And now for something completely different.
I love fountains anyway, whether they are large or small, but these little gems are truly fascinating. The Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas is justly famous for the magnificence of the
dancing fountains between its rather grand facade and the strip, but tucked away to one side of the reception desk you will find something which, to me, is even more amazing. Jumping in and out of a bed of flowers and a beautifully arranged chequerboard of moss, jets of water appear and disappear as if by magic, spilling not a drop on the way. It’s like watching dancing tubes of glass, if such a thing were possible.
To compare these fountains with the ones out front is like comparing the Grand Canyon with the one at Bryce in Utah. The first is majestic and awe-inspiring, but the second is pure beauty and enchantment. The great dancing fountains out front made me cry the first time I saw them, just as the Grand Canyon makes people cry. But both Bryce and those little jumping fountains tucked away somewhere in the back … well, to me, they’re both utterly magical. Miss them and weep.
And by the way, let me tell you that everything you have ever heard about the magnificence of the fountains in front of the Bellagio is true – if you get the chance to do so, go and watch them.You won’t be disappointed!
The video of the ‘Jumping Water’ fountains is my own – and to prove it, that’s Mr Yellow Swordfish standing at the railings with the hat.
If you want to see the ‘front of house’ fountains, one of the best in the public domain can be seen on YouTube. It belongs to Kuboshin 1, and features the famous fountains dancing to ‘Con Te Partiro’ (Time To Say Goodbye). Currently, it’s the last one in their collection.
I love that video! I love fountains too .. fascinating. My sister has seen the one in Vegas … she said it was fantastic.
What tv show is that song from? Or is it from a movie? Either way it’s a western I think.
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That is fascinating. I wonder what keeps the arc from collapsing when the flow stops. Inertia, I suppose. I didn’t know anything about this. Thanks for posting the clip.
Ruth Hull Chatliens last blog post..He Will Come to Us Like Showers
Vegas is fantastic isn’t it?! It gives us so much entertainment……I think I hear it calling my name even now….
Just beautiful! I saw dancing waters at Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Stunning and so imaginative! Love your video!
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I love the small things in life. While everyone else is ooooohing and aaahhhing over the herd of wildebeest, I am getting all excited about the antlion! The big stuff is great, but the little stuff is usually the more interesting and fascinating.
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Very beautiful and the background score is giving it a very ‘real’ feel. Aww! I am welling up! The best part about your video is the personal touch, loved it.:)
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Hi Jay,
That is amazing. The creativity that goes into some of that stuff is unbelievable.
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DM – That’s the music which was actually playing in the courtyard when I took the video. We think it’s ‘The Big Country’. Incidentally, there’s a nice breakfast place where you can sit and watch those fountains play, and one of the sweetest memories I have of the trip is of a young father and his little boy (about five years old) who came walking through while we were eating. The little boy just stopped dead to stare at the fountains, and then he leaned slowly sideways, as if that would help him understand! LOL!
Ruth HC – Ah, well, there’s a secret, you see. Mr YS asked the maintenance guys. Apparently, underneath that flowerbed is a device which somehow removes all the air from the water, making it that much more cohesive. Thus, when it arcs and then then the flow stops, the arc stays together until it hits dirt! Clever, huh? Just don’t ask me how they actually DO that!
Aims – Uh-huh – it’s seductive. I just know I’ll end up back there some day!
Jenny – You know, I went to the Grand Opry (is that the same thing?) in Nashville, but I didn’t see the fountains!! How did I miss that?
DBM – Exactly! I’m the same, as you probably know by now! Wildebeest? Ha! LOL!
Scratch – Thank you! Mr Yellow Swordfish agreed to be indentified, possibly because he was hiding in the background! LOL!
Barbara – I know! It’s all so incredible and creative. I just feel a little guilty about how much power this stuff uses. These little fountains are nothing, but imagine how much those ones out front take to send so much water several stories up into the air!
Lovely! There’s something about water anyway, but watching something like this is special.
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Hi Babs! I agree – water is, in itself, fascinating and restful, isn’t it?
My sister lives in Vegas, so we’ve been there many, many times. Our favorite part of the trip is always the fountains. No matter how many times we’ve been there. It’s a breath of fresh air in an often times desperate and seedy part of town. Good stuff!
Hi Kimberley! So what’s Vegas like off the strip? Apart from stinkin’ hot, that is?
oh yeah i have seen these jumping fountains a time or two. pretty cool aren’t they. fun to watch.
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I *heart* the The Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas for its famous
dancing fountains.
Thanks for the video!!
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..Bad News
Wonderful! My favorite part starts at the 1:08 mark.
(P.S. I watched From Hell over the weekend, due mostly to your saying it’s probably your favorite Johnny Depp movie, and loooved it.)
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I’m such a dork that if I could ever get my dream house, both the front and back yards would be chockful of fountains. The dorky part comes from wanting fountains where the little cherub spouts the water from his mouth or the swan does, or it comes out of something, LOL. I just love things like that, makes me feel like I live in some kind of romantic world.
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Natural – So, you’re a regular on the strip? Wait … that didn’t sound right … LOL! Seriously, it’s a small world, and a pity we don’t end up in the same place at the same time.
Meleah – Have you stayed there? When OH asked me if there was anywhere I fancied staying this time I said The Bellagio – just so I could see the fountains from above.
Musing – Oooh, I’m so glad you liked it! Mmmm … I think I might have to watch that again soon.
JT – If you’re a dork, so am I, and OH too! We built a pond under our bedroom window just for the sound of the water (oh, alright, and for the fish, who were suffocating in a murky swamp down the garden) and guess what? The water is pumped around so it comes out of an earthenware jug. I love it!
These last 2 posts just pure pleasure as always . You mentioned when someone mentioned something as you were thinking it – I put that in the category of Jung’s Theory of Synchronicity- not exactly esp but almost
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I was amazed to see the arc of water stay together and in time with the music. I’d definately spend too long over my breakfast if I had that fountain to entertain me. Great video Jay, I really enjoyed it.
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Beautiful fountains. I have seen the Bellagio on many occasions, but only from the strip (Vegas Blvd.). In fact, this Sunday, I will be heading back to Sin City for a short vacation, and I’m sure I’ll see the Bellagio again in all its beauty, and with all of its wonderful fountains. As I stop to see those streaming, splashing, dancing fountains I will remember you and this post.
Happy trails.
Sandy – Thank you so much – you’re very kind.
Yes, it’s a kind of synchronicity for sure!
Aussie – Thanks! We DID spend way too long over our breakfast! LOL!
Swubird – Ah, you must go find the little jumping fountains! Go to reception, and with the desk facing you, turn right into the courtyard. They’re right there!