New Orleans 2017

As one of the oldest cities in America, founded in 1718, New Orleans has a reputation for excellent cuisine, great Jazz and a culture rich with French, Irish and Caribbean influences.

French quarter – bourbon street

Bourbon Street permeates with all genres of music (I was surprised to hear so much country as we walked)
We settled on an opened air area between two buildings mid-way down one of its streets. . Here bronze statues of Fats Domino, Al Hurt and Pete Fountain greeted us as we entered the open air location known as the Musical Legends Park. We were treated to a very talented threesome playing jazz and other musical venues. Never having played together previously, these musicians were so skilled that one could begin a tune and the others would magically fit in perfectly.
Within the park, the Cafe Beignet provided us refreshing gin tonics, good for a nice warm evening and to enjoy wonderful music with.

National World War II Museum

The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. It brought a greater “feeling” of what it had to be like for those that bravely experienced what no one should have to.

Cruise on the Natchez steamboat

Here we cruised along the harbor of the French quarter and alone the Mississippi. As we passed significant landmarks, a crewmember would broadcast tales of its particular history. After days of go – go – go it was nice to just sit back and relax. Weather was warm, the drinks were cool and the journey informative.

Mardi Gras world

A large warehouse where the floats for Mardi Gras are created
Here we saw how Mardi Gras floats are brought to life using Styrofoam, papier-mâché, and paint.While there we were provided with the traditional slice of the famous Mardi Gras king cake (pretty much only a slice of bread with cinnamon sugar and a little butter)

Destrehan - Destrehan Historic Plantation

Established in 1787 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Destrehan Plantation remains the oldest documented plantation home in the lower Mississippi Valley.
Destrehan Plantation was the site where one of the three trials took place following the 1811 Slave Revolt, one of the largest slave revolts in U.S. History led by Charles Deslondes.
The plantation served as a home to Marie Celeste Robin de Logny and her husband Jean Noel Destrehan, the most successful sugar producer in St. Charles Parish and one of the driving forces in Louisiana Statehood. The plantation exhibits an original document signed by President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of State James Madison.