Last day in New Orleans, walk over to
Frenchman street as this weekend there is a “Louis Armstrong” festival. You are never far away from one festival or
another, most including local musicians and the roots of Jazz and more than
their fair share include Sachmo. Well it
is Friday, unfortunately the music doesn’t start until tomorrow. Today is involved in setting up and
seminars. We wandered back towards Bourbon
street where we found a “Zydeco “ style band in a buy 1 get 1 free bar. $6 a beer but with the free one that made
them $3 each! I am sure I previously
mentioned on my arrival about “Big Ass beers for $3”? Ah well, last day a few beers, live music and
a million wonderful memories. It was a
great last day. In the evening we
wandered down to the Mississippi at the end of Canal street having dinner in
the Hard rock Cafe. Pleasant enough, if
you have ever been in a Hard Rock they are all pretty much the same and to a
standard that you can rely on although, the waitress didn’t really have much of
a clue. Guess I need to come back to
search out some Creole and Cajun food.
Flight back to New York and two more nights
at the Gershwin and then home. We did
some touristy things in New York, walking around the streets an obligatory trip
to Macy’s to furnish my wife with some essentials from the Clarins counter, another
trip to Sam Ash Music and an evening at the AMC Cinema on 42nd
street. 26 screens, 13 floors summer in
the city 90+ degrees...... What made
this visit unique the air conditioning had failed. The place was a sweat box. Cleverly they allowed you to buy you ticket,
go to the 13th floor and just before you entered the cinema said
that if you wanted a refund they would give it you there. Most people figured “I am here now may as
well stay”.
So that was the summer with my brother and
Paul. Stars and Stripes a plenty, adventures
and memories to keep us going for years.
I hope you have enjoyed my ramblings, what follows is how and where I
booked which I hope will encourage those that have never traveled as an
independent traveler to do so. It is
quite easy giving you the freedom to go when you want, where you want and how
you want to get around.
ElGordeaux.
Our flights were booked direct with
Continental airlines now merged with United.
Flights to USA from a variety of UK airports. We went this time from Birmingham. Flight prices vary throughout the year. If you have dates well ahead keep checking
online to see how it fluctuates and choose the price that suits you. You can also pick your seats on line. They only charge extra for premium seats with
extra legroom not just for picking your seat.
Our flights were direct to New York from
Birmingham. I have on many occasions
used my local airport which is Humberside to fly to New York and a variety of
other places via Amsterdam with KLM. This is a
great option as local airports of this size are very easy to go through going
out and coming back. The parking is
cheap, saves on fuel for the car and saves a long drive when you get back. Often the flight prices are more expensive
than flying from say Manchester or London but, the benefits in saving time to
get to the airport, traffic delays, train prices generally levels the
cost. Also if you work out travel time
door to door this could be a great option.
(ElGordeaux TOPTIP)
Soft drinks, headsets and in-flight entertainment
included
I parked my car off car park at APH on Hams
lane, Birmingham. The company supply transport to
and from Birmingham airport every 15 minutes 24 hours a day. Rates vary throughout the year. It is cheaper to book in advance and direct
from APH.
I gave links to the Greshwin and Hyatt
Wyndham in New Orleans earlier. These
can be booked direct with the hotel but worth looking on sites like expedia or
Hotels.com to compare rates.
A word of warning. If you do not pay up front online check if
taxes are included, we all have to pay them.
You will find otherwise that in the U.S. you will find that the rate
quoted that book on could be subject to Purchase tax, local city tax and
sometimes some obscure additional tax like they have in New York which funds
anti terrorism! Apparently.
Make sure you plan your trip carefully. Read reviews on sites like trip adviser. Get the address of where you are going and
take a look on Google maps. Go to street
view and move the little yellow man around the streets. It gives you a great view of the
neighbourhood, you can see what it is really like and as you wander through the
streets you will see bars, restaurants and places of interest. Many of these have
web links from here so you can have a good look at them too. (ElGordeaux TOPTIP)
Keep
records of what you have booked or are planning so you don’t clash with
anything else.
That’s it folks. Go book you trip and make sure you enjoy
it. Tell em’ ElGordeux sent you.
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Genuine TV advert on TV
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