Flashback Wednesday: The Gulf Coast

Happy Hump Day everyone! Too many work to get done but, too little time. Have you got the same dilemma as I have? If you are a full time mom and dad, I bet you can relate. As much as possible, I am trying to get my blog running good and updated. For Flashback Wednesday, let's visit the Gulf Coast.

I took this photo on the 24th floor of the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino where hubby and I were staying.  This is the city of Biloxi, Mississippi. This is one of the hard hit areas during Hurricane Camille and Katrina but despite of that, they bounced back to normality. Gaming Business is doing great and more or less this place has 8 casinos. If Las Vegas is too far for you, you can check out this place. The food here is great and if you are looking for seafood, this is the right place to explore.

Aside from Beau Rivage Resort, we also stay in the Isle of Capri (see the photo above.). Isle of Capri is now named as Golden Nugget in Biloxi. Under the new management, I still have to check it out. Maybe this Christmas as we spend our Christmas Holiday with family and friends in Ocean Springs. If you happen to visit the Gulf Coast and looking for a place to stay with amazing view by the gulf, you should check out these two: Beau Rivage and Golden Nugget. I totally recommend these two because I stayed there. I love their buffet too. Oh, I can't wait!

Now, this was taken at the balcony of our room in Golden Nugget (Isle). The room we booked was overlooking the bay of Biloxi. It was a pleasant stay. The land mass of the opposite side of the bay is the Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

The picture above is the Bay Bridge on I-90. It connects Biloxi and Ocean Springs. One day, I will be jogging in this place and have breakfast in Golden Nugget, sounds great huh? Well, we actually live in Ocean Springs before and I worked in one of the casinos in the area of Biloxi. Golden Nugget is one of the places that hubby and I eat for breakfast because it's just nearby our place.

The photo above is the boat dock at the back of Golden Nugget. There are shrimp boats in the area too but, mostly they dock at the back of Hard Rock Hotel and casino.

Here we are at the Front Beach in Ocean Springs, taking our lazy time. The Golden Nugget is the building across. Oh by the way next year, we will be moving back to Mississippi to be with our family and relatives. We are in the process of looking at houses. I can't believe that I am actually excited.

Random Photo: Hard Rock

A blogger would take photos randomly. About 5 years ago, someone asked me, "Why do you always take pictures?" and I replied, I blog about it, I am a blogger. " A blogger? What's a blog?" Thank goodness that these days, people have the idea what's a blogger and a blog means. Everyone is doing it especially when Twitter, Instagram and Facebook became a way of life, right? Before, they probably thought it was my first time to see tons of food on the table LOL. You know those awkward moment when I took photos of my plate and all LOL. You can relate, I know that.

Taken at Hard Rock Biloxi

This was taken when hubby and I were at the elevator going down to the second floor where Satisfaction Buffet was. Oh yeah, we love to dine at Hard Rock. We miss Mississippi.

A Visit to Mississippi

We might be going to Mississippi next month for important matters. I am a little excited because I will be seeing few of my co-workers in the casino and would again visit my favorite casino and buffet in the area. Hubby and I can also visit my father-in-law's resting place, it's been almost a year now. We also plan to visit New Orleans and dine in the Cafe' du Monde and eat the beignets.

This is a Catholic Church located in New Orleans, the first Catholic Church built in 1715.
I like this place but, I don't want to live here though. I still like to live in Florida even though the humidity here is brutal but, the lifestyle here is great!

Road Trip US Highway 90

When we were living in Mississippi, we love to go shopping at the Edgewater Mall. The place was huge and it's about 30 minutes from where we live.As always, I love taking pictures. This is the US Highway 90, the scenic route if you are heading to Louisiana or back to Florida.When there's hurricane, this road is closed for motorists safety. Most of the buildings and houses in this area was leveled and pulled back to the sea.This is Treasure Bay Hotel and casino located in Mississippi. If you travel in the scenic route US Highway 90, heading to New Orleans, you will see this hotel on the right side of the road.
Here, a lady was waiting for her ride.

This is Beau Rivage Hotel and casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. This is my favorite hotel in Mississippi and I love the Buffet. Oh I miss it already.

Hard Rock Hotel

I miss this place. Hubby and I loves our routine for food trip while living in Mississippi. The Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Biloxi is one of my favorite places to dine out. We live 10 minutes away from all the casinos in this area and there's no dull moment in this place. We dine out, stroll the beach area, did some crabbing and fishing, watched the parades and engaged ourselves to the city activities.In Hard Rock, we usually play the slot machines and when we are hungry, we go to their buffet. It is very affordable especially on Wednesdays where they offer 50% discount. I was an employee of the another casino too but, I did not frequent in my workplace. I just love the ambiance of Hard Rock! One time, I had an offer in my work-from-home job, it's a ppc search engine marketing and I did have many hits. That is just a proof that Hard Rock really rocks!

Biloxi Offshore Kickoff 2010

May 20-23, 2010- (Biloxi, Mississippi) Hubby and I went to Hardrock to enjoy the lunch buffet. We forgot about this big event happening on this date. It is the 6th Annual Smokin' the Sound, racing boats are here in town. I took these pictures at the Hardrock parking garage, a good location to see the spectacular boat race.

Those cars parked below owned by the spectators from different places. Most of them are tourist who come to Biloxi and enjoy the fun activities, eat good food and stay in the resorts in this area. This event is the first race of the year for the Offshore Super Series powerboat Racing Association. It was indeed spectacular! Colorful race boats with an airshow of helicopters that hover above the boats as they race for speed. It truly roars and the excitement is non-stop adrenalin rush!
The picture above shows the helicopter as it hovers the boats on the race. There were premium viewing areas provided by the sponsors such as Beau Rivage, Hard Rock, Small Craft Harbor, The Isle Casino, Pt. Cadet Marina, and The Dock Bar & Grill. Luckily for us, we are not in the premium area but, where we are is just an amazing place to watch it close.
A snap shot taken from where we are, Hard Rock Biloxi parking garage. Those who are not contented with this place, pay for a wristband to see it closer. Wristband prices were $ 10 to $25 and amazing location awaits you.

This is good for me and my hubby and it's FREE! Thanks Hard Rock! The roaring sound of the speed boats on the race is really LOUD! This location is perfect and the shade with the breeze from the Gulf is all we need to enjoy a world class spectacle such as this Smokin the Sound!

Birthday Treat From HardRock Biloxi

Today, we had a good dinner and claim my free birthday treat from HardRock Hotel and Casino. Hard Rock has a good marketing offers for everyone! Birthday treat to the Satisfaction Buffet is just one of their amazing deals! I had a wonderful dinner for FREE and I won in one of their slot machines. How cool is that? I am not a big time winner but, I did enjoy my time in Hard Rock Biloxi today. Thanks Hard Rockers for an excellent service.

Mississippi View

We will soon leave Mississippi and go back to Florida. I will miss the casinos and the restaurants that served Louisiana food, crablegs, shrimps and crawfish. Since we arrived here, all we did was dine out to different restaurants and buffet in the casinos in the area. I would surely miss that! I will miss the view of the Gulf Coast too. The beautiful view of the beach in Ocean Springs and Biloxi, Mississippi.
I took this picture at the garage area of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi. That is the busy street of Highway 90.
I will miss this harbor where people launch their boats to have a ride on the Gulf Coast area.
I will miss the many events that will take place in this area too. This is a boat race which took place in June,2010.
This is Beach Boulevard in Highway 90. The island seen at the center is called Deer Island.
And this is the best view that I love, the Harbor in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Right where I took this picture is where we park our car. Hubby and I always have our picnic lunch here.

Deer Island Coastal Reserve

There is a barrier island off the coast of Biloxi, Mississippi called Deer Island. It is approximately 400 acres and the closest island to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It was believed that Deer Island was inhabited by the early Choctaw tribe before European settlement. It was named Deer Island because the deer would swim to it when they were being hunted. When Europeans arrived, the Choctaw were driven out of Biloxi and Deer Island.According to my husband, there was an old hermit who live there but, died in 1959. After Hurricane Camille in 1969, the place was no longer inhabited. Upon the death of Captain Baker, the owner of the island, it was sold to many people who own parts of it. The island now serves as a tourist attraction for those searching for Native American pottery and arrowheads. It is also a popular fishing spot. You can see the island from the Hard Rock garage or by the long beach on Beach Boulevard.

One day I will visit that island and I will post it here.

Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum

After work, I told my husband that I will apply for another job vacancy in the other casino. We decided to take a 30 minute relaxation on the beach while waiting for the office to open at eight. As usual, I had to explore the vicinity. Here are the pictures that I want to share to all of you.

This is the entrance to the museum so; I just went up to this area.Here is the view from the entrace and the welcome signage.
My hubby counting the seagulls and pelicans.....lol. Looking at the Deer Island at the adjascent place.
Just for your info about the ordinance in this part of the beach.
Got more photos to share so; just visit me here everyday.

Buffet in Hard Rock

We went to Hard Rock yesterday and as usual we eat in the buffet. When we come here every week, we eat and play the slot machines. We only go to a casual dining which is called Satisfaction Buffet. They have Asian, Grilled, Salads, Seafood, Pastas and Bakery. The bakery is awesome. It has a huge chocolate fondue, different cake, fruit patries and ice cream. Plus, so much more.

This is the Satisfaction Buffet, awesome place right? The Asian chef is a Filipino who came from Hawaii. Was thrilled to hear him say something in FILIPINO to his colleagues and he was teasing them.

Hard Rock wants their guests to enjoy especially those who play in the casino. Therefore, they offer this: WEDNESDAYS/FRIDAYS 50% OFF on Buffets

How to Avail:

*Just show your ID (Passport, State ID and others) and get a Players Club Card at the players card desk. It will take 2 minutes to get it.

* Proceed to the buffet. Once you pay, show your players club card and ID.

This is just an estimate:

You can eat around $10 for breakfast, $13 for Lunch and $22 for dinner. Now, if you have the card, breakfast is only $5, lunch is 6.5 and dinner is $11 only.

Remember: the discount is good only for Wednesdays and Fridays. On Fridays: make sure you come before 6PM.

We had a funny experience when go there on a Friday. We came in at 7:30 for dinner and we had $74 in our bill for the three of us. SHOCKS! We are so hungry so we proceed.

My father in law then played the slot machines. He won $125. So, we took back the money we spent for dinner. That was a LUCK.

Enjoying the View in the Reading Garden

After lunch at Hard Rock, we cross the street and visit the Katrina Memorial and Reading Garden. I guess I took a picture of that tree before and they cut it down and made this artpiece of fish, turtle and other sea creatures. I was just taking my souvenir and post it here as my back up files and for you to have a glimpse of this place in Mississippi.

Right where I stand, as I already mentioned in my post before has a 12ft high water surge from the Gulf Coast just behind that building. Wide area are still unoccupied, only debris from that event happened August 29, 2005.

If you see some of the featured videos I embed from youtube, this part are flooded and slapped by huge and angry water surge. No wonder buildings, houses are swept off to sea.

These are plaques for Biloxi Residents, signage for this Reading Area located in Highway 90, Billoxi Mississippi.

Beautiful carving right? It's not done yet. Wonderful piece of art.
Have a Happy Sunday!

Hanging Out In Hard Rock

This is the SATISFACTION Buffet, a casual dining place which you can find at Hard Rock Biloxi. They offer 50% off on their meals for Players Card Holder. It is easy to get one, just provide your ID to register and you will be a member.Every Wednesday's and Friday's, we love to hang out in Hard Rock. That is becoming a "trend" so to speak, just for us (hubby and I). We ate either Lunch or Dinner at the Casual Dining Area as shown in the picture above. Guests were heading to my direction and I rushed to take these pictures. Dang! I must be tensed because my toes says a lot when it comes to personality. Yep! I am slim and I have a hard time to gain weight. If others find hard to slim down, my problem is the opposite.

These two pictures were taken at the Casino Floor Area. That is the lobby of Hard Rock Biloxi while guests were looking at the Display. Click the link to see what they are viewing. {HERE} and {HERE}.

It is really good to see tourists keep coming back to Biloxi area. The business here are back to normal. The Casino and Hotels are starting to attract the tourist again. After the horrible hurricane Katrina struck this place and wipe so many establishments and buildings, it was really a struggle.

View Behind the Hard Rock of Biloxi

I am standing at the garage of Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. I just want keep a file of the 90 degrees view that surrounds Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The tall building at the right is a building/apartment owned by a Catholic Church. It was abandoned after Hurricane Katrina because it is badly damage. The next building is a newly opened Mc Donald's, horizontal street is the US Highway 90. During the said hurricane, the water level on that highway is 12 feet. Basically, all those are flooded.I am taking pictures, moving to the right. There is a park down below.

Moving to the right still. The picture below is the park. Behind that big oak trees is the Memorial Park, click the photo HERE. The road would lead to the Biloxi Harbor.
Four years ago, when hurricane Katrina hit this place, all you can see down here is water as deep as 35 ft high. That building is a remnant which up to now, it stood there in shattered.

Moving to the right: the beach view of the Gulf. The small island that you see at the far end existed after the hurricane.

This is the Biloxi harbor and its parking lot. See the pictures that I posted in SHRIMP SEASON IN BILOXI to see where I took this picture.

These boats are privately owned. Some of these are for the shrimping business. Most of them were owned by Vietnamese fishermen. You can visit this place to buy fresh fish, crawfish and shrimp. Make sure you come in the morning because they are easily sold out fast.

Since the fourth of July is coming, tourists are here for holiday off. They love boating too. More ships in there. The picture below is the whole building that was damage by Katrina.

the Biloxi Harbor

plenty of boats

boats again

the side of the casino

was curious at the tourists down below.

The nice day of Biloxi.

I saw people having the jet ski.

I hope you enjoy.