Arriving in Las Vegas, I took off my shoes and replaced them with sandals and donned my sunglasses, scanning the Sin City with the eye of an eagle as excitement began to mount up in anticipation for the 2010 DeafNation World Expo (DNWE). I am ready to rock!

Tackling the first order of business, I worked to expand more hotel rooms for the 2010 DNWE as 500 rooms had been sold out at Treasure Island, and I had the hotel add 1,000 more rooms, Vegas wanted to assist me to make it more convenient for the droves of visitors we expect. The Treasure Island Hotel management particularly was very pleased with the fact that deaf people booked rooms faster than babies being born in the maternity ward, given the fact the deaf people booked one year in advance.

There are more rooms available at the Venetian and Palazzo hotels also, the three hotels are the official hotels for the 2010 DeafNation World Expo. As a reminder, we will have nightly pool events at Treasure Island, and the environment is such that it’s very convenient to walk across to the Venetian and the Sands Expo Convention Center.

In my visit seeing the 1,149 feet tall structure — the Stratosphere (www.stratospherehotel.com/thrills), it appears like a needle from the deserts of Las Vegas surrounding the mountains. The Stratosphere elevator goes to the top in 30 seconds, comparable to Taiwan’s 1,671 foot long Taipei 101, which goes to the top in 39 seconds flat, the world’s fastest.

Testing two of the three thrill rides, the X-Scream and Big Shot, with the X-Scream I had the feeling it was a short bungee jump at 27 feet over the edge of the tower. My special exclusive recommendation: Take front seats!

The Big Shot as it perfectly describes, shot me straight up 160 feet at 45 mph (over 4 G’s) from 1,081 feet high. The result was I had to hold my heart to keep it inside of me! It was the perfect thrill ride to pop out to the top of the tower and see the Vegas from a distance, it also has an observation deck and restaurant. It would be a blast for you if you go up twice during daytime and nighttime for different views, plus it takes you to the Top World restaurant, too.

The scenery is just beautiful — the sunset goes away into the mountains, Vegas becomes wild neon lights, the shows are held nightly, and Casinos are busier than bees on a beehive, and if you like the crowd, walk the strip!

With every attraction, I urge you to check out the KA Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand (www.mgmmirage.com/ka). During my visit there, I decided not to ask for a sign language interpreter, and surprised myself feeling the loud music beat that vibrated through my body. As we know, the Cirque du Soleil shows are full of mystery with interesting arts displayed on the stage.

It was perfect for me just to sit back and figure out what the show is all about, that is the intrigue of the mystique of Cirque du Soleil. There were so many actors and actresses running around the stage, plus here were two sides of the stage abuzz with activity. I literally had to keep my eyes busy 200 degrees! These are the only two things I can say because if more is said, it will ruin the surprises.

Wink.

I will disclose that one of the characters was so amazing, it was the crab, it looked like a real crab with a person inside, it popped out from the sand. The second one was the platform moving from the flat floor to the top 100 feet up. Amidst the spectacular light effects that bedazzles us, a person could be seen falling from the top platform to the “abyss,” a bottomless pit. I couldn’t see where the person went, because that bottomless pit was sure a huge gap to fall into.

After that show I was wondering what happened to that person, hoping he was alright. I tried to stay on my seat for the entire 90-minute show, it is a must to watch that show while you are in..VEGAS!

I stayed at Treasure Island hotel for one night and decided to try the Palazzo hotel (www.palazzolasvegas.com) for two nights, it was easy checking in there.

As I tried the Palazzo terrace, I checked out the room opening the back french door, the fireplace can be immediately seen with the private terrace, its’ chairs and beautiful landscaping.

I looked up the Palazzo because I am on the 3rd floor and top floor was 50th floor, it was a wallpaper of 47 floors.

Each room of the Palazzo has a printer, a scanner, and fax. Palazzo has so many restaurant choices. The room makes me feel like I am in my own home! Everything is right here at the Palazzo, it has some of the greatest desserts which can be found in Vegas.

I decided to spend a full day at the pool as I didn’t have a chance to spend any time swimming in the Vegas pools during my previous visits, since the Sin City is such an enticing place, I always ended up doing something else other than relaxing at the poolsides.

The Palazzo is impressive because it links to its’ sister property, The Venetian; it had more than 6 pools. If you want to avoid the sun in the morning, I recommend Palazzo’s main pool from 8am to 12pm, the sun doesn’t go above Palazzo’s 50th floor until the clock strikes noontime.

I walked to the pools at the Venetian and it was a huge pool with open areas, noticing Tao Beach, I stopped by. Even if it was only 9am in the morning, there was already a long line formed waiting to enter when it opens at 10am. It is worth booking a private cabana or daybed at Tao Beach over the weekend.

Staying at Venetian’s main pool, I felt the perfect desert sun on my body, it took many things off my mind as I swam at the Palazzo and Venetian pools for the first time. It was very rewarding, as it proved to me that Vegas is much more than just gambling.

There’s great food, there are many activities to take part on, many of the pools were fantastic, and what tops it all, there are 350 days of sunshine!

See you at the 2010 DeafNation World Expo. Book those 3 great hotels; Treasure Island, Venetian and Palazzo!

Plan your big blast now!