New Orleans January 2011

New Orleans is a city that is rich in history music, culture and cuisine. There is no other place quite like it, and you are reminded of it everywhere you go. I had the good fortune to visit it back in 2011 for about a week and have a lot of good memories.

Favourite moments

• Savouring the bitter chicory coffee and sweet pastries at Café Du Monde
• Sipping a Sazurak while listening to authentic ragtime piano on the river steamer Natchez 
• Watching the bartender mix drinks at the Napoleon House
• Visiting the awesome World War II Museum in the Warehouse District
• Enjoying dueling pianos and a Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s
• Checking out STYX at the house of blues
• Taking in an authentic New Orleans jazz performance at Maison Bourbon

Trip Notes

Situated on the curving north bank of the Mississippi River Delta, New Orleans occupies the limited high ground on a bend in the river. New Orleans has several distinct regions. The centre of most holidays is the French Quarter, which is the oldest part of the city and has the bulk of its famous restaurants. To the immediate west, the warehouse district is actually the central business and administrative region in New Orleans, which is rich in museums. Further west is the opulent Garden District, which features the city’s universities and its most picturesque houses. Of course, New Orleans is much larger than just these three districts, and there is plenty of things to do in the neighbouring areas. Sadly, New Orleans had not quite recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina when I visited, although by now I’m sure it is much changed.