Cozumel, Mexico - A Fun Family Vacation

I can't explain why I love Mexico, but there's something about this country that just speaks to me. I love the architecture, the designs and the whole environment of Mexico.  I've been to Mexico three times now, and each time is different.

This month, my family and I went on a cruise.  One of our stops was Cozumel, Mexico.  The first thing we done was a sting ray excursion.  We got to swim with the sting rays (and some fish) as well as feed them.  I will admit, I was a little hesitant, mainly because I have this fear of deep water.  When I say deep water, I'm talking about water where I cannot touch bottom!

Me snapping away on my water camera

We first listened to our guide as he explained how to use the equipment we were about to put on (snorkel, goggles and life vest.)  Now, I had the snorkel and goggles down, because I had already went through this before.  But the vest...Well, it was not your regular orange life jacket.  This was a vest where you aired it up, blowing air into this little valve and then letting the air out, but pushing this valve down.  This was scary!  What if I accidentally pushed on that valve, while swimming!!

One of the instructors, handling the sting ray

Once I had my gear on, I slowly (and I mean slowly) entered the water.  As soon as my foot left that last step...Oh yeah! I could not touch bottom. Panic mode!  After about 15 minutes in the water, I finally became a little more at ease in the water, as well as learning how to use the goggles and snorkel.  I couldn't help but to forget my fear, as I witnessed the most beautiful sting rays and colorful fish, swimming around the bottom, below me.

These creatures gently glided, back and forth in the water.  Schools of fish swam all around us and I was constantly snapping away at my water camera.  After 30 minutes swimming with the sting rays and fish, we then made our way out of this deep water, back onto the dock and then over to the shallow water, where we had our pictures taken, touching and kissing the sting rays.  After our group was done with photos, we then were given two slim looking fish.  These were to feed the sting rays.  Yeah, the fish didn't smell to great and I was a little scared to have the sting ray just come up and suck that fish from my hand.

I can't really tell you if the sting ray took the fish from my hand, because as soon as one of them came up to the fish....I let go of it!  I can tell you, however, that the fish that were already swimming around me, grabbed one of the dead fish from my hands and just tore it apart, like freaking piranhas!

To end our excursion, our guide let us pick out a hermit crab for a race.  The winners (there were three) got to pick their prize...a bag of chips or a shot of tequila.  Now come one...what do you think I went with?  My hermit crab won 3 place, so of course, I took the shot of tequila!  Hey, free liquor!

All in all, I had a wonderful time in Cozumel.  I got to explore the city, enjoy a swim with the rays and enjoyed the beauty of Mexico.  I can't wait to go on another cruise soon, and I hope when I do, one of the destinations is Mexico!


What was one of your favorite places to visit?  Why was it your favorite.  I wanna know!

New Orleans - A Fun and Always Entertaining Experience

I have always been a big fan of New Orleans.  New Orleans is one of those cities that I always love to visit and would love to visit, at least once a year.  The city has so much charm, history and I especially love the French Quarters!

Bourbon Street

New Orleans may not be a city for everyone, but for my family and I, we love it. I was recently in the "Big Easy" city for one night, the night before our family's first cruise on the Carnival Dream.  We stayed at a bread and breakfast place, a 5 minute walk to the French Quarters.  

My son and I on Bourbon St. Gotta love the Big Ass Beer!

Once in the French Quarters, we were automatically welcomed with Jazz music, blues and full of entertainment.  Bourbon Street, a street that you must visit, is one of the infamous streets in New Orleans.  I swear, that street never sleeps! There was a pink parade going on, music and people everywhere and just a whole lot of fun and good times.

One of the places we stopped in to eat, was Pier 424 Seafood Market.  424 Seafood Market is located at 424 Bourbon St.  This restaurant has awesome cuisine that will tickle anyone's taste buds!  I ordered the Blackened Fish of the Day, which was a white fish, served with seasoned steamed vegetables and andouille sausage jambalaya.  Man oh man!  So good! The blackened fish was cooked perfectly...flaky and moist while the andouille sausage jambalaya had a slight Cajun flavor.

After our wonderful meal, we decided to walk off some of the delicious food we had just eaten.  Walking up and down Bourbon Street is the thing to do, when in New Orleans.  You never know what you will run across, between parades, dancers, and bead being thrown from the balconies of the historic hotels.

New Orleans is also known to be one of the most haunted cities.  You can learn about the haunted city, as well as the most haunted places to visit, by taking a haunted tour.  Don't worry...you are never left alone and your guide is very expertised in this area.  We went with Ghost City Tours for our haunted tour. Ghost City Tours is one of the most popular tours to go with and with several different tours to choose from, we opted in for "The Killers & Thrillers East Tour." This tour is recommended for ages 16+.  Our Tour guide was Randy Reid, an awesome tour guide who knew his stuff!  

The haunted tour is a walking tour, so wearing comfortable walking shoes is a must.  The tour goes on, whether rain or shine.  You can find out more about Ghost City Tours of New Orleans by visiting their website: https://ghostcitytours.com/new-orleans-ghost-tours/
I promise you, you will learn a lot about the history of the gruesome murders, killers and the gritty details of each incident.

If you are looking for a drink after all your walking, you won't have to look very far.  There seems to be a bar, pub or walk-up everywhere you turn on Bourbon Street.  But, if you want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street and enjoy a nice cocktail or two, head on over to 21st Amendment Bar, located on 725 Iberville St. It's a very nice and historical place to visit!

If you love Mardi Gras and want to know what all goes on during the making of the floats, you definitely want to visit Mardi Gras World, located at 1380 Port of New Orleans Place.  There, you'll learn, the history of this unique tradition and what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life.  

There are so many places to visit, so many things to do and each visit is always unique and fun.  But, before we left the following morning on our cruise, there was one last stop we HAD to make...Cafe Du Monde! You absolutely, cannot leave New Orleans, without trying the famouns Beignets!  These little donut like gems are a must to try!  They literally melt in your mouth, with the soft and fluffy pastry that is generously sprinkled with powdered sugar!  Everyone who visits New Orleans, has to try the popular beignets.  

So, if you are in New Orleans, check out these stops, plus more.  





***I want to thank New Orleans Convention & Business Bureau for sponsoring some of the wonderful places I was honored to visit during my stay in New Orleans and to Ghost City Tours for hosting my family and I on the Ghost City Tours.

Balley's Casino - Tunica, MS

It's been quite some time since I've stepped foot inside a casino...mainly because I'm not much of a gambler, but because I just can't see myself spending money and not coming out ahead! (that's usually how it is with me!). When we received a promotional card from Bally's last week, to offer us $150 dollars worth in chips/tokens plus a free buffet for two people...Well, I was definitely all Gung ho for it!

Bally's is a casino that is actually located in Robisonville, MS.  Most of the casinos, including Bally's, is know to be part of Tunica, a well known place in Tennessee for their casinos.  Bally's is nothing fancy on the outside, it looks like you are about to step inside a long barn like building, kind of rustic on the outside, but full of lights, machines and action on the inside.  

The first place we stopped at, inside of Bally's, was Katt's Kitchen. Katt's Kitchen is a nice restaurant, located just inside the front doors of the casino. There, we noticed a long buffet of food, more than anyone can eat.  They had everything from Southern cooked foods, to crab legs and oysters.  And let me tell you about the oysters. I have tried oysters before, on more than one occasion, and I DID NOT like them!  I did not like the gritty, chewy...almost choke on them, texture. (Ok, so I did not know you weren't suppose to chew them!). But these at Katt's Kitchen...OH MY!  They were warm and full of flavor. They were tender and had a little spice to them.  They were actually pretty good and it was the first time I liked them!

Mixed Berry Pie

They also had a dessert bar as well as a salad bar, but there was no way I could try everything!  I did allow myself to have one dessert, mixed berry pie! After dinner, we decided to play some slot machines.  The casino wasn't too busy or active, but we were playing kind of early, like 6:30 pm. After coming out $100 a head, we decided to walk away and call it a night.  All in all, I was glad to get out of the house, do something different and enjoy myself a bit.  

Visit Bally's casino in Tunica, MS for fun and great food. Visit their site, http://www.ballystunica.com/

What do you like most about casinos?  Do you have a favorite casino you like to visit?  Shoot me some comments.  I'd like to know what you think


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***This post is sponsored and in courtesy of Bally's Casino.  Although I received a complimentary meal and visit to Bally's, this does not influence my opinions as all opinions expressed are solely my own.

Air Comfy Travel Pillow Review

There have been many times I wished I had a small travel pillow for those times when traveling on long road trips.  I can't tell you how often I've dozed off, in the passenger side, while my husband was doing the driving, and all I had was the side window to rest my head on.

I was happy I finally got to try out the Air Comfy Travel Pillow!  I now had a travel companion I can take with me, and something to lay my head while supporting my neck.  I wanted to try out this travel pillow as soon as I received it, so since my husband and I always travel about an hour out of town, just to be doing, I decided to take along my new companion.

The first thing I realized, when the pillow is fully inflated, was that it gave just the right amount of support for the neck and was very comfortable, without being too hard.  The pillow was the right size and had enough room on either side to rest your head one way or the other.

This pillow is not like your standard neck pillows.  It doesn't have the bulk and doesn't feel like it is suffocating you by wrapping around your whole neck, like some neck pillows may make you feel.  The pillows center part cradles the arch in your neck, giving you that support you need.  

The pillow is self inflatable.  You can open up the attached valve and let the air pillow inflate itself, or you can inflate it the old fashion way...by blowing air into it.  I found that It was faster to inflate if I just blew up the pillow myself.

What I really like about this travel pillow, is that it comes in it's own little travel bag.  This makes it handy to take the pillow anywhere with you.  All you have to do is open the valve, and begin rolling the pillow, from opposite end of valve, toward the valve to release all the air.  Cleaning the pillow is easy too.  All you have to do is take a damp cloth and wipe down the pillow to clean. It's that simple.

This pillow was so comfortable and lightweight, that I will not go back to one of those bulky neck pillows.  It's so compact and easy to carry, with the carrying/storage bag that comes with it.  This pillow can be used on airplanes, cars, buses and even at home!

You can get this nifty neat travel pillow and do away with that bulky neck pillow by going to Amazon and getting yours right away.  The Air Comfy Travel Pillow retails for $29.99, but it's on sale, now, at Amazon for only $19.99.  



*** I've received this product, free, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are 100% my own and have not been influenced by any affiliate/companies.  Regardless, I only recommend products that I believe would interest and benefit my readers.