TravelswithCharie

Dinner is served I heard a lot about Din Tai Fung through friends who had the chance to eat at one of their restaurants worldwide. Then when I was in Taiwan, I found out that Din Tai Fung has its roots in Taipei. First there was a cooking oil business which later expanded in 1972 to include a small shop with four tables serving noodles and dumpling soup. The birth of Xiao Long Bao drew many more diners to their shop.  One evening while in Vegas, I finally had the chance to try some of Din Tai Fung’s menu offerings, thanks to my sister who invited me to dine there. We ordered cucumber salad, shrimp fried rice, chicken wonton soup, string beans with garlic and red bean xiao long bao for dessert. This spread fed three people. It was plenty. Everything was delish but the best tasting dish of the lot was the garlic string beans.  This is the entrance to Din Tai Fung Vegas where you can observe the dumpling makers at work. The art of making Xiao Long Bao is like this: it is handcraf...

The colors of Autumn are magical. And Bellagio Conservatory creates vibrant vignettes with orange, red and green foliage and flowers of the season. It’s always a pleasure to wander in the garden despite the number of visitors who can’t take enough photos of the variety of pumpkins on display and the colorful arrangements of flowers and plants. This year’s theme is the Garden of Time hence the clocks on display as well as petrified wooden animals in this enchanted forest where time stands still. The display is only through November 9th. So if you’re in Vegas, make sure to stop by the Conservatory. These gourds are big and quite heavy. Chrysanthemums and elaeagnus olive martini offer contrasting hues. Coleus in rich colors pop in this vignette with white, orange and green pumpkins. This orange pumpkin registers at 749 pounds. This pumpkin weighs 630 pounds. Check out this three dimensional work of art. The detail is astonishing especially the miniature pumpkins. Waterfalls  provide c...

Aisle from main entrance I had heard a lot about Fantastic Indoor Flea Market but never had the chance to check it out on previous visits to Las Vegas. But this month a friend and I decided to  go and find out what the hype was all about. The temperature in July soars past the century mark in Vegas but the flea market was cool and pleasant. It wasn’t crowded on a Friday morning so we leisurely examined the displays of merchandise before stopping at a little café at the back of the market for some churros and cold drinks. They also serve empanadas and tacos which the  customer seated at the table beside us only had the highest praises for. Clothing stalls I was looking for T-shirts with the old Las Vegas slogan, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. There were several stalls selling these for 3 for $11 or $12 but the sizes were not available. Also some of the t-shirt fabrics were thin and not good quality.  Hats and bags We found the hats reasonably priced. As an exampl...

The theme of this year’s summer floral display is about the grandeur of nature. Thousand of flowers and potted plants make up this evocative show to remind us the “intricate and wondrous diversity of nature”. These 28-foot tall hands represent “environmental stewardship, partnership and renewal”. The colors of this wisteria tree is so arresting, you are immediately drawn to it.  Mythical characters and fountains round up the features of the Summer display. The Summer floral display (which is free to the public) will end on September 9.  Bellagio Hotel and Casino 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.  https://bellagio.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/conservatory-botanical-garden.html ***** Images by TravelswithCharie   

  Ten minutes south of Las Vegas in the Ivanpah Valley are these monumental stacked boulders, Seven Magic Mountains, the creation of Swiss artist, Ugo Rondinone. This is a site specific desert art installation. The boulders weigh several hundred tons each and rise to more than 30 feet. Visitors hanging around the base more clearly define the height of these stacks. Several mountain ranges provide a stark background to the colorful totem stacks which is why Seven Magic Mountains draw many visitors to this isolated corner of Nevada. Visitors appreciate the beauty of the surrounding landscape.  Rondinone refers to Seven Magic Mountains as “an artwork of thresholds and crossings, of seclusion and gathering, of balanced marvels and excessive colors, and the contrary air between desert and city lights.” How to get there: Take Highway 15 south from Las Vegas and exit at Sloan Road (Exit 25). Turn left (east) to Las Vegas Blvd and continue for 7  miles until you see the artworks ...

Only 20 minutes from your favorite casino on Las Vegas Boulevard, Red Rock Canyon can’t be missed especially when you need a breather . The natural scenery and wide open spaces are spectacular and if Instagram is your photo album, there are lots of photo ops here to impress your followers.   The one way, 13-mile scenic drive is a paved road with lots of overlooks to get up close to the rock formations formed millions of years ago. The Park has 26 numbered trails if you like to hike. You can also go horseback riding or mountain biking as well as rock climbing. The Visitor Center has a lot of information about the evolution of Red Rock Canyon and the flora and wildlife that inhabit its terrain. Pick up your scenic map and trail guide there before you start your scenic drive. Don’t forget to look for desert tortoises in the canyon. Turtlehead Peak in the background There’s a trail here that goes to Turtlehead Peak and Calico Tanks Calico Hills Calico Hills Overlook The reddish ...