Day 3 - New Orleans

Woke up to a beautiful, crystal clear, blue sky - definite improvement on yesterday. Headed off for breakfast at The Ruby Slipper in Magazine Street (as recommended by Gillian's sister, Linda) which included cocktails (alcoholic), whilst we waited for a table, for both Miss Gillian and Miss Tracey!

Next, down to the Riverfront to embark upon a 2 hour river cruise on the Mississippi aboard one of only 2 remaining steam paddle steamers, Natchez As we joined the line to go aboard we were entertained by a lady playing a steam driven organ, a calliope

The afternoon saw us swap the river for the road as we took the Gray Line City Express Tour hosted by Mike Merino - it was fascinating to hear and see how the city has been rebuilt since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and to see the Garden District with its "old money" antebellum homes along St Charles Avenue.

After the bus tour, Chris and Tracey joined the line outside The Preservation Hall for the 5pm performance of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band - as featured in Dave "Foo Fighters" Grohl's documentary TV series and inspiration for a track on the Foo Fighters' album of the same name, "Sonic Highways" It was a performance lasting little more than 45 minutes but utterly captivating and an experience never to be forgotten - a near religious experience, in fact.

Rejoining Gillian and Jan we dined in the House of Blues (recommended by the guy from Baton Rouge on the 'plane coming over). As we wandered back to our hotel a band playing live in one of the bars was playing "Route 66" - serendipitous, eh?

Day 2 - New Orleans

New Orleans was struck by a tropical storm this morning - boy did it rain, and blow with thunder and lightning just for good measure. When the storm had reduced from "torrential" to just "downpour" we headed out to explore the French Quarter (New Orleans "Old Town", if you like). We meandered up and down Royal Street, Bourbon Street and Decateur Street past the Music Legends Park:

Bars selling strange beers:

Finally stopping to refuel with coffee/hot chocolate and beignets (square, French, deep-fried doughnuts) in Cafe De Monde:

Having returned to the hotel, partly via a Riverfront Streetcar to dry out we found that we had been allocated new rooms (and received complimentary dinner this evening for the four of us to compensate for the inconvenience).
We ventured back out in to the rapidly drying afternoon and headed to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas followed by an IMAX movie featuring a 3D movie entitled Tiny Giants (a BBC production narrated by Stephen Fry!).
BBQ mini ribs, Crawfish, Burgers and Mac Cheese with Beef Debris for dinner courtesy of the Wyndham Hotel :0)

Day 1 - arrived in New Orleans

Well, we're here! Safely tucked up in the Wyndham Hotel in Royal Street, just a block away from the famous Bourbon Street. Flew in to New Orleans on only the 2nd British Airways direct flight on board a Boeing Dreamliner. Been a l-o-n-g day so bed calls. Goodnight y'all. ZZZZZzzzzzzz