One of a few cities in the USA I have not visited, really looking forward to seeing the French quarter and experiencing some New Orleans jazz. Early start from Orlando back to Miami for a 4 O'Clock flight to New Orleans. Got to MIA at 11am so had to kick around the airport until the flight left at 4.50pm. Pizza Hut lunch and loads of Starbucks. Took off for the hour and a half flight to New Orleans but due to time change landed at 5.30pm. Lyft to the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans, finally checking in at 6.30pm. Unpacked and down to get the lay of the land, ended up at Palace Cafe, a Creole Fish Restaurant, for dinner. Recommended by the Concierge at the hotel. Food was exquisite, We shared a Fruite de Mer Starter board and then Lesley had Grilled Gulf Fish and Bob had "Andouille Crusted Fish, half carafe of Pinot Noir, ready for bed now. Good start to our three days in New Orleans

Tuesday 19th, Up about 8.30am then booked a Paddleboat ride for this afternoon. Walk around the French Quarter to find some breakfast. Ended up at "Mothers" famous for Baked Ham. Lesley had Ham Omlette, which came with Gritts and for Bob Ham and Eggs on a "biscuit". The grits soon got ditched and the "biscuit" was a scone, sweet but OK. After brekkie a walk around the French Quarter, seeing the Catholic Cathedral, Andrew Jackson Monument and Square, walk along Bourbon Street. On Bourbon Street they are fitting a new water main and the whole street is a building site, which is a shame if you are a visitor. Stopped for a drink on Cansl Street and then back to the hotel for 30 mins prior to the Paddle boat cruise. Set sail at 2pm on the Queen Creole Mississippi Paddleboat Down river to Chalmette Baatlefield where the Americans defeated the English in the battle for New Orleans in January 1815. The Americans were led by Andrew Jackson and were he had approximately 2/3 the troops that the English had. America had 20 casualties and the English 2000. Back on the boat for the trip back to town. We had lunch on the boat which was a Creole Buffett which included Gumbo, Jambalaya and Red Beans. Lovely grub!!

Dinner was at Red Fish Grill, Lesley had the Crabfish Lumpcake while Bob had 6 Gulf Oysters and Smoked RedFish with local Cavier. Superb food, shame about the service. After planned to go to Frenchmen St, where 40 resisting French were killed by the Spanish, to listen to some jazz. However as we walked along Chartres St we came across Mahogany Jazz Hall & Burlesque which had Tony Seville & the Cadillacs on. Stopped and had a great evening of Jazz and some Burlesque dancing.

Wednesday 20th Day Three. Up early and out for breakfast at WOW. Smoked Salmon bagel for Lesley, full English for Bob. Then a tram ride down to the French Market. Great atmosphere and some lovely things, Lesley somehow managed to find a Christmas shop. Tram back to Canal street then walked back to the hotel. Lesley wanted to try a Po Boy for lunch so went to Drago's the fish restaurant for lunch. She had a Shrimp and Bob an Oyster Po Boy. "Sandwich!!" Not more like a three course meal. We both felt stuffed and like we could not eat for a month. However after a quiet afternoon it was off to Cafe du Monde for the famous Beignets. Never seen so much icing sugar on a cake, served hot with an iced coffee, beautiful. Dinner at Red Fish Grill and then an early night as off to Dallas at 8am in the morning