NO CLOCKS equals LIMITLESS FUN

                                                                                           SIN  CITY    

So clever the physiology and psychology behind effective ways to keep their guests awake by pumping additional oxygen every five minutes into Hotel bedroom suites. Proven by scientists that oxygen revives tired nerves, it actually keeps sleep at bay.  All of this to induce their guests to gamble 24 hours without the need to rest the body, mind or wallet at the casino in the vast hotel lobby level. There are purposefully no clocks therefore no constraints on time, every vice known to mankind at your fingertips, yes I am talking about Las Vegas, a city that has the well known tired cliché, “whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

This is a city that opens all restraints and increases the volume to the max. This is a city that crazy unimaginable things happen.   It is also a city that normal people live, providing the amenities to tourists that gawk and partake.   On all the occasions I have visited, each one was different than the other.  Now don’t imagine that this might be a “Hangover III” revisited but the reality is there resides in the northern part of the city, a life long friend.   She is the reason for my eighth visit.

Ceasar's Palace ensuite bathroom 

On my first visit thirty-five years ago, I rested my head at the opulent Caesar’s Palace Hotel’s Presidential suite.  Too much of everything bombarded my sensory levels and over awed by  hubby’s largess who was out to impress his young bride, I embarrassed myself  by not being able to find the lever to flush the toilet. Combing the bathroom for every conceivable handle, pedal, and switch with no luck, and in such a desperate state, there was no choice but to call Housekeeper to handle the situation. 

Very discreetly Housekeeper pointed to a hidden small button by the side of the toilet.  Concealed conveniently by my right foot, purposely indented for the toe to deftly push the button.  Problem solved.  The Butler came with a tray of iced champagne, strawberries –complete with tickets for Johnny Cash and Sammy Davis Jr. for the two nights.   This was my introduction to Vegas hospitality.  And it hasn’t changed in three decades, it only just  got better.

The Wynn

A weekend of revelry, in Nirvana Nevada happened at The Wynn some thirty years later.  First class all the way courtesy of a crazy gentleman bent on showing off.   A Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe for transportation with fancy dinners,  shows, and of course a $500 bag of chips to play in any gaming pit…..  Dinner was suspended until we returned from the magnificent Show.

Bellagio's Cirque d'Soliel O

Cirque d’Soliel O, the show at the Bellagio  was an aquatic masterpiece of surrealism and theatrical romance that magically transported me into outer orbit.  Mesmerised every minute of the two hour show, the international cast of world-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers, divers and characters perform in, on and above water to create a breathtaking experience in a magnificent theatre reminiscent of a European opera house.  The talent and hardwork overawes the inadequacies I am born with and this show left me with profound respect for dancers, acrobats, entertainers worldwide.

The night was young, dinner late, gambling went on into the wee hours, my tired muscles and party spirit flagging, the decision to have a massage egged on by my host was extremely tempting.  

The Wynn Private Massage Room - Las Vegas

I requested a female masseuse but surprisingly Julio, all of six feet, ripped muscle that looked like a would be Mr. Universe laid his nimble fingers and proceeded to rub and cajole my tired muscles back to life.   Unused to this level  of intimacy, I was given an indication that he had other special qualities should I wish to choose.  Back in my home town, these facilities are projected mostly onto male customers.  My regular neighbourhood Spa had more homeopathic herbal therapies usually performed by lady masseuses or very effeminate non-threatening male counterparts.   Julio performed his tasks according to the advertised brochure, no more no less.

Wedding Chapel at the Mandalay Bay

A wedding at the Mandalay Bay Hotel was the venue a few years later.   The groom, a hefty & chunky Police officer, but in reality a soft spoken man decided it was to be a Vegas wedding, so the ceremony was  held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and the celebrations at the Hard Rock Hotel. It may not have the religious sanctum or the solemnity associated with wedding nuptials, but this is Vegas where reality meets surrealism.   

Subsequent trips have been where Las Vegas urbanites live.   North of the city where views of Red Rock Mountain from  the kitchen window, we sip Californian Chardonnay by the pool, bbq smoking on the pit with loving friends catching up on the diversity of each other's lives.  Nothing in America comes in small packages.   The millionaire's mansion seven bedroom bathroom ensuite, equipped with a homestyle theater, a snooker room, a sound room to play acoustic guitar, with the pre-requisite swimming pool and jacuzzi, there inhabits only two people, the Master and his Mistress.   

Death Valley via Spirit 

It's time to go over the Death Valley once more.  Passing through on land does make me glance at the petrol gage every so often - not wishing to be stuck in this very  unforgiving vast dessert. The return journey 30,000 feet high shows how the empty vastness coupled with nature's unknown element  can be quite alarmingly desolate.     

No monetaries were lost or gained on the gambling table,  just re-newed friendship under the Nevada skies.

A WEEK OF DECADENCE, GLUTTONY & ABANDONMENT OF GUILT

DECADENCE

Unapologetically I am on a binge of all naughty things.   

Having lived a full stretch of 30 odd years of non-indulgence, abstaining from all  irresponsible matters in life, I now have a change of attitude.

Today could be my last day on earth  –  a flimsy stretch I know, but I do recall I had this very similar thought as a young virgin of 16 - indeed a feeble excuse  - nonetheless effective when used to absolve any guilt.

Now that virginity is no longer an issue, the next best thing besides sex has to be glorious sweet desserts that melt in the mouth. Such suggested pleasure can raise the level of serotonin to its max, jack up the sugar levels in the bloodstream and cause reckless havoc to the digestive system

But heck, this could be my last day.  So lets get to it.

The binge is on desserts – nothing else but desserts for the next seven days.  So we start with the best from the best.

The French:

La Croquembouche.

As a child, La Croquembouche  at our table was a center piece, never being allowed to dismantle it, I choose this for the very reason that I can devour this from the top of its conical shape to the bottom.   It is  a French dessert made by stacking cream puffs and cementing them together with a toffee.  Created by French pastry chef Antoine Careme in the late 1700’s  the dessert is typically ornamented with sugared almonds, and is designed to be displayed as the centerpiece of a table.   It is a French wedding cake, used also at Christenings.  

ENGLISH  Treacle Pudding with custard

A treacle sponge pudding is a traditional British dessert dish consisting of a steamed sponge cake with golden syrup cooked on top of it.  It was served mostly on a Sunday night in winter.  My own pudding was usually swimming in hot custard, much to the raised eyebrows of those in charge of me for I was still in single digits under the care of nannies.

THE  AMERICANS:  Pecan Pie  and the delicious Brownie

(because they are such a large continent, I'm allowing two desserts from them)

My first taste of Pecan Pie was made by a neighbor called Jesse.   Her husband busy in the jungles of Vietnam during those long days of the war, would bake these delicious treats.  They were soft and fudge-like molasses at the bottom and crunchy pecans at the top.  Unseen before were the American invention of aerated canned whipped cream swooshed onto the warm pie was just pure decadence.  Made primarily of maple syrup or molasses and pecan nuts, it is a specialty of Southern US cuisine.

I was initiated into the Chocolate Brownie world in the early days of the Vietnam War which included the virgin and non-virgin Brownie.   Those non-virgin ones would give great psychedelic visions and eaten indulgently would bring ecstatic euphoria. The real delicacy requested by Bertha Palmer owner of the Palmer House Hotel for  ladies attending a Chicago Fair.  The instructions were very specific, smaller than a piece of cake though retaining a cake-like characteristics and easily eaten from boxed lunches.

   

ARGENTINA:  Dulce des Leche

Classed as the most seductive and enticing dessert – I am known to say yes to all suggestions when presented with this creamy concoction.  Eaten alone perhaps is too indulgent but I have been known to devour a spoonful of Leche and then sip a gulp of expresso to follow – cannot tell you how decadent and wayward it felt. But it is just as sumptuous swirled on top of cakes, ice cream.   

THAILAND:    Fak Thong  and Kaotum pad   

These are childhood favorites.  Fak Thong, the name is rather suggestive, but it is really an innocent steamed pumpkin with a coconut custard.  Cut into wedges, the sweet taste of pumpkin goes well with the rich flavor of coconut custard made with palm sugar.

Kaotum Pad is Sweet Banana rice parcels steamed in banana leaves.  Found in most markets, it has now moved up in the world to major super markets and  luxurious hotel buffets. 

THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE :    Lokhum

I can commit murder for a taste of Rosewater Lokhum or Pistascho Lokhum.   A delicacy found in Istanbul or Athens.   Chewy, sweet, fragrant and liberally dusted with icing sugar, I defy anyone to deny themselves of this very addictive morsel.   This Turkish Delight would be my weapon to unlock any resistance, tempting my would be victim to succumb to my needs.    

This is a dessert to try before you die.