The Station and Information Centre were cool, outside it was already well into the 90's but feeling like 105 due to the humidity, and we were quickly sorted re paper tickets which left time to pick out some souvenirs that we would buy later. The bus arrived and about 20 minutes later we were off; the route would take us down into Canal Street, NOLA's main street, to the river then out to the Garden District past the Mardi Gras World, back into town then around the outside of the French Quarter, as the buses don't fit down the streets, finishing where we started.
St Louis Cemetery No 1, all above ground tombs in NOLA due to water levels.
Tallest building in NOLA until 1965, the one with the dome.
On the front of this building are gas lanterns that have been burning since the very early 1800's, non stop.
Orphanage.
Garden District, plus three above.
Very old coal power station, hasn't worked since the first Roosevelt was president.
When the bus came back around to Canal Street Judy and I got off to explore it which was pretty much like any other main street but with some shops older and others closed to allow staff to have a break. After looking at a set of earrings in one jeweller, $8500.00 with a 20% discount and a certificate to claim back the tax, it was off up the road smiling. Next stop was to the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium which had been placed into the bottom floor of a building because it had spare space that it couldn't fill. We didn't actually go in but could see it through the window.
At this stage it was time to find air-conditioning so into Starbucks we went for a small bite to eat and a drink after which we found the bus stop and mounted our steed to get back into the bottom end of the French Quarter where we again hopped off and made a bee line for the Beignets café for three delicious beignets and a drink. We then walked down Frenchman Street to North Rampart to await the bus once more to take us back to the start. We decided to catch the last hop on/hop off bus for one last look around and a bit of a rest from walking. We did the loop again getting off at North Rampart Street and going back to Grand Pre's for a well deserved drink or three with our newly found friends. We went to Grand Pre's yesterday for a drink and didn't quite realise until today that it is gay bar! Everyone one was really friendly although we did wonder why they looked at us oddly when we first arrived, now it makes sense.
The heat has been quite oppressive and we have been told things won't improve in Houston which is our next stop tomorrow. We have seen on the television that Washington DC has been flooded due to a tropical storm which is apprantley heading our way and may catch us in Houston!
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