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Rick On the Rocks

Lifestyle & Travel Dad Blog

Travel

Guy’s Pig and Anchor on the Carnival Magic {Video}

Guy’s Pig and Anchor on Carnival Cruise Line

Two of my favorite things in the world are traveling and food. When I get a chance to combine both of them together… It’s like a small nuclear explosion of happiness.

I got a chance to sail on the Carnival Magic and these two worlds came together in a tasty, beautiful experience. I took a trip to flavortown at Guy’s Pig and Anchor on the Carnival Magic.

Guy’s Pig and Anchor

Guy’s Pig and Anchor is an open-air lunch spot that is only open on sea days. Make sure you plan accordingly because the line will be long. This amazing joint doesn’t cost extra and it is some of the best Bar-B-Que I’ve had in a LOOOONNNNGGGG time!

Guy’s Pig and Anchor

Guy Fieri is a Barbecue Hall of Famer and his recipes are straight up mouthwatering. Here are some of the big time meats that you can choose from. Listen to me when I say this… “TRY THEM ALL!”

Pig and Anchor Meats

  • Championship Pork Butt
  • Smoked Round of Beef
  • Smoked Andouille Sausage
  • The Famous Blue Ribbon Chicken

Any real Bar-B-Que place is not only judged on the quality of their meats. You better have some mean sides to compliment what you’re cookin’. Man oh man are Guy’s Pig and Anchor sides fantastic. I’m partial to collard greens and I was not disappointed. Here are Guy’s rockin’ sides!

Guy’s Pig and Anchor sides

Pig and Anchor Side Dishes

  • Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese
  • Old Skool Potato Salad
  • Collard Greens
  • Scratch-Made Slaw
  • Molasses Baked Beans

If you want the deluxe visit to flavortown, try some of Fieri’s signature BBQ sauces.

Guy’s Pig and Anchor

Pig and Anchor BBQ Sauces

  • The Award-Winning Brown Sugar (sweet and sticky)
  • Kansas City (smoky and sweet)
  • Sriracha BBQ (spicy and tangy)
  • Carolina #6 (tangy with sweet heat)

When I sit down and eat Bar-B-Que, I want to be transported. Really good BBQ reminds me of being on my grandfather’s back porch when I was a kid. All the tastes and smells take me to my happy place.

I enjoyed Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse so much, I ate there on both sea days and took seconds back to my cabin as a late afternoon snack.

Guy’s Pig and Anchor

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse is some of the best Bar-B-Que you’ll have on land or sea!

Guy's Pig and Anchor Menu

My Wife, a Road Trip and One Dozen Donuts

The first time that my wife and I had ever taken a road trip by ourselves, we were dating and she wanted to take me to her hometown. I did the obligatory first meal with her family. The one where they ask you questions about yourself and your answers are met with, “Well, that’s interesting” or “Now, is that what you plan on doing as a career?”

Later that night we ended up at one of those daiquiri bars where they have 100 different flavors, but for some reason they all taste the same. I was a bit nervous around my wife’s childhood friends, so I decided to try the house specialty to loosen up. They were served in yard glasses and you were only allowed to drink two of these concoctions. By my second one, I was drunkenly singing karaoke and I’m pretty sure that my rendition of “Like a Virgin” scarred everyone in the audience for life.

Fast Forward 16 Years Later…

One night, my wife and I received an email from our #KiaFamily with some vague details. “Choose your own adventure. If you had 27 hours to take a road trip from Irvine,CA to San Francisco, where would you go?!”

My palms started to sweat. My brain immediately thought back to our last road trip. I was praying that they had quite possibly banned daiquiri bars and karaoke in the state of California. I know they hadn’t banned “Like a Virgin”. How could you? That song is a national treasure!

My wife and I looked at each other with trepidation and began to use the Google to search what sights could be seen during this journey. We began to do research, look at maps and at one point I think one of us broke out a compass. But then, a realization began to wash over us… We could finally have that amazing couples road trip we’d always dreamt about!!!

My Wife, a Road Trip and One Dozen Donuts

We had a meet up at the Kia Headquarters in Irvine, received instructions and then took off in our Kia Niro PHEV. A major theme of our road trip was finding funky places and bringing a little holiday cheer. Our first stop was the Donut Hole in La Puente. The wife and I figured that one of the best ways to brighten up someone’s day was to offer them a free donut. Seriously… Who doesn’t want a free donut!!

My Wife, a Road Trip and One Dozen Donuts

We grabbed a dozen glazed and made our way to the next funky stop, The Madonna Inn. Although “Like a Virgin” was not playing in our room when we arrived. I will say that this fantastic roadside hotel is a must stay if you’re ever anywhere close. It has theme rooms ranging from the kitschy to the absolutely bizarre (how about a room with a stuffed bull you can ride?!) and Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House has amazing food and a decor that the word “eclectic” doesn’t begin to describe.

The Madonna Inn

We started out the next morning with donuts in hand and a plan of action. Did I mention that we bought the craziest holiday outfits that we could find at Target? Our donut gifting started at the lobby of the Madonna Inn and lasted all the way to the World’s Largest Artichoke.

My Wife, a Road Trip and One Dozen Donuts My Wife, a Road Trip and One Dozen Donuts My Wife, a Road Trip and One Dozen Donuts The World's Largest Artichoke

After we were done giving out one dozen gifts of glazed goodness, we decided to make a few bucket list stops. The wife and I swung over to the Mystery Spot (FREAKY) and then went for a visit to the Winchester House (REALLY FREAKY).

The Mystery Spot The Mystery Spot

The Winchester House The Winchester House

We arrived safely in San Francisco and the Kia Niro PHEV still had a charge and some gas left. Looking back, it was one of the coolest trips that I’ve ever taken with my wife. It was a great way to have fun, reconnect a bit and really enjoy each other. Hopefully, the next road trip won’t take sixteen years.

Wanderlust Wednesday: Northern Ireland

I knew within a few hours that I was going to return to Northern Ireland. That’s something that almost never happens to me. Usually it’s a few days, maybe a few weeks or sometimes never. But, Northern Ireland grabbed a hold of me very quickly. It was like a warm embrace from a family member or a friend that you’ve missed.

The colors of the country consist of greens that are indescribable (No camera can do it justice) and a palette of gray that I didn’t even know existed. Even on a cold and rainy June morning, these two colors were never dulled.

As I went from town to town, I found more and more people with the same story. They all had come to visit on holiday and never left. Not once did I ask “Why”… I completely understood. The next time I go, it’s quite possible that my wanderlust might come to an end.

Wanderlust Wednesday: Northern Ireland

Wanderlust Wednesday: Northern Ireland

Wanderlust Wednesday: Northern Ireland

If you have wanderlust, you might like some of these posts.

Wanderlust Wednesday: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Wanderlust Wednesday: La Boqueria – Barcelona, Spain

Wanderlust Wednesday: Half Moon Cay

Wanderlust Wednesday: Half Moon Cay

Last week, my family and I took a six-day cruise on the Carnival Splendor. We had an amazing/relaxing/fun/I ate too much time! I wasn’t sure what to expect after all of the hurricanes tore through the Caribbean. But, we were happy just to be able to go to a few ports and I know that the locals were happy to see us. The cruise ships are helping out the local economies that are still having a tough time.

There was one port that I had never been to, Half Moon Cay. It is a small, private island that is owned by Carnival. Technically, I think it is a nature preserve. Whatever it is, it’s beautiful! 

Half Moon Cay

There is technicolor blue water, white sand and beach chairs. There is a small bar on the beach and a B-B-Q lunch buffet. I didn’t eat, but I did have a few ice cold beers. Simple, laid back and one the most relaxed destinations I have ever experienced. It’s rare that I write about a place for Wanderlust Wednesday, less than a year after visiting.

Half Moon Cay

That’s how AWESOME Half Moon Cay is!

Thank you to Carnival for hosting my family. All opinions are my own.

Wanderlust Wednesday: Atlantis – Paradise Island, Bahamas

Atlantis – Paradise Island, Bahamas

This week’s Wanderlust Wednesday is a little different than past few I’ve done. As much as I like traveling and getting a little lost, sometimes it’s great to go try a little resort life. This is one of my favorites!

One of my favorite island resort destinations – Atlantis – Paradise Island, Bahamas. A palatial resort that includes a casino, an interactive aquarium, a high end galleria for shopping, five-star restaurants, private beaches and a 141-acre waterpark. A little something for everybody, doesn’t even come close to describing it!

My family and I first got to experience Atlantis while on a cruise. When we pulled into port we decided to explore a little. Most everyone in the area directed us to Atlantis, the common judgement was… “You just have to see it!”

Here are some pictures of our last visit:

Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

The aquarium goes through much of the facility… Both inside and out!

Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

My family and I are HUGE fans of the Aquaventure Waterpark. This is a must do when you visit.

Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

The private beaches are fantastic, everything you would expect from the Bahamas.

Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

It’s always hard to leave someplace you really enjoy so much, especially when it looks like this.

Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

If you ever get anywhere near the Bahamas, make sure you take the family, if even for the day. Atlantis will quickly become one of your favorite destinations!!