Some of the other shows were also great fun and exciting to watch. We kept missing the dancing fountain show at Bellagio Hotel, which is shown at regular intervals in the night. Luckily, one day before we were to leave, we managed to witness this. Another great attraction for tourists was the artificial volcano show at The Mirage. Quite a bit of crowd gathered. Again, held at night. Quite obvious, right, with fire all around? I think it was a small body of water outside the hotel where this was held. Quite enjoyable. Either in the same hotel or in a neighboring one, there was another show where there would be a pirate attack on a ship, and the ship would sink. Real people at mock war. The seamen standing on the ship would sink below the water and, after a few minutes, come up again, much to the applause of the crowd gathered there.

Before leaving on this trip, I was inquiring with my son about the helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is very near to Las Vegas. I had forgotten about that. But on the second day, my son told me he had booked tickets for my wife and me for the helicopter tour. First experience in helicopter travel. Quite bumpy sometimes but at that age, it was not as scary. There were two other couples. We were picked up from the hotel by a bus by the tour organizers. The pilot, depending on his assessment of the passengers' weight, seats them in the front and back accordingly to get balance. Once it vertically takes off, the noise is unbearable. So, headphones are given, enabling us to listen to the tour guide, which the pilot himself gives. We took a few photographs with a disposable panoramic camera. The tour was quite expensive, and I realized this to my shock much later. My elder son was so keen on fulfilling our dreams. To think of this expenditure which we had thrust on him unknowingly hurts me even now. After all, he was settling down in life at that point in time.

What nature can do and what it can evolve into is a puzzle and mystery. The entire canyon running to hundreds of miles has been carved by river erosion. From the helicopter, we could see the river running like a ribbon. There was a tour where the helicopter lands right into the canyon, and the passengers are provided lunch. We had not opted for this. We were brought back by bus after landing. It is a practice to give tips or gratuities, as they are called, to the concerned people after such tours. Pilot getting tips? That was strange to us.

We had been to the Grand Canyon again in 2018, and it was then that we understood how different the Canyon looks on a closer view. The sunset views were breathtaking, though my enjoyment was limited.

Continued in 252. Lost Way Guys - Part 5