Category Archives: Travel

Travel : The Phantom of the Opera (Las Vegas)

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The $40 million dollar Phantom Theatre located in the Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino is as grand and spectacular as everyone said it would be. With the help of some good friends, my wife and I were able to snatch some complementary tickets to a weekday showing and sat in the orchestra section which would have set us back approximately $250.00 if we had paid in full.

Having watched the Broadway classic on smaller scales before, I was quite familiar with the script and score, but I’ve never experienced it on such a large scale before. My family had the opportunity to attend the musical on Broadway several years ago, but I was unable to attend with them so I was really looking forward to making up for a missed opportunity.

What caught me immediately by surprise was the shortened length of the musical. It wasn’t until much later that I found out that shortened versions of Broadway musicals were typical in Vegas. With the abridged version running only 95 minutes in length, much of the original dialogue and several of the songs had to be cut in length. Although it was shortened by close to 40 minutes, the enhanced special effects and amazing chandelier in the center of the theatre easily made up for it. As with most other Vegas shows, The Phantom of the Opera would not have been complete without fireworks and pyrotechnics as well as the incredible sound effects, so overall, it ended up being quite a unique experience for me.

As far as performances go, I can’t say I was blown away by any of the main cast. Anthony Crivello, who plays the Phantom had an amazing range vocally, but seemed to lack the Phantom’s fearsome notoriety expected in this classic. Kristi Holden was gorgeous and had an amazing soprano voice, but never could quite grab a hold of me with her character’s passion and intensity.

Overall, if you’ve never seen the Phantom of the Opera in its entirety before, this Vegas musical is a great option. With all the “Vegas” extras included to add to the excitement and drama of the original, this version of the Broadway musical classic is truly is a worthwhile venture.

My favorite song from the musical : The Music of the Night Whats yours?

Travel : The Butchart Gardens (Canada)

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One of the most serene landscapes I have ever visited was The Butchart Gardens in Victoria Canada British Columbia. A massive 55 acre estate filled with all types of flora, The Butchart Gardens is absolutely one of the most amazing places to visit at almost anytime of the year.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to visit during the garden’s peak season when its flowers were already in full bloom. We arrived at the park in the early afternoon and stayed until evening to experience the gardens renown Night Illumination display. As you stroll through the park, it is such a tranquil experience that you honestly forget that you are walking through a man made attraction. The park’s beauty is matched only by the delightful fragrances that bombard your senses as you travel through all its meandering paths. I personally enjoyed the Japanese and Sunken Gardens the best, but there are quite a few other sections of the park which are just as serene.

I had heard from others that the gardens were even more amazing during the seasons of Autumn and Winter when its leaves begin to change shades and they put up decor to celebrate the Magic of Christmas. I would really love to experience this if the opportunity ever presented itself.

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Travel : Rio’s Seafood Buffet (Las Vegas)

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If your a huge fan of seafood and want the best bang for your buck in Vegas, be sure to check out Rio’s Village Seafood Buffet. With a price tag of around $40.00 per adult, the buffet was worth every penny.

Personally, the atmosphere of a restaurant is always the most important element I look at when I go out dining. It has to be lively yet warm and inviting. The Rio’s lively yet calm atmosphere was perfect for me, and although the buffet was just walking distance from their huge casino area, the bustle of tourists and locals didn’t kill the mood at all.

The restaurant itself boasts a 13,000 square foot, all you can eat seafood extravaganza. After experiencing it for myself, I’d have to agree. The place was filled with just about everything you could indulge yourself with. The variety of seafood entrees was excellent and other items such as juicy prime rib and an array of desserts were all at your fingertips. I can readily admit I ate enough for two that evening, but how often to I get a chance to eat this way right? As a matter of fact, I still found enough space in my overly stuffed stomach for a few cups of ice cream!

Overall, the experience was a good one. I would highly recommend the buffet to anyone who loves to eat seafood.

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