panning for "gold"</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-75260552268592321522017-01-17T09:03:00.002+08:002017-09-22T09:30:59.222+08:00Jollibee USA for Filipinos Who Miss the Philippines<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's refreshing to find a familiar Filipino fastfood joint not far from where I live now in Stockton, California, USA. There are lots of similarities from how I know Jollibee in the Philippines. And there are differences as well.
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In the Philippines, Jollibee's marketing efforts are directed largely to kids and families and we frequently see the Jollibee mascots, in-store playgrounds, and kiddie parties in Jollibee stores. While Jollibee USA does have kiddie meals in their menu, I haven't seen mascots, in-store playgrounds, and even a space for kiddie parties. I guess the marketing efforts of Jollibee USA is geared more towards the Filipino community in general.<br />
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Most Jollibee USA stores are located in cities with a significant Filipino population. Jollibee USA has 22 stores in California, 4 stores in Hawaii, 2 stores in Illinois, 2 stores in Nevada and 1 store each in New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Florida.<br />
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Menu</h3>
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The Jollibee USA menu does not differ much from their menu in the Philippines. As I expected, there will be differences in how they taste. Chickenjoy is still the flagship product and their all too familiar menu still lists burger steak, palabok fiesta, burgers, fries, ice cream sundaes, and peach mango pies.</div>
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Chickenjoy </h4>
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Stockton has lots of restaurants that has chicken as the main menu item (Popeye's Luoisana Kitchen, Wing Zone, Church's Chicken, Wing STop, El Pollo Loco to name a few). and Jollibee USA banks on the patronage of the sizeable Filipino population so they can compete in that space. There is a slight difference in taste between the original Chickenjoy in the Philippines and the one I tried here in America. I'd say a very negligible difference and is as good as the one I'm used to.</div>
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Burger Steak </h4>
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The burger steak in the Philippines is richer in flavor but the burger steak at Jollibee USA is more filling. These seasoned beef patties in mushroom gravy is a personal favorite.</div>
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Palabok Fiesta</h4>
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Just like the burger steak, the Jollibee USA version of palabok fiesta is more filling, has larger portions, more meat. Then again, it is less sweeter in flavor profile compared to the one in the Philippines. Filipinos are known to have a palate biased for sweetness.</div>
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Peach Mango Pie</h4>
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Pinoys love sweet and they would love Jollibee's peach mango pie too. Now this one tastes exactly like the original. Jollibee's return customers may also avail of a free peach mango pie offer in exchange for feedback on an online survey.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0Stockton, CA, USA37.9577016 -121.2907796000000137.7563446 -121.6148761 38.1590586 -120.96668310000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-62816375654772671232016-12-21T03:30:00.001+08:002017-09-23T04:31:21.484+08:00Noma Sushi and Grill in Stockton<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just like me, Stockton, California, USA seems to be enamored to Japanese cuisine if only the sheer number of Japanese restaurants in the city were an indication.
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The first Japanese restaurant that I dined at since I arrived in America was <b>Noma Sushi and Grill</b>.</div>
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Noma Sushi and Grill in Stockton, California, USA</h2>
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<b>Noma Sushi and Grill</b> is located at Weberstown Mall at the corner of March Lane and Pacific Avenue in Stockton, California, USA. Business address is indicated as 4590 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, California, USA (Telephone number: 209 472 7152). Their other branch is at 1240 Sunset Boulevard #100, Rocklin, California, USA (Telephone number 916 435 1600).<br />
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One of the best ways to enjoy Japanese food is to order <i>bento</i> boxes as it comes with 3 or more Japanese dishes in one order. And so that's what we did. We ordered them combination lunch boxes. We had a choice of 3 items for each box which already comes with a cup of rice (It's an Asian thing) , vegetable salad, and miso soup (traditionally Japanese). I ordered California rolls, <i>tonkatsu</i>, and mixed <i>tempura</i>. The <i>tonkatsu</i> was too hard, tempura was good, and so were the rolls.<br />
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My brother had <i>gyoza</i> (they call them pot stickers here), his favorite chicken <i>teriyaki</i>, and mixed tempura as well. The chicken <i>teriyaki</i> was really good and the pot stickers were quite good as well.</div>
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Our tab came out at less than 30 USD and it was a good meal. I should say that ain't bad a price for a good Japanese meal. If their tonkatsu were a lot more tender, I'd be raving about them. </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-42021012429763902222016-12-16T20:43:00.002+08:002017-09-25T05:13:19.596+08:00It's Easy to Love Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the more popular wine tasting places in Napa Valley is the <b>Castello di Amorosa</b> in the little town of Calistoga. On my first visit to <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/first-foray-into-napa-valley-california.html" target="_blank">Napa Valley</a>, I went there with family thanks to the wine club membership of my sister.
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While we were not fully able to explore the castle and vineyard, we had such a good time. Our visit included reserve wine tasting and we had quite a lot of wine to drink.</div>
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Castello di Amorosa </h2>
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The Castle</h4>
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Being a Italian medieval castle in America makes <b>Castello di Amorosa</b> a unique tourist draw in Napa Valley. While no real royalty ever lived in the castle, it was constructed using methods of the old world. Just like how real castles were made. According to their informational brochure, the castle was built using the same methods and materials employed 700-800 years ago such as antique bricks from Europe, old materials and furnishings from Europe, and tons of hand-chiseled local stone.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RI84dwjcS9s/Wcge9BxqfmI/AAAAAAAALTw/Lu73mSdqYeI5UrG5TSdtNeZsQrd_2iHXgCEwYBhgL/s1600/21616187_10155124929448095_2821566788312440400_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vineyard" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RI84dwjcS9s/Wcge9BxqfmI/AAAAAAAALTw/Lu73mSdqYeI5UrG5TSdtNeZsQrd_2iHXgCEwYBhgL/s640/21616187_10155124929448095_2821566788312440400_n.jpg" title="Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga California" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vineyard</td></tr>
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Owned by Dario Sattui, <b>Castello di Amorosa</b> literally means "Castle of Love" in the Italian language. It is a Tuscan castle he built to honor his Italian heritage and a testament for his deep love for medieval architecture.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD4_XPBO-KU/Wcge9E-KLgI/AAAAAAAALTs/23adtc3CXOERJexwKCAANjP69-MQQrZ1ACEwYBhgL/s1600/21616392_10155124929398095_2653367617157814272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Great Hall" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD4_XPBO-KU/Wcge9E-KLgI/AAAAAAAALTs/23adtc3CXOERJexwKCAANjP69-MQQrZ1ACEwYBhgL/s640/21616392_10155124929398095_2653367617157814272_n.jpg" title="Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga California" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Hall</td></tr>
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The castle is as real as it can get with a moat and drawbridge, a chapel, a great hall, defensive towers, courtyards, stables, a deep well, prison and torture chambers, and of course wine cellars.</div>
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Here are some quick facts about <b>Castello di Amorosa</b>:<br />
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<li>Type of building: 13th century medieval Tuscan-style castle and winery</li>
<li>Actual construction took 15 years to complete</li>
<li>121,000 square feet or 3 acre of rooms</li>
<li>5 defensive towers with battlements</li>
<li>2,000 pound hand-hewn doors from Italy</li>
<li>107 distinctive rooms (95 devoted to winemaking)</li>
<li>8 levels, 4 are underground (castle is 2/3 underground)</li>
<li>Doors and windows made by Italian artisans and feature leaded glass in windows</li>
<li>More than 200 containers of antique bricks, tiles, doors, windows, and furnishings were brought over from Europe</li>
<li>Features include 5 towers, ramparts, 3 courtyards, a Great Hall, a Noble's Apartment, a chapel, a deep well, 2 vaulted loggia's, an outdoor oven, a prison and torture chamber, an armory, a knight's room, wine aging cellars, tasting rooms, and beautiful brick vaulted ceilings.</li>
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Wine Tasting </h4>
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As I already mentioned earlier in the post, our visit included a complimentary reserve wine tasting big thanks to my sister's wine club membership at <b>Castello di Amorosa</b>. My sister has a preferred wine associate that goes by Vincenzo, quite a bubbly guy of Italian descent. It wasn't hard to like the guy as he was not only bubbly but also lively, amiable, and possesses a good sense of humor.<br />
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Being a wine club member, my sister is a frequent visitor to <b>Castello di Amorosa</b>. The last time she visited though have been a few months ago. And Vincenzo was just too excited to see her again. She's brought in lots of visitors to the castle and for sure she's been quite a boon to their wine sales over the years. One could understand Vincenzo's excitement.<br />
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I'd say they give my sister preferential treatment when she visits. Usually, there are certain limits to wine tasting. The limit is more or less about 6 glasses but we were allowed to taste way more than that limit. I'm pretty sure we each drank more than 10 glasses of wine in about an hour or two. We were buzzed when we were done. Some wines are also not served to everybody specially the reserved ones. But we had about 3 or 4 glasses of those premium wines.<br />
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As far as I remember, we tasted Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Il Barone Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Il Passito Reserve Late Harvest, Merlot, Sangiovese, Dolcino Gewurtztraminer, and Sinalunga. </div>
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The Vineyard </h4>
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The views going into <b>Castello di Amorosa</b> were fabulous and refreshing. The road leading to the castle is lined with well-trimmed Italian cypress trees. </div>
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While the vast expanse of the vineyard is planted with rows and rows of grape plants. It was already autumn when we visited and the yellow hue of withering leaves were a lovely sight.</div>
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Location and Contact Information</h3>
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Street Address: 4045 Saint Helena Highway, Calistoga, California, USA 94515</div>
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Website: <a href="http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/" target="_blank"><b>Castello di Amorosa</b></a></div>
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Telephone Number: (707) 967 6272</div>
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Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/castellodiamorosa" target="_blank"><b>Castello di Amorosa</b></a></div>
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Twitter: @TheCastello</div>
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Business Hours:</div>
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<li>9:30 to 6 p.m. (March to October)</li>
<li>9:30 to 5 p.m. (November to February)</li>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-51836327279092756262016-12-10T18:05:00.001+08:002017-09-25T05:03:48.682+08:00Gourmet Burgers at Gott's Roadside in St. Helena<div style="text-align: justify;">
Burgers are everywhere in America! California is no different. Where I live at in Stockton, there's In-N-Out, Jack in the Box, Super Burger, Burger King, Squeeze Burger, Melo's Burger, Flip's Burger, McDonald's, Kosmos Burger, Jollibee, Moo Moo's Burger Barn and a lot more.
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<h2>
Gott's Roadside Gourmet Burgers </h2>
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When I went with family to Napa Valley, we tried out a unique burger joint in St. Helena. We noticed people queuing up for the burgers at <b>Gott's Roadside</b> on our way to Calistoga and thought about how good that might be when people don't mind the long lines to get their burger fix. Or it could be one of the cheaper meal options where everything else seems so expensive. Unknown to me, this was already my sister's favorite from her many visits to <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/first-foray-into-napa-valley-california.html" target="_blank">Napa Valley</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yh9yFT3n6iw/Wcgc9wt-OfI/AAAAAAAALTg/XtMG6fubFOsjTrrSqjypBkoR0kUnL5AIgCLcBGAs/s1600/kimchi%2Bburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="kimchi burger" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yh9yFT3n6iw/Wcgc9wt-OfI/AAAAAAAALTg/XtMG6fubFOsjTrrSqjypBkoR0kUnL5AIgCLcBGAs/s640/kimchi%2Bburger.jpg" title="Gott's Roadside Gourmet Burgers" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimchi burger</td></tr>
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The open air atmosphere itself is a welcome thing. Open air dining in a rural setting as opposed to air conditioned burger joints in congested urban areas. They have a decent size parking lot that I'm sure would be hard to get a spot during certain times of the day.<br />
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The Menu </h3>
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Of course, burgers dominate the menu at <b>Gott's Roadside Gourmet Burgers</b>. Other sections in their menu offer salads, fries, onion rings, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, hotdogs, soups and chili, and seafood. For our meal, we ordered <i>kimchi</i> burger, sweet potato fries, bacon cheeseburger, and cheeseburger. </div>
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Kimchi Burger </h4>
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Burger with a Korean flavor. 1/3 pound patty with fried egg, <i>kimchi, </i>American cheese, bacon, and spicy gochujang mayo in a lightly toasted egg bun. This one is spicy.</div>
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Bacon Cheeseburger </h4>
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The bacon cheeseburger is as American as it could get: 1/3 pound beef patty, lettuce, bacon, American cheese, tomatoes, pickles, and <b>Gott's</b> secret sauce in a lightly toasted egg bun.</div>
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Cheeseburger </h4>
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Just a basic cheeseburger with 1/3 pound beef patty, lettuce, American cheese, tomatoes pickles, and <b>Gott's</b> secret sauce.</div>
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Other burgers in the menu are the California burger, western bacon blue ring burger, blue cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, Texas avocado burger, Wisconsin sourdough burger, green chile burger, and a regular hamburger.</div>
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Sweet Potato Fries</h4>
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Fries at <b>Gott's</b> come in 4 varieties: the regular fries, garlic fries, chili cheese fries, and sweet potato fries. We ordered the sweet potato fries. While the menu says it was chili spice-dusted, I found no hint of spice. Instead this was a sweet one probably made using yam (well, they say it's sweet potato).</div>
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<h3>
Other Gott's Locations</h3>
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<b>Gott's Roadside Gourmet Burgers</b> has several other locations outside of St. Helena. Information on it's branches are as follows:</div>
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St. Helena </h4>
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933 Main Street, St. Helena, California, USA 94574</div>
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Telephone: 707 963 3486</div>
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Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.</div>
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Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.</div>
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Napa </h4>
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Oxbow Public Market</div>
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644 1st Street, Napa, California, USA 94559</div>
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Telephone: 707 224 6900</div>
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Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.</div>
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Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.</div>
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Palo Alto </h4>
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Town and Country Village</div>
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855 El Camino Real #65, Palo Alto, California, USA 94301</div>
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Telephone: 650 326 1000</div>
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Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.</div>
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Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.</div>
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San Francisco</h4>
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Ferry Building Marketplace</div>
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1 Ferry Building # 6, San Francisco, California, USA 94111</div>
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Telephone: 415 318 3423</div>
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Business hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.</div>
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Soft serve hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.</div>
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Website: <a href="http://www.gotts.com/" target="_blank"><b>Gott's Roadside</b></a></div>
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Instagram: <b>@gottsroadside</b></div>
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Twitter: <b>@gottsroadside</b></div>
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Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/GottsRoadside" target="_blank"><b>Gott's Roadside</b></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div>Thadzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055911750049516438noreply@blogger.com0