Atlantic City

December 30

After what seemed to be only an hour of shut-eye, we got ready for our Philadelphia-New Jersey road trip.

The reason for our "journey" to Philadelphia, is to attend Raymund's Jan. 1st birthday cum New Year's party. It has somehow become a yearly tradition for their family and friends to spend the New Year's at Raymund's. Other than that, Roger has his own annual panata. And that is, Casino on the New Year babbbbby!!! And tourists, as we are, were more than happy to join this trip!

"Magandang Umaga!!!"
*Chin with the "gapamurag2x" Tito Rey, and Yam2x concentrating on the TV



All set


York, Pennsylvania

While on the car, me and Rey noticed that Pennsylvania's landscape is very similar to the Dutch and German panorama. In fact upon entering one particular town with a quaint "characteristic" church, I quipped "Ay daw sa Germany Rey hu...". Minutes later, there it was, the sign says "GERMANTOWN". But we were leaving the town already; didn't get to take pictures. But, I was so happy with the "coincidence", I thought out loud, "travel does enrich you man gid gali ah..." Indi man tinikal ah...Nalipay lang ah :) But interesting trivia mind you, Germantown was founded in 1681 in fact by Dutch settlers, augmented with a smaller number of people from present-day Germany. Another important trivia for me, that if I knew beforehand I would have made the side-trip: Louisa May Alcott, my favorite American author (Little Women!!!), was born in Germantown in 1832. It would have been a novel experience to visit her hometown... Sige lang, next time ah :)

a familiar panorama

After 2 hours on the road, we were excited to finally get to our destination...

Atlantic City here we come!!!

Checking in

Bebsy at Bally's

THE WALK. We had dinner at a nearby Argentinian-owned pizzeria serving authentic Italian pizza ;-), and thereafter did "THE WALK"... A requisite Atlantic City must-do ;-)

If Las Vegas has it's "Strip", Atlantic City has it's "Walk". And outlet shopping too! :)

After the dinner, the walk, and a little shopping, we thought it was time to try our luck at the casino already...Basi maswertehan!

Brothers at the Ballys

*Roger must have worn his lucky pants, since his first attempt at the slots earned him 30 bucks!

Wala gid nagdaug maski salapi :)

*We were not so lucky with the slots, but lucky in love man kami ah. HAPPY 4 YEARS WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!

After a few drinks, Roger decided to start playing the real deal and headed towards the blackjack tables. Daug?

View from our hotel

Dec. 31

The next day this weather advisory greeted us in the morning:

"The final winter-weather blast for 2008 has come in the form of freezing temperatures and blowing snow, with the National Weather Service issuing a high wind warning and winter weather advisory across much of New Jersey.

The bursts of snow that began this morning should taper off by later this afternoon, with accumulations of between 1 and 3 inches in some places, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.

Strong, steady winds of 25 to 35 mph will continue this New Year's Eve, with gusts up to 50 mph into the evening. Those type of winds are capable of knocking down trees, tree limbs and power lines, along with destroying unsecured holiday decorations."

...which explains the picture below:

*We had a flat tire due to the scattered debris on the road brought about by the very strong winds. In fact, a number of vehicles also pulled over at the Walt Whitman Bridge due to flat tires. It was such a blessing that the Delaware River Port Authority had people working that day. The guy who helped us, even did the extra mile of bringing us to a nearby tire specialist. And he did not even accept any tips! :) Pinoy gid ya mo, matip gid ya :)

Thankfully, the car got fixed in time and we were able to fetch the birthday boy from Maryland who arrived from Houston that same afternoon (whew!)

With their Baltimore friends :)

Just hours after, we will have the New Year's party at Raymund's house...But till, next post :)