NOLA…Swamp, Shopping and Masperos

Today was something!  Actually all days have been something but today, extra something.

Our bus picked us up in front of the hotel.  After we gathered the rest of the passengers around the city, we headed 30 minutes to the swamp.  I wanted to go to the Honey Island swamp, but this worked.  In the 80’s when we lived in Slidell, there were hand painted signs tacked to trees advertising Honey Island swamp tours.  I ALWAYS wanted to go on that tour…my swamp bucket list.

So, we climbed aboard a nine passenger air boat.  I was pretty proud of myself for picking a small group air boat tour.  The other air boats had LOTS of folks onboard.  The non air boats were just putting along very slow.  I had a flashback to the Rescuers with Medusa.  This was two years ago old Angela’s favorite movie that partially took place in the swamp.

Our guy, Captain Ernie flew across the water until he spotted something we needed to see, then he slowed.  It was very efficient sightseeing.  We saw many alligators, small critters and birds.  We even saw a big nasty:). It was just beautiful!

Captain Ernie stopped a couple of times to educate us about alligators and the swamp.  He had a degree in biology and was pretty knowledgeable and he was VERY Cajun.

We arrived back to NOLA at around 3pm.  After resting, we headed to the French Quarter for one last shopping excursion.  After that, we ate dinner at Masperos.  This was on my list because that used to be my work lunch place.  It is a very old building where the pirate, Jean Lafitte used to hang out.  I have always loved the history of this building.

So, that about does it.  A whirlwind tour of New Orleans.  If we had one or two more days, we would have gone to the WWII museum and Mardi Gras World….oh well, maybe next time. 

Hurricane Katrina monument

This little guy greeted us the the tour place

NOLA…City Cemetery, Hop on Hop off bus, Ghost, Voodoo & Crime

This busy morning started with a good breakfast at Ruby Slipper with Beth and Joel.  They had to catch an early afternoon flight so they ate and had to leave soon after.

Jane and I had tickets to the Hop on Hop off bus that picked up close to our hotel.  We rode it to the city cemetery for an 11:00 tour.  It was an interesting and hot (weather) tour.  The burial process for these above ground tombs are just a bit creepy, but I guess that’s why we were there.  Besides the tomb of the Voodoo queen, Marie Laveau, the most famous (and weird) tomb is one for Nicolas Cage.  It is a large white pyramid that looks out of place in this historic cemetery.  It caused lots of controversy in New Orleans but I guess it is a landmark now.

So, after the cemetery walking tour, my knees told me it was time to rest.  We rode the rest of the route on the bus.  We had a very good and animated young man giving the commentary.  We made a loop thru all the neighborhoods of New Orleans.  He made sure to point out where celebrities had homes.  I was surprised there were so many…John Goodman, Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, and Beyonce just to name a few.

Next, time to rest in our room before our next adventure. After our lunch and downtime, we headed back to the quarter for shopping and dinner.  We ate muffulettas from Napoleon House.  Central Grocery has been closed down since one of the hurricanes (not Katerina) so this was the next best thing. It was just as good.  Next off to Cafe Du Monde for a bite of beignets.  We were both full but thought it was a necessary stop for just a taste.  Unfortunately, a very bad street singer was set up right outside the cafe and her volume was set to max.  We were happy to leave this loud bad talent and Lyft back to our room.

The last adventure was a Ghost, Crime, Vampire and Voodoo tour starting at 8pm at Armstrong park.  The tour guide led us thru the quarter telling stories.  She had a little device called Hellvision that she used to project images on the wall.  We saw the home site of Marie Laveau (voodoo), Nicolas Cage (crazy), the ax murder hotel, Jacques St. Germaine (vampire)…just to name a few.  She had colorful stories about these characters and many more. 

The walking tour lasted two hours so after another Lyft ride to the hotel, we are tucked in for the night.  It was a long busy entertaining day!

Nicolas Cage tomb

Jane is laughing at the very bad loud singer.

NOLA…French Market, Buggy ride & Wicked

 Today was a busy day.  I suppose this will be a whirlwind tour of New Orleans.  Jane and I are doing some of the touristy things that I didn’t get to do when we lived here in the 80’s.

First, we ate breakfast at Mothers with Beth and Joel.  After that, Jane and I went on a stroll down Decatur Street for souvenirs and shopping.  Jane collects masks so we went to several stores. She found the right one at a place called the earring store.  Funny thing, they had very few earrings.  Most of the things in the store were masks and carved wood statues made without electricity.  She bought a small hibiscus wood mask that depicted the moonlight goddess.  Jane and the sales lady bonded with their love of masks.  She asked her to send pictures of her masks at home.  Anyway, it was a very nice experience.  Also, she asked Jane how old she was.  When she said 16, this lady was floored.  She thought Jane was in her 20’s.  I suppose mask collecting starts in the 20’s.

 We shopped till we got tired so we got a Lyft ride back to the hotel for a nap.  This was my first time using Lyft.  My knees thanked me for the ride.  

After lunch and rest, we got another Lyft to the French Market.  It is a pretty amazing  flea market.  Jane found a cute dress, a resurrection plant and a hand made journal.  Just people watching is interesting at this place.  We also stopped at a Christmas store and a dress shop for more treasures before we made it to Jackson Square.  We were meeting Beth and Joel at 5 so we had time for a buggy ride around the quarter.  Our mule, Pearl, knew exactly where to go and how to manage traffic, while the driver turned toward his group to give his history talk.  That was pretty entertaining.

We met Beth and Joel for dinner at Muriel’s near Jackson Square.  After dinner, we Lyfted to Canal Place to go to the movie Wicked.  Thumbs up on the movie!

That completes our first full day.  It was fun and busy!!!

New Orleans…Arrival

Today we begin or four day New Orleans adventure.  I have stayed in San Antonio with Jane, Jelly, Bacon and Mocha since Sunday.  Beth and Joel have been in NOLA since then, Beth at an engineering conference and Joel working remote.

Yesterday, the dog sitter picked up Jelly and Mocha.  I almost wanted to smuggle Mocha on this trip with us.  I told the pet sitter that I was worried about her and she said why, it's what I do.  Ok then, I guess she's got this. 

By the way, Mocha is the newest Griffith dog.  She is an adorable, spirited 16 week old Yorkiepoo. She weighs 4.8 pounds and is very cute.  I have some precious grandpets!!

Ok, back to NOLA…we met Beth and Joel at the hotel.  They already had us checked in, had dinner waiting and had a massive pile of loot in the room from Beth’s conference.  Jane had fun checking everything out.

That’s about all we could manage on arrival day.