Las Vegas

Just returned from a 4 day trip to Las Vegas for a wedding of a close friend of Tara's. The experience was very different from my first visit to Vegas and I left with a newly found appreciation for the place.

I didn't put a cent down in a casino and consumed a responsible amount of alcohol, but I really enjoyed attending a wedding set amongst the Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace, explored the Casinos and Gambling halls of the strip, and really soaked up the atmosphere of this fabulous desert city of debauchery.

The grounds and Buildings of Caesars Palace take up an entire block on the Strip

The Garden of the Gods at the Heart of Caesars Palace. What a scene for a wedding!

The flight down included the highlights of flying over Mt Rainier and Mt Adams. Seeing them from above gives you a whole new perspective on just how massive these mountains are. Despite being taken through the window of the plane, the images of Mt Rainier are astounding. Then landing in Vegas in the dark really gives you that feeling of the "Disneyland for adults" that Vegas is.

Mt. Rainier from above on the flight down.

The Aquatic sound and light show at the Bellagio draws a large crowd.

The wedding was a great success and the setting was beautiful. I was also able to meet up with a great friend from home who happened to be in town while we were there, it was quite surreal to be sharing the experience together and great to hear a familiar voice. 

Lions at the MGM Grand

A more permanent large feline at the MGM

After enjoying 99c Margaritas, lazy rivers and some hard hitting Vegas heat, it was time to fly out, but we were well and truly ready for it. Leaving Las Vegas was again a visual delight as you fly out over the nearby ridges and out into the flat planes of the desert beyond. The alien landscapes that form in the dust and rocks below is intriguing to say the least.

The city of Las Vegas can just be made out behind the mountains and plains that reach out from this desert city.

This unique veiwpoint lends to stunning perspectives of the land formations below.

Despite being taken through the window, the images are still pleasing.

Whilst I did not spend a lot of time shooting, I did manage to capture some nice images from the trip. Until next time Vegas :)

Okanagan Strike

Okanagan Strike, originally uploaded by cleangetaway.

Spent another Canadian Summer exploring BC and Alberta hunting for great images to add to my folio. With lots of sorting and processing yet to go, this is one of my favourites so far. Witnessed a phenominal sunset and following thunderstorm from the jetty at a friends place in Summerland in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada.