MISSSSISSSSIPPPPEEEE 3

Been to Natchez & Vicksberg since last blog. Natch is a quiet little town whose major occupation is now tourism. There are a number of rich peoples homes to visit. When cotton was big anyone with a little money came here, set up cotton plantations & became millionaires overnight. Went to micro-distillery making rum. Nice samples. Saw some freed slave homes who did really well. Took one of boat's bikes for a ride along the bank.

Vicksburg is site of a major civil war battle. Went to the battlefield and learnt about it from a CSA army character. I was Major General Bowen of the CSA army, but died of dysentery before the war end. Chilly now and rainy. Food still good, got Maine Lobster tonight.

MISSSISSSIPPPEEE 2

A nudder daydun. Last night we went to the engine room bar after dinner. It's right at the back and has round windows behind the stage through which you can see the paddle wheel turning. The captain and another officer came down & had a guitar session with the resident group. Really good session of rock & pop music.
The ship was built 1995, but has original stuff from other paddlers. Steam engines from 1937, fire places from 1860's homes, chandelier from 1904 St Louis world fair, from Budweiser display. The whole boat is faithfully re-created in period style. Today we HOHOed in St Francisville. This was a town that was built to replace Bayou Sara which was was washed away by the river. Every time we leave we play the steam organ (calliope?) Apparently you can hear it from 5 mile away. I can believe it sitting under the pipes.

MISSISSIPPEE 1

On the river now, the paddle steamer is really nice, great public rooms, food top notch & cabin comfortable. Sitting on the top deck as we steam along, watching the goings on. This bit of the lower Miss is very commercial, they have lots of barges with stubby fronted tug boats that push the barges.

NARLINS

Well here we are,  New Orleans is a different town - you can buy alcoholic drinks on a drive thru, no restrictions on drinking on the streets. Mums discovered sazeracs, been glassy eyed ever since. Music is fantastic, free music stages all over the place, wide variety of music styles. The city centre has a great vibe, huge crowds. Weather marvellous, around 22C & low humidity. Hotel great, but service hopeless. We've gone from Spanish customs to NO couldn't care less. On the boat tomorrow.

ORLANDO TO NEW ORLEANS

Drove over 2 days to New Orleans. Drives of 3hrs, 4.5hrs & 3.5hrs - bit tired now but no more driving. Drove Ford Flex that handled the journey but a bit juicy. Visited Naval Air Station at Pensacola which I liked, very big and not enough time. Its the home of the Blue Angels display team. Chris & Paul are enjoying themselves, hotels have been good & the Hyatt here in New Orleans is very comfy. The lifts are a pain tho, you wave the card at the lift and it takes you only to your floor?

Test blog

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QUITO 2A

Nicer day today, rain wise. Spent some time with the Carmelite nuns, wandered museums, chilled in the square with the beggars, some of the best dressed we have ever come across. Packing now ready for airport at 9:00am. Impossible to check in on line, even using an agent - latin american customs again.