Las Vegas through the eyes of my GoPro

My Canon 5d mk11 with L series lens attached was sometimes too heavy and too conspicuous to take with me on our sightseeing bus trip through Las Vegas. It was extremely hot and the GoPro was easy and fun. We had a great time, revisiting the stories of the movie heroes and elegant hotels and casinos  of Las Vegas

Caesars Palace fountains, spectacular

The Bubba Gump shrimp company restaurant. The movie was fantastic and the restaurant was a great idea, but for Aussies, the food was tasteless and overcooked and extremely noisy.

The approach to the Caesars Palace Hotel, we were on the top deck of the sight seeing bus and had a fantastic view

For pedestrian safety, each corner of the strip was serviced by escalators, to keep patrons from crossing the road at street level and to gain access to hotels on the other side of the street.

Caesars Palace Hotel

Planet Hollywood at night

Sugar Factory - New York, New York sweet shop

Harley Davidson Cafe.  wow!

Flying in a storm over the Grand Canyon

We have both flown over the Grand Canyon in a commercial airline flight, but to travel over this magnificent spectacle at 13000ft was nothing but awesome. Travelling from Las Vegas over the Hoover Dam to the South Rim of the Canyon was an incredible experience. We then boarded a six seater helicopter to take us down into the valley itself, to take in the glorious colours of the valley, following the Colorado River meandering like a giant snake in the floor of the valley.

The colours of the cliff walls, danced as the sun gave way to a thunderstorm and then reappeared, while we watched from the edge of the escarpment.

We had quite a frightening trip home, as we watched the storm get closer. The plane dipped and dived, and we held our stomachs as the pilot skillfully delivered us to the airport

Storm coming

Rough ride home

Storm over Grand Canyon

Sunset over Vegas

Flying over Hoover Dam

Niagara on the Lake

Our friends told us not to miss Niagara on the Lake, when we went to Niagara Falls. This little village was worth the thirty minute bus ride, which followed the river to Queenston and the sight of the Botanic Gardens on the other side was beautiful.

The buildings of the central district of Niagara on the Lake have been preserved or restored in the period of the late 1800's, when they were built. It is often described as the prettiest town in Ontario and it certainly lived up to its reputation.

The shops and buildings are now a tourist attraction with their quaint styles and beautiful paintwork, decorated with flower boxes and hanging baskets.

We had lunch in a quaint cafe and the service and food were excellent.

It was our last day in Niagara and we had limited time in this little village. We would have like to explore more. The Fort George National Historical Park, Battlefield House Museum on the edge of town and wineries 

 Cute Treats in the chocolate shop window

Butterfly Conservatory - Niagara Parks

Downstream of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parks have established a Butterfly Conservatory in the  Botanical Garden.

A tropical paradise of exotic greenery and flowing water, create a rainforest environment in a climate controlled conservatory.

As we walked around, snapping away, butterflies were landing on tourists heads, arms and shoulders. Even though some children and adults tried to coax them to attach to fingers or hands, quite a few didn't need any persuasion. We had them land on us.

It is an awe inspiring experience

Blue Morpho