Jessica, Pam, Tammy and I went to New Orleans for Jess' Bachelorette party. We had such a fabulous time and I feel like we learned a lot about the city and came to love it. The southern people are so friendly and polite. There's actual eye contact that is sought out and lots of people calling you "baby". We learned later from a tour guide that it's New Orleans style to say, "What's happenin', baby" as a greeting.
We left LAX Thursday afternoon and started our party weekend by sharing a bottle of wine at the airport. It was so nice to be at an airport and to only think of myself. I didn't have to worry about kids crying, having favorite blankies, toys, etc. The flight was so unstressful (unlike when I'm travelling with the kids). I started reading "Interview with a Vampire" on my kindle because it's by author Anne Rice who was born in New Orleans and the book is set in New Orleans.
Our travel went without incident and we checked into our hotel, the Royal Sonesta. The location was perfect, right in the middle of Bourbon street - we could walk to everywhere we wanted to go. We also appreciated the beauty of the lobby. It's hard to describe the peaceful and relaxing feeling that washed over us as we came inside from all the craziness that is usually happening on Bourbon street~
On the first night we wandered around Bourbon Street. Even on a Thursday night there were a lot of people milling around. New Orleans is two hours ahead of California, so it was already 10PM when we started looking for a place to eat dinner. We ended up eating at Pier 424 Seafood Market - I liked my meal of roasted fish a lot! And we had char-broiled oysters (smothered in butter, garlic and cheese before being put on a grill) for the first time which I really liked, Jess & Tammy thought it was too rubbery. Pam abstained. ~
On Saturday, we booked a swamp tour with Airboat Adventures. I LOVED this tour! We loaded the bus mid-morning and the bus driver gave us a great running commentary of sights/restaurants/things to do during the 30 minute drive from the French Quarter to Lafitte. He was a perfect mix of funny and informative and had a great southern accent as well. I wish I could remember half of what he said. I do remember that he mentioned that New Orleans submitted a bid to host the 2018 Superbowl and that it would be during Mardi Gras week so the city would be extra crazy.
He also gave us information about Jean Lafitte, a French pirate who helped Andrew Jackson defeat the British in the "Battle of New Orleans" in exchange for pardons for his pirating. If it wasn't for Lafitte's knowledge of the twisty Mississippi and the bayous, New Orleans might've been full of Brits. Lafitte's bar in the French Quarter is still open and is the oldest bar in the country
Inside the Airboat Adventures office was an Albino Alligator~
Posing next to an airboat (shallow boat with an upturned nose that is powered by a huge fan in the back) before our tour~
The fan/motor is REALLY loud! Ear muffs are a must~
Our guide told us how lucky we were that it was a sunny day. We saw A LOT of gators! There were a lot along the banks trying to soak up the sun. We were told that gators only eat meat and the big gators will usually eat the little ones. Our guide also demonstrated how a gator can "jump" - two thirds of his body can come straight out of the water.
I've read a lot of John Grisham books about how beautiful the bayous are, but never could imagine it until today. It was really peaceful to see all the lush greenery and to hear the birds~
Our guide had a little surprise for us that made us scream - a little alligator - that he pulled out from his cooler~
Pam was the first one brave enough to hold it~
It felt rubbery~
Back in the French Quarter we had lunch at Felix's which served the best char-grilled oysters of all the places we tried~
The St. Louis Cathedral - no building in the French Quarter can be taller than the cathedral~
The roof and stained glass windows were very ornate~
Statue of General Andrew Jackson - credited for wining the "Battle of New Orleans"~
We ate beignets from the well known Cafe Du Monde~
Yummy! The more powdered sugar, the better~
Had to take a picture in front of the oldest bar in America~
The inside was really cool - just candlelight~
On Saturday we did a bike tour "Mardi Gras, Mansions & Movie Stars". I hadn't been on a bike in a while, but these ones were really comfortable and HEAVY, which was good because New Orleans streets are full of pot holes~
Our guide was great and gave us interesting info about New Orleans, including how the dead are buried. There are no underground graves because of the water level so bodies are kept in above ground tombs where they turn to ash and then room is made for the next one. Some of the family tombs have the remains of 15 or more members~
We rode by celebrities' houses. Here's Archie Manning's house~
Sandra Bullock's house~
Graffiti art by Banksy that had Plexiglas over it so thieves couldn't steal it brick by brick~
After the bike tour, we were starving so we ate at the restaurant "Desire" that was in our hotel lobby. We tried fried pickles for the first time and liked it~
We also tried crawfish - you have to suck the head and eat the tail. Pretty tasty, but a lot of work for a wee bit of meat~
After resting in our rooms we checked at the Carousel bar - which actually rotated~
Saw a wedding party with a band march down Bourbon Street~
Drinks at Pat O'Brien's - the hurricane drink was delicious!
Last meal in New Orleans was at Cafe Beignet. We tried the beignets, but we all agreed that Cafe Du Monde's was better.
One last drink at our hotel bar before we had to take the shuttle to the airport~
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