What happens in .... Stays in....: N'awlins and the Deep South

The American’s claim that Texas is a HUGE State... but they haven’t been to Queensland or Western Australia! However... having said that, crossing that State in a van full of people did take a bloody long time! A full day and a half in the van later, (with a visit to Lafeyette hospital for one of the girls who had an overnight tummy bug – thank goodness for Ziplock bags!) lots and lots of desert, scrub and oil drillers later we crossed into Louisianna and into the Bayou (swamplands). What a dramatic change from one State to the next. The dry, arid countryside morphed into a wet mishmash of greenery and rivers. Late in the afternoon, we pulled up and were greeted by Cajun Jack. Cajun Jack is a local of the area, born and raised and a little bit crazy! He and his ‘brothers/cousins’ grew up in the Bayou fishing for crawfish and catfish. He led us through myriad of river mazes into the Bayou in search of Alligators and an Alligator we did find. We think he was more curious about us though than we were about him. Feeling rather steamy and bitten to death by swamp midgies we headed back to the van for the final part of the trek towards New Orleans.

Cruising the Bayou

Enjoying the ride even if we were almost carried away by the midgies!!

Captain Cajun Jack gives us the low down on his cousins and growing up in the Bayou

Mutiny on board - Serena and Heidi take control of the Swamp Ship!

Our friend the Alligator - well he was our friend as long as he stayed over there!

Stepping out of the van in N’awlins (New Orleans in the local tongue) was like stepping into a swimming pool... welcome to humidville. The Aussies were in their element, the Brits searched for the closest door to go into the aircon! The next 2 nights were a treat... we got to sleep in a bed!!!! Yes the French Quarter Suites and Inn became our haven for 2 days. What a gorgeous looking hotel. It is 130 years old and sits nicely located in the French Quarter area of New Orleans which was walking distance to all the best parts of the city. And walk we did. For the next 2 days we wondered up Royal Street, down Bourbon Street and every street in between. This area was hardly affected by hurricane Katrina so kept its old world charm and Spanish/French influences in the building and architecture.

The first night in Nawlins was spent travelling up the Mississippi on an old Steam Wheeler boat, eating Cajun food, listening to Dixie Jazz and doing the chicken dance... the chicken dance? Yep there was a conference group on board for Verizon Phones and so when Serena and I were asked to dance, at least this was one dance we knew!!! We chatted to them for hours, before heading into Bourbon street to dance the rest of the night away (non chicken dance style). We couldn't remember their names so each time we ran into them in town, they became Mr Verizon! And thank you to Mr Verizon for the many drinks purchased on the company account!!

The Dixie Jazz band onboard

Enjoying the Cajun food onboard the Queen Mississippi Steam Wheeler Boat

Hanging around on Street corners... Bourbon and Orleans Street, New Orleans

No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Cafe Du Monde for the BEST donuts in the world... or in our case about 5 or 6 visits to Cafe du Monde in 2 days! This was my favourite place to be so each time we passed a mandatory stop was in order. I was in donut heaven! The photos say it all.

One of several trips down to Cafe Du Monde for a few of their delicious donuts!

It's a messy business but someone has to do it and who better than Brian and Heidi!

A few of us headed into town for lunch at Pat O’Briens for Crawfish bisque, Jumbalaya and the one and only famous Hurricane drink that went down a little too quickly for us both! Cajun food is the best part (and only one of many great parts) of the South East corner of the States closely followed by the Jazz music. The next night we stopped in at Maison Club for some amazing Jazz music. Wondering through the streets, you can hear the sounds of the Saxophone coming from one direction and the trumpet from another. Just pick your bar, grab a drink and enjoy the atmosphere. On the corner of the famous Bourbon Street we stopped to listen to one man singing Satchmo (Louis Armstrong) songs just like the real thing! It is a very special part of this country that all must experience at least once in your life.