Day 7 - Now what can I remember from yesterday?

We arrived quite early in New Orleans so parked the car in one of those cool hotel car parks - where some random takes your keys, drives your car into a big hole in the wall, the door shuts behind and then it disappears into the twilight zone. We couldn't have asked for a hotel in a better part of town - hold on a minute - we did ask!? Anyway - it was just off the busy Bourbon Street where the main bars are and was exquisite in its architecture and comfort - 5 stars from us! Some pics of it are below - the 'Place de Armes Hotel'

After wandering around a bit we took a horse drawn carriage trip around the French quarter (it was actually a mule but a horse sounds more romantic). The guide was very mule efficient and informative, but a little hard to understand - he had a very strong, thick New Orleans accent - and by thick I don't mean 'Duh' thick (just in case he is reading this). Below are some pics of the architecture from the 'French District' where we stayed.

The oldest building in New Orleans - is now a pub - so we had a Beer in here for historic reasons of course.

New Orleans are also famous for a do-nut type food called 'Beignets', again we obliged willingly - they are yummy!

The famous steam boat 'Natchez' - we spent hours conversing with each other about the correct pronunciation. I thought we would then be talking about what type of toppings we were going to have on our Nachos but unfotunately Steph was right and it was a boat ;o(

'Preservation Hall' - The most famous Jazz music venue in New Orleans - its nicer inside trust me!

Quality - 'Bubba Gumps' Shrimp Company!! "Momma says life is like a box of chocolates, ya never know whatcha gonna get" ha ha

We took a breather just after mid-day in the main Jackson Square. There are loads of buskers that are on every street corner in New Orleans playing some pretty amazing music. One band that caught our eye were entertaining a bunch of school kids that had stopped to listen - it shows you what a party town New Orleans is - check out the kids dancing - its hilarious and boogying seems to be in their blood!

We then made our way to the tram (or trolley as it is called in the US - I mean c'mon - a trolley?!!) so we could move over to the 'Garden District of New Orleans, where the houses have, guess - yep - lovely gardens!

After a pit stop in the hotel to freshen up and put our drinking boots on we headed out onto Bourbon Street - the main partying area. To say New Orleans at night is very vibrant would be an understatement. It reminded me a little of holidaying in the Spanish islands where every restaurant or bar you walk past someone is trying to drag you in to join the party. We had some lovely food consisting of Ribs, Jambalaya and cocktails! Some of the drinks we were easily forced to drink were - 'Mint Julip', 'Rainforest', 'Leprechaun', 'Cyclone' and further crazy named and bizarrely coloured drinks.

Crashing out in the early hours we were pooped out! It is fair to say New Orleans is a great party town with some amazing scenes to be viewed. Onwards towards Texas tomorrow....