Sunrise, sunset

Blame the parents. Jonathan grew up without a tv - his parents proponents of quality family time. Me, I spent my Wonder Years glued to the set. When it comes to America I'm practically an expert, thanks to the tellie. I know one speaks of french fries, not chips, never to surrender your cutlery at an all you can eat buffet and all that glitters is gold. I've had to give Jonathan the run down on our American tour. This along with the Ipod tutorledge makes me feel like Henry Higgins to his Eliza Doolittle. I feel pretty, oh so pretty...

Yesterday (Friday) started with a sunrise trip a the Grand Canyon. We were careful not to take the 10 second tour, a stumble overboard. Truly amazing.

As we took our bus to the small airport hangar operating in the National Park, our driver told us of his famous children's book author sister, Lee Weatherly, his son and daughter ("my pride and joy") and his experience of being robbed on a Mexico bus. From banditos to one armed bandits: our next stop was Las Vegas.

Sunset on the Strip is breathtaking in its scale and audacity. In a reworking of the old tour edict, Las Vegas has a new marketing campaign that promises "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". But this city is hardly the soul of discretion. It's bold, it's brazen and it's big. I loved the city's excesses. We took in the sights and lights but didn't lose a dime. According to a fellow guest at the Las Vegas Club Casino coming out even is winning in this town.