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 da...

We told the waitress that we had just arrived in New Orleans and wanted to try something local. We elected to try the "sampler menu". The photo shows our selection. Crawfish (crayfish) étouffée - Crayfish soup, Gumbo - a creole stew, red beans and rice (spicey), fried green tomatoes, with a side of ramoulade, and a biscuit; which to me was like a cucumber fritter. Yes, it was spicey, but a great way to begin our stop over here. The waitress was friendly an...

After an un-eventful flight from Washington on US Airways we are now in New Orleans - one hour behind the east coast now on Central Time (minus 13 hours Perth). Contrary to my last blog I must have got it wrong. We have now heard that the correct pronunciation is "New Orlans/Orlins". Anyway, we are here and what a fantastic place. You couldn't get further removed from New York or Washington; culture, sounds, smells, people - yes they are even friendlier, food ...

Here we are at Ronald Reagan International Airport waiting for our US Airways fight to New Orleans (or as we have been told N'Orleans). Security and check in procedures; where do I begin? As Ia had checked in on line last night and paid for baggage it was a little confusing to know what to do; cur side check in, kiosk check in, join a queue and ask! We joined a queue and after some helpful advice from others in the queue we arrived at the check in. A (helpful...

Well the big decision for today was to walk or to Hop-On-hop-Off. Weed decided on the bus. We left our hotel and walked down 23rdStreet towRss to Lincoln Memorial. This is a huge almost Roman esque memorial to the man who was responsible for ending slavery. Mr Lincoln sits very large in side the memorial at the top of a huge staircase with majestic columns. His Gettysburg address is on the side walls. He sits proudly looking down The Mall passed the Washin...