Kate Bollard

ROAD TRIP : Stop 1, VEGAS BABY

1st January 2018, I left NYC and flew to Vegas.

IMG_8328

IMG_8341

IMG_8351
Meeting up with my soul sister Gloria aka Essentially Gloria who I’ve known for like 5-6years now.

I was lucky enough to meet Gloria via my old housemate. She stayed at my place twice in Australia and I kinda adopted her like family. I then came to Washington DC and stayed with her family. Her family has become my family. My ‘American’ Family. Whenever I’m in the states, I know I can jump on a plane and have a bed and home cooked meals and a hug if something happens. Which is the greatest peace of mind when you travel so far away from your loved ones.
As per the universe and Us, Gloria was super delayed from DC, I arrived and had a whole day to myself. It’s confronting that they have pokies while you wait for baggage. CAN’T DEAL! I pretty much bitched the whole time about hating Vegas. My first time and I was not impressed by what I was seeing in the daylight. I ended up getting a coffee the size of my head, Bagel and cream cheese and sitting in my robe watching reality tv until she arrived. Walking around on my own was not fun!!!
She finally arrived and so the fun began and our roadtrip officially started.

IMG_8507

Like true travellers to Vegas, we hit the pokies. I had no real idea what I was doing but within like 10mins, we were both winners. I have no idea how this even happen, but clearly, the universe was on our side now. It was just the start of what was to come tonight!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

IMG_8410

What do you do in Vegas other than Gamble? SHOP!!! In winter, no pool parties doll so what’s a girl to do, shop!!

We found some crazy fun pieces along the way…

IMG_8374

IMG_8376

IMG_8377

IMG_8401

Las Vegas, in Nevada’s Mojave Desert, is a resort city famed for its vibrant nightlife, centred around 24-hour casinos and other entertainment options. Its main street and the focal point is the Strip, just over 4 miles long. This boulevard is home to themed hotels with elaborate displays such as fountains synchronized to music as well as replicas of an Egyptian pyramid, the Venetian Grand Canal, and the Eiffel Tower.

At night is actually a pretty good place. By day, it’s actually kinda ugly.
The Hotels are pretty amazing. We stayed at The LINQ, we only stayed 2 nights and it was in prime position for all the key things to see and do.

51492_exterior_view_1
51492_double_orange_1
51492_pool_view_1
51492_bar_2
51492_restaurant_5
LINQ_Promenade_Night
Our first night, I was dragged to the club! OMNIA  and I’m not going to lie it was pretty epic and cool. I honestly wanted to be in bed but I’m so thankful for Gloria dragging my butt out. Zedd on the decks and the atmosphere was pretty amazing!

Screen Shot 2018-09-02 at 4.45.56 pm

Screen Shot 2018-09-02 at 4.45.35 pm

IMG_8433-1024x1024

We also met two Southerners, who have since changed my life for the better!
A road trip is always an adventure but this adventure just got better!

While dancing and meeting these Men, Gloria, in true Gloria style got her wallet stolen. Great start to our trip!
*insert eye roll*
Next day, up early trying to get her new cards, as we are about to hire a car etc. And she is the driver! We also had to find a laundry mat. I was running out of clean clothes as I had been travelling for a while now.
I thought we would never see these southerners again!
While standing at the laundry mat, it was downtown and let’s just say, not the safest place ever!!!

IMG_8462
Hanging by the washers and dryers in fear of my safety and the safety of my clothing, I heard from said Southerners. With sheer delight we were going to hang before they had to fly.

Winner winner, chicken dinner!

After the washing, we raced back to see them. We had a few hours to hang during the day so when in Vegas, drink! And that we did!

IMG_8487

We also did a little sightseeing, if you get a chance head to the Hotel Flamingo, they actually have real live pink flamingos and a cute garden area.

IMG_8357
IMG_8465
Gloria also had ET with her for the travels. He came on our road trip but also our hang out with our Southerners!

IMG_8484
IMG_8483

We said our goodbye’s and that was it!

IMG_8491
Well, until I got a message while hoeing into my IN and OUT burger,

IMG_8495

saying “our flights Cancelled. We are coming back, want to hang?!”

YES!!!!
Our last night in Las Vegas was about to be the best part of Vegas.
Welcome to Downtown Vegas. Old Vegas.

IMG_8509

By far my favourite part of Vegas. The buildings are old school, the vibe is old and fun. Live music…like band style and just a fun vibe Y’all!
 Fremont Street 

It’s called an experience for a reason. The Fremont Street Experience will have you oohing and ahhing like when you were an infant. Here you’ll see street performers, a killer Las Vegas zip line to get your adrenaline pumping and whole lotta things that scream Vegas! The ceiling is a constantly moving mesh of colours that’ll have you questioning if something was slipped into your drink.

Drinks, Drinks, Drinks were had.
And when in Vegas…

IMG_8581
We have all watched friends when Ross and Rachel get married. I have always wanted to get married by Elvis as a fun side wedding. Not my actual wedding. You know what I mean. We have all thought about it, and when in vegas…

IMG_8589-1

IMG_8538

IMG_8554

The Little White Chapel is iconic in Vegas.
I got chatting and looking around and reading all the info on the walls. From celebrities who have been married to the story of the Little White Chapel.

Some famous Names include:
Sinead O’Conner
Leon Spinks
Sylvester Stalone (renewal of vows)
James Caan
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Brittney Spears
Sarah Conners (Germany)
Charles Woodson (Heisman Trophy winner)
Darryl Strawberry (MLB)
Ricki Lake
George & Alana Hamilton
Rita Hayworth & Dick Haymes
Freddie Prince Jr.
Barbi & Ken Walhl
Patty Duke (1st & 3rd Husband)
Mary Tyler Moore (1st Husband)
Steve Lawrence & Edie Gorme (Married & Renewals)
Mickey Rooney (2 Marriages)
Paul Newman & JoAnn Woodward
Judy Garland
Joan Collins & Peter Holms
Michael Jordan
Don Allen (En Vogue)
Sugar Shane Mosley
Ryan Young (Dallas Cowboys) – Renewal
Burt Ward (Robin of television Batman)
“Slash” (Guns & Roses)
Mel Torme (1st wedding)
Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks)
(Cindy Lauper – Maid of Honor) Drummer for Cher
Xiao Xiang Yu (Opera Singer from China)
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Gladys Knight’s Daughter
Victoria Principal (Renewal)
Bruce Willis & Demi Moore
Frank Sinatra & Mia Farrow
And the list goes on.

I love that they have a Love Recipe:

Ingredients

2 Hearts Full of Love
2 Heaping Cups of Kindness
4 Armfuls of  Gentleness
2 Cups of Friendship
2 Cups of Joy
2 Big Hearts Full of Forgiveness
1 Lifetime of Togetherness
2 Minds Full of Tenderness

Method

Stir Daily with Happiness, Humor and Patience. Serve with Warmth and Compassion, Respect and Loyalty. 

What is Love

Love is patient, kind, gentle, joyous and peaceful. Long-suffering.
Love does not know hate, anger or jealousy.
Love is not proud or boastful.
Love believes, hopes, bears and endures.
Love never fails.
Believe in God; believe in each other.
Let your hopes and dreams be beautiful together.
Let God bear all of your problems, because he loves you.
Endure forever walking, running, communicating, laughing and crying together, but best of all staying together ’til death do you part, sealed with a kiss from God. Amen.
—1 Corinthians 13
For anyone interested, head over to Little White Chapel for all your questions and answers. You can hire dresses, suits and even flowers. They have people for hair and makeup and even stream it to anywhere in the world.
Yes, internationals can get married and make it legal. License costs $77USD and you just need 2 pieces of paper from the state of Nevada to make it legal in your own country!
*note, no papers were signed in the making of my photo.

After so much fun and so much laughter, it was really time to say goodbye again!
Time for us girls to hit the road!
We did have a friend from Colorado join. So 2 girls and 1 boy hit the road!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

7MM-1-cropped

Last stop in Nevada, Seven Magic Mountains.
LOCATION: S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89054, USA

IMG_0957
Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s colourful large-scale, public artwork Seven Magic Mountains is a two-year exhibition located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring seven thirty to thirty-five-foot high dayglow totems comprised of painted, locally-sourced boulders.
Visible across the desert landscape along Interstate 15, Seven Magic Mountains offers a creative critique of the simulacra of destinations like Las Vegas. According to Rondinone, the location is physically and symbolically mid-way between the natural and the artificial: the natural is expressed by the mountain ranges, desert, and Jean Dry Lake backdrop, and the artificial is expressed by the highway and the constant flow of traffic between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

IMG_0958

I highly recommend the drive out to see them. Pretty epic and really peaceful even with everyone trying to get the perfect insta snap!
That’s Nevada in a 2-day bender with KB!

Next stop… Arizona! Stay tuned!
KB X
Leave a Reply
*
*
*

*