Shooting and stripping!

Today was a long day, but managed to pack a few things. If we're friends on Facebook you're probably already board with the status updates!

It was Sunday and after seeing the bus tour map how to get to Chinatown, I decided this Sunday was a dim sum day. I bussed to Chinatown only to be disappointed to see a building complex not dissimilar to a Chinese supermarket local to home in Croydon.

I did see the Hot and Juicy Crawlfish restaurant, which was featured in the Vegas edition of Man vs Food. It was then nearly a three mile walk to Chang's the dim sum restaurant I found on TripAdvisor. I could have used a bus, but in the beautiful sunshine and 21°C heat (which I found out was surprising the locals) it seemed fitting to walk!

Chang's dim sum restaurant reminded me of Hong Kong, in a good and a bad way! The tables had know cloths on them, walls dirty and generally tired. The place was empty when I got there about 10.15, but busy within half an hour. The noise levels with the chatter and clatter is definitely similar to HK, and felt familiar. The dim sum came on carts and I can proudly say I ordered all my food in Cantonese, but they spoke English with other Chinese customers. The food was OK, but the experience, including the toilets were definitely HK!!

More walking, but this time to a bus stop and I had to control my apprehension (more later). I managed to get off at the right stop and stroll for 10 minutes past the back of the Luxor on what can be described as a motorway slip road. I then find, shop The Gun and Ammo Garage, where I booked myself in for a beginner session.

I'm excited and scared of what I'm about to do. I book in, get my glasses, ear defenders and my target. I'm greeted by my female (not that that is important) who runs through the instructions, safety briefing and what to expect, then we hit the range. My first gun was a Glock, which I had read about in crime novels and seen in films. It's a typical police issued gun, which is light due to the part resin construction.

I'm instructed on my stance, how to position my hands and how to aim. That first squeeze of the trigger requires more force than I expected, but the recoil, the noise, the ejecting shell, the smoke and seeing a hit on the target just outside the red makes me shot again, and again. I then realise what I'm doing (shooting a gun), so I slow down and better aim, trying to better my shots.

Two magazines later, I'm using a 1911 pistol, which my instructor described as the Ferrari of handguns. I'm shooting this one for free as I booked online. It's much heavier due to the all metal construction and in some respects easier to use, I preferred the Glock.

My last gun was inspired my Arnie as it was an "Uzi 9mm". I fired off a couple of rounds in semi automatic mode, which due to weight and lighter trigger, was very easy. Then the gun was switched to fully automatic and I sprayed the target! I noticed in the photos after, my instructor had her hand out just behind my shoulder in case the recoil as too much (it wasn't!)

In conclusion, video games made me a reasonable shot but I leave this experience adrenaline filled, but with the utmost respect for firearms and would advocate proper training!

The gun range, which I would highly recommend for its friendly and professional nature, offered me a ride back to my hotel, but asked to be dropped off at the Las Vegas sign. The driver kindly offered to take my photo there, then drops me off at another outlet mall, at my request. He didn't have to do it, so was very grateful that he made my life easier.

More shopping, this time for presents for the children and my wife, but getting concerned about luggage allowance (but my paranoia meant I bought and brought a luggage scale with me)!

A bit of a rest at the hotel, before walking northbound on the strip to see Caesars Palace, the Mirage (with the erupting volcano show), Treasure Island before the long walk up to Circus Circus. Circus Circus is very old and worn, and kind of wished I hadn't bothered as it's a long walk of nothing then that. Fortunately due to my TripAdvisor searching, I knew I was near The Peppermill which was rated highly for its diner and American home comfort foods. A busy Sunday night, but a table for one is easy as I was offered and wanted a counter seat. I had a bacon and cheese burger on sourdough bread, with crispy French Fries. An amazing burger experience and I will head back there to try breakfast before I go.

Then it was the walk back, passed the Wynn, but in to the Venetian (saw a Gonadal, but don't see the appeal), Harrah's and The Flamingo before heading back to rest after my ten mile walk today!