Our hotel is just out of the French Quarter of town. This is the entertainment district, full of bars, restaurants, shops, museums and street entertainers.

We did a self guided tour from the Lonely Planet as an introduction to New Orleans and the French Quarter. We visited the old convent, saw some magnificent architecture - often a mix of creole and American design. We saw the Royal Pharmacy which is more of a soda fountain shop from the halcyon malt shop days. A national historic landmark called Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop which now is a salty little tavern that was really rocking even at 4pm!

Out in the streets the entertainers were doing their best to keep the crowd amused. Strangely, street drinking is permitted and the bars sell liquor in plastic cups so when you have had enough of one establishment you can carry your drink to the next, drinking in the street as you go.

The cast iron galleries of most buildings sometimes have very ornate balustrades, often with flowers, creepers or people hanging over the edge. We saw another historical place called the Cornstalk Hotel with wrought iron fences and gates with corn stalks within the framework. They say that it is one of the most frequently photographed fences anywhere.

As we walked we were entertained and our attention captured by the French influences, the sounds and wonderful atmosphere of this vibrant city; and the smells!

A short freshen up at the hotel and we were off to join our jazz dinner cruise on the Steamship Natchez. Joanne and I had the second sitting at 7.45pm, so after boarding at 6pm we sat on the upper deck, looking back towards the city on one inside and out to the mighty Mississippi River, being entertained by The Dukes of Dixieland jazz band. It was a great evening and as we sailed downstream we also had a commentary on what was happening on the river. The Mississippi River is over 2100 MILES long and where New Orleans is it is still nearly 100 miles until it hits the ocean. Just out of the dock the river is at its deepest at 210 feet.

It was interesting to learn that the last battle by a foreign power on US soil took place just near here in 1812 during the War of Independence against Great Britain. This was the Battle of New Orleans, which the American forces won. The battle should never have happened as truce had been signed two weeks before, but word had not reached this area - quite sad as 34 American lives were lost and 284 British lives.

Our dinner time came around so it was off to the dining room. It was a buffet of local dishes including catfish and finishing up with bread pudding. We were full and we gathered on the deck to hear more of the band and watch the lights of New Orleans come in to view.

Back and docked at 9pm, it was time to hit Bourbon Street - THE place to be on a Saturday night - or any night for that matter.

Well - where to begin. It was crowded, noisy vibrant, just a little risqué in some of the bars, definitely had an edge to it and was "decadent". Street drinking, crowd noise, music, buskers, horse drawn carriages, a form of rickshaw , State Police called troopers, New Orleans Police, many bouncers at the doors, even the fire brigade doing an emergency run - it was alive....... But definitely with an edge. We had to walk it for the sake of it was Bourbon Street and had to be done.

The sanctuary of the hotel was welcomed. It had been a great day and a very interesting night. This is the Deep South and it has a charm of its own and has to be experienced to be believed.

WOW!