We
were up and checked out before catching a cab. We thought we had plenty of time
but the queues everywhere were moving so slowly and we were a little worried
that we would miss our flight. The fear was heightened when we realised we had
to take the sky train to another terminal and heightened even more when my bag
was pulled aside to be searched. Oops, I forgot to take out my sunscreen.
Fortunately all worked out ok and we boarded and were asleep before we even
left the ground.

Once
in New Orleans we grabbed a cab to the hotel and on the way got a quick early
morning view of downtown and Bourbon Street. Fortunately we were able to check
in early and went straight to our room. Here we grabbed some WiFi and got a
replacement flight to return to Miami (this time for the correct date). This
took a lot longer and multiple phone calls but eventually it was sorted so we
went to grab some breakfast in the hotel. From here we enjoyed a refreshing beer
next to the roof top pool before taking a walk around town.

We
walked towards the Mississippi but were stopped by the longest train in the
world. We stood waiting for about 10 minutes before deciding to take the stairs
to cross the railway line. The stairs sent us in the wrong direction but we
found an air-conditioned restaurant to cool off in and grab a drink.

After
the drink we managed to head in the correct direction and saw the last
operating steam boat on the Mississippi. From here we kept walking around
making multiple beer rehydration stops. On our walks we stopped in at a voodoo
museum before taking a walk down Bourbon Street when a storm hit. The closest
(and most convenient) place of refuge was a strip club so we went in for a
drink. We weren't interested by what was on show so finished our drink and
headed to the restaurant across the road. Here we had a few more drinks before
returning to the hotel.

Once
ready for a night out we headed downstairs to the carousel bar (the bar
rotates) for a drink before grabbing a cab to Dos Jefes Cigar Bar. Here we
enjoyed plenty of single malts with some Cuban cigars and amazing live jazz
music to see in my birthday. The jazz artists name was Meryl Zimmerman and she
was supported by a base and guitar player and was the perfect setting with the
locals around us. After her set finished the bar put on pop hits played to jazz
while we played pool. When we closed the place we headed back to Bourbon Street
and the first place open was another strip club so went in for a last drink
before heading back to the hotel.

We
were both rather hungry by this stage so ordered some room service which hit
the spot before we called it a night.