Grand Canyon

Picked-up by limo at 6am. The sunrises as we make our way to the heliport, painting the sky heavy shades of orange and blue.

We board the helicopter around 7am, the first time in a chopper for all of us. The pilot sets everything up, including the music... the Top Gun theme plays as we take off. The music continues to provide a perfect soundtrack - the Eagles, Aerosmith, U2, Elvis of course, amongst others.

The sights are amazing. We fly over Las Vegas into the mountains. Over Lake Las Vegas, Hoover Dam & Lake Mead. Then follow the Colorado River into the Grand Canyon itself, descending between the rugged edges of the rim. The scenery is breathtaking.

Being inside the Canyon doesn't make it any easier to comprehend it's magnitude. It is colossal and totally awe-inspiring. The early morning sun shines on the canyon walls, which contrast beautifully against the azure blue desert skies.

We touch down for a champagne breakfast. Looking up at the plateau is reminiscent of classic westerns. You expect figures to appear on horseback, stopping just short of the edge. Or to hear the sound of ricocheting bullets as Blondie and Angel Eyes battle it out.

After breakfast it's back into the helicopter, heading out of the Canyon via a tributary then up over the mountains again. Passing over the Hualapai Reservation and Joshua Tree Forest.

Soon enough Las Vegas is in sight. Our trip takes us over downtown Vegas and Freemont Street, which we would visit that night. Then the finale, flying up the Strip.

The Grand Canyon is listed as one of the seven wonders of the natural world and the four miles of Las Vegas Boulevard known as the Strip is surely a wonder of the modern world. Such contrasts but equally impressive in their own right.

We get back in the limo and head back to the hotel. It's only nine-thirty. From the window of the hotel room we see dozens more helicopters ascend the sky, treating more visitors to this amazing and thrilling experience.