I am finding that the more trips I go on, the smaller my suitcase gets. On our last business trip overseas we both decided that this time we didn’t want to drag huge suitcases around with us.

We had done that on so many other occasions and were tired of it. So even though we were away for 7 weeks we only took what was pretty much the size of an overnight bag….maybe slightly bigger. And you know what?…when we got back we realised that we hadn’t used even used some of the clothes we packed….so we could have packed even less!

What is it about packing that makes us many of us want to pack everything including the kitchen sink. Do we think that they don’t have shops in other countries where we can buy any of the stuff we leave behind?

I know when I am packing I have to stop myself from taking stuff that I don’t really need. I keep thinking ‘ well maybe I should take this just in case’. That ‘just in case’ thinking is what usually amounts to me over-packing.

I am getting so much better and have learnt plenty over the years about just what to pack. I figure I am not going to see anyone I know over there so I don’t need to look like the Queen of England and nobody is going to know that I have worn the same pair of jeans three days running except whoever I might be travelling with. I am sure they will let me know real quick if I start to smell a bit funny.

So my biggest tip to anyone who is going on a trip is to look at the suitcase you are thinking of taking and then toss it aside and choose something half the size. You really don’t ever need as much as you take and it will make your life a whole lot easier getting into taxis, checking in at airports, walking from the hotel to the train station to get to your next town and just generally moving from place to place.

Its when you get to places like Venice where you are walking up and over bridges continuously that you really appreciate having a smaller suitcase. We had average size cases on that trip and it was really frustrating lugging them up and down the steps at each bridge crossing.

The cases we have found to be very useful have a zip off backpack attached. This is really handy when you are out and about at theme parks or day trips. And the case has wheels which is a definite must when you are travelling.

So just be mindful of what you are packing, remember you can always pick up a souvenir tee shirt to wear if you get desperate, but keep it to a minimum and you will have a much more enjoyable time.

Eating in Las Vegas is a great experience. Not only is the food of excellent quality but you can feed yourself for a very reasonable price, especially, if you eat at one of the many buffets in the casinos.

We have eaten at quite a few buffets in Las Vegas and found that even the cheapest of them provide delicious food. The difference between the more expensive buffets and the cheaper ones seems to relate more to the amount of choice rather than in the quality of the dishes.

Here are some of the buffets we ate at and our views on each.

1. Sahara Hotel & Casino
Breakfast: Mon-Fri – 7-10.30am – $9.99
Lunch: Mon-Fri – 10.30am-4pm – $12.99
Dinner: Mon-Sun – 4-10pm – $12.99
Champagne Brunch: Sat & Sun – 7am-4pm – $13.99

We had dinner at the Sahara buffet. The cost was $12.99 but we noticed a sign that mentioned dinner for $6.99 for Club Sahara members so we went and joined. Membership is free and provides lots of other bonuses and even though we are from Australia we were still able to join.

So with our new membership card in hand we headed up to the Sahara Buffet.

It was still only about 5.30pm when we got to the dining room entrance but even so there was already a queue of about 30 people in front of us. The queue moved quite quickly and it didn’t take too long before we were in our seats. We did notice on our way out that the queue was quite a bit longer so it looks as though this is a popular buffet.

Unlike most of the buffets we have been to where we were directed to a specific table, with this one we were told to find any available table and we were given a card to place on our table with the word ‘Reserved’ on it so we could both leave the table  at the same time without the problem of someone else taking our seats while we were gone.

Some of the dishes at the Sahara included fried chicken, a range of pastas and pizzas, rice and noodle dishes, fish, soups and sliced roast meats. There are also a number of different salads and fruits.

I had crumbed shrimp, chicken breast, a fish dish of some sort, carrots, peas and corn, mashed potatoes and a bowl of wonton soup. I also managed to fit in a slice of pepperoni pizza.

By this time I was already way too full but as we all know, there is always room for dessert, so off I went to see what was available.

The range was quite nice with delicate little desserts which looked just the right size after having just stuffed myself silly.

I chose a mini cheesecake topped with red jelly and fresh cream and an apple turnover. I should have stopped at the cheesecake but the apple turnover looked too good to resist.

The cheesecake was delicious but by the time that was finished there was definitely no room left for anything else.

Drinks are provided free with the cost of the buffet and include sodas, iced tea, hot tea and coffee.

The range is not as extensive as some of the other buffets we have been to. It looked big at first glance but when I scanned the dishes they had put the same dishes in different locations around the room. Even so, this is a buffet we would go back to at the $6.99 rate. If we had to pay the non-member rate of $12.99 we would probably give it a miss.

2. Luxor – More The Buffet
Breakfast: Mon-Fri – 7-11am – $11.99
Lunch: Mon-Fri – 11.00am-3pm – $19.99
Dinner: Mon-Fri – 3-10pm $19.99
Sat & Sun Champagne Brunch: 7am-3pm – $17.99

The Luxor was the first buffet we ate at. We had been silly enough to take the long walk from Caesar’s Palace to Excalibur where we relented and caught the monorail to Mandalay Bay and transferred to another monorail to get back to the Luxor. We wanted to take in the experience of the Egyptian theme and after becoming totally exhausted and hungry we went to the buffet for dinner.

We were really impressed with the price. You can’t find a good buffet this cheap in Australia.

The range of food is excellent with prawns, mussels, fish, an assortment of fish, pasta dishes. Drinks are included in the cost.

3. Gold Coast Hotel & Casino – Ports o’ Call Buffet

Breakfast – Min-Fri – 7-10am – $6.95
Lunch – Mon-Fri – 11am-3pm – $8.45
Dinner – Sat-Thu – 4-9pm – $12.95
Seafood Buffet – Fri – $17.95
Brunch – Sat-Sun – 8am-3pm – $12.95

For the majority of our time in Las Vegas we stayed at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino so we had a number of meals at the Ports o’ Call buffet during that time.

The dinner buffet is one of the cheaper buffets in Las Vegas at only $12.95 for members and $14.95 for non-members.

The range of food at dinner is quite extensive with fresh shrimp, sushi, roast meats, soups, pastas, pizza, chicken dishes, rice, noodles, fried chicken, vegetables and salads. There are also have a nice range of Mexican and Chinese dishes.

There are also plenty of desserts to choose from including pies, cheesecake, cream puffs, cookies, cake, eclairs, donuts and much more. And if sweets aren’t to your liking then you can select from the range of sliced or whole fruits.

The lunch menu was very similar with only minor variations.

We enjoyed eating at this buffet. The food was delicious, fresh and well presented and we went back numerous times and not just because we were staying in the hotel.

Well it’s cold and miserable where I am at the moment, so I figure it’s time to start planning another trip and I am thinking it might be really nice to head for the sun and just laze around on the beach.

I have been to Fiji and Hawaii both of which are excellent locations for a sunny break but as I have already been there I thought why not check out Tahiti.  I have heard excellent things about Tahiti, Bora Bora and the other French Polynesian islands in the 5 archipelago’s that stretch over the beautiful Pacific Ocean for some two million square miles.

Now the first thing with planning any holiday is to see what activities, hotels and flights are available.  I like to start with the activities, after all there isn’t any point in going somewhere that doesn’t provide things that you like to do. The next step is to find a trustworthy source to help you plan and finalize your trip and what can be better than someone local who knows everything there is to know about the place.

So where to look, well I found a Tahiti-based tourism group that has extensive knowledge of Tahiti and the Islands because they are based  in Tahiti and they are able to help with all your vacation arrangements.  Imagine spending your honeymoon on a beautiful tropical island and heading out into the sunset on a romantic sunset cruise, or relaxing in a spa being treated.

There are vacation packages to suit every budget and I will probably opt for one of the special deals available.  The more I research this holiday the more excited I am becoming.

I do know that one place I will be heading to will be Rapa Nui or Easter Island, to see the enormous maoi or stone figures for which Rapa Nui is known.

I also want to take a break at Bora Bora and a stop over in one of  Bora Bora Hotels or more specifically one of the bungalows that are situated on the water. These bungalows have a glass floor so that you can see the waters below. And your breakfast is brought to you by canoe, each morning.  How wildly decadent is that?

Doesn’t Bora Bora sound like a must do experience. I think it will be wonderful  to take a Bora Bora holiday and vacation package and check out  the aquatic activities and see why Captain Cook called this island ‘The Pearl of the Pacific. I remember seeing a group of beautiful Tahitian dancers at one of the world expos and they are truly graceful to watch.

Well I’m hooked, just need to decide the dates and make a booking. Then I’ll be off with Air Tahiti to take in the sights and sounds off this magical place and I’m also looking forward to experiencing the local foods and culture.