The Magic of New Orleans.

We left for New Orleans about 9.00 am and it took us over an hour to get there. Travelled over huge long bridges spanning lakes lying neat the Gulf of Mexico . Clear blue skies and sunshine, great to have a day off after 11 days of cycling. First stop enroute was a bike shop to have Jon's wheel checked out. Poor Jon he has had over a dozen flats - that's what you get for bringing a light road bike. We checked into a Best Western Hotel deep in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans then headed out. First stop was Bourbon Street just a few blocks away. Long, narrow streets with houses packed tightly together. Balconies overflowing with flowers and plants. Bourbon street has many tourist shops and every kind of pub or club you can imagine. Headed down to Cafe du Monde where I sampled a 'beignet', a soft pastry coated in icing sugar. Absolutely delicious. Wandered back to the hotel just soaking up the atmosphere of being in New Orleans. People very friendly and chatty, if you catch their eye they say 'hello, how you doing'. In the evening Dee and I went to a nearby restaurant for dinner, I ordered a local dish - fried catfish with fried green tomatoes. Over a glass or two of wine we had a good gossip about the tour and put the world to rights. Back at the hotel Dan and I thought we would return to Bourbon Street and sample the night life. What a laugh we had, every pub/club had a band playing, street entertainers a plenty. We met Dave, Sean and Merv then bumped into Jon and Lars. Lastly we met Todd who just happened to be out for a wander too. Great atmosphere, good fun. I had beads put round my neck which poor Dan had to buy, then some guy threw beads from a balcony. Really enjoyable, fun day with more to come tomorrow..... still loving it....

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