on top of the world

Just this past summer, I stayed for several days in Las Vegas. Of course, my very gracious host accompanied me to several of the casino hotels in The Strip, even those in Arizona. I just wanted to see the life and lights of Las Vegas, though I never really liked casinos. Caesar's Palace, Mirage, Bellagio, The Venetian Resort, MGM, and the other hotels in The Strip are really as grand as they are in the movies--just like that in Ocean's Eleven. I have no better photos than those already much circulated in the magazines and the net.

As the casino hopping had been becoming tiresome and boring, I chanced upon something that ultimately made my Las Vegas experience worth remembering. As I was walking through the Stratosphere casino floor alone, leaving my companions in their slot machines, I saw these posters of exciting rides at the very top of the hotel. And of course, after about a minute of inquiry with the hotel staff, I bought my tickets and proceeded to what would be a memorable day. I just love rides!

Thee are three rides available and 1 SkyJump, and you can buy them separately or you can buy them together. For a time, I fooled myself that I was actually thinking to try just one. Of course, I bought Tower Admission + 3 Rides, prized at $29.95. I already tried SkyJump in Macau, so I let the idea of trying it there go. Besides, as in my jump in Macau Tower, this was not also part of the budget!

The italicized font is from the hotel's website. The words in Roman font are my comments! Photos without links are mine as well.

X-Scream

Ever played on a giant teeter-totter, 866 feet above the ground? With the X-Scream, you can! Its space age, yet simplistic design resembles a massive teeter-totter or a Vegas rollercoaster unlike any other ever seen. X-Scream propels you and several other riders headfirst, 27 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower. Try not to scream when you go over the edge — you don't want to scare the other riders! After being shot over the edge, you'll dangle weightlessly above the Las Vegas Strip before being pulled back and propelled over again for more.

This one scared me, like stomach fat burning! I imagined us falling over the edge. And it seemed a near possibility then. I almost chickened out! When the ride was headfirst, angled downward, My knees were really about to shake, and my nervousness seemed growing when they let us in that position with what seemed an eternity!

Photo from the web

Big Shot

Strap into the Big Shot and prepare to be shot 160 feet in the air at 45 miles per hour as you overlook the majestic Las Vegas Valley. In a matter of seconds, the Big Shot thrill ride catapults 16 riders from the 921-foot high platform up the Tower's mast to a height of 1,081 feet and down again. Before you catch your breath, you'll be shot back up again at forces unmatched by other Vegas thrill parks! Experience a gut-wrenching four 'G's of force on the way up, and feel negative 'G's on the way down as your legs dangle in the Las Vegas skyline.

I think the little silvery color at the top is where the ride is.
Photo from the web

I took the picture immediately above before my turn. I removed my slippers before I took the ride. Baka liparin, mahirap habulin! Haha. This ride is not that exciting. Just like the rides in other theme parks.



Insanity

Insanity the Ride is a truly mind-bending experience! A massive mechanical arm extending out 64 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower at a height of over 900 feet, this Vegas ride will spin you and several other passengers in the open air at speeds of up to three 'G's. You'll be propelled up to an angle of 70 degrees, which will tilt your body into one position — straight down! If you're brave enough to keep your eyes open you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of historic downtown Las Vegas. Experience Insanity and walk away to tell the tale!

Took this before my turn to ride. Cameras are
absolutely not allowed while in the ride.

I took the ride daytime. It's more fabulous to look at at night.
Then again, I don't think you can still enjoy the view! haha!
Photo from the web



Photo from the web

This last ride was my favorite! Of all the rides I've been through, this one actually made my knees tremble. I almost wished for the ride to be over soon. While the Insanity was spinning, with the security belts not so tight (or so I felt!), and I was seeing the bottom a thousand feet from me, and the seat was angled such that I was almost face down, the feeling was absolutely petrifying--almost insane!