daliflor Posted March 21, 2013 Author #226 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Driving back to New Orleans... reading a poem titled apropriately "I am LOUISIANA." "I'm Spanish moss on a live oak tree Cajun fried shrimp and a cypress knee." "I'm New Orleans, the land of dreams Creole cookin' and a Mardi Gras king." "I'm the Louisiana Hayride and the birth of the blues, The Evangeline, Chickory Coffee and Baton Rouge." "I'm when the Saints Go Marchin' In the Superdome, The Atchafalaya and an old plantation home." "A sugar cane patch, Pete Fountain, French Quarter and Satchmo." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 21, 2013 Author #227 Share Posted March 21, 2013 "Well, I'm the Mississippi River as it rounds the bend. I am Louisiana. Ya'll Come Back Again." VIDEO(some of those bridges and swamps seen from a Jet Blue plane): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 21, 2013 Author #228 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Back in NEW ORLEANS! "If your American dream is painted on a canvas Neatly folded in the corner of Andy Warhol’s mind New Orleans is a hurricane beating down your coast" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 21, 2013 Author #229 Share Posted March 21, 2013 As our driver was heading to the French Quarter, we were all mesmerized by the incredible colors of the New Orleans SKY that Tuesday afternoon... Even our knowledgeble tour guide and excellent driver stopped talking for a change, taking in the beauty of the nature... "If you close your eyes And feel the easy ride Of the St. Charles Street Car Where a solo tuba Blows the scent of magnolia Down narrow streets and everyone plays possum with the heat" "where former slaves pay homage to the first Americans by masking in suits of rhine stones and bright colored feathers that transform security guards into Indian Chiefs doing rain dances on Congo Square where the drums drum and the wine drink and the big chief sing" "if you can envision the souls of yesterday living in the music that rises from the cracks in the sidewalks New Orleans is your dream With a heart as soft As the spanish moss Dripping from centuries old oak tress" "Spin your umbrella And wave your bandanna It’s Mardi Gras time And everybody’s happy" It was a perfect end for a memorable day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 21, 2013 Author #230 Share Posted March 21, 2013 "I remember where my city [of New Orleans] was It was tucked in a river bend Its proud spires and columns wide Stretched out from friend to friend." "We had a way of life there That few could understand How black and white could fight so To occupy this land." "This lazy Southern city’s Charted course was not to speed All stopped at Mardi Gras time To catch a cup or bead." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 21, 2013 Author #231 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Driving along the famous Bourbon Street in NOLA on a Tuesday afternoon... October 2012! "The sounds of jazz were born there The music that is our nation’s Went out on record players And broadcast out on stations." "The food was known as gourmet All clamored for a taste And overeating platefuls Could end up on your waist." "The sweet smell of praulines cooking With coffee and chicory A statue in a park Honoring “Old Hickory” "And when the winds came blowin’ And the rain came pourin’ down People stayed and “rode it out” Because they loved this town." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 21, 2013 Author #232 Share Posted March 21, 2013 "Dispersed we are, we sit and wait We live beyond our means The plaintive song we sing, of course, Is “To Miss New Orleans.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 21, 2013 Author #233 Share Posted March 21, 2013 So here we are... at The End of our Combo Tour (Swamp Tour & Plantation Tour)... Cajun Pride Swamp Tours' wonderful driver and excellent tour guide dropped us off at the hotel that Tuesday, late afternoon... And then the van was gone... like one of those famous local ghosts (Game Over!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 21, 2013 Author #234 Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) Back to the Country Inn & Suites Hotel in New Orleans @ the French Quarter... (great rate via HotWire.com and spacious, comfy rooms!) The hotel is convenient located in the heart of Downtown New Orleans, on Magazine Street - very close to Canal Street & Decatur Street. Our fabulous Concierge, DIANA CHACON - we followed her advice and had a delicious dinner later that night - our last one in NOLA, post-cruise!... Our Country Inn&Suites hotel also included a continental breakfast too (beside free Internet) and the rooms were spacious, comfortable, and clean, some of them featuring exposed wooden beams and brick walls, making them charmingly unique. Additionally, we must say that the staff couldn't be more helpful and friendly, so thumbs up! This historic hotel is comprised of seven 19th-century buildings, giving it a charming, boutique feel that "artfully blends old world charm with modern comforts." (changing for "the last supper" @ NOLA) Edited March 21, 2013 by daliflor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 24, 2013 Author #235 Share Posted March 24, 2013 On Tuesday night, we followed the advice of our lovely Concierge Diana and went to dinner close to the hotel, in the French Quarter. Both places recommended by the Concierge lady were crowded that night. However, we ended up at the Palace Cafe on Canal Street simply because the other place had a wait list of at least 45 minutes, so we decided to be pragmatic. A young fella from Scotland (living in Canada now) joined our small group for dinner. And boy, did we had a blast or what that night?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 24, 2013 Author #236 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Located on historic Canal Street, Palace Café is housed in the Werlein building (former home of Werlein's, the nation's oldest family owned retail music chain), which has served as a New Orleans landmark since the turn of the century. Palace Cafe serves classic New Orleans dishes (Creole cuisine) and our waiter, Lloyd, mentioned that "We are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions" (i.e. they have a gluten free menu). Palace Cafe supports local farmers and fishermen. Their fresh products are what make this Creole cuisine so flavorful, we were told that Tuesday night at dinner. Among the Starters @ Palace Cafe: Crabmeat Cheesecake A Palace Café signature dish! Baked in a pecan crust with a wild mushroom sauté and Creole Meuniére 9- Shrimp Rémoulade Spicy boiled shrimp dressed wtih New Orleans rémoulade served in a crisp tomato cup on micro greens with herb vinaigrette and chopped egg 8- Oysters Pan Roast Oysters poached in rosemary cream with herb breadcrumbs, served in a roasting skillet 9- Barbecued Shrimp in a New Orleans style barbecue sauce, spiked with Abita beer and served with a Leidenheimer crouton 9.5- Fried Oyster "Loaf" Corn fried oysters served on grilled ciabatta bread with melted St. Andre cheese and sherry-tasso cream sauce 9- Crab Claws Bordelaise Sautéed blue crab claws with New Orleans style bordelaise sauce with garlic, lemon, parsley and Creole seasoning 9- Crawfish Maltagliati (seasonal) Louisiana crawfish tails, housemade herb pasta and Covey Rise tomato ragoût, finished with black pepper mozzarella 11- "Flavor of New Orleans" cuisine is served at this upbeat and lively grand café owned and operated by Dickie Brennan, of the famed New Orleans restaurant family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 24, 2013 Author #237 Share Posted March 24, 2013 The previous post had a mixture of Starters and Main dishes. Our group tried pretty much everything that night: from steak to fish and seafood and even a... Turtle soup (enriched with fresh lemon and lots of sherry)! Personally, I found my Catfish Pecan delicious! Pecan-crusted with Creole meunière sauce, spiced pecans, popcorn rice served with the vegetable du jour -- Mmmm, very good! Other specialties @ Palace Cafe: Pepper Crusted Duck Breast with Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras Set on parsnip mashed potatoes with a citrus-confit salad and sauce au poivre 29- Shrimp Tchefuncte In a Creole meuniére sauce with green onions, roasted mushrooms and popcorn rice 19- Andouille Crusted Fish Pan-roasted and served with Crystal beurre-blanc, chive aïoli, rissole potatoes and vegetable du jour 22- Crispy Braised Pork Shank With a warm salad of crispy sweet potatoes, bleu cheese, frisée & housemade bacon finished with a Ponchatoula strawberry barbeque sauce 23- Rib-Eye and Shrimp 12 oz. cast iron-seared rib-eye accompanied by Lyonnaise potatoes and jumbo Gulf shrimp, finished with toasted pine nut brown butter sauce 35- Grilled Gulf Fish Panzanella With house-made olive bread croutons, local cucumbers, tomatoes, grilled eggplant, capers and spinach tossed in an Italian parsley pistou 24- Rotisserie Chicken aux Champignons Served with truffled mashed potatoes and lemon-arugula salad, finished with a Creole marchands de vin 19- Creole Seasoned Filet Grilled 8 oz. filet with roasted shiitake demi-glace, grilled onions and Stilton bleu cheese crumbles accompanied by green onion mashed potatoes 35- Finally, the reason that I had to share my starter that night - to leave room for... DESSERT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 25, 2013 Author #238 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Tuesday night, we decided to ease our friend's emotional pain (cause by the night before robbery) and had the waiters bringing her a piece of cake to make a wish for a Belated Happy Birthday: (we still don't know her B-day wish that night but after tremendous stress and beaurocratic pain, she was able to make it back to UK... fortunately) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 25, 2013 Author #239 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Dessert time!!! Had the Bananas Foster - a Palace Cafe favorite! Fresh bananas sautéed tableside in brown sugar and cinnamon, then flambéed with banana liqueur and rum, served over vanilla bean ice cream 7- VIDEO (the making of the Bananas Foster @ Palace Cafe in NOLA): VIDEO (the making of the Bananas Foster @ Palace Cafe in NOLA): Voila! The final product is now ready: With the dessert, at Jennifer's recommendation, I decided to try one of the specialty coffees: Palace Cafe Coffee - Nocello, Chambord, Community Coffee and whipped cream, topped with dark chocolate bits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 25, 2013 Author #240 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Once we arrived at NOLA'S Palace Cafe, we were immediately taken back to an era of hospitality and Southern food. Great atmosphere, delicious food, good service, beautiful building and interior decor, and stellar location on Canal Steet will have me coming back one day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 28, 2013 Author #241 Share Posted March 28, 2013 The Country Inn &Suites hotel is convenient located in the heart of Downtown New Orleans, on Magazine Street. This historic hotel is comprised of seven 19th-century buildings, giving it a charming, boutique feel that "artfully blends old world charm with modern comforts." Our 2012 CruiseMiles Party cruise ended on the same joyful note as it started: chatting with friends over drinks... This time not aboard Carnival's Conquest cruise ship to the Western Caribbean but rather by the fireplace at French Quarter's cozy hotel Country Inn and Suites (by Carlson). "The Mississippi is always the same When I watch it from the rocks Of the bank, A little more pollution Each time I visit... French Quarter, New Orleans, Ages past, while ghosts Of my ancestors still walk The cracking streets. New faces constantly And graffiti that begs "Stop the killing!" In a city where the murders Top the nation in their numbers. The sadness of the river, If she could carry the pain away; The relentless flowing Shifting and moving Barges, ships And gambling boats From place to place; New Orleans, I love you!" Cheers, Good night & Good luck !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted March 28, 2013 Author #242 Share Posted March 28, 2013 “A cruise itinerary which begins and ends in New Orleans offers passengers two vacation experiences in one trip," said Gary LaGrange, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port of New Orleans . "Most passengers will spend a couple of days in New Orleans either before or after their cruises." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trubadur Posted June 20, 2013 #243 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QFSYDLAX Posted June 29, 2013 #244 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Thanks for the wonderful photos of NOLA. It brings back the fantastic memories of our first trip there in March this year. Despite the relatively high hotel costs, we will make our next cruise a departure from New Orleans...it is a simply amazing city. It so different to anything else we have seen in the USA. And, oh the food! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hill6 Posted June 29, 2013 #245 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Wonderful pictures. Great job. We go to NO in less than four months. Will look at the swamp tour you did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted July 21, 2013 Author #246 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Thanks for the wonderful photos of NOLA. It brings back the fantastic memories of our first trip there in March this year. Despite the relatively high hotel costs, we will make our next cruise a departure from New Orleans...it is a simply amazing city. It so different to anything else we have seen in the USA. And, oh the food! Indeed! The cuisine, the music, the Mississippi River, the ambiance... charming city, NOLA! Wonderful pictures. Great job. We go to NO in less than four months. Will look at the swamp tour you did. You'll have a great time! Thanks for the positive feedback too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spring Flowers Posted September 6, 2013 #247 Share Posted September 6, 2013 Really enjoyed your posts!!! Can't wait to visit NO in April!!! Cresent City looks great...will put it on my "for sure" list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daliflor Posted September 20, 2013 Author #248 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Really enjoyed your posts!!! Can't wait to visit NO in April!!! Cresent City looks great...will put it on my "for sure" list. Thank you kindly for the positive feedback! I am confident tat you'll create wonderful memories in this fantastic city! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trubadur Posted January 21, 2014 #249 Share Posted January 21, 2014 The Carnival cruise was fun.... quality of Celebrity services NOT matched on a Carnival cruise, so Carnival will not be on top three choices for next cruises.. DW liked NOLA very much and we plan on going back for a <land tri>p during MG this year!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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