Anna Kooiman in Vegas

Sooo… my best friend from college is getting married! Yay… and being that having FUN is typically her number one priority… As expected… Viva Las Vegas is where she decides we need to take her out for her last few nights as a single lady.  Bachelorette Party!

Wheels on the ground at the airport… I look out the window… and it’s just as mind boggling as everyone says.  An Egyptian pyramid is in the distance… along with Paris’ Eiffel Tower and New York’s Chrysler Building.  As they say…It’s Vegas Baby!  If you can dream it… they can construct it… money is no issue.  Eight of us NC, Tennessee, and Kentucky girls pick the Venetian Hotel right off the strip.  It’s nice to have everything in walking distance… especially when the heels you have to wear in Vegas are double the height we wear in the Q-C!

Everyone says Vegas is struggling because of the economy… but I wouldn’t know it judging from the Venetian.  The front desk tells me all 7400 of their suites are booked.  The place takes our breath away… and we’re total tourists taking pictures with the fountains and everything else we can find… including the ceilings… that’s right… they look like Michaelangelo took a brush to them as he did for the Sistine Chapel.  I’ve never been in a hotel so big… there’s a couple dozen restaurants, casinos, a friggin mall surrounding the lobby, several theatres… and impeccable marketing.  The shows playing in The Venetian at the time… Jersey Boys and Phantom of the Opera… so if I’m standing in the elevator one more time and have to hear “Walk Like a Man” or “Think of Me” playing over the speakers… I think I’m cashing in my chips!  We opt to go see Zumanity… the Circ du Soleil show known not just for it’s acrobatics… but also its erotica.  I can’t say I loved it.  A little too crass for me… but hey… It’s Vegas Baby!

Again… everybody says Vegas is taking a huge hit because of the recession… but you wouldn’t know it at The Venetian’s pool, Tao Beach either  Wait… is it a club or a pool? It’s both!  Music is sooo loud you can hardly talk to the person next to you… so you’re forced to dance!  So of course several of us busted moved from the TURBO/Cardio Dance class I teach! LOL Also at Tao Beach… the cocktail waitresses are the prettiest girls in Vegas. Seriously.  I think the job description must read “Former Miss America.”  Of course they’re wearing teeny bikinis… handing out frozen red bull, fruit skewers, and ice cold towels.   Tao Beach has just recently opened up at The Venetian.  I’m told all of the big name hotels are hoping to tap into the same success Rehab has had at Hard Rock.  Basically a pool area that’s rehab from the night before.  It’s a place where most everyone is biting back the snake that bit them.  This is why they say a weekend is LONG enough in Vegas. Does anyone EVER sleep?

The eight of us southern girls walk up to the front of the line at Tao Beach and ask if we really have to wait in line. Nope!  And we get a sweet daybed big enough for all of us- plus some. The power of being a female… and the power in numbers.  That’s the key to royal treatment.  It’s another reason Vegas is a great spot for bachelorette parties.

As for the clubs… they were all cool… but we like Tryst the best.  A MAJOR waterfall is the backdrop.   Drinks at the club can be ridiculously expensive… so what’s the best option for a group of pretty girls?  Promise a group of guys to get them in the club… and then THEY buy your drinks. It’s only fair!  My last piece of advice to southern ladies looking to try their hats at living the Viva Las Vegas lifestyle… Drink WATER.  People fall out all the time… literally!  Sun, alcohol, and dehydration equals… a bad mix for sure!

After 2 and a half days… we’ve had enough of Vegas… time to head home. So if I may… Happy Bachelorette Heather!  We can’t wait til the big day!!! XOXO

I catch the red eye back to Charlotte… which is a nice option for me seeing as I’m a fantastic airplane snoozer!   There is no moderation for most folks visiting Sin City… so all of the lovely ladies agree we’ll leave the empty calories behind… and hit the gym as soon as we get home.

For folks who don’t know- I’m a fitness instructor around town and hope you’ll join me for a fun bootcamp this weekend at Freedom Park.  Check out my website below! I hope to see/meet you there!

~ Anna Kooiman

GetFitCharlotte.com

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