Yesterday we spent the day riding around New Orleans, and crossed the Pontchartrain Causeway which is 24 miles long. New Orleans sits between (and in parts below) this massive lake (which is more like a sea) and the River Mississippi and you can understand why Katrina did so much damage. The latest Hurricane Isaac didn't touch the city but flooded the outskirts.

 

Some of the damage wrought by Isaac (above & below)

 

This is the remnants of Katrina and we saw many buildings like this.

 

Looking along the infamous Bourbon St in the French Quarter renowned for Bars & Exotic Clubs.

As you walk along the street there is a cacophony of sounds from all the bars each trying to draw people in.

 

We took an evening Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise which was good fun.

 

Only downside was John having to queue for half an hour for a beer:-)

 

The food was excellent value and surprisingly good as they had to cater for so many people.

The interior was quite elaborate.

 

 

The New Orleans skyline from the back of the boat.

 

Today we visited Oak Alley Plantation which is about 40 miles west of the city.  Interesting tour of the house which gave an insight into what plantation life was like in the early 1800s.

The 28 oak trees were planted approx 300 years ago and formed an avenue between the house and the Mississippi river.  There is now a 30ft levee which blocks the view of the river from the house.