Rhine River Cruise Part 1 of 3

In March, we took a Viking River cruise down the Rhine through Germany. It was WONDERFUL. We liked Viking and the ship was so small we felt more like guests instead of a number in the crowd. Viking takes REALLY good care of their guests from start to finish. The only thing I would change is the timing to a few weeks later in the spring—nothing was green yet so I feel like we really missed out on the fullness of the landscape's beauty.

This video is part 1 of 3 and covers a little of our experience at the following stops: Amsterdam, Kinderdijk, Cologne and the Brühl UNESCO Palace (we weren't allowed to take photos in most rooms) and the Falconry.

Please CLICK OR TAP HERE to watch on YouTube for full screen and best quality.  R rated for brief nudity and descriptive language.

Las Vegas Sphere

The new kid in Vegas is amazing! We went to the Sphere to view the in-house movie Postcard from Earth and it was worth it. 

The Sphere is a "$2.3 billion, 17,500-seat live entertainment venue. It's the largest sphere-shaped building in the world, standing 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide at its widest point."

"The interior has a 4-acre LED screen—the size of four football fields—but the outside, known as the “exosphere,” is a massive programmable screen (LED lit) that can project [moving] images visible from miles away."

I recommend a visit to the Review Journal to read some quick, digestible, interesting information about the sphere accompanied by photos.  

Above reads: "Gort. An early yet impressive representation of how science would affect humanity in the future. Meet Gort, a humanoid robot from the past, and distant cousin of Aura, twice removed. (The Day the Earth Stood Still ©1951 20th Century Studio. All rights reserved.)"

Upon entering you can visit with the afore mentioned AI driven robot Aura, who will have an ACTUAL "listen and respond" conversation with you (there are several of her placed about the lobby)... 

Photo credits:livedesignonline.com

...visit concessions...

 ...or wander around and look at some of the laser light displays and enjoy the lobby.

The dome inside the theater is MASSIVE, I couldn't even take a picture that does it justice, and the seating is so steep you feel like you need a seat belt to hold you from falling forward. It's completely immersive with rumble seating, clear booming sound and wind machines! You simply HAVE to go. (It's IMAX  on an overdose of steroids.)

The movie, Postcard from Earth included scenes of our planet, much like the Disneyland Soarin' ride. But there is a simple sci-fi story-line attached to it that begins in outer space. I felt such awe that I became emotional during a few particular scenes. Don't skip this venue next time you're in Vegas. Or book something at the Sphere so you have a reason to go!

Las Vegas Show: Potted Potter

Running through all 7 books in 70 minutes the Potted Potter is a parody show and (for legal reasons) they must advertise that it’s also unauthorized. 

According to offthestrip.com the show is about "two friends who take the audience through all seven Harry Potter books. But there is a catch, only one of them has actually read the books. The other tries to magically fumble his way through.

While the show is a parody it is incredibly kid friendly. That is not to say that it is for kids. Potted Potter is for everyone. There are jokes meant for the adults and elements that pander to the kids and the kids in you. The short running time is great for short attention spans."

The show was TOTAL chaos and fun, we enjoyed it but not sure we would recommend it because it was almost too...stupid? It's not at all what I was expecting based on the VERY limited ticket description. But they're in their sixth year in Vegas...so maybe it's not them, it's us? They had some great moments of wit, but I wish things had been more clever throughout. The tickets were cheap though, so in all we're not upset that we went.

 

Las Vegas Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Last time we visited the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens it was an Under the Sea theme. This time the theme was Tea and Tulips. (They change the theme FIVE times per year with the changing seasons!)

Below the scroll reads: Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is proud to present "Tea and Tulips." And enchanted garden tea fête filled with whimsy and wonder. Our display beds are beautifully designed to embody the enticing colors and beneficial qualities of four distinctive teas: Lavender, Ginger Peach, Rose Hip and Chamomile. Within each vibrant display humanity and nature come together in harmonious celebration of Spring splendor and promise.

This teapot is seventeen-and-a-half feet tall.

All of the plants are densely packed next to each other, each in its own container making it easy to reposition or replace.