Travelogue-New Orleans (Day 4-Last day)

The night before, forecasts of rain around 20-30% were beginning to put a damper on what I could do with my last available day.

The day looked promising as I stepped out on to Canal.  The sun was already out and it had warmed things up nicely.  This weather decided my apparel for the day: shorts and a t-shirt.

They day called for a nice cruise on the river on  the Natchez.  Two daytime sailings offer the option of a buffet lunch for an extra $10.  I chose the lunch inclusion since I had a $5 off coupon.  I opted for the earlier of the two sailings at 11am.  Boarding began at 11am and left the dock thirty minutes later.

Lunch was served as soon as the first patrons boarded and was available until 1pm.  Lunch is served on the second of three decks, the deck that you board the ship on.  I peruse the boat before departure.  I head up to the third level to take a look see.

Chairs are placed all over the ship so you can lounge and not miss any of the views.  On this top deck, there is a bar and an a la carte barbecue shop.  In the aft section of this level harbors a gift shop

The first bend takes us around Algiers Point as we follow the northern shore.  The city skyline withdraws into the distance as we steam down river to the gulf

The scenery though nice and scenic, start to get muddled as gray skies begin to form in the distance and quickly make their way to our location.  Though still warm for most of the trip, the thermometer slowly creep downard with the impending gloom

On the bottom level, we are close to water level.  the forward and rearward most areas of the ship are accessible at this level.  The engine room is located on this level and is open to the public while at dock or at sea

The ship reached as far down river it was going to go and began to turn around and head in the opposite direction on the opposite bank.  This was a good time to come into the middle level and have lunch.

On offer, clockwise from top, fried catfish, frittata, shrimp creole, and okra medly.  I dont usually like catfish but this one was good though a bit salty.  The shrimp dish is good and I had two helpings.  Breakfast sausage links were also on hand.  French Market coffee and iced tea were the vbeverages of choice.

These banks seemed to be much busier than the one we rode along.  There is a military base nearby.  An area is provided to international ships to hook up for free while they wait for channel pilots, and a mooring area for those who are expecting pilots

Snacks are available at the many bars on board.  Barbecue is an option for those who do not want to buy the buffet lunch.

the two hour cruise is nearly over as we pass a courthouse at Algiers Point.

The captain narrates at specific points along the route.  He like to point out that the Delta Queen, the other paddlewheeler, is run on diesel rather than the steam the Natchez uses.

Speaking of the paddewheel, here it is.  The large red wheel churns and propel us forward.  As you can see it creates alot of whitewater and splash.  This makes the rear of the ship, very wet even on a sunny day.  However, it was not spray I was feeling as we headed back to the dock.

20-30% became 100% as the ship docked.  Many people ran to the gift shop to buy plastic ponchos.  Others like myself were optimistic and thought the rain would subside quickly.  Nonetheless, many huddled under the tent seeking shelter.  Every couple of minutes or so, a group of people would make a break for it hoping to hit a pocket of dry weather. 

The rain continued as winds began to whip up.  Palms atop a nearby condo were getting serious whiplash as their fronds were tossed about in the gusty breezes.  My shirt was getting wet and zipping on the legs to my shorts only helped to cut the wind but not the wet.  My patience won out and the weather afforded me the opportunity to race back to my room to change clothes and dry out.

Oseana in the French Quarter was chosen due to the items published on their menu online.  The reality of it became a menu with much less items than published on their website.  Turtle soup was lacking on thier instore menu.  At another table, I over heard the waiter tell them that their restaurant was on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares about three years ago.  I had seen this show before, though not this particular episode, and began to wonder if being on air was a good idea or bad idea for my supper options

Blackened gator tail with remoulade.  I liked the seasonings on the gator flesh but found it hard to distinguish any flavor of its own.  People say it tastes like chicken but I could not support that either.

Crawfish ettoufee was the entree that was selected.  A scoop of rice and two pieces of bread to eat with the sauce.  this had a much creamier texture and taste than the one I had at Mothers.  So, I would have to choose this as being superior.  It was a really nice meal that helped to put a nice end to the trip