Walking on Biloxi Bay Bridge

I can't remember how many miles that Biloxi Bay Bridge has but, I walked on this bridge one way and it took me 40 minutes and I have no strength to walk back so; I called my husband to pick me up at Golden Nugget hotel and casino.

Well, I started on the beach front too plus the bridge length, it was really tiring. I posted a video in my Instagram HERE and you can see how far I covered for walking. I am trying to lose this love handle of mine hahaha. Oh, I did try bicycling on the bridge as well. It was awesome! From Golden Nugget, on the bridge and on the Front Beach of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. From one city to the the other city. It was cool huh?

Confession Time

We are now living in Mississippi ... for good. The big move happens so fast. I was offline from blogging for so many weeks. The truth? I confess that I did not miss blogging at all. It feels weird. I love blogging and I love sharing anything under the sun. Could this be the moment that my blogging activities cease for good? Only time can tell. In the meantime, here is a #selfie that I took while we were at #GoldenNugget in Biloxi.

At the Women's Bathroom in Golden Nugget in Biloxi ... #selfie time.

 

Bay Bridge in Biloxi

The moment we drove on the Bay Bridge in Biloxi, I realized right then that I missed this place after all. The last time I was here was a year ago. I appreciate the beauty it beholds from sunrise to sunset and ... the beach view was totally glorious. I am not a beach person by the way. I hid from the sunshine and the scorching heat hahaha. I probably would be hanging out by the beach when I own my jet ski ... pretty soon :-)

sunset by the Bay Bridge

Last Friday, I was with Erin and we walked on the bridge. Yes, that bridge! It was a nice evening and since it was cool, we hang out by the beach first. I took some pictures which I did all the time whenever I hang out here. We started at 6 PM and Hubby picked us up at the end of the bridge by the Golden Nugget casino by 8 PM.

Bay Bridge Biloxi.
The building at the end of the bridge is the Golden Nugget Casino
and the Palace Resort and Casino is the building on the right.

By the Gulf Coast

I remember this day when the late FIL called the men in the family for a boating trip on the Bayou. He just bought a pantoon boat during the Boat and RV Show. I was not with him when he bought this. I could have told him to buy a smaller yacht instead (wink). He asked me if I like it. I told him, the small yacht is a lot nicer LOL. Oh, I miss him a lot!

Probably 10 minutes away from where we live is the East Beach and Front Beach. Every day after my work, hubby and I took the scenic route towards Ocean Springs Mississippi. I got out from work at 7AM, just in time for sunrise.

The view here is fantastic! Before we head back home, we always have breakfast in any of the buffet/hotel/casinos in the area. There are almost 10 but, our favorite place to dine are: HardRock, the Isle and Beau Rivage.

Here's hubby enjoying the view by the Gulf Coast. We will probably go there on my birthday this year.

Mardi Gras Parade in Biloxi

It's Mardi Gras season and I am so happy to know that here in Cocoa Beach, there is a Mardi Gras celebration. This year, we were supposed to go to Mississippi for Mardi Gras but, their celebration was scheduled so early and by the time we checked, it was over. Anyway, I was browsing my folder and came across these Mardi Gras Parade pictures. These photos were taken during the Mardi Gras Parade held in Biloxi, Mississippi about  two years earlier.

I enjoyed my days living in Mississippi for so many reasons and watching the Mardi Gras parade is one of them and became a tradition. My first Mardi Gras experience was funny because I was just observing the crowd catching the beads. They were shouting and begging for beads. That is the reason why they bring bags and to make the event more funky and fun, most people wear their priced and unique beads which they catch the year before.

There are so many Mardi Gras Parades so; before the week was over; I became expert in shouting and begging for more beads. After Mardi Gras season, I collected enough beads, stuffed toys, and knick-knacks to send to my family and friends back home. It is the joy of catching the beads and family gathering makes Mardi Gras fun and enjoyable to look forward to.

One of the things that I love aside from catching the beads is taking photos of the Mardi Gras floats. Most of them are well-decorated and trendy and most people on the float are wearing beautiful masks and colorful costumes.
 
Mardi Gras is associated with religion before Lent begins. I was working in the casino in Mississippi and when Fat Tuesday is coming, we have to go to work and absences are discouraged. Mardi Gras is a busy business season. Anyway, if you are a Catholic like me, don't forget that Ash Wednesday is coming.

Check out the photo above, see that man with beads all over his neck and almost covering his head? LOL. Well, that is a normal sight on Mardi Gras parade.

Did you know that Mardi Gras parade varies from city to city? Some have day parade and others prefer night parade. Most of the time, the weather is nice and sometimes, chilly especially the night parade. Most people are covered in layers and as for me, I needed more than that, I need a blanket to save me from freezing.

This is a freezing day but, the sun is up so; it's not that bad.

As you can see, everyone is bundled up yet, the freezing temperature is tolerable because of the sunny skies.

See the people above? Everyone is begging for beads ... now shout, " Give me some of that Beads!" (wink) Thanks for stopping by. Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! Eat some King cakes!

Memorial Day: Remembering Those Who Died in Wars

While I was in Biloxi, Mississippi, I noticed a small memorial park located on Highway 90 - Beach Boulevard. We are on the way to Hard Rock for lunch and I told my husband to stop so I could take some pictures. The Memorial park is called Billy" Guice Veterans Memorial Park located in Biloxi Harbor and at the side of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.This Memorial Park honors the men and women who died in wars all over the world. They are residents of Biloxi, Mississippi who died during WW1 , WW2 , Iraq, Afghanistan, Philippines and more.As I was viewing the pictures, I felt sadness because they are so young. It also shows the year they died, their name and the country where they died. Some of them died in the Philippines.As we celebrate the Memorial Day, may we learn to appreciate the Freedom that we have today.We are in great owe to these courageous military who gave their lives for us.This memorial is just a monument park and no bodies buried here.The pictures are the fallen soldiers who were deployed in other countries and died. Some of them were presumed dead and bodies were not recovered. If you are driving down Highway 90, this park is just few yards from HardRock Biloxi.This is the price of freedom indeed. Some of them sacrificed their lives so; we will enjoy the freedom that we have now. May their sacrifices will not be in vain. God bless America!

Gulf Coast Mardi Gras Parade

I am a believer that God provides. If a person practiced the art of compassion and care for others, everything will be put in place accordingly. Hubby and I had been planning to see the Mardi Gras this year. I was back from the Philippines in 2011 so, we missed Mardi Gras that year. This time we will be going! When we checked out the hotel rates in Biloxi, it was a bit higher especially for the Mardi Gras season. But, Isle of Capri in Biloxi provides us a complimentary stay in their hotel for three nights. That's an awesome surprise and a blessing in disguise right?Anyway, did you know that Mississippi Gulf Coast hosted more than 20 Mardi Gras parades every year? I saw the Ocean Springs, Pass Christian, Long Beach, D'Iberville, and Biloxi Mardi Gras parades and I'm telling you, the events are so much fun especially when your family and friends are there with you.This event is always an exciting season for the locals and the visitors. The elaborate decoration of the floats brought so much excitement and the crowd loves the treasures thrown at them.
Aside from the trinkets, beads, moon pies, logoed cups, stuffed animals, candies and chocolates, there are other exciting items which on lookers anxiously waiting to catch.I love the D'Iberville and Biloxi Mardi Gras parades because there are so many participants. That would mean more amazing and extravagant floats with "krewes" giving out more beads and more exciting items. Are you coming? I will see you there everyone!

I Can't Wait For The Mardi Gras

Oh yeah! I can't wait for the Mardi Gras which will be happening in just few months. The catching of the beads will start rolling in and all the members of our family will again occupy in our favorite spot along the Government Street of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The first time I watched the Mardi Gras Parade I was very reluctant to wave my hands begging for beads. But when I looked around me, everyone was doing it and I had to join the fun. Screaming and catching the beads was totally fun. All the beads are beautiful but once in awhile, they throw away their finest, collectibles and extra ordinary beads. Most of the Mardi Gras floats reserve beautiful beads and those are the kind of beads most Mardi Gras goers wanted to catch. My family in Mississippi lived there all their lives and witnessed the Mardi Gras every year. They showed me their priceless collections of beautiful beads. Each one is totally unique, beautiful and a good collectible.
By January or February next year, we will be going to Mississippi and Alabama to see the Mardi Gras Parade. That will be exciting for me because I will donate all the beads that I gather to a school in the Philippines. So, my trip to the South would be for a cause.Anyway, do you have the patience to make beads for business? I know a Website where you can buy it at affordable price: beadcrafty.com, you may check on this company anytime. Mardi Gras is fun! Come and visit the city of Ocean Springs and Biloxi Mississippi during Mardi Gras season. The bonding time for family, good food, and fun times will surely awaits you.

The View of the Gulf

The picture below is the marina in Biloxi Mississippi. On the left are shrimp boats mostly owned by Vietnamese. I took these pictures at the garage area from the Hard Rock Hotel.The building at the far left is the Isle Hotel. The island that you see here is the Deer Island. Nobody lives in the island.

More pictures of our travel soon. have a good weekend everyone. We are ready to hit the road to Florida. We are going to the scenic route back to Florida.

Biloxi Lighthouse

This is the Biloxi Lighthouse in Mississippi. It was under construction during this time but was re-opened to public tours by March of 2010. FEMA and MEMA funded this $400K restoration project for 14 months period.This lighthouse has been around since 1848. One of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the South and one of Biloxi's signature landmark. It has become a post-Katrina symbol of the city's resolve and resilience too. You can see this landmark when you pass along U.S. 90 at Porter Avenue, just west of I-110 loop and Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. Tours are provided at 9, 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday with $5 admission for adults and $2 for students.

IP in Biloxi

This is a hotel and casino located in Biloxi, Mississippi. Actually, one of the many hotels and casinos in the area. I visited this casino few times because it's location is nearby my workplace at that time. The inside ambiance is beautiful with amazing decor and extra ordinary designs in every area. The casino was totally huge, well arranged and I was comfortable playing there.They have fine dining and they also have a buffet with seven wonderful stations that display international world-class meals. This is what keeps me coming here. I can't resist food, LOL!Anyway, aside from enjoying the casinos in this area, food is great and the place is truly awesome! The picture above is a common sight because this is the Gulf Coast. The view of the beach, if you love swimming then the whole area is yours. You can enjoy the golf course too if you love playing golf. This hotel offer a package where in you can play the golf for FREE when you stay in this hotel.

Hard Rock: 40th Birth Day Celebration

Hard Rock in Tampa is celebrating it's 40th birthday and with that, comes the "40-Days that Rock" theme starting May 18-June 26, 2011. This week, I saw their memorabilia featured in the news such as the skateboard of Justin Beiber and guitars of famous musicians. With that, I remembered the pictures which I took at Hard Rock Biloxi in Mississippi. Here they are: I love Hard Rock! I have been to Hard Rock Biloxi in Mississippi and I like their memorabilia display. When stars and musicians visited any Hard Rock, they usually leave a footprint such as costumes, musical instruments, and many more. The picture below is Madonna's long gown which she wore in one of her famous videos.
Hard Rock's wall decor is fantastic! It truly rocks your world especially if you are a music fanatic. The picture below is one of the slot machines when you are heading to the casino. On the right side wall, you can see the art picture display of The Beatles.

Here is showing you the front desk area when guests arrived to check in the Hard Rock Hotel. It was crowded but, I refrain from taking pictures with the guests. I respect their privacy :-)
Here is the hallway in the second floor where you can see some of the Memorabilia Display.
This area will lead to the check in counter and the casino. The big wall of glass will allow you to see the pool area and the adjacent Hotel of Beau Rivage. Both have casinos and wonderful buffets with awesome food, FYI. Anyway, when you look out that window, you can also have a nice view of the Gulf.

Oh I miss this place. Hard Rock Tampa is about 2 hours drive from where I live. Two of my friends wants to visit the place and play in the casino. I will schedule for us to visit Hard Rock Tampa to join and enjoy the 40th celebration. I will post pictures soon. Hoping you enjoy the pictures though it's blurry:-)

Inside Isle Casino and Hotel in Biloxi

Biloxi in Mississippi is a beautiful place where you can enjoy the beach, play the casino, dine to a sumptuous sea foods and explore the historical town. If you happen to be in town, visit The Isle of Capri Hotel and Casino. Here are some photos I took inside the hotel. This is a car display which you will see if you use the public parking garage as an entrance.

The picture below is the Buffet area where my hubby and I enjoy the all-you-can-eat breakfast, lunch and seafood dinner. Check this place and give a good tip to the servers, they are so courteous.

This is the huge women's bathroom and so far the best looking restroom in all the casinos in this town. A Filipino employee helps maintain the cleanliness of this area too. If you see her, give her a TIP for a GOOD JOB! As you can see, the design, fixtures and style is truly contemporary.
Below is their bar which is located at the main entrance and this is the first area that would greet your eyes, very elegant!
This is the marketplace where you can hang out and enjoy pizza , grilled foods and asian food.
The look of the inside entrance of the ISLE. On the left is the bar and the Starbucks on the opposite end.
Another photo of Tradewinds Marketplace inside the Isle. This area is a food court where you can relax if you want to stay away from the buzzing sound of the slot machines in the casino.
There are so many activities that you can do in Biloxi. But, make sure you will give it a day or two to stay in this hotel and enjoy the slot machines in the casino. Before I forget, EAT in their buffet on THURSDAYS.