Trip to New Orleans, Louisiana

This morning, woke up at 9am. Had fried prawn sandwich. Yummy. Then, quickly dropped by at the Asian Market to buy Chinese vegs. Then, went back to place the veg in fridge and went off to make our way to New Orleans. It is about 2 and a half hours drive from our place. So, still not too bad. New Orleans is in the state of Louisiana, which is just beside Mississippi. Mississippi is beside where I stay now.

We drove to the New Orleans International Airport to check out the place as we will be going there on Independence Day Weekend to take a flight out to Chicago. It is cheaper to take a plane from New Orleans than my own Mobile Regional Airport. Before we reached New Orleans, we stopped by at the visitor centre for maps of the place and where to park as we know it is expensive to park at New Orleans. So, after going to the airport, we went to Downtown and park at a place where the person recommended as it is cheaper. It is near the French Quarter.

Jackson Square

New Orleans is a vibrant city. Many says that it is a sin city as there are numerous voodoo shops, Tarot or fortune telling shops, x-rated shops as well etc.. CT told me that at night, there are many people along Bourbon Street who would lift up their shirts so that they can get beads of necklace. Many would also pee and throw things from the second level. A lot of crazy people. But of course, there are other places to visit that is not so complicated.

Firstly, I went to the French Market which is like pasar malam, with fruits and vegs as well. A lot of souvenir shops along the way. Went Hard Rock Cafe to buy a t shirt. :) Then walked towards the IMAX to watch a 3D show, "Ocean Wonderland". I love the ocean and water, so I suggested watching the show to see the fishes and living creatures under the sea. It was a 5pm show and we had time. So we walked along the Mississippi Riverwalk to a shopping centre, called "Riverwalk shopping mall". In the mall, we dropped by a famous cafe called, "Cafe Du Monde" which sells coffee and french doughnuts. The famous one is the doughnuts. It is square in shape and has very fine sugar all over it.

There are river cruises available as well. But I did not take it as the scenery not so nice. The weather was really hot. Initially, Ct was telling me that it will be raining here in New Orleans. So, he brought an umbrella. In the end, he used the umbrella to shade off the sun. Ha. After watching IMAX, we walked many blocks and streets to Bourbon Street and just took a look at the place since it was still bright. People can travel by walking, or cars, or tram or buses. So, transportation is readily available. There are so many people in New Orleans and so many shops and things to see. So, I'd rather walk.

There are a lot of haunted shops as well, with skeletons ornaments. This is what New Orleans is. People seem to be drinking everywhere with pubs along the streets. After walking along Bourbon Street, we stopped by at another street for dinner. I took only a house salad and seafood gumbo soup while CT shared with me his meal- Snapper dish with cajun spices, crawfish and mushrooms on top with butter. Very nice, but oily. The things here are expensive since it is in the city. The dinner costs us US$34 even with so little food.

After dinner, we walked back slowly to our car by crossing lots of shops. I stopped by on the way to get a packet of spicy peanuts, and drinks for our way back home. We left New Orleans at about 8pm...while it was just starting to get dark. On our way home, we met up with some obstacles. We were not sure the way back. So, we kept to one side of the road and drove but just when we see the sign to go into the highway, it was too late and we passed it by. The roads are all one way. So it is hard to just U-turn. So, we had to stop by the petrol station to ask for directions. So happen, a policeman heard me talking to the lady at the counter and he told me how to head back to the highway without having to turn back. Glad to have met the policeman as the lady at the counter did not know directions.

When we were at the highway home, I was falling asleep. And when I was going to fall asleep, I saw CT going off to a wrong direction and before I could tell him, it was too late. Ha.. So, anyway, I we exited the highway and headed back to the direction we needed to go. Wasted some time. But think after this, CT has learnt which direction to go now. :)

We reached home at about 1030pm. So tired but had a fun time at New Orleans just opening my eyes to see what the city is like. For photos of the place, take a look at my pictures site. http://photos.yahoo.com/dlinglm