So I've been coming at least once a year from overseas and I love it.

There are some things that are not as good - mainly Fremont Street which is nowhere near as good as it once was, although there are still a lot of people there so they must be doing something right.

But I still find more than enough to do. I come with my family, and we usually stay at the Paris although we do try other places (used to use the Monte Carlo, have tried Bellagio, Golden Nugget years ago) and in fact this time we split our visit and so did 3 nights at the Rio which was all comped - nice rooms, great pool area with lots of space, gaming not as much choice as some maybe and felt a bit quieter.

We went over to the Californian Coast for 3 nights (Cambria, close to Hearst Castle) and then came back to the Paris for 4 nights - 3 nights comped and then $100 extra when we left which covered the last night. I really like the Paris - food, gaming, pool and got a nice room with a view.

Resort fees and parking? Well, has anyone parked in a major city recently? Last year we also visited San Francisco and the hotel parking was $60 a night, let alone the actual cost of the hotel. And don't get me started on the one time I was running late for a show in London and had to park near Trafalgar Square - I still wake up in a sweat thinking of that parking cost!!!

Yes, the resort fees are a hidden tax in my view, but still paid less for a 4 star hotel than I could get anywhere else in the world given that my room was comped. And on that point, I am a $5 (maybe $10) table player, and play penny slots (50c - $1 a spin). And a couple of hours a night. I am definitely a low-roller and yet I still get reasonable comps and surely I am not the only one. Strictly a basic-level card holder.

Other things to do? We visited the Mob Museum this visit, plenty of shopping (ok, so that was mainly for my wife and daughter) but again within walking distance - Forum shops, the shops around Planet Hollywood, and so on all within walking distance, and plenty within a very short drive. We went to the T-Mobile Arena to see Panic At The Disco (seen them in London too) which was a fantastic show. My daughter loved the CSI experience at the MGM.

And then the casinos themselves - the greenhouse at Bellagio, just walking through casinos such as the Venetian, Caesars, Wynn etc are interesting in themselves.

And that was just on this trip. Over the years we've seen many shows which change regularly and when my daughter is a couple of years older there are a few lounge acts I would happily sit for an hour with a drink and watch for nothing more than the cover charge.

Chips - I visit Rich Burgel and Spinetti's on every visit. Comics - my father is a collector so we head to some of the antique malls and comic stores to pick up some each time for him (and put one or two away for Christmas). I also collect players cards and so plenty of new cards to pick up for free each visit.

Local sights - Hoover Dam, Mount Charleston are great 1/2 day trips, or even Laughlin is close these days. Further afield there are plenty of places to visit, or even just to spend a few hours as you drive through. We've done the plane ride out to the Grand Canyon in the past too and still have a few places to visit on future trips.

Restaurants - probably one of the widest selections anywhere and relatively close by. Always have a great steak in town, a buffet or two (current favourites are Bellagio for breakfast and I also love Sam's Town for lunch - great price too). But so many places to try and probably every taste covered.

Other things? I'm not a golfer but for those that are you have that too. My daughter loves the thrill rides - she went on the Rio zipwire this time, and has been on the rollercoaster around NYNY, most of the rides on Stratosphere and loves them all (most more than once!). No doubt there are other things for people to do that wouldn't occur to me, but they exist.

People - most people in Las Vegas are there to have fun and it shows. Sit at a table and you invariably find people to chat with at the table that you've never met before. Sure there are some annoying people on occasion, but there are plenty of other tables or machines if you are next to one of them!

And that's all without the convention - I've mentioned it before, but as the convention is held during UK school term, I haven't been able to visit since my daughter started school. So I count down to 2020 when I get to come again. C'est La Vie! But when I do come again in convention time, then just another bonus and what a great one at that.

Chippers - I have met a few, especially when I did come to the conventions many years ago (and will again soon) but there are plenty about still and I make a point now if I can (which I have done for the past 2 years) of coming to the SNCCC meeting at the Gold Coast and saying hi to a number of people I wouldn't otherwise have met recently. All good.

So have things changed? Of course? Some things for the better and some maybe not as good (the one that is noticeable are the pan handlers), but Las Vegas is still a fun place to visit. I would suggest any place is as good as you want to make it, and somewhere like Las Vegas has an awful lot for most people. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea and maybe for some it is different from what it once was. But then so is pretty much everywhere - you can easily find bad things to say about any town or city if that is what you want to do.

Just my view, and not expecting everyone to agree, but figured I would make a post from someone that still loves Las Vegas Probably lots more I will think of later that I should have added as well, but that's probably a long-enough post from me already.

Keep chipping. Keep smiling