Today was our day to explore New Orleans. We started bright and early with the 3 1/2 hour "Isle of Orleans" tour by Grayline. Our tour guide was great. He grew up in New Orleans and was very funny and informative. We went through several areas of New Orleans. The architecture in New Orleans is gorgeous! Balconies, intricate iron work railings, pillars across the front porch.......and the yards! Beautifully landscaped yards with such a variety of plant life! We saw metal, concrete and earthen levees, designed to keep out the waters of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico when Mother Nature gets a little worked up. We took a walk through St. Louis Cemetery #3. Our tour guide explained how burial is handled in Nola, since most of the city is below sea level.
So basically, you get your spot for a year and a day. Then they take what's left of you, put it a plastic baggy and the next person in your family to die takes your spot. There's one grave that has over a hundred nuns contained within!! We only had about 15 minutes to look around. I wish we could have spent more time here. I guess I'm a bit morbid - I love exploring cemeteries. As it was, we were the last ones to get back on the bus because I wanted to get a picture of "one last one" haha.
After the cemetery, we stopped at the City Park to check out the statue garden and have beignets and cafe au lait at "Morning Call".
I think I've found my new favorite fried food. Yum! I need to find out how to make these at home. Or.......maybe I don't - haha - they would NOT fit in with my new healthier lifestyle.
We continued our tour around the city, through the ninth ward and made a stop at the new canal lighthouse. There we got a walking tour through the new building along with a story about the old lighthouse (which was knocked over by Hurricane Katrina) as well as information about Lake Pontchartrain. On our way back to the French Quarter, we passed through the Garden District for more fantastic architecture and amazing landscaped yards.
After that, we were on our own. We found lunch at the Gumbo Pot, where Madison and I tried Jambalaya and Gumbo - sorry but neither of us were too impressed. Maybe it was just the restaurant, or maybe it was our wimpy taste buds not able to take the heat. We then took a walk over to Bourbon Street - we kept our stroll short since we had Madison - and Bourbon Street is famous for everything that falls under the heading of "not suitable for children." We did pop into the St Louis cathedral for a minute. All I can say is "Wow!" The inside is just breathtaking.
We decided to wrap up our day with a second helping of beignets (I told you they were yummy!), this time from the famed "Cafe du Monde." These were served fresh out of the fryer and LIBERALLY doused in powdered sugar. But oh so good! And I'm not usually a coffee drinker, but I again enjoyed my beignets with a cup of cafe au lait.
On our way back to the car, we did have a run-in with con-man who talked Carl out of a $20 for a shoe shine he didn't want, but got anyway. He and his buddies then proceeded to follow us. So we retreated into the Riverwalk mall for little bit but eventually, we made it back to the apartment, safe and sound. Oh, by the way, that picture of the lit-up bridge? That was the view from our apartment window. That's the bridge over the Mississippi River, and our view from the apartment we stayed in. Phew, alright. I'm bushed. Another day bites the dust. Tomorrow, we're on the road again (don't lie - you sang that in Willie Nelson's voice). Our final destination city is Vicksburg, Mississippi. I'm really looking forward to it. They have a huge Civil War park we're going to explore, as well as numerous museums! Goodnight!
No comments:
Post a Comment