Sunday, June 17, 2012

Finally.

It's about time I got some of our vacation photos published. After multiple stops and starts I think I can get this done today.
In mid April, Al and I flew to New Orleans for a 3 day pre-cruise weekend. It just so happened that the weekend we chose was the weekend of the gigantic French Quarter Jazz Festival. And what a great weekend it was. Gorgeous weather, 21 stages around the Quarter with 24/7 jazz music, an outdoor art festival in Jackson square and tons of happy friendly people. We did all the touristy stuff including plantation visits, trolley car rides into the Garden District (fabulous homes), a walk thru a famous "above ground" cemetary, and plenty of yummy yummy food. After 3 days in the Big Easy, we boarded our cruise ship for a 16 day repositioning cruise to Barcelona Spain. We stopped in the Bahamas and the Azores and then 2 ports in Spain. It was a fantastic trip across the Atlantic with "pool weather" every day but 1. It was glorious! When we reached Barcelona we went to the same hotel that we've stayed at before and spent 3 days enjoying 1 of our favorite cities. On May 3rd we headed home relaxed, a little tan and full of wonderful experiences and memories. Pictures of Europe coming soon.


New Orleans

French Quarter balconies covered with plants and Mardi Gras beads

Jackson Square Art Festival

A dock on the Mississippi that was damaged during Katrina

Laura Plantation

Beautiful Oak Alley Plantation
A gorgeous venue for one of the 21 stages set up for the Quarter Festival

Nassau Bahamas


The Atlantius Resort on Paradise Island


The Atlantis Marina

The Queen's Staircase carved out of solid rock during the reign of Queen Victoria

A prison cell at Fort Fincastle


 Shipboard Fun

The Mall that ran almost the entire length of the ship
 
An after dinner Bailey's


The Champagne Bar. I'm having a champagne margarita and let me just say, YUMMMM!


9 out of the 10 days at sea Al and I lounged around the pool

On our balcony

The staircase that led to the art gallery ice skating rink and disco

At our Murder Mystery Dinner, Al won third prize, a bottle of yummy champagne

Al goes casual after one of our fromal dinners

Al on the rock wall