LAGO

Happy Wednesday Peeps!

Lago — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:11:40 +0000

Peeps by the way is short for peoples. I know we’re going towards a whole different area right now, but “Marshmallow Peeps” is now selling snack size mini chicks and I am dying inside! All that marshmallow goodness compacted into a small chick just completed 2013 for me. You have not lived if you haven’t heard of them by the way.

Since Wednesday is my favorite weekday I made sure today’s post is extra special. Just recently, I went to the Cabrillo National Monument (San Diego, California) in search of the famous Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Getting there was a bit confusing since it sits on top of a hill in the very entrance to San Diego bay, but the 5 dollar entrance fee made it worth the trip. Okay just so everyone knows, there isn’t any food here. Fortunately for you guys, you have me for the inside info. But when I heard they only had vending machines, I rummaged through my car like a mad man for some quarters and nickels. If you’ve ever seen a raccoon ravage through a garbage container, It was similar to that. Probably even worse because not ONE PENNY came up. For some reason I was walking towards the back of the building. Well there was a reason, I was going towards the wind because my hair which was very long at this time was blocking my whole face. I felt like I had pasta hair and that I needed one of those bonnets from “Little House on the Prairie.”

This panoramic picture was taken way beyond the danger zone on top of the cliffs. There was actually a little girl who went a tiny bit further than me, but I’d like to believe that I was the lone daredevil to cross the line.When I finally reached the front of the lighthouse I was astounded by how far my expectations were from reality. I was expecting a Lighthouse keeper, maybe some goats. Probably some bean cans scattered around the grounds and some lunch bell in the porch or something. Instead there was this sophisticated “oh those primal days” museum. I stormed out and took shots of the architecture instead.$5 Entrance fee per vehicle (Good for 7 days)

Have a great rest of the week you guys!

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Lago

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Craze Balls.

Lago — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 23:20:40 +0000

It’s exactly a month and a week after my last post and I feel like I’ve given the blog a bit of a break, partly because I’ve been thinking of starting my own website which was my intention from the beginning. First problem, I have no funds to run this project and second, I’m terrified! For you guys who’ve seen this blog grow and followed me through this craze balls journey. I just wanted to let you guys know that you’re in it till’ the end. When you clicked that follow button and thought how cool my blog was, you just signed yourself up for the craziness that is this blog. If I go down in history as the most un amaze balls blogger ever, you’re all going down with me, like London bridge and that one egg with the horses. I know all your names so I can just call you guys out any minute.

Like “shovonc” who told me to stop eating Chinese food because little chinese people might grow from within me and claim my whole human being-ness. RESPECT!

Since I have committed into transferring sometime this year. You guys will here a lot more from me. I have thought of a regular post about commenting on your comments and pretty much making fun of you guys, so get ready! If anyone has any suggestions or tips or even things you want me to talk about, just comment below or contact me through my email: travelagos@yahoo.com. Please no pet problems in the email, my dog just pooped again in his favorite spot in my apartment and I’m thinking of strategies of how to handle it. In that note, follow me @lagodaily and like me on facebook!

FOLLOW ME!

Lago

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THE LAGO WAY – Vegas Part 1

Lago — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:47:27 +0000

The day started in an absolute rut. Since we wanted to get there as quick as possible (okay I did, you guys are such judgers) I made sure our check in time was so early that we had to get our stuff together way before sunrise. Well sunrise came and (freakin’) went 6 hours ago. We all woke up an hour before check in, which was at 1 in the afternoon. Me not waking up is primarily not my fault, because my alarm was set to level 9 rather than 10 and my body knows when its a notch lower. As for the other people in my group, they can speak for themselves because they didn’t even set alarms. After playing the blame game for a few minutes, we realized the deadline for picking the car up was an hour away and we had to storm to the rental place if we didn’t want to walk to Vegas. Luckily all the cars in the tier we reserved were all unavailable and they had no choice but to give us an upgrade. Score! Silver freakin’ lining!After 10 hours of pure pandemonium we finally arrived in Las Vegas. I booked a room at the Planet Hollywood Resort which is in the middle of the strip between Paris and some other hotel. For people who like the hustle and bustle without having to be in the middle of things, I recommend a room with a view of the strip, it’s a bit pricey but if you’re like me that can’t tolerate heat it would be the best option during the summer season. The only thing I didn’t like about the PH was the parking, it’s so far from the main entrance that you either had to drop off everything in the front or drag your stuff through the Miracle Mile Shops (retail center) that connects the parking structure to the hotel. It does have the cool underground celebrity vibe to it, but shuttles or even golf carts would’ve been great.Unfortunately the sun already went down when we got there, so I had one of two options—take shots of the view or of Charlie Sheen’s sweaty stuff (like hand-cuffs placed inside a see through side table) installed all over the room. I chose the view.

Seriously with the hand-cuffs Planet Hollywood? If it were a different actor there wouldn’t even be an issue. Except if it were hair gel placed in a glass case from one of the Jersey Shore kids. Please tell me no one got stuck with a Jersey room at the PH?! If you did, we’re forming a freakin’ 2 man strike in front of the hotel, and anyone interested in volunteering— we’re holding friday meetings at the Carnival Buffet at the Rio. Just look for the crazy dude with pamphlets.

The hollywood experience in my bedroom was so literal that I slept right next to a picture of Charlie Sheen running in the same sweaty shirt that was hanging lighted on the wall. It was only our second day in Vegas and we were already in the brink of missing out on the most important meal of the day (in buffet form) (we payed $45 each for a 24 hour pass to most Harrah’s Entertainment buffets). I was a little on the edge with how deep into the property this place was but the thought of breakfast in (freakin’) buffet form just broke whatever sack in my brain that held the endorphins in. When we got there I didn’t even wait to get to the table, I shouted “Iced Tea” and ran to the buffet lines.”Le Village Buffet” was so crazy that there were eggs from 8 different continents, and we only have 7! I was betting on Atlantis but I thought China would’ve been the eight, since they already own everything (including the ocean, according to their “ancient maps”).Best day ever! After stuffing my face with eggs from different continents, I witness my dream car being driven and parked right in front of me. 2 key elements for buying my friendship— Jaguar and Continental eggs. Unfortunately my “Serious Trilogy” title has been scrapped because my Vegas trip summary will take more than 3 posts (I know you guys, you’re gonna be bored out of your minds if I post crazy long blogs). Watch out for the next VPs! Follow me @lagodaily on twitter and like me on facebook! Thanks for stopping by!

FOLLOW ME!

Lago

Filed under: Travelago

Dolphins & Such

Lago — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:29:59 +0000

Earlier this week, I was going through stacks of boxes from my childhood (everyone has done this at least once on their birthday so stop judging) when I stumbled upon a blue dolphin stuffy shoved inside a large Ziploc bag, it was from my best friend when I was 13/14 years old. And that’s how I lead into the Siegfried & Roy Secret Garden at the Mirage Las Vegas (they have dolphins their okay, that’s the connection with the story). The sanctuary was built for education, public awareness and when the show was still open, to house the endangered animals they used in the show. It was said that Siegfried himself had an apartment within the compound so he could be closer to the animals.Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn are German American exhibitionists who are best known for their wild animal and magic spectacle at the Mirage Las Vegas. After moving their show from a German cruise line to the Las Vegas stage in 1967, a record breaking 5 year, $57 million contract was presented to them by Steve Wynn to start a “Broadway-meets-Barnum & Bailey extravaganza” at his then under construction hotel – the Mirage. Breaking off from the usual crooner & topless dancer acts that graced the stages of Las Vegas, Seigfried & Roy would incorporate both their skills in illusion and animal manipulation.On the night of October 3, 2003, Siegfried and Roy’s reign over the Las Vegas entertainment industry came to an end after an incident inflicting one of Roy’s albino tigers, Montecore. It was 45 minutes into the show when something (terrorist) or someone (beehive hair lady) from the audience took Montecore’s attention, leading him to break his routine. Since there were no barriers between the audience and the stage Roy quickly jumped in front of the tiger and ordered him to lie down. Unfortunately the tiger did not stand down and at one point was able to grip Roy’s right wrist with his jaw. While struggling to grab Montecore’s leash and getting his hand free, Roy suddenly fell over and in a flash had the tiger on top of him, gripping him on the neck and dragging him off stage. Later Siegfried explained the tigers intention was to keep Roy away from whatever was in the audience (Beehive hair lady or Terrorist or Both?!) (I bet that lady had a steak on her hair) and picked him up like a mother would with her cub.I know it took me forever to finish this new feature but in my defense a few people have been hating on me and it dampened my spirit a little bit, so for my 1,700 “party peaps” out there, YOU GUYS RULE! Thank you for following! If you haven’t done so, then do it right now and FOLLOW ME!

Lago

Filed under: Travelago

Charlie Sheen + Winning?

Lago — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 08:27:32 +0000

Earning its spot on the Las Vegas strip, the Planet Hollywood resort has gone a long way from its Arabian themed past. Formerly known as the Aladdin resort, the leisure center has gone through multiple partnerships, acquisitions and bankruptcies. With new owners consistently trying to catch up to old debt, a much needed major re-branding and renovation had always been ignored, until the partnership between Planet Hollywood and Starwood emerged. Unfortunately the face lift didn’t do the job of keeping people in the property and in 2010 Caesars Entertainment took over the resort.
During the Aladdin’s reopening weekend back in 2000, Josh Axelrad (infamous card counter/author) and his friends (card counter posse) took advantage of the inexperienced staff and took off with a considerable amount of cash. After 5 years he was able to generate $700,000 for himself and his squad.The Planet Hollywood hotel is based on the restaurant chain conceptualized by Robert Earl (Former CEO of Hard Rock Cafe) and Keith Barish (Film Producer). The restaurant holds props from movie sets, sells celebrity merchandise and offers Hard Rock cafe food with a Hollywood twist. At one point Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Arnold Schwarzenegger had their hand on the project and exchanged endorsement deals for stock options. Like the chain, each room in the PH has its own authentic Hollywood memorabilia as part of the interiors. We were lucky enough to land Charlie Sheen and his unwashed shirt. The guy who just dissed the creator of Two and a Half Men and lost his $1.25 million an episode deal. There were more of his stuff inside that round table near the window. It lit up.Sunrise over the valley.Follow Me!

Lagos

Filed under: Travelagos

Sharks & Scuba Divers

Lago — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 03:40:30 +0000

Covering 8 acres of land, the Bellagio fountains was opened in 1998 to the tune of $40 million. Originally envisioned to be a water resort in the middle of the strip called Beau Rivage, Steve Wynn and his team decided to tone down the project and transfer the concept to a casino resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. Constructed above a desert floor, the Bellagio fountains have had controversies of the man made lake being filled with treated greywater (water recycled from laundry, dish washing and bathing) from the hotel since a considerable amount of freshwater would be needed to fill the basin. Fortunately decades before the building was constructed a fresh water well had been drilled to irrigate a golf course that previously occupied the lot. Consisting of 4,500 lights, 1,200 nozzles and extreme shooters that can send blasts of water up to 460ft high, this daily choreographed show has stood the test of time and today stands as the best attraction on the Las Vegas strip.I was supposed to include this post in the image summary of the whole trip later on, but when I saw how many shots I took of the fountains I realized how important it was. No matter how many times I watched the show either from my room or on the ground, there was something that made it feel like Vegas. At one point I was even imagining a shark attacking the scuba diver that was maintaining the fountain and I was debating if I should smash through the window and plummet 15 stories to the ground to save him. I was absolutely panicking in my head over this imaginary event that was happening. Happiest day of my life!

Follow Me!

Lagos

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Happy 1050th Follower

Lago — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 02:44:26 +0000

I’m absolutely ecstatic! Again thank you for clicking my photo and taking the time to read my crazy posts. I’m still getting the hang of things but will try to use every single bell and whistle in this joint to get something new to you guys every time. I just opened a new twitter account (travelagos1) for some behind the scenes stuff so make sure to check that out and follow me there as well!

Lagos

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40 Million + Some

Lago — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 02:42:47 +0000

Situated between the Monte Carlo and Cosmopolitan the CityCenter is a site to be seen, not only from the outside but from within. After my trip I was digging through articles and features when I stumbled upon some hefty price tags. With billions spent on the architecture, an unexpected 40 million was spent on the CityCenter’s fine art collection. With renowned artists like Maya Lin and Henry Moore covering from walls to corners, the CityCenter has set itself apart from the rest of the crowd. Before going to the center I had one installation in mind to feature, the “Big Edge” by Nancy Rubin. Rubin has been known for using recycled materials with her work and so she did with the “Edge.” Composed of suspended canoes jotting out from a single base structure the “Edge” definitely holds its own among the other center structures. Since it was located in front of the Vdara which (to me) was nowhere near the Crystals structure I thought to just feature the smaller galleries within half a kilometer radius from the center exits.
Since I gave up on the Nancy Rubin installation I didn’t expect to do this post but while looking through the shots I’ve taken, pieces of art I didn’t expect to be relevant were actually very well known. On the crossroads between the Crystals structure and Aria a piece by Henry Moore emerged from one of my photographs. The “Reclining Connected Forms” is a piece well known for its embodiment of Moore’s style in art (fundamentals of human experience). Since most of his pieces are abstract it leaves the audience to view it in their own way (it was taken from behind of the piece but tell me that landscape isn’t a good shot).

What do you think?

Weighing the most out of the CityCenters budget on fine art, the Crystals retail hub (Not part of the 40 Million) was designed by Daniel Libeskind (exterior) and David Rockwell (interior). The duo started the project like any other art piece—finding an inspiration and making a sample render, then putting that rendering into architectural terms of corners, volume, height, etc. The retail center was inspired by a modern tree house. Since Libeskind concentrated on the actual structure, Rockwell followed through with the idea inside and created a few original pieces for the interiors. Lining the halls with modern trees, bamboo staircases and his own version of the tree house (he didnt want to be outshined by the Libeskind if you tell me) the inside looked like a modern jungle where stores of Miu Miu, Prada and Louis Vuitton were mere stalls filling the empty corners of the masterpiece that is the Crystals Center.

Studio Daniel Libeskind

Rockwell GroupI know what your thinking and it did take so long to finish this feature . I will be posting more often and I do hope you guys follow me on twitter (@travelagos1) because its always good to receive feedback (and advise for how to work this thing). Cant wait to here from you, thank you and FOLLOW ME for your daily dose (shenanigans)!

Lagos

Filed under: Travelagos

Happy 400th Follower

Lago — Sun, 27 May 2012 09:19:04 +0000

I wanted to wait for 500 but 400 is pretty darn good! Thank you!

LAGOS

[Just reached 500 in less than 15 hours! Thank you Thank you Thank you! Fasten your seat belt guys, I will take you through one heck of a ride! Don't miss out and FOLLOW ME!]

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Within “The Center”

Lago — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:32:30 +0000

Okay, I lied, but with good reason! I was expecting to write about just a few things but when I started my research and got deep into the CityCenter (and you know I get in there for you guys) I couldn’t stop writing! There were so many interesting things and the post started to sound like jibber jabber! So this will be part 1 of 2! (kind of?)So a summer ago my brother decided to take a quick work vacation and visit us in San Diego, since weve been everywhere locally we wanted to take a quick run for Las Vegas, which is about four to five hours away, but in our situation its always longer than that. Since Vegas is so close it was always easy to pack up a weekender and drive down there, but for some reason I have never stepped foot into the $8.5 billion behemoth of a project that is the CityCenter. When my family goes on trips I usually handle everything and this time I didn’t care what would stop me, “everyone is going to the CityCenter.” Our hotel is so close I could jump from the ledge and probably not make it but the best would be on the street in front of it. Unfortunately things don’t usually go as planned with my family (someone has to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes). I feel like I’ve seen more restrooms than sites in my whole entire life and its always in weird places too. In this situation it was our last day, we’ve been up all night, every night, all of our feet were swelled because of all the walking and the heat is killing me! But I thought of my future followers and said this is for you (future follower). So i took my purple feet and woke everyone up to visit the CityCenter before check out time. Nothing really compares to the LV heat, I feel like the SPF lotion is frying my flesh rather than protecting it. The rush of heat overcomes you immediately after going through the amazing sliding doors of your hotel.We were coming from the north side of the CC so the way was to walk through the footbridge to the Cosmo which connects to the second floor entrance of Crystals. It was the LONGEST 5 minute walk ever and the structural problems of the Harmon building was not helping either. The thought of this 27 story glass building plummeting to the ground and killing all of humanity underneath it was very chilling. After taking a photo I ran past it like a crazy person, flailing my arms up in the air (people were staring). The CityCenter is composed of 6 main structures sprawled over 67 acres of land (Aria, Vdara, Veer, Harmon, Mandarin Oriental and the Crystals center). The outside of the Crystals strcuture looks like sharp gems sprouting from the ground featuring storefronts like Prada, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.Once inside, a huge 80 foot tall sculptural tree house/restaurant greets you. Designed by David Rockwell himself (renowned architect of Crystals) the Mastro’s Ocean Club is yet to open, but once it has, the dining area will give an illusion of being underwater/beneath the waves. Another internationally renowned chef has opened 2 new restaurants “within the center.” First to open is the Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria & Cucina. At first this restaurant was supposed to be a French fine dinning experience called Brasserie Puck but after some issues the name was switched to what is currently being used today and now features rustic Italian creations by the chef. Pods is Puck’s Cafe & Bar offering for people who would rather eat more casually. Located right underneath his pizzeria, Pods cafe stays true to its name with it’s extensive breakfast, lunch and pastry menu. The cafe also presents Wolfgang Pucks venture into coffee & tea creations.

Coincidentally taken a shot of Puck (above) and pods (stairs) together

This is the end of Part 1! Follow me and experience part 2, “$40 million and then some.” I hope you guys enjoyed your daily dose!

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LAGOS

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