Natchez cruise in NOLA (Week 37: September 8-14)

Two more events that we wanted to share from our trip. We went on the Natchez steamboat and toured along the Mississippi River. It is one of two steamboats remaining that run by steam engine and not diesel fuel. It was a three story boat and plenty of space to walk and explore the boat.

An abandoned factory

 Military cargo ships. These are used when disasters strike around the world. They are loaded with thousands of tons of supplies and, due to the ships fast speed even when loaded, quickly delivered to the needy.

 An old plantation home can be seen not too far from the edge of the Mississippi river.

 A dilapidated pier.

 Jackson Barracks outside New Orleans. Built after the War of 1812 and later named after Andrew Jackson who lead the fight against the British during that war, this is the site of the last battle between British and American troops, even though the war had officially ended with the signing of a peace treaty a few months before. (Too bad word got around so slowly back then.)

 Way in the back, you can see the square tower of another plantation home.

 Sugar refinery still in operation.

Romney on the front of the Natchez.

Dainan just outside the engine room. It was really hot inside!

Labor Day- beach day (Week 36: Spetember 1-7)

For Labor Day holiday, we went to the beach with the Hwangs and Steve. It was a relaxing day and  since we were on the North Shore, for lunch we got garlic and macadamia nut-coconut shrimp, and Korean food from a food truck. What a fantastic way to spend the holiday.

Hana and sand crabs she caught with Caleb.

Riverwalk/French Quarter in NOLA (Week 35: August 25-31)

Right outside our hotel was the famous Riverwalk along the Mississippi river. This was one of the things I did while Dainan was in his conference. The outlet stores were under construction, but you could still walk along the river and a couple of the restaurants were open.

The French Quarter was just a few blocks from our hotel with shops, eateries, and entertainment. We also ate french donuts "Beignets" at Cafe du Monde.

                                                                         Bourbon Street

St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square

Food in NOLA (Week 34: August 18-24)

We found out that the abbreviation for New Orleans, Louisiana is NOLA. Most of the food we ate in NOLA was seafood YUM! It was sooo good.

Our hotel restaurant was famous for its charbroiled oysters. You can see the chef making them on the grill and hear them popping as they were cooking.

Seafood gumbo and a shrimp po-boy.

Dainan was brave and ordered turtle soup with his po-boy! It has a fishy taste and the consistency of beef...hmmm

We found an Argentinian restaurant called La Boca, of course Dainan was so excited to try it. We ate grass-fed steak, empanadas, and gnocchi. It was delicious, but Dainan said the food had different flavors than the food he ate when he was there.

 Dainan eating the famous muffuletta.

Bayou tour in New Orleans (Week 33: August 11-17)

We went on a swamp or "bayou" tour along the Mississippi River. It was exciting as we got to see  alligators come up to the boat. The tour guide would throw marshmallows on the water to entice the alligators to come out.

This alligator was in a cage next to the gift shop and ticket booth.

We got to see some old gravestones and a cemetery along the river. (The one that is in the movie Interview with a Vampire).

This is a baby alligator named Elvis that we got to hold. I was a little scared, but the tour guide said he was a "professional" around people so he didn't wiggle or move too much as he was passed around the boat.

Dainan with an alligator head!

Here comes an alligator...

                                                                                     This is a wasps nest under the oil rig.

 Our other option for the swap tour...we chose the house boat instead.