Day 15 &16 Homeward Bound 9 & 10 Jan

Our last day on board was at sea steaming ahead from Mexico back to Galveston. With nowhere to rush to we had a lazy start then headed to the pool. It was a blustery day, actually that is an understatement. At one stage I had to hold on to my long earrings because they were beating me to death. Finding a little corner out of the wind we sat and lounged for a couple of hours and then went for a last look at the wave rider, climbing wall and mini putt. 

Lunch was had at Johnny Rockets, mmmm cheese chilli fries and then back to our room to pack everything up. It has been great having a week without living out of suitcases. 

We went for dinner at Portafino again and once again enjoyed our meal. Then we headed off to watch the late night comedian Joby Saad, and sad he was. After about 30 minutes we realized he was a dud but were too scared to walk out because he was one of those guys that picks on the audience. He was in the middle of some boring skit where he had to pop behind the curtain for a second. We were up and off, and funny enough so were about 40 other people. That was the funniest part of the show!  Then in the elevator we were laughing about it and a guy said "have you just been to watch the comedian?"  "Yes" we answered. "Oh my god,"he said. "We went this afternoon and he was aww......" It sounded like he was going to say awesome but out came "awful". So he really was pretty stink. 

10 Jan

We both didn't sleep well and were up at 6:30 to get breakfast and disembark. The whole process was a lengthy couple of hours but efficient as they kept us moving and informed. 

We have arrived in Houston and are waiting for our flight. We have a wait of 7 hours. There is nothing here only Starbucks and a magazine shop.

Well thanks for joining us on our journey. Donations to our VISA card will be received with gratitude. 

It won't be long until we can put stuff in the rubbish and not the trash, go to the toilet and not the restroom, catch the lift and not the elevator, put our stuff in the boot and not the trunk, jump in our car and not our vehicle and and not have to put our hand in our pocket to tip every Tom, Dick and Harry. 

See yawl later. 

Day 14 Cozumel Mexico 8 Jan

Up at sparrows fart, 5am. We needed to be at the meeting place at 6:10am. There was also an hour time change because the particular state in Mexico that we were going to does not do daylight saving like everyone else does (sounds like Queensland). So we were huddled against the doors of the breakfast restaurant at 5:50am waiting for them to open. 

Our departure from the ship was easy as we were tied up at the wharf (there is probably some technical name for it).  

The weather was mild but remember it was still very early. We had arrived at the Mexican Island of Cozumel but our tour was on the mainland of Mexico so off the ship we traipsed and into a large ferry. 

 

Our guide met us on the mainland at Playa del Carmen (Carmen's Beach) and he was a little Mexican guy called Jesus (pronounced hey soos) he was a bit of a character and extremely knowledgable. He was taking us to the Mayan temple of Tulum. We have just found out today that Justin Beiber was there the day before us. 

The bus stopped on the way at a souvenir place and a toilet stop.  Nothing to report on the toilet folks. The journey took about 45 minutes and we saw many  resorts along the way. When we arrived at Tulum (translates to stinky land) the guide filled us in on what we were going to do. He also stated that as at the 1st Jan you are not allowed to take video cameras in unless you pay $5. But cameras are okay and we should keep our phone in our pocket. Silly really as any camera these days has video. We saw men holding different reptiles for photo shots, snakes and large lizards. And there were loads of stalls selling pretty much all the same stuff. 

By now the sun was baking down as we walked down a road to the ruins. What Jesus (come on, I know your brain is saying Jesus not heysoos as you read this) was saying was fascinating but he was extremely long winded and many people were getting board. I made Lance stay and listen as he was getting tetchy and then we had abut half an hour to wander by our selves. I had worn my togs under my clothes because I had heard that there was a beautiful beach at Tulum. There was, but it was crowded and I was too hot and tired to walk down to it. Also they said that we couldn't take our back packs in so I had no towel. (Plenty of other tourists had backpacks though?). It was melting hot so we had a look around and went back to the market and bought a local beer and a coconut to quench our thirst. 

We were about to pay an astronomical price and a young American guy walking along nipped up to us and said you should only be paying a couple of pesos. The guy dropped his price when I said that they were too much $$$. But we probably still paid enough for his family to eat meat for a year. 

When we got back in the bus they gave us a lunch pack that had been sent by the ship. Just a filled roll, a banana and chippies and a squashed muffin. Between the two of us we managed to flood my seat with grape cordial. 

In town we were hearded onto the ferry and taken to downtown Cozumel. We then had to find our own taxi to take us back to the pier.  Cozumel is a seaside tourist town. The beaches are stunning and there are plenty of cantinas to eat and drink at. And I believe shopping, although the we didn't have a look. 

The water was crystal clear. Even when we boarded the ship we could see the bottom of the sea. 

Back on board we dropped our bags and headed for the pool for a dip and some lounging with Heiniken and pina coladas. 

We have been to all of the restaurants for dinner so far except the buffet where we have breakfast. So we thought we would try the Windjammer for dinner. Not terrible but not particularly appetizing and I didn't eat much. We have been spending a bit of time at the vintages bar where we can sit and watch people walking and shopping on the promenade. The barman knows our order and said to Lance that he was starting to run low on Kim Crawford Sav Blanc. Well I have done my best for our NZ economy. 

The show was a guy who sang our sort of music. Sonny Charles. He had a great sound and was 70 years old, but on two songs he forgot the words so we left and went for a drink at the Olive and Twist. We had been there a couple of times and each time they have mucked up my drink and they did the same again. I ordered from the wine list (NZ of course) and they couldn't  find it so just gave me something else without saying anything. But they did make an awesome chocolate martini. We tried to link arms and take a selfie but I ended up slopping half all over myself. 

Later we went to a new bar for us The Sphinx. When Lance said to the guy that he wanted a Sav Blanc the guy said hmmm and had a look, "we only have this stuff, it comes from New Zealand". "That will be fine", said Lance. "So does my wife". 

The band was a reggae band and we really enjoyed them. Most of the other bands have been country and we don't enjoy country much at all. 

I have been amazed at how uncrowded the ship is. I expected to be in crowded bars jostling my way through. But there is none of that anywhere on board. 

When we were in Belize we joined a humungous line to get back on the ship. I nipped to the loo (sounds like skip to my loo) and on my way back checked with the officer at the entrance. Wrong queue thank goodness and for our ship we just walked up to the tender to take us back. This lack of crowds makes everything very relaxing. 

Last day tomorrow. 

Day 13 Belize 7 Jan

Just so you know, I have been writing this blog on my phone so that is one excuse for all of the errors. Also, my eyes start to blur after a while so that is my other excuse for errors. I go back and edit them later on. 

Speaking of eyes, all has gone well health wise. I have brought double the drugs that I take in case one lot got lost in transit. Also my GP gave me super duper antibiotics and antibiotic ointment and diarrhoea stopper and vomity stopper. And letters to verify that I should have all of these things. We have been vigilant with hand washing and sanitizer due to my compromised immune system. Phew fingers crossed, all is A Okay. 

Today we arrived in Belize, we are in Central America apparently, or that is what the tshirt says that I bought today. We all waited in the theatre until our group was called to be tendered into Belize. And that is where I found the best wifi. I managed to publish and share 3 days worth of blogs!  The Internet has been shit and we paid US$180 for two devices. 

After about an hour we got on the boat that was tendering us to shore and landed in Belize. A hive of activity with a Pier promenade with loads of tourist shops with all the same stuff in them. Our group assembled in an arcade and I nipped off to the loo (never know when the next one will be available). Pristine toilets!  When I came out the rest of the 3000 passengers had decided to use the  bathroom and the line snaked out into the arcade. Yesss! Gotta love getting here first. We were loaded onto a bus and our guide Carol talked about the city as we drove through the main areas. This took us right back to our time in PNG except it was cleaner and more organized. But the whole 3rd world life was right in your face. 

Our tour today was of the marshland. We arrived at Chukka swamp tours and were arranged into air boats. These are the things that, if you are old enough to remember Gentle Ben on TV, that they drove. Our guide was Jay and he was a tall lanky character straight out of Fresh Prince of Belaire but with a Jamaican type of accent. He did some fancy gangsta hand shake with Lance and then Lance showed him the Tabubal hand shake with a click at the end (PNG). And he was stoked and zipped off to try it on his mate. 

We hopped aboard our airboat and proceeded into the marsh. We only saw birds and a few fish. Apparently there were crocodiles and manatee but we didn't see any. Whilst that was disappointing, we really liked how they didn't do anything to attract them to the surface and disturb the eco system. And Jay was very entertaining. It was a good tour and very easy going. When we finished I went to the scrupulously clean toilet.  Now I have noticed that the toilet doors in America are quite short and have gaps where people can see you. They have been similar here, but this toilet door I could see right over

 the top!

After tasting rum cream and cashew wine we were delivered back to the port for some shopping and lunch. I had read on trip advisor about a place called the Wet Lizard. Actually I think it was the only place to eat and get a drink. It was perched out over the water and seemed very lively. Sharing a table with a couple from Georgia was the only way we could get a seat. They were really nice and were off another ship.  He had, had a back operation that had gone wrong just before Christmas and was in a brace and used a walker. Poor bugger. 

Back on board Lance had a snooze and I tried and got frustrated with the Internet. 

Dinner was back at Botticelli and Lance had lobster again. We had a drink on the promenade watching people go by. And off to bed for an early start tomorrow when we reach Mexico. 

Day 11 onboard 5 Jan

Every day they change a little square of carpet in the elevator to let you know what day it is. Thank goodness for that because all of the days are just running together!

We have made a few small purchases along the promenade, well I say we but I really mean I. And have met a few people. 

Angela from Colarado asked if we would mind if she joined us as we sat having a drink on the promenade yesterday, a gutsy thing to do. She would have been in her 70s and her husband Ray who is 78 was having a nap. She got her self a beer and it was a huge can of Fosters, they called it an oil can. And she drank the lot. We had a great chat and many laughs. 

Then last night as we were having a drink at some other bar (they are all starting to blur in my head) a couple sat down next us and we started chatting. They were Shirley and Gene from San Francisco. And we had lots more laughs. Blow me if we didn't wind up sitting opposite each other in the show, Saturday Night Fever.  This was a pretty good show with some great singing and dancing. I had forgotten though what a corny story it is. 

We spent most of the day in loungers by the adult pool, well I did and Lance came and went. It was very relaxing and whilst it is warm it is not that burning sun that we get in NZ. They hauled out the paella pans again but this time cooked chilli, a mince chilli dish and it was great. 

Our supper was had at Johnny Rockets. We had been to Johnny Rockets years before in Cairns and loved it. We weren't disappointed. Lance had a great burger and me a chicken salad. I managed the day with no wine. But please don't be disappointed in me as I had a pina colada, 2 gin fizz and a mojito. 

Many of the passengers on board are Texan and have that Texan drawl. Some even wear big cowboy hats. People are all sorts, there are ladies with sequins and rhinestones, big hair and loads of make up, ladies who look like they just came down from the mountains and left their rocker on the porch and men who have taken a break from singing with ZZTop. 

I have thought about not mentioning this as it may seem mean but I really believe that some of the people on board can't fit in the small showers. Honestly some are enormous!  

We are loving this ship and wonder if we have been spoilt for using any other cruise line in the future. 

First shore stop tomorrow. Honduras. 

Day 12 Roatan Honduras 6 Jan

Our first port today! 

After breakfast we sat and watched Roatan appear. This is part of Honduras. It looked very green and established. 

Our bags were packed and we were off the ship onto a small pier with tourist shops. The toilets were immaculate by the way. 

I wanted to try on a top in one shop and asked about a fitting room. The girl showed me to a cupboard that once I got in was actually a toilet with shelving for clothes for the shop. She turned the light on and said "slow". Well it certainly was slow, in fact so slow that I couldn't see myself in the mirror once I had the top on!" I didn't buy that top but bought another that I tried on over my clothes in the shop. 

We had about 45 minutes to kill until our trip to Maya Key Private Island so found a coffee, and it was good!  

The trip to our island was only about 10 minutes by boat. 

We found ourselves on a small island, not unlike any island that you may find in the Pacific.  Beautiful white sand and a glistening blue ocean. Well not the ocean because we are in the Caribean Sea. 

There were several beaches laid out with loungers, so after I had rented my snorkeling gear we grabbed a couple of loungers under a palm tree and had a quick dip in the tepid water. Then I toddled off to snorkel. I have snorkelled in many places, NZ, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Fiji and Papua New Guinea so I was eager to see how this part of the world compared. Off the jetty you had to follow a rope through a channel of coral and then it dropped away into nothingness, just a deep azure blue. The water was clear and the coral had patches of colour but nowhere as colorful as I have seen in PNG. The fish were plentiful, varied and colorful and there were not many other people snorkeling. I followed a small school of some pretty blue fish for a while and then lay atop the ocean spying on the little checkerboard fish. 

Lance and I lay on the loungers for a while, and this sun was definitely "put your sun block on" sun. 

The resort provided lunch and we joined the line watching the full plates of the people ahead of us coming back down the path. We had some baked chicken, banana chips, salad with a yummy dressing, rice with beans and the most delicious battered fish with fresh lime. 

After lunch we explored the island. They had a small replica of a Mayan Temple. 

I am always dodgy about zoos in these sorts of places. But they had one that was was great. Any animals here have been rescued and are being cared for until they can be released if possible. 

The Macaw parrots were lovely but I was a bit scared of the big beaks when standing by some in the wild. 

They had monkeys and toucans and even some agouti running wild, but we were taken with the cats

There was a Jaguar sitting right at the front of his cage. If I was silly enough I could have touched him as there were no barriers, just warnings. We moggied in on a tour and heard the guide say that the Jaguar had been a pet and was very domesticated. But if you tease him he will lift his tail and spray you. Fair enough!  The guide was rubbing the jaguar, who was like your cat at home coming up to the cage for a smooch. 

We also saw a mountain lion and some crocodiles. 

After a bit more of a wander we reboarded our ship and rested for a bit. Me in the pool and Lance in the spa. Then we reunited with a beer and a pina colada. 

Our evening meal was taken at the Portofino Restaurant. This had a $25 cover charge. The food was Italian and excellent. We started with carpaccio, me tuna and Lance beef. For mains  I had saltimbocca and asked for veges instead of rice and Lance had a large skewer with salmon, prawn, scallop and lobster. 

Desert was tirimasu for Lance and I had a yummy cottage cheese thing with sultanas. All washed down with a bottle of Cloudy Bay. The waiter was excellent as well and we got talking to some nice people from Dallas. 

I forgot to mention a couple the other night that were from somewhere in Texas. We were talking about the new law that allows them to walk around with their guns showing on their hip. These people said that they would never do that. They keep there guns tucked away, one in the car, one on the boat and they had about 30 at home!!!  When we said we were from NZ he said "oh the red stag". It took us a minute to register what he meant, as this comment is a first for us. New Zealand must be known for hunting the red stag. 

Lance has been wanting to pay a visit to the Kareoke bar (of course). When we walked in there was some great singing happening but then some ordinaries but everyone was supportive. Lance sang his usual and he got some cheers. Then it was home for bed. By the way, everyone says "yawl" all the time. "Are yawl havin' a good time?"  

Day 10 Sailing in the Gulf of Mexico 4Jan 2015

Day 10 Sailing in the Gulf of Mexico

We slept like babies and woke around 8am, this is quite late for us. Breakfast was at Windjammers, and as I said previously, was a pretty adequate buffet breakfast. 

We went for a wander around the ship on the walking track. 

Our morning was spent on loungers at one of the pool complexes of which there are 3. One with kids squirty stuff, pools and hot tubs, one for older kids and adults with a big screen, large deep pool and hot tubs and one just for adults with nicer loungers a pool and hot tubs. Each of these areas have bars. 

Anyway, we found a spot in the adult and kids pool with the movie Minions playing. Now I know that most of the world have seen this movie but neither of us had. And we didn't really rate it I'm afraid. The sun took a while to come around and we sat there from about 10am until 2 without any sun burn at all. If we had been sitting in NZ for this period of time with sun and some cloud we would have been fried. 

Just down in front of us the chefs came out and created 2 huge paella's.They smelt and tasted delicious. What a great way to feed a crowd. 

We just sat and people watched and that in its self was entertaining. 

The rest of our afternoon was spent at our cabin. Lance had a snooze and I sat on the balcony where the sun was blazing. 

Some stats from the ship captain:

There are over 3000 passengers from 32 nations and 1446 crew.  

Toilet report: nothing to report as they are sparkling with attendants often in there cleaning. 

The evening was the formal dress evening. I had brought a nice dress with me but not very flash. It was recommended that men wear a tux. Lance just had some black pants with a shirt and jacket. Well the dress code that we saw ranged from long ball gowns with sparkly bits and long trains right through to board shorts, tshorts and jandals. So I am glad we didn't take up our luggage space with fancy clothes. 

On our way to dinner we went for walk down the promenade and stopped at Vintages for a drink then made our way to Chops for dinner. At this restaurant you have to pay a cover charge of US$35.  The meal was okay but no better that Botticelli where there is no cover charge. 

Our waiter at Chops was Dante, he was telling  us how they work 7 months and then have a couple of months off, he was from the Phillipines. The staff are from all over the place. Not many American but plenty of Mexican, Jamaican and other Caribbean islands. 

After dinner we grabbed a drink and waited for the comedian to start at 10:30. Once again he was very good. Although I kept falling asleep. 

Day 9 Galveston/Cruise 3 Jan

Our taxi driver in Galveston that had taken us downtown, Willis, said that he would take us to the pier for our cruise and would pick us up between 12 and 12:30 am. We were packed and checked out at 11am and waited and waited. He didn't turn up so we grabbed another cab, which was lucky because there are several thousand passangers all making their way to the pier. 

The porter grabbed our bags as soon as we pulled up and we jumped in the queue. It took about an hour and a half before we were on board and the queue was moving most of the time. 

Our room is fabulous. When we booked a balcony room I expected a balcony of a meter depth. But it would be more like 2 meters deep and 4 meters wide with two chairs and a table. Our room is spacious for a ship and of course has all of the space saving storage spaces. We have a couch, coffee table and desk area. We are very happy. 

As the ship pulled away we were escorted by a wee pod of dolphins. Magic. 

The ship appears to have mainly Americans and Mexican people. They may be loud but have impeccable manners. 

We dumped our hand luggage, of which there was plenty, and explored the ship. There are 13 levels and I don't know how many bars and restaurants. We chose to dine at Boticelli and were pleasantly surprised. After reading loads off reviews written by people who had been on this cruise I was prepared to be eating pretty ordinary fare but so far everything has been great. Even our buffet breakfast at Windjammers was okay, although I wouldn't go there for dinner unless I had to. Anyway back to Botecelli, Lance had lobster and I had Atlantic salmon. Both were great, we did have to pay for the lobster but it wasn't astronomical. And of course they had Kim Crawford Sav Blanc. NZ wine again. The staff are all extremely attentive and there seems to be heaps of staff everywhere you look. 

After dinner it was time to check out the bars. I thought everything would be crowded but most bars were empty, maybe we were too early. Our first bar was the Olive and Twist set right up above the ship like a UFO hovering. I asked for a wine list and he said he would have to ask his supervisor? This was a pretty upmarket looking bar so I was surprised, so I said "never mind, what Sav Blanc do you have?" He was still confused "red or white ma'am?"  Anyway he got a bottle out of the chiller, I don't know what it was but it was French and nice enough.

 Our next stop was at the Vintages a lovely little wine bar along the promenade. The promenade is a street in the centre of the boat that is just like walking In a mall with shops cafes and bars. He didn't sell beer but went out the back and found a Heineken for Lance and of course I had a choice of NZ wine. 

There was a comedian starting at 9:45, so we went along and thoroughly enjoyed him. Then it was back to our cabin to sleep soundly with barely a sway of the sea. 

Day 8 Galveston 2 Jan

We had an early start, 5:30am, as we were flying back to Houston and transfering to Galveston with a driver. Once more we had a seamless flight, no complications at all and when we arrived in Houston our driver was waiting with a sign with our name on it, well sort of, they managed a 'k' in there somewhere. 

I was quite relieved as I had, had trouble booking a shuttle. I had been in contact via email with Island Breeze Shuttles weeks ago and they had all of our information and had quoted and everything and then I heard nothing from them, no replies to my emails and they didn't answer the phone, so on the day before the transfer I gave up on them and tried Z Limosines and received excellent service. 

The drive was pretty boring and freeway all the way, until we got to Galveston. What a pretty place, Galveston is an Island and has huge three story homes on the lagoon side, most of them have jetties and looked like summer houses. Our hotel, Casa Del Mar Beachfront Apartments, is across the road from the ocean beach. So we look out to the Gulf of Mexico, however it is a pretty bleary day. But not quite as cold as we had in New Orleans. 

The apartment is great with a kitchenette and small living area, you could easily stay here for a week. We have washed some clothes in the laundry, which is always a bonus. And they have a heated and a cold pool. Wandering down the road for a walk I found a supermarket and got some breakfast stuff and some snacks and water for the cruise. I don't know if you are allowed to take your own water but I will give it a go. 

We got a taxi down town, a long street with some nice tourist shops and some cheap tourist shops. Picking up a couple more snacks for the cruise, I got a six pack of merlot and don't know if it will be any good as it was from a 711/dairy. The town reminds me of the town from the Movie Jaws, houses are really quaint and so are the buildings where the shops are and it is a real seaside town.  Wandering down to the cruise port we found restaurants and had a bite, a Texas burger for Lance and baked shrimp and lump crab for me. And of course Heinikin and a NZ Nobilo Sav Blanc for me. 

A large cruise ship was in port and people were boarding so we went and had a look to get our bearings for tomorrow, then we found a cab to take us home. 

Our cab driver told us that the place down the road was a good place to eat. We were a bit hesitant because we have been so cold that a 15 minute walk at night seemed like torture. But after my walk today it was no where near as freezing, just bloody cold. So we ventured out and had a great meal at Landry's. And dare I say it, they had a lovely NZ oyster bay Sav Blanc. 

New words

Moe as in toe so moeka instead of mocha

Warder instead of water, they just dont know what we are saying when we enunciate the t.

And I forgot to say that when we were in New Orleans at the Marriott (say 'marry at') on New Years Eve I saw a guy doing a line of cocaine at the bar. 

Day 7 New Orleans last day 1st Jan

Up and off on the Hop on Hop off bus. We had to sit on the open top level and if I have thought this once over the last few days I have thought it 20 times "I wish I had brought my puffer jacket"!  A high of 9 degrees today and windy. At one stage we popped into a shop and got Lance a hoodie and he found a 2 for one deal on beanie hats.  If I never wear my beanie again it was worth the $10 just for today.  It is FREEZING!  I had two pair of pants on, a singlet, tshirt, light sweat shirt, hoody jacket and a light parker and was still freezing. Honestly I really did have two pair of pants on!

T

We really just toured the city today lapping up information.  For example, did you know where the word Dixie came from? Well, here you go, the French and the Americans did not get on back in the day.  The French had a ten dollar note and they called a dix meaning ten. The Americans just took the mickey out of it and called it a dixie. And here we are in Dixieland. 

We stopped on Magazine Street where there are some lovely shops, but being New Year's Day they were not open.  Never mind, we stopped for brunch at Red Dog. Great place to eat clean, nice staff and excellent food. Lance said the the eggs benedict was the best that he had ever tasted and I had sweet potato pancakes and grits. I was curious about the grits and asked the waitress to explain them. The noises she made and the look on her face was enough, they were like a very creamy porridge and I had to put butter, salt and pepper on as well. No wonder we have seen so many very large people here!  

Back on the bus and we got a good look at more beautiful old homes, in fact Beyoncé owns one!  And on that note Usher gave a free concert in town the other night!  

We came home and packed, as we are off to Galveston tomorrow. Dinner was at a nice restaurant  called Bourban House Seafood, and we had a fantastic meal.  Oysters in the shell with crawfish tails, spice and Parmesan under the grill (broiler), blackened fish, and shrimp, which are more like tiger prawns in a tasty saucey gravy. I finished with pecan pie but they call it pecarn here.  They had no NZ wine 😢 but I had a lovely Pinot noir that made the grade. 

Words: 

Bathroom not toilet

Trash not rubbish

Elevator not lift

Cab not taxi

Check not the bill (at the restaurant)

You go past the red light not through it

You make change not give change

Lance keeps saying cheers instead of thank you and they have no idea what he is on about, he may as well say Kia Ora. 

. 

Day 6 Plantation Tours and NY Eve 31st Dec

The alarm went off at 6am this morning and we were both rather dusty after a big night last night. Lance nipped down to Starbucks and got us a make shift breaky and the Old River tour bus pick us up just before 8am. 

It was a small tour of about 16 people and the driver, Richard gave us a running commentary as we went. He was an elderly gent and did think he sounded a lot like Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie.  The ride was pretty ordinary except that much of the freeway was built over swamp. There were bits with huge flyovers of many levels all standing in this swampland. 

Our first stop was Oak Alley, a large and quite opulent plantation. Our tour guide led us through and told us stories that gave us great insight into the family. The Mississippi is right across the road and they struggled with the seasonal floods, now there are flood banks all along the road. 

Next stop was the Laura Plantation, a smaller home and less opulent. The tour guide was excellent and we got a really great feel for who the family were and how life may have been for them, and their slaves. We visited an original slave quarters, which actually wasn't that bad, although it would have been crowded. But it was not dissimilar to what our New Zealand pioneers lived in, however they were free to do as they pleased. The slaves of course were not. The owners of both plantations were creole. 

The tour bus took us back to New Orleans over the Pontchartrain Lake on the causeway, a sort of bridge like structure 24 miles across the lake. 

Arriving back in the city we jumped off the bus by the French Markets and stopped into Franks for a bite to eat. Immediately as we stepped in I thought 'these are New Yorkers' from the accent, and they were. Lance had a gumbo and me some calamari followed by the most delicious tiramisu (and I don't even like tiramisu). 

Seeing people starting to gather down in the street I recalled something about a parade happening for the big College game. We watched the beginning of the parade from the upstairs balcany and then joined the crowd on the side of the road. Each College had a huge brass band, flag bearers, mascots and an enormous float. On that float people were tossing bead necklaces into the crowd (it's a New Orleans thing). We managed to catch heaps and I'm bringing them home for my Christmas tree to remember this day in the years to come.  There was such a carnival atmosphere. Most colleges had several rows each of trumpets, trombones, tubers, clarinets, flutes, a variety of drums and symbols and some had saxophones of all types. We wandered through the French Market and grabbed a cyclo to take us home. 

NEW YEARS EVE 

Setting out for Bourbon St we encountered the young revellers who had come to town, football fans here for the big game on tomorrow and countless tourists, locals and hobos. A safe and reasonably sane place was the Hard Rock Cafe and bingo, NZ wine! Isn't it just great that these other countries are recognising how wonderful our wine is. 

We wanted to find a bar with great music that we could hunker down for the rest of the evening. Out on the street the revellers were all calling out to the hoards of people up on the tiny balconies to throw down some beads. We only noticed one girl who followed the tradition to receive her beads by bearing her breasts. I felt very nervous about the balconies, remember that these houses are a couple of hundred years old. I was quite relieved when Lance said "this is no fun" and suggested that we leave. We ended up in the Marriott hotel having a quite drink with the older football fans and no music. I know!! No music!! Only bloody football on large screens! As midnight approached we took to the street and once the fireworks had started we meandered back home. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR