Some of What We've Been Doing - Part 2

From Memphis we had a night in Lafayette on our way to New Orleans. Not much around the hotel but we signed up for a Cajun Sensation evening of food and dancing. It was a bit of fun and the grilled catfish with shrimp etouffe, baked cheesy spud and jambalaya was amazing! Loz burned up the dance floor with the instructor much to the disappointment of our arch nemesis who wanted to be the best dancer.

Next day we were onto New Orleans via the Atchafalaya Basin where we got to go on a swamp cruise with an old cajun dude at the wheel. The swamps are really beautiful, with partly submerged trees and floating liiies. We saw some gators and lured them to the boat with chicken so we could take pics.

Into New Orleans city where our hotel is right in the French Quarter and only one street from Bourbon St (bars and red light district) - so we get the location but not the noise, nice!

Checked in and got changed for a night on a paddle steamer! Buffet dinner and a cruise down the Mississippi River with a lovely sunset and a band. Also tried the local cocktail the Hurricane, which is VERY alcoholic and yummy! Attacked by bugs towards the end but otherwise a lovely evening.

Next day we did a city tour including the rebuilding after Katrina and then headed out of the city for a swamp tour on an airboat (the ones with the big fan at the back)! Heaps of fun and we saw turtles and gators and fed the gators marshmallows. Loz held a baby gator.

Back into town and we lined up for 50 mins to dine at Acme Oyster house, a NO institution. Totally worth the wait! Chargrilled oysters to start and then some authentic gumbo and a po'boy (fried shrimp and crawfish tails in a French bun with lettuce, tomato and pickle). Crawfish is like a prawn by the way.

Today we did our first day at the NO Jazz and Heritage Festival and it was HOT! Well into the 30s, not just burning sun but muggy too with not much breeze. Great music and such a well organised festival but we were sweaty messes by the end of it. Went to a very well air conditioned restaurant for dinner- tomorrow more jazzfest including the Foo Fighters and then we're off to Orlando for theme parks!