Tuesday Oct 28th - Beignets-Bus tour-Po-boys

Tuesday Oct 28th - Beignets-Bus tour-Po-boys

Finally - Cafe Du Monde Beignets

Cafe Du Monde covered patio

It seems we have been going at a bit of a blistering pace since we left Fifty Point in Ontario. Today we were torn between exploring New Orleans once more alone, or taking an organized tour. As the weather is once again in the high 80’s F we decided to be kind to ourselves and take a 21/2 tour around the city in an air conditioned bus. We hopped the 10am shuttle into the city and then hightailed it to Grayline booth to pick up our tickets, then a race to Café du Monde for their ‘world famous’ café-au-lait and beignets. Well, compared to the ones we had on Sunday… these were remarkably better. And the coffee is deservedly described as excellent … memories of Europe but with a distinctly New Orleans flair!!  The beignets were so hot we had to let them cool before devouring an order each (3 beignets to an order) … with the large scoop of powdered icing sugar dolloped on top…. I am talking mounded on top. We called Derek’s cousin Gill in the UK from the café to make her jealous and it worked :-))  … (she recommended we go!!). 

After our diet snack we headed to Jackson Square across the road for a photo op, then wandered slowly to the tour bus, admiring the architecture and a bit of window shopping along the way.

The Natchez Steamboat leaving

The tour was great and took us to all the basic highlights of the city. The Cemetery, the Town Park (50% larger than New York's central Park) we had a quick glance at Halle Berry who happened to be filming in the park that day … and MORE beignets at the Morning Glory Café in the park.  The final result of our survey is that, for Beignets, the Morning Glory Cafe was better, for coffee the Café Du Monde was better and for both the Café Beignets was dead last!!

Your Carriage is waiting (bus instead)

Halle Berry (double?)

Beignets at The Morning Call!!

Above ground cemetery

We drove through the city and our guide pointed out all the areas of the city that were under water during the hurricane (about 80% of the city). He described the evacuation and how they got people out who had no means to leave and the plight of those who stayed. He also pointed out that the population of New Orleans is now only approximately 50% of the pre-Katrina levels, so unemployment here is low, but persuading people and business to return has been a long hard struggle.  Because much of New Orleans is below sea level it is unique that the roads go UP to the river and not down as with most cities on rivers. The cemetery was interesting as it is above ground, set out in rows (streets) of family vaults some looking like small houses. After a specific amount of time (about 2 years), what remains of a body is taken from the casket and put in a burlap bag and pushed to the end of the vault (often down into the ‘basement') and the space is cleared for the next new casket … He also described the history of the term ‘saved by the bell’ and ‘dead ringer’…. Look it up… yukkk!!! The above ground vaults are necessary as the conventional graves used to give up the dead during floods and 'Aunt Mable' would be floating buy for a visit long after she was dead!!

We drove past the famous Superdome stadium that housed thousands after Katrina.  All in all, it was a great ‘taster tour’ of the city on a hot day.

Decorated for Halloween

We had Oyster and Shrimp

Alligator heads for sale (real!!) YUK!!!

After the tour we tottered over to Johnny’s Po-boys joint for a shrimp and oyster po-boy…. Finally discovering what a po-boy is and why they call it that.   (feeding poor boys sandwiches during a transit strike in the late 1920’s). After our delicious po-boy we wandered around for a last look at the French Quarter and then hopped the 4pm shuttle back to the ‘condo’ to get it ready for a long journey to Texas.. The RV site is very dusty and the rig has become rather dirty during our trip down here. We are leaving early tomorrow morning.  What a great city this is… a ‘must do’  city  - if you are even thinking about going … GO! There is something for everyone, party-goers, history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, cultural tourist, sun worshippers, eco-tour lovers etc etc. Sad to leave but happy to be on our way as well .....

Texas .. here we come y'all !!!!!