Well the train journey from New York to New Orleans wasn’t the best. Although we had booked a roomette, it wasn’t a patch on the last time on the California Zephyr, the train was very rocky, jerky, cold and all meals served in our room, to be honest wouldn’t do this particular route again.
Arrived over an hour late, but that’s nothing unusual and checked into our hotel Villa Convento, reportedly “The House of the Rising Sun”, which is in the French Quarter. An old creole townhouse from the 1830s.
Surprisingly for us it was much colder than we anticipated and there are thunderstorms predicted for later in the week.
Met up with our friends Pam Marciszewski Ellis and Dennis Ellis who we met on a cruise last year, the following morning and headed off for breakfast at Clover Grill. Took a walk around the French Quarter and then a streetcar (only $1 for a day’s travel) to the Garden District, the affluent side of town.
Obligatory stop at Hard Rock for a Tshirt! Next the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone – thanks Philip Bradbury for the recommendation, famous for its revolving bar, which we managed to find 4 seats on. Treated myself to a Flyer de Lys cocktail – gin, lemon, cucumber, ginger ale. Very nice.
Looked around at the local lighting shop, huge choice of large indoor and outdoor light fittings, very expensive! Lots of galleries in the area, huge variety from the very tasteful to the not so. Lastly we treated ourselves to coffee and beignet at Cafe du Mond, a type of square pastry, similar in texture to a donut, absolutely covered in sugar.
In the evening we took ourselves to Turtle Bay for the ribeye steaks, again thank Philip. Nigel opted for chicken tenders.
Next day we walked down Royal Street and looked at all the galleries and shops before taking the Riverboat Creole Queen on a trip on the Mississipi, inc a stop at the Chalmette Battlefield (the English lost to the Americans). Great tour with very interesting talk from Charles Chester.
Took a walk down the infamous Bourbon Street, not as busy as it will be at the weekend, but enough people enjoying the entertainment.
Had Hurricanes in Pat O’Brien’s, a huge bar with a courtyard on the street.
Dinner at Deanie’s where we had a shrimp platter and Pam and Dennis opted for a half Seafood Platter. Huge amount of fried shrimp, soft shell crab, prawns and oysters. Nigel enjoyed the crab.
World War II museum the next morning, absolutely huge, we managed to both get in on military rate!
After this it was Commanders Palace with Dennis and Pam, fabulous food. They had a two course fixed price lunch at $25 and $0.25 martinis, excellent value for money in a very popular restaurant. Reservations needed.
A quick look at the St Louis Cemetery No 1, which is closed for renovation before heading back to the French Quarter.
Laundry needed so took a walk to the one nearby, which happened to get having their usual Thu night social get together!
Today we were hit by the tail end of a thunderstorm, so very wet getting to the National Parks Visitor Center. They give a free talk each day at 10am, which was on the history of New Orleans Traditional Jazz. Very informative and our Ranger helped make it more enjoyable by demonstrating different baselines and melodies.
Headed off on the streetcar to the end of the line at the National Gallery and City Park. Took a walk around St Louis Cemetery 3 before heading back.
Sazerac House for a tour and cocktail tasting. Sazerac is the official cocktail of New Orleans. They also distill Southern Comfort here which is one of my favourites. Great tour and interesting history. Again thanks to Philip Bradbury for the recommendation.
Our last evening in New Orleans we headed to the French Market Restaurant where Dennis Ellis had Oysters on the Half Shell, (definitely not for us), Pam Marciszewski Ellis had Fried Green Tomatoes, Gumbo and a shrimp Po Boy (sandwich). We shared a grilled salmon and onion rings. Everything in the south is battered and deep fried!
Off to catch the train to Houston tomorrow morning.