Ive got nothing so far........ Wouldnt mind chilling an seeing a band or something like that. Or possibly a good place to dance for cheap. What is everyone doing? Any suggestions?
This Thursday it all starts. Bigtexxx begins his week of pleasure. I am flying to Las Vegas for 4 days and 3 nights of gaming, drinking and debauchery with an unsavory cast of characters: a former standup comic from NYC, an angry Muslim medical student, and an overworked investment banker. Parties will include nights out at the most *exclusive* of Las Vegas’s nightlife establishments. Gaming will occur at the most luxurious of casinos. Drinks will be served from the finest cup. The New Year will be rung in the right way. On Sunday I will return to Houston – but not to leave the airport, only to switch planes. From there I will board a plane to Miami, Florida. Destination: The Orange Bowl. A friend and me have tickets to the National Championship Game: Oklahoma versus USC. Our accommodation will be the Mandarin Oriental for the 3 night stay. A fine property, indeed. Its private beach should be a nice late-night destination for the Miami senoritas that I am sure to meet. Throughout the trip I will check back with the board to provide updates. Stay tuned fans. This could be a second for the bbs: a live trip report while on vacation (I think SJC did it on his around the world trip).
It is a fine property, one of my favorite hotels anywhere and everywhere. However, having stayed there a few times, I don't believe the Mandarin in Miami has a beach, it is near downtown on Keye Brickell I believe, not in Miami Beach or South beach, from which it is a good 20-30 minute drive away. It is waterfront but not "beachfront" That said, it is a fantastic hotel. In the past year I have stayed in Mandarins in San Fran (very nice) and the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok (the original Oriental), but the Miami Mandarin is my favorite. Make sure you eat at the restaurant (Azul? I think that's what its called) which is one of the very best in Miami.
Ah yes it looks like they've got one now. From the picture it looks like they put a bunch of sand and some palm trees on a grass embankment by the bay. I guess it's a beach, but it's not THE beach. In any event, if I had my preference I would stay there rather than South Beach despite the non-proximity. South Beach is too crowded and overpriced to stay in, IMO.
Flying out to Vegas this Thursday, staying at the Westin Casuarina for two nights. Will be spending New Year's at Ra at Luxor. Meanwhile, there will be incessant gambling on bowl games at the sportsbook. Early Saturday, Jan 1 morning, driving out to Pasadena to watch the Rose Bowl. Celebrate the win that night on Sunset, then drive back to Vegas on Sunday Jan 2. Return to Austin on Jan 3.
Baqui, may I ask why you chose to stay at the Westin? The hoel is nice enough, but...? Seems like a weird choice, esp for NYE.
They let me use my points for a free night on the 30th, although they didn't let me use them for the 31st. I stayed there once before (just after it opened) and enjoyed it. The casino wasn't crowded, and the elevator is very close to the entrance so you're not wasting time going back and forth from your room.
We'll probably just have some friends over to our house, but I'd kinda like to go out somewhere. I remember for the year 2000 they had a big event downtown and shut down the streets. I think there was live music, beer vendors, and other entertainment right on the street near Bayou Place. Does anybody know if anything like that goes on anymore??
I'm not doing... much anything on New Year's Eve. Because we're spending our $$ on taking ourselves to Florida for the next week. I'll be packing and hopefully I'll at least pay attention to the new year coming in. Oh well... not into the traditional "drinking with a large crowd of people" thing anyway. Back when I had a lot of friends in one place, I would have them come over to my house. But that was then. We spent last year's New Year's Eve in a bowling alley. It's as good as anything.
