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.