New Orleans Day One…May 7-8, 2014

It was a lovely afternoon to take off as we could clearly see the Fraser Delta as the Fraser slowly goes into the sea.





















And soon we were over the clouds…mind you both our flights turned out to be rough and we were kind of relieved to finally get to New Orleans and of course excited!

















We didn't get into New Orleans until midnight but we were not ready to go to bed so checked out the bar next door which was entertaining and the food was fine.












Here's a look down the block of Conti where our hotel was located between crazy Bourbon Street and elegant Rue Royale.   It was so exciting to be back in New Orleans.  I hadn't been for probably 18 years.  Both times I was there was to attend the International Reading Association and here I was once again.








We didn't get to sleep until about 2:00 so I hadn't really checked out our hotel too thoroughly so I tried looking out our window.

















We went down to have breakfast which was delicious and plentiful and included at the amazing Hotel Le Marais.  I loved the patio area.











As my traveling companion said it was an oasis with the nicest, most helpful staff imaginable!

















I loved this loquat tree!



















Our first day had to begin with a bit of exploring of the French quarter beginning with right around the corner, Rue Royale












You can see we were conveniently located near the State Court of Appeal with this statue of once Chief Justice of the United States  Supreme Court, Douglas White.  The New Orleans Police Station was next door!

















But both Donna and I love to explore quaint shops.  I loved this window















And had to go inside Roux Royale to explore






















We loved the displays and I liked calorie free macaroons (bath bombs-these ones are actually cases below.


















And we even found the Butter cookbook (by Vancouver tearoom and cafe owner Rosie Daykin).











We even found Redneks!
















Another beautiful shop



















And if you needed an oyster plate!



















And for a cat lover like me this window was appealing!













I loved these soaps and soap dishes
















I think taking pictures saves me lots of money!!! I just snap what I like or find interesting!!!



















The architecture is so neat-I couldn't help but think of my recent trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico...

















I like this neat display beckoning you into the courtyard!


















We eventually made it to Jackson Square


















Here is the cathedral!!!

















I love this picture!!!  What a great statue of Jackson!














And finally we reach a place I have been yearning for for years Cafe du Monde, famous for chicory flavoured cafe au laid and beignets (air filled doughnuts)
















This was our view!














Funny, it seemed busier and noisier than I remembered and it was hard to hear jazz floating in the air...


















But the beignets were still delicious!  Fortunately Donna and I shared (okay, I had two and she had one)















We discovered an Dutch Alley Artists' Coop nearby.  Voodoo dolls, anyone?














There were many interesting things here!













Interesting safes...
















We loved these hotplate holders designed to replicate New Orleans' water meter covers you see on all the streets!
















More interesting art...











 
I loved this statue of a woman with her basket of fruits and vegetables near the French Market

















On our way to the market we had a bit of entertainment.  One of the best things about New Orleans is that you always hear music as you walk along the streets!












Here we are...





















The first part of the market is food…














I liked this picture I took after we left the market and we were on our way along the Mississippi  to the convention centre to pick up registration materials for the International Reading Association convention.










One time I was here I went cruising on one of these!













Nearby is the New Orleans Musical Legends Park














We were able to register at the gigantic convention centre and then caught a shuttle bus back to Canal Street and had a short walk  back to our hotel









 
I used the Waterlogue app to create this picture just near our hotel on Rue Royale












We finally had our welcoming drink by the pool (can't say I ever did swim in it…)

















Dinner was just down Conti


At the Oceania Restaurant (I can tell you the next night you wouldn't have been eating outside).

















And then after a short wander on Bourbon we called it a night!
















Bourbon Street is a sharp contrast to Royale but popular with many if not with me!!!  A little too crazy...

Beginning May in Victoria

My friend, Diane, arrived Tuesday from visiting her  son and daughter-in-law and baby grand daughter in Calgary.  She wanted to  go to Victoria so off we went on Thursday just overnight as she was returning to Montreal Saturday.

We were very lucky weather wise as it was the most beautiful day imaginable for a ferry ride although due to traffic in the tunnel as it was rush hour and only one lane was going out of the city, we missed the 9:00 am ferry and had to wait for the 11:00





It was the most beautiful day imaginable to be on a ferry.  And this has to be one of the nicest ferry rides imaginable as you pass through active pass.










We stayed at my good friend, Margrit's.  She lives in a very convenient location and we     had a lovely scenic walk along the water to downtown.













We walked past Fisherman's Cove where we later took a small ferry back from downtown.














It was so bright and cheery.  I honestly don't think I had ever been there before!

 Here you can see the inner harbour with the parliament buildings

 We went downtown and had tea at Murchie's and wandered around wonderful Munro's books.  Diane had left her water bottle on the ferry but I found her a perfect replacement!

 We headed back on the ferry.

 We walked through flower filled streets back to Margrit's

 We even spotted red blossomed chestnut trees.

 Victoria's a bit ahead of Vancouver flower wise and here's an amazing clematis.

We had a great dinner later at Spinnaker's Pub and Restaurant in Esquimault.  If you haven't been there I totally recommend it.  It's a place I always go when in Victoria.  As you can see the view is lovely.









I looked out my window Friday morning and it was beautiful so since no one else was up yet I decided to go for a walk.  I spotted my first columbine in bloom this season-one of my favourite flowers.










I decided to walk down the pier down at Ogden Point near where cruise ships come in as it was just a couple of blocks away.    The first one actually came in May 1, Thursday, but had left before morning came.












Although I had visited Margrit many times I had never walked out on this pier.  Victoria can be very windy so this sunny still day was perfect for a pier walk.











I noticed the pilot boat tied up that probably has led cruise ships in and out

Here you can see the pier and a float plane overhead, not unusual in Victoria!

 Here's the light house up close!

Here is a little of what you can see!

 One more shot-look at those reflections!  I felt so lucky to be here Friday morning!














I returned and after some coffee we were off to nearby Beacon Hill Park

 It was so spectacular-Margrit was trying to find Heron nests for Diane but I was mainly into the incredible scenery!

Someone said looking at my pictures it looked like a setting for a fairy tale

 I mean how gorgeous is this?

 It just seemed to get prettier and prettier!

 I hadn't been here in ages and this beautiful party right in the middle of the city is a treat!

Next we drove along spectacular Dallas Road into Oak Bay!

Our destination was the newly refurbished Oak Bay Hotel for breakfast and more spectacular views!

Diane is a quilt appraiser so we next went to the Victoria Guild's quilt show.  Margrit and I loved this quilt but we later learned it was a kit quilt but we still liked it! And that takes a great deal of work and skill regardless!

And this was a beautiful art quilt-some talented quilters displaying their work!  After this our tour guide, Margrit left us, and we actually made the 3:00 ferry to our surprise so that made up for missing our ferry over!  It was a busy but great couple of days in Victoria!