Six months in Mexico

Other than a week in Las Vegas, we have now been six months in Mexico. I'll do an update on our monthly expenses later, but we have proven to ourselves that we can live and travel the country quite comfortably here for under $1,000 a month.

What does a week in Vegas cost?

Well obviously there are a lot of variables. But it certainly doesn't have to be expensive, especially for first time visitors. If you've been reading our posts over the last week, you know that we kept very busy doing free things, although there is certainly the opportunity to spend LOTS of money if you want to.

Back at Hacienda Contreras

Well, that was a bit of a long 24 hours, but now we're back and can spend the next 5 weeks or so relaxing. We had a great time on our Vegas vacation, but it was certainly not relaxing!

Back in Mexico

No time to do a proper update, just letting you know we're safe and sound in Mexico. Taking the bus back to Hacienda Contreras (or possibly several buses!). Will post again later this afternoon.

Red Rock Canyon

Yesterday we headed out to Red Rock Canyon. Once you get there, they have a 13 mile (20 km) scenic drive on a one way road. Cost is $7 per car and there are various parking areas along the way with lots of hiking trails and rock climbing.

Last day in Vegas

Well, not really. We don't leave until Wednesday afternoon. But yesterday was the last day for visiting the strip because today we are going hiking in Red Rock Canyon.

A "big" casino win!

Yesterday morning we left Mick and Sandy's and headed south. We wanted to go the the Outlet stores at Primm, Nevada which is right on the border of Nevada and California.

Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam

Yesterday, we took a break from the glitz and lights of Vegas. Our couchsurfing hosts Mick and Sandy have a motorhome and Mick wanted to go camping! So we took the motorhome to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, only about 18 miles (30 kms) away.

Vegas at night

Yesterday morning we went for a hike with Mick. Their house on the outskirts of Henderson is on the base of a hill overlooking Las Vegas.

Vegas (day 2)

Busy day yesterday! Started off by driving down to the strip. Lots of free parking, so we pulled into the self park behind the New York, New York buildings near the end of the strip near the airport.

Vegas, baby!

Barb and Sal drove us to Guadalajara airport, and we made it with time to spare. When we checked in, we turned in our tourist visa and the check in guy at Volaris airlines made us go to the immigration office where they checked it, kept it, and issued a new one. Then they stapled the new one to our boarding pass and when we boarded the plane they kept it! Very strange system, but it didn't cost any money, so whatever.

Day before Vegas

Ruth hiked up to the top of a nearby lookout yesterday with a group of the other campers while I stayed behind. Normally I would have gone, but I won't be as near to the computer as normal for the next week so I wanted to catch up on some stock market stuff.

One more sleep 'till Vegas!

Lots of planning going into our cheap Vegas Vacation. I have a list of 15 different casinos that give away free money. These casinos give you between $3 and $10 in free slot machine money when you sign up for their "players club".

Fiesta

What a party we had yesterday! But before we get to that, we have some other pictures to show you.

Saturday

Barb was going into town anyhow and so six of us hopped in the pickup truck to go to the Saturday market.