Pre Meet Up at Terra Rosa Italian Restaurant - Red Rock Resort & Spa

My first Travbuddy Meetup ever! Yeah~

The excitement with which I looked forward to the meet up was immeasurable. If words were sufficient, I would not have taken all the pictures included here; but since they are not I, will let the pictures do a bigger portion of the talking, hahaaaaaa!. From the moment I spoke with Melanie (www.travbuddy.com/mellemel8), I could not conceal my excitement; the notion of a meet up, in Vegas!! phew, I literally booked my plane ticket within an hour of talking to her. She forwarded to me the travel forum link and got me hooked on Vegas! Viva Las Vegas**As the days drew close to the meet up, I got in touch with some of the travbuddies who were on the forum while others got in touch with me. Joy (www.

travbuddy.com/pvtjoy) and Jillian (www.travbuddy.com/jillianj) were the first two to get in touch, the energy they radiated through their comments convinced me that Vegas would be the destination to be at come April,5.  Then came James (www.travbuddy.com/pearcetoyou),  and so the communication continued. James and I, had had phone communications during which I learned of his travel to Africa - not just Africa, but East Africa: my home. This fueled conversations about Africa and the excitement to meet.

I, had made plans to travel a day before the scheduled meet up to meet my family in the Henderson area, however after talking to James and Melanie it was apparent that the distance between the Red Rock and my planned accommodation would be a little inconvenient.

James allowed me to crush (lol!). He also agreed to pick me up at the airport as he was arriving much earlier the same day that I was (April, 4): he rented a convertable which I must say made me feel like a millionaire. As many of you may know, sometimes our plans don't really work out as planned: that being said James' flight got delayed making it impossible for him to pick me up at McCarran airport as planned. We got in touch on cell phones and agreed  that on arrival, I,  would take the Car Rental Shuttle at the airport and meet him at the car rental instead since he had arrived only 15 mins before me. It worked out perfectly.

Here comes the exciting part: We leave the car rental place turning right onto Las Vegas Blvd from where we would turn right onto 215 W, but as luck would have it,  we missed the turning and ended up on Sunset.

With the help of the map that James had we decided we needed to get back on track (which was 215 W), so James the seasoned driver spinned us around and we started west on Sunset which according to he map was supposed to take us to the  215 W. But guess what? . . . ummmmhh! nope that wasn't it. The map - it flew away too, as if to say "ya idiots", lol!! Anyhow to cut it short, we managed to get on the HWY and finally to the hotel at about 3:30 pm.

Mel (mellemel8), and Matt (www.travbuddy.com/mattrilla), were waiting to meet us by the pool when we arrived at the hotel. On meeting Mel, I felt this warm familiarity: somekind of a kindred spirit that made us jump with excitment. Matt on the other hand being the British that he is looked on as if to say "what the hell are they doing expressing such emotions so publicly"! lol! Once our excitment quietened a little we were able to lure Matt and James into joing the excitment of photo taking.

We took so many shots that I,  bet  the people by the pool wondered if we were there for a photo shoot :)

Having traveled on a hungry stomach, I started to feel the hunger desperately. James on the other hand could not contain it so we all moved from the pool area to the pool bar & restaurant. Margaritas and some food at the Sand Grill made for a social afternoon that did not last but an hour, James and Mel had to freshen up and make a trip back to the airport to pick up Jillian (jillianj) and Joy (pvtjoy) at 7:15 pm.

Dinner at the Terra Rosa Italian Restaurant was reserved for 9:00 pm. As diner time drew closer, I,  became anxious to meet Joy and Jillian with whom I had had such lovely time online. Finally the moment of truce, James and the excited girls arrived back at the hotel.

I, was 'summoned' to meet them down on the 4th floor (James & I were on the 18th floor).  I, met Joy and Jillian half way in the corridor of the 4th floor and we jumped to hug each other like long lost friends, the excitment was vivid. Joy's warmth came across radiating with such force I, could feel the happiness and free spirit with which she communes. Mel and I screaming Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii and Jillian joining in, the guys stunned just looked in amazement. We made for such a team - the girls!! You should have been there.

At the restaurant, we met with Tracy (www.travbuddy.com/TRE69) and Jen (www.travbuddy.com/jenn79). The dinner table was not ready so we helped ourselves to drinks from the bar as we waited.

When the table was finally ready we sat to eat; John and Wil later joined us. Drinks, diner and photos made for such a social night. Mel was rather excited to show us the award for the furthest traveled buddy "Most further TB" who happened to be Sven (svenmann). After dinner, it was unanimous decision to go dancing next door at the ROCH LOUNGE, however not everyone at dinner joined in. Joy, Jillian, James, Tracy, Matt and I went dancing. We danced the night out, yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

VIVA LA VITA