USA Music Tour 2015 Day 20
New Orleans Louisiana 9 September
Leaving the Maison Dupuy via our Airboat Adventures bus, we headed North past the airport to Hahnville, about 25 minutes from the French Quarter.
The reception given to us at the tour depot would be best described as ‘rustic and ironic’. Having completed the formalities, we boarded our airboat (we booked the smallest one available, a six seater). Our companions were a couple from Minnesota and our skipper was Eric. Plenty of spiders at the launching place and a little alligator.
photo Jim Jacob
The airboat was loud, headphones were provided and welcomed. The scenery was spectacular and the river soon turned into swamp land and smaller bayous. Eric was a great host, full of information about the surroundings, Louisiana and New Orleans generally. We spotted barn owls and a bald eagle along the way.
photo Jim Jacob
photo Jim Jacob
He gives a hoot – photo Jim Jacob
Coming to a vast open area, Eric netted an alligator, about 4 or 5 years old and insisted that we take turns in holding him/her (to tell which gender, you need to stick a finger at the end of its underbelly, something we all graciously declined to do).
yours truly and Eric – photo Jim Jacob
Jenny – photo Jim Jacob
Jim – photo by me
photo Jim Jacob
photo Jim Jacob
Time was up and, on the way back, we were back to our depot quickly, with the boat reaching a top speed of around 45 mile an hour.
The bus driver dropped us at Royal St back in the Quarter. We were well and truly ready for lunch and coffee, at Antoine’s Annex.
As we were about to leave, it started raining, then it REALLY rained and the flooding started, the lane way next to the cafe was under two inches of water, only the middle of Royal St was spared as the water started seeping under the cafe front door.
Royal Street – photo Jim Jacob
After thirty minutes, the rain had stopped and the significant water had drained to an extent that we could walk. On to Decatur St, to Peaches Records for some critical music acquisitions. Further to the Riverwalk Outlet for some shopping. On the way back, we caught a street car on Canal St, and walked back along Burgundy St to our hotel the Maison Dupuy for an hour refresh.
Canal St – photo Jim Jacob
Dinner at The Gumbo Shop was perfect, Cajun food with good serves and great tang, and almost next door to our next destination, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Preservation Hall on St Peter. My third time there, but on this occasion, we had booked seats along the side with uninterrupted and up-close views.
photo Jim Jacob
outside Preservation Hall – photo Jim Jacob
Inside Preservation Hall – photo Jim Jacob
Traditional. Authentic. Magical.
Tomorrow, Highway 61!
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