Shopping in the Mall, Visit to the French Quarter, Riverboat cruise on the Mississippee

Arrived in New Orleans!!!!!!!Went to the shopping mall last night for our evening meal which we could have sat alongside the Mississippi River it is awesome!!!!!

We managed a quick sprint around the shops and picked up a few gifts.........

This morning we set off to visit the French Quarter which is Downtown New Orleans. We saw quite a lot of  repair work still going on to the infrastructures 9 years after Hurricane Katrina hit!!!!

The levy's actually held during this time but the canals broke under the strain which resulted in the mass flooding.

Some people are still not back in their homes at this present time. A lot of good has come out of the disaster as it raised awareness into decaying structures which are now being put right in an attempt to prevent anything like that happening again.

From here we caught our Riverboat and cruised down the Mississippi, we had lunch on board and just took in the sights. A Jazz band was playing and everyone had a great time.

Tomorrow our trip is the Swamp and Plantation tour!!!!!!! another early start.........

An artists impression of the actual events of Hurricane katrina

Shopping!!!!! Oh yes when the going gets tough
the tough go shopping!!!!!!!!

The view from the shopping mall!!!!

Pamela chasing some bargains!!!!!!

The French Quarter!!!!!

Waiting to board our steamboat!!!!!

We got the table!!!!!!!

Yes and now you got your food!!!!!!

Jazz band on board!!!!!

The original steamboat!!!!!!!

Quiet contemplation!!!!!!!!

The happy sailors!!!!!

  

Leaving Vicksburg heading for New Orleans via Mississippi, Louisiana.

Early start again today as we left Vicksburg. Our hotel was brilliant in fact all of the hotels we have stayed in on our journey have been excellent.
Today we have a long haul ..... and before we get into New Orleans we are going to make a few stops along the way.
Our first stop was in Mississippi and we saw the "old man river"  and had a good look around the visitors centre.
We went through Louisiana for another quick stop and travelled the rest of the way into New Orleans.
Here in New Orleans our hotel rooms are wonderful and huge.........
Tomorrow up early again for more visits.

Leaving Vicksburg this morning!!!!

Sue will find a brew anywhere!!!!!
Here she is on the porch in her rocking chair!!!!!!

Cotton picking country!!!!!!

On our way into New Orleans !!!! everything built on swamp land!!!!

Our hotel room!!! HUGE
This hotel used to be a warehouse its beautiful!!!!!!!!!

Indianola - Mississippi

Left Memphis early this morning and headed down to the Mississippi. Our first stop was to call at the BB King Museum.
On the way we passed all the cotton fields and there are quite a few. A brilliant trip all round and this region is steeped in history.
We are all tired as our journey  has been  fast and furious with early trips each day but what an enjoyable tiredness!!!!!
After our visit here we headed for Vicksburg where we will stay for one night before heading down further south into New Orleans!!!!!

Sue samples the cotton!!!!

Pamela are you shopping again!!!!!

A quick insight into how the cotton would be processed
in the Cotton Gin!!!!

After the movie which everyone enjoyed!!!! 

On the coach for our next stop in Vicksburg where we will stay
for one night before going to New Orleans!!!!!!!
ACE day 

Last day in Memphis!!!!!

For our last day and night in Memphis we took a trip to Tupelo the birth place of Elvis. It is a nice town but back in the 1930 it was a very poor part of town to live in and find work. All the homes in this part were referred to as shotgun homes.
Elvis bought the house  back at some stage and now the town raise money for the upkeep of the place and surrounding areas. We have had a great time in Memphis and will be sorry to leave but..........................
tomorrow we set off to Vicksburg and stay one night then on to New Orleans for 3 nights. Hope you are liking the pictures of our wonderful journey throughout the Deep South.