New Orleans

After exploring the Barataria Preserve section of the Jean Lafitte National Park and spying yet another alligator, we headed straight into downtown New Orleans.

Driving through the garden precinct, we were instantly delighted by the beautiful two and three-storey homes decorated with the most delicate wrought iron balconies and adorned with basket after basket of hanging ferns and other tropical plants.

Staying near one of the canals, we caught a shuttle bus into the centre of New Orleans for two days of exploration.

Could we have chowed any harder? No!

Between Cafe Du Monde, Central Grocery, Mothers on Poydras, the Coffee House and Camellia Grill we have now tried several serves each of local treats including Beignets, Muffuletta, gumbo and etouffee amongst other delights.

We travelled on all of the streetcar lines, soaking up the atmosphere of the different precincts.

The boys delighted in spotting the 'jewels' (mardi gras necklaces) hanging randomly from trees and electricity wires throughout the city.

We marvelled at how this big city has rejuvenated itself post-Katrina.

The Superdome is now a shining bronze beacon, but will it ever live down what happened there?

Elsewhere in the city and the surrounding bayous you can't help but feel a sense of foreboding that all of the hard work completed (and still being undertaken) to rebuild might all be in vain in this hurricane-prone region.

The boys bopped and bounced along to dozens of street buskers and we visited the National Parks jazz museum in the downtown precinct to learn a little about jazz instruments.

We strolled through the flea market and farmers market and up and down the streets of downtown, including the famous/infamous Bourbon Street.

We all loved New Orleans!