New Orleans

We had an easy and uneventful travel day to New Orleans, full flights but all were on time. We did have a screamer behind us for one of our 2.25 hour leg! Wow that kid had lungs, didn't cry just screamed, parents seemed oblivious! Funny to watch what other passengers do to try to dissuade others from sitting next to them! Observed a lady put the tray tables down next to her, didn't work it was a full flight :)

Since we were flying SWA we took a risk and checked all  of our luggage and held positive thoughts, we have bad luck with lost luggage but it all arrived!!!!! We are off to a great start :) 

Taxi has set fare of 36.00 for two people to town, thought a bit pricy but knew ahead of time that was the going rate. Checked into Hampton Inn Convention Center, nice hotel walking distance to cruise port. Seems most everyone here is for the Marathon. The convention center is across the street and obviously it is the hub for the marathon. 

We headed out to check out how to get to the cruise terminal tomorrow, then headed to the French Quarter which is about 1.5 miles from the hotel.

A P&O ship from London is in port today.

We stopped and got a handmade praline to share :)

Loved this sign:

We had an early dinner to beat the crowds at The Gumbo Shop. I had Gumbo (voted best in New Orleans so they say) Dave had the Creole Combo ( jambalaya, shrimp creole, red beans and rice) finished with pecan pie :) yummy. We ate here on our other trips and just had to return for old times sake! 

We wandered towards French Street to hear music and happened up one this fabulous duo:

We stopped into this place for a drink and listened to some fun music:

On our way back to the hotel we stopped at a few art galleries, and a few outdoor craft/art markets. 

We are tired after getting up at 2:45 AM (at least one of us did) so are calling it a night rather early.