Mirage Las Vegas, November 7, 2015

While waiting on our furniture to be delivered to our house in Oceanside, we decided to take 2 days and use a casino promo offer for rooms at the Mirage in Las Vegas. It was our first stay at The Mirage Las Vegas. 

We had stayed at other properties in the MGM Family, but just not Mirage. 

When we visited Mirage, they were doing some construction, updating rooms. Our direct room had not been updated yet.

We had a great trip. It was my birthday, we saw two shows, we ate great food and solidified our love for Las Vegas.

This was our first trip to Vegas since moving to the West Coast, technically we hadn't even moved in to the West Coast. We had a 2 night stay at Mirage that was a promo deal from MGM Family. We took advantage of that deal since we really did not have anything to do or anywhere to go while we were waiting on our furniture.  What a great birthday!  

We ended up not getting our furniture as scheduled, and we ended up staying in Vegas two more nights at Bally's with another casino promo deal.

South Carolina BBQ?????

South Carolina Barbeque??????

I honestly, I never knew there was such a thing. 

We were traveling day one, going from Virginia to Georgia. We stopped for BBQ for lunch. 

It was only when we got in the place did we realize that it was South Carolina BBQ, whatever that is. 

Memphis style is known for the sweeter sauce

Kansas City is known for its dry rubs

North Carolina style is known for a vinegar based sauce

Texas BBQ is usually beef

So South Carolina is .................. ?????????????????????

MUSTARD

WHAT?

No, I am not kidding. This is not a joke. These crazy people coat and I mean COAT their meat in MUSTARD. 

It is the weirdest thing I have ever seen. We stopped in SC for lunch and I tell you, my taste buds were going WTF????

They take a pulled pork and smother it in mustard, and then serve it with this thing they call HASH, which is disgusting. 

The first picture is my plate, the roll was on top of the pulled pork. That large serving of SLOP was the "hash". 

I wouldn't feed this crap to my worst enemy. 

The bottom is my husband's brisket. Disgusting. They ruined a nice chunk of meat with mustard. 

Avoid Piggie Park if you have any taste buds or want to keep what you have. 

Our trip begins

We have finally started our cross country adventure.  We spent our last three days in Chesapeake at the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites at Northwest Annex. It was nice, but weird.
They NGIS has offices and buildings separate,  so it makes it impossible to run down to the front desk.
But we did take advantage of the free laundry and the kitchen.
We hit the road this morning and are trying to make up time lost stuck I traffic.

Navy Gateway Inns and Suites

We started before our move by staying at the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites on Northwest Annex. I realize this isn't a regular hotel, so I can't really review it for traveling purposes, but I wanted to make a few notes about it and attach some pictures anyway. 

Northwest Annex is a super small base, but it is in the same city where we were living. So it seemed to be the best choice. 
But honestly, we chose it because it was a kitchenette room and it had free laundry. So we got to wash up all of our dirty clothes before hitting the road. 

It was nice enough for the two of us, but Navy Gateway Inns and Suites are designed more for single or couples, the room was definitely not designed for a family. 

Overall our stay was just fine, we stayed there after our stuff got packed and loaded while we were waiting to leave. 
My only complaint would be that the rooms with only one bed only had a queen, but again, the NGIS is mostly targeted towards single one person travel situations. 

Carnival Valor

Our cruise on Carnival Valor was a 7 day, Caribbean Cruise out of Port Canaveral, Florida.

We boarded on Saturday, Sunday was a sea day. 
Monday was Cozumel Mexico, Tuesday was Belize City, Belize, Wednesday was Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan, Honduras and Thursday was Costa Maya Mexico. 
Friday was a Sea Day and we returned Saturday. 

Carnival Valor was a great ship and we had a great time. 

We ended up with a handicapped room, which gave us a bigger bathroom, but less storage space in the cabin. 

Steak Time!

I know, I know. Steakhouses are practically on every corner, and chain steakhouses are everywhere. 
Typically, they are trendy, overpriced and low on the service end because they are a chain and well, no one really expects amazing food from a chain. 
But honestly, one of our favorite steakhouses in Virginia is a chain. So we randomly decided for lunch today that we were going to go to one of those "chain steakhouses" for lunch. 
We went to Longhorn in Atlantic City, NJ.

As you can see from the picture below, My husband loved his steak.
The service was a little slow, but I think it was due to only 2 servers. The place wasn't that busy to warrant a full staff. 
I got the steak dinner that was on special. It came with a 6oz, a side, a salad and an appetizer. Honestly for me the best part was the appetizer. We got the corn fritters and OMG, they were so good. My husband loved the red chilli sauce that came with them. 
I personally do not eat anything remotely hot, so I didn't try it after he warned me.  
So overall the steaks were good and the everything else was good too. 
Would we go back to Longhorn? Probably
Will it be our new go to chain steakhouse? I doubt it. 

Atlantic City

As we prepare to leave the East Coast and move to the West Coast, we are trying to "say goodbye" to as many of the things and places we will miss as possible. 
So we decided to have one last weekend in Atlantic City. Atlantic City has gotten a very mixed reputation over the past few years. Casinos closing down, time shares moving in, certain parts of town going downhill and so much competition for the casinos opening up. 
Atlantic City used to be a great place. Great casinos, packed with people, so much to do. But now it is a prime example of not staying relevant. Casinos have failed because they could not keep with what the modern consumer wants in a hotel, casino and resort. 

We love having multiple casinos in one place, and having it on the East Coast. But we don't love how too many places a block over from a grand casino look terrible, and run down. Or how the boardwalk looks like a mix of escaped mental patients and jersey shore girls. 

Of all the things on the East Coast that I am going to miss when we move, Atlantic City will not be one. I can say "I've been there and done that." I've been here about 25 times. 
I think moving 4 hours from Vegas has made me a little jaded. 

The Rim, Taj Mahal, Atlantic City

It is really not enough that we have a favorite casino in Atlantic City, we have to have a favorite casino restaurant. 
Normally, we eat nothing but casino buffets at the casinos. 
Why, well simply two reasons.
One, the casinos won't hesitate to comp you a buffet because the food per person cost is low. Secondly, they are usually faster and require no reservations. My husband wants to get right back to the action as soon as possible. 
So honestly, I know casino buffets. And since food is the main item comped at casinos, I know casino food in general. I can't remember the last time we actually paid full price for a regular meal in a casino. Yes of course if we pick up snacks or Starbucks or something like that, it isn't comped. 
But honestly, we eat for free and that is why my husband wants to get up from the table, and get back as soon as he can. 

We started regularly coming to Atlantic City in 2014. We took a "spring break" trip of our own and drove here. We stayed at a hotel that no longer is open, but we visited every casino hotel in the area. 

So we have been dining at the Rim for almost 18 months now. 
I am known as the "ice lady" because I ruin their hot tea with ice. 
I think it is funny. I am always complaining that I am cold, but I never drink a hot beverage. 

So as per usual, last night when we arrived at Taj Mahal, we dined at the Rim as normal. I got my usual, Chicken Chow Fun. 
Honestly, if it wasn't good, I wouldn't be eating it 2-3 times a weekend trip for 18 months. 
So obviously, I enjoy the dish, the restaurant and the service. 
Personally I feel that the casinos here in Atlantic City are not big on late night eats and it is the only place open until 4am. Which is amazing when you need a pre-sleep meal. 

Below is a picture of my chicken chow fun. I am sure I will have more pictures and stories from the Rim at Taj mahal as we are here until Sunday. 

Filipino Food

I have to be honest, I love Filipino Food.  So me marrying a Filipino is like the greatest thing ever.
Imagine having your own personal chef, of your favorite food.
Well, that is my life. My husband has introduced me to so many awesome foods that are just every day foods for him.
It has been wonderful.
Here is a prime example,  my husband had a day off and made Chicken Adobo fr lunch. Knowing I love purple yam, he used that instead of potatoes.

Hampton Inn, Dover, Delaware

Hampton Inn, Dover, Delaware

We stayed in the Hampton Inn in Dover Delaware.
It was a great place. We had never been there before. I would say my husband's favorite part was the cookies in the lobby. 

The room had clearly been updated, but there was definitely some room for improvement. 

We would definitely go back. 

My favorite thing about this hotel was that every single light fixture, even the floor lamps and the ones on the wall had power outlets in the base. 

We normally bring a power strip because hotel rooms never have enough available outlets. Hampton Inn has really figured out that people travel with multiple devices these days!

Sushi Time

My husband and I tried a place for Sushi for dinner. 
Volcano in Norfolk on 21st Street. 

I have been there for lunch before but I have never been there for dinner. 
My husband and I just randomly checked it out for dinner and we both enjoyed it. 

They didn't have the normal sashimi he orders, but they had a few other things he really enjoyed. 

Thumbs Up From Us.

Bruch for Two

The best brunch I have ever eaten is the brunch at Michelle's in Dover Downs.
The choices are amazing.  Lamb, prime rib,  shrimp, oysters, omelettes. I could go on and on.
Our new favorite discovered this trip was the Rum Raisin Cake.

Taco Time! National City, California

My husband's Favorite Taco Place!

Honestly, I don't even remember what the name of the place is, but I can tell you I have eaten there several times and the tacos are amazing.

When my husband and I flew in to San Diego, we immediately went o the taco place after we picked up our rental car.

The thing that I find hilarious about this taco place is that they have each cook doing different things. You have to stand in a line an order based on what type of taco you want to order.

Some of the cooks don't speak any English, so I am thankful to go with my husband and he can help me!

I can't wait to go back.

The Embassy Row Hotel, Washington, DC

We took a quick trip to DC for a conference and stayed at the Embassy Row Hotel. 

It was a great trip!

The Embassy Row Hotel is in a great location. We were right at Dupont Circle next to the Metro. 

The Roof of the Embassy Row Hotel is Great. They have a pool and outdoor area that we really enjoyed. 

We took some time to visit Chinatown and some other areas near Dupont Circle while visiting. 

Monster Trip - Dover Downs

A very good friend of our had never been to a casino at all. She knew that we frequently go to Dover Downs and Atlantic City. We planned a trip to spend one night at Dover Downs and then drove on to Atlantic City.

 

 

For dinner at Dover Downs, we decided to go to Frankie's for Italian Food.

We spent the evening gambling, and then headed to Atlantic City the next day after checking out the monster first.

 

 



Baltimore May 2015

My husband and I are gamblers, him more than me. I just kinda like being there and playing penny slots. 
We normally go to Dover Downs in Delaware, it is about 4 hours from our home in Virginia. 
We noticed that there were less and less people at Dover Downs and were told that since Maryland Live and Horseshoe Baltimore had opened that many Maryland residents were going there and not coming to Dover Downs. 

We decided to check it out and see what the fuss was all about. For Maryland Live, we decided we would never go back. It was fine entertainment wise, but it was the tightest casino and had the absolute worst food. 

Skeptically, I agreed with my husband to try Horseshoe Baltimore, only if we could combine it with a trip to visit Baltimore's Inner Harbor. At one time many years ago, I had visited Baltimore's Inner Harbor Area on a work trip, and I thought this was a great opportunity to go back and check it out. 

We totally picked a wrong hotel, it was too far away from where we were going, and the staff lost our reservation and did nothing to help us. But besides the hotel, we spent time in the Inner Harbor area and then went to Horseshoe.

We had a great time at both. We picked a great day for the weather at Inner Harbor. We were able to check out the whole area and walk and enjoy ourselves. Then at night we went to Horseshoe and were definitely pleased. Horseshoe has a great environment and it was tons of fun. They entertainment was great and I was amazed by the food choices.

We started our day at Lexington Market. It is a historic place that has been on the food channel. Seafood was on the agenda. The crab cakes and the fresh oysters were definitely not to be missed. 

There was live music entertainment at Lexington Market and plenty of places to shop and dine. It was fun for us to walk around and see a couple of the places that have been on the food channel and try it ourselves.

At Inner Harbor, My husband found Chessie. The legaendary Chesapeake Bay Sea Monster, Cousin to Loch Ness Monster. My husband finds him.

Of course what we saw were just the paddle boats that look like Chessie. 

Now, only if we could have found the real thing.

Horseshoe was fun. Horseshoe is named after the infamous Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. It is where the world series of poker actually started. Caesar's Entertainment has now built several of these Horseshoe Casinos and they are great. A great way to add to your Total Rewards points when you are not in Vegas or Atlantic City.

Freeport, Bahamas - Zorba's

 

 

Our Carnival Cruise in April 2015

We went to Freeport Bahamas.

As part of our tour that we took, we went to Port Lucaya.
Port Lucaya is a great shopping and dining area. We decided since it was morning that we were going to enjoy some Bahamian breakfast.

 

I had Conch Stew and my husband had sheep's tongue stew. The fresh made bread was freaking amazing. The only problem was we were on a tour, and we only had a limited time at Port Lucaya, so we basically had to go running to the tour bus after we ate.

 

The food was amazing, and we will definitely go back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zorba's is actually a Greek restaurant at Port Lucaya, but they serve traditional Bahamian food in addition to Greek food.

 

Carnival Fantasy, Freeport Bahamas

Carnival Fantasy, Freeport Bahamas

We took Carnival Fantasy on a 5 day Bahamas Cruise and one of the ports was Freeport, Bahamas. 

Since the reviews for Freeport are mixed, we decided to book an excursion to enjoy the day with a guide and not take our chances. 

Freeport is more of an industrial port city, and has less for visiting tourists than other ports. But the ease of cruise ship access is a main reason the cruise ships still stop here regularly. 

We took the Tour that included the Brewery. Tiny or tour guide was awesome! I definitely recommend this excursion. We got to see the perfume factory, port lucaya, and the Sands Brewery. It was a great tour. 

I definitely would do Carnival Fantasy, and Freeport Again.

Carnival Cruise

Carnival Cruising

In April we went on our second Carnival Cruise of the year. 

Our cruise was on the Fantasy. We boarded in Charleston and made stops in Freeport and Nassau. 

It was a great cruise. We definitely can't wait to cruise on Carnival again. 

Our First Cruise!

Our First Carnival Cruise

January 2015

Cruising out of Jacksonville, Florida

Stops in Nassau and Half Moon Cay