Made it into New Orleans around 4:00 p.m. April 12th. As soon as we exited the car we could smell the wonderful fragrance of Night Jasmine. What a wonderful scent! That's one of the things I love about New Orleans in the springtime - there are so many wonderful fragrances in the air when the trees and flowers are in bloom.
Bud and Deb were already at the RV Park, so all Bill and I had to do was unload our things into the motor home. Jim and Debbie came by a little later and we all headed out to dinner at Mandina's - a wonderful old spot frequented by the locals and one that Bill and I have enjoyed going to for 20 years.
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| Debbie, Deb and me in Mandina's with our waiter Perry |
After dinner we rode down to the French Quarter, which was unusually quiet. Most of the times we've been here the place has been raucos. Not so, tonight. Very quiet. We walked around Jackson Square and over to Cafe du Monde - one of our all time favorite spots in New Orleans - for beignets and cafe au lait.
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| Late night snack at Cafe du Monde - New Orleans LA |
The next day we met at Galatoire's for lunch. Galatoire's is an old New Orleans restaurant with wonderful food and service, always a highlight of any trip to New Orleans.
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| Lunch at Galatoire's |
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| Saint Louis Cathedral - New Orleans LA |
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| Quiet time in Jackson Square - New Orleans LA Homeless man sleeping on the grass inside the Park |
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Artist in Jackson Square - New Orleans LA |
Nicholas Cage's new movie, "Medallion," was being filmed while we were there. We just happened to be in the area where one of the sets was and were able to watch some of the filming.
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| Scene being shot for the movie "Medallion" |
Dinner tonight was at Snug Harbor - first time there - learned it's a favorite spot of the locals. After dinner we checked out Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, took pictures of Christ Cathedral and ended the eveing up at Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro for drinks before heading back to the RV.
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| Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop |
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| Christ Cathedral at night - New Orleans LA |
Thursday morning we toured the area that was hardest hit by hurricane Katrina. A lot of progress has been made in the clean-up effort over the past few years, but there's still a ways to go. Many of the homes have been demolished - some have been repaired and/or rebuilt, but there are still quite a few that have either been boarded up or condemned.
Lunch was at Cafe Degas - my absolute favorite restaurant in New Orleans - named after the 19th century French Impressionist, Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas, who visited New Orleans in 1872. The food is excellent, and...the ambience great, with a tree growing right up through the restaurant!
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| Debbie entering Cafe degas |
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| Lunch at Cafe Degas - New Orleans |
The afternoon was spent touring the Metairie Cemetery - the tombs and mausoleums are absolutely beautiful with their marble, leaded glass, stained glass, statues and unique architecture.
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| One of the beautiful statues in Metairie Cemetery - notice the tears in the dog's eyes |
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| One of my favorite statues in the Metairie Cemetery - New Orleans LA |
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| An example of the beautiful stained glass - Metairie Cemetery - New Orleans LA |
After touring the Cemetery, we stopped off at O'Henry's for a "foo-foo" drink and met a nice gentleman, Llewellyn Soniat, who is a member of the Zulu Krewe. He gave Debbie and me necklaces or "throws" from the Zulu Krewe, which are the most sought after "throws" during Mardi Gras.
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| Debbie and me with Mr. Soniat - member of the Zulu Krewe - New Orleans |
We spent some time this afternoon at the La Bayou Restaurant and Pat O'Brien's before heading out for Mosca's in Avondale LA for dinner.
Bud and Deb left early the next morning heading to Texas. Jim, Debbie, and I had beignets and coffee again at Cafe du Monde, then we met Bill and the four of us headed out for TX "Hill Country."
For anyone who has never been to New Orleans the best way I can describe it is that it's the nearest thing to being out of the U.S. without leaving the country. It's a unique city and one I dearly love. I would recommend a visit there to anyone.
For anyone who has never been to New Orleans the best way I can describe it is that it's the nearest thing to being out of the U.S. without leaving the country. It's a unique city and one I dearly love. I would recommend a visit there to anyone.
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