Tuesday 8 January - New Orleans

Our last full day in New Orleans and we planned to just wander some more and browse the shops in the Vieux Carre or French Quarter. Weather forecast was for a good chance of rain and storms but we headed off and managed to wander until mid-afternoon without getting wet.

Started our wandering with a visit to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Shrine of St Jude) that we had bypassed near the St Louis 1 Cemetery yesterday and then headed back down into Royal and Chartres Streets to browse the jewellery and antique stores. Alison picked up a lovely onyx and diamond pendant supposedly reduced to half price. Jessica "ummed" and "ahhed" about some pendants but even after returning to stores ended up not purchasing. Passed a house where William Faulkner was living when he wrote his first novel in 1925.

We visited the Cathedral of St Louis and listened to part of an organ recital as we took in the beautiful painted ceilings of the nave and sanctuary. Then it was on to the Museum of Louisiana in the old Presbytery building next to the Cathedral. There were basically two displays in the museum - the story of Hurricane Katrina and its impact including the Steinway Grand Piano of Fats Domino displayed as it had been found after the storm and a display on the history of Mardi Gras and the parades and costumes.

Post Katrina polytarp costumes for Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras parade costume

Mardi Gras masks

Light lunch of beignets and coffee at Cafe du Monde while we were entertained by a trombonist on the footpath - Christopher would have been impressed. After this it was time for more browsing and Philip headed into an art shop where we eventually purchased a framed print by a young local artist, Terrance Osborne. Couldn't resist the colours of the art and also it will be a beautiful reminder of a visit to a magical city.

Alison headed home alone while Philip and Alison kept browsing but the rain started to appear more insistent so they headed home as well. On the way we passed an old house from which had been the home of an early mayor and is now called Napoleon House as it is reported that Napoleon was offered the chance to come to New Orleans as a place of refuge by the mayor.

Refuelled the car for its hand back tomorrow at the local gas station and purchased southern style fried chicken to eat back in our room. Jessica had noted some good reviews of the chicken on Trip Advisor from others who had stayed at our B & B. Whilst we were waiting for the chicken, Philip was approached by a young african american man who recommended the chicken and then asked where we were from. On mentioning Australia, he then said how he had played his trumpet on a stage over the water in Sydney with a famous New Orleans drummer. He and Philip then exchanged a "fist pound" to end the conversation.

Tonight we have watched an excellent documentary DVD from PBS on the history of New Orleans. It was great to watch it at the end of our visit as it meant that we were much better able to understand the various stories of this city. Now listening to intermittent heavy rain showers after having seen flash flood warnings for areas to the west of the city. There is also heavy fog and we pray that things will be clear for us to load our luggage into the car in the morning and head to the airport.