February 2017

VANCOUVER CITY PANORAMA -

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

COLLAGE -

VANCOUVER WAS EVERYTHING I HAD IMAGINED AND MORE!
THERE WERE SO MANY HIGHLIGHTS. WE LOVED VANCOUVER!!

BOWEN ISLAND, CAPILANO BRIDGE, GROUSE MOUNTAIN, STANLEY PARK,
VANCOUVER AT NIGHT, GASTOWN AND THE CLOCK, GASWORKS BREWERY,
GRANVILLE ISLAND, GRANVILLE ISLAND BREWERY, A DAY OUT WITH GLENN
FROM VIRTUALTOURIST.... AND THE BEST OF ALL FOR THE BOYS -
SALMON FISHING ON THE FRASER RIVER WITH SILVERSIDES FISHING.

STAYING ON GRANVILLE ISLAND WAS A GREAT CHOICE. I LOVED CATCHING THE
LITTLE AQUABUS INTO YALETOWN - SUPURB VIEW OF THE 'CITY OF GLASS'.
YALETOWN HAD SOME HUGE YACHTS MOORED.

THE GRANVILLE ISLAND HOTEL WAS CLOSE TO THE MARKETS AND THE ISLAND
HAS A REAL COSMOPOLITAN ATMOSPHERE.
THE HOTEL ITSELF WAS VERY COMFORTABLE AND QUITE REASONABLY PRICED
FOR THE LOCATION. BREAKKY INCLUDED WAS A BONUS AND REAL NICE TOO
WITH FRESH INGREDIENTS.
I WOULD HOWEVER MISS DINNERS HERE. TOO EXPENSIVE AND THE FOOD IS
AVERAGE.

IT WAS AN EXCELLENT SPOT FOR NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

THE GRANVILLE ISLAND BREWERY WAS A FUN PLACE TO CHILL WITH A
BEER AND HAVE A CHAT WITH THE LOCALS.

GASTOWN.

TAKE A SHORT TRIP FROM YALETOWN TO CANADA PLACE AND GASTOWN.
CANADA PLACE IS WHERE THE BIG CRUISE SHIPS COME IN.

GASTOWN IS A QUAINT QUIRKY AND CHIC ARTISTS HANGOUT WITH IT'S
NUMEROUS GIFT SHOPS, CAFES AND RESTAURANTS.
IT ALSO HAS AN OLD STEAM CLOCK THAT GOES OFF EVERY15 MINUTES.
MAKE SURE YOU GET THERE AT AROUND 12 NOON. FUN TO SEE
IT RAINED A BIT WHEN WE WERE THERE WHICH WAS GOOD BECAUSE THE
STEAM WAS MORE PROMINENT IN OUR PHOTOS.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS LUNCH AT THE STEAMWORKS BREWERY.
BESIDES GREAT BEER TASTINGS..... THEIR CHILLI CHICKEN WINGS ARE YUUUM!

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT THE MOUNTED POLICE GIFT SHOP UP THE ROAD.
WE LOVED THIS LITTLE SHOP COMPLETE WITH FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL OWNER.
I BOUGHT THE MOST CUTEST KEY RING OF A MOUNTED POLICE BEAVER AND
IT NOW HOLDS PRIME POSITION ON MY CAMERA BAG

CAPILANO BRIDGE.

THIS IS A 'MUST DO'! WE GOT ON THE FREE BUS FROM CANADA PLACE.
CAPILANO HAS A NICE LITTLE TREE TOP WALK. WE WERE HERE IN THE FALL.
COLOURS .... MAGNIFICANT!
I BECAME AWARE FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT HUBBY IS A LITTLE AFRAID OF
HEIGHTS. TIP..... DON'T LAUGH AT SOMEONE THAT IS FEELING A LITTLE
UNEASY .......... LOL .....SORRY

THE SWAYING BRIDGE ITSELF IS MOST WORTH WHILE WALKING ON.
YES.... IT SWAYS..... AND YES, IT'S SCARY ........ IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE
WITH HEIGHTS......
BUT YOU WILL KICK YOURSLELF IF YOU DO NOT DO IT!
THERE'S SOME FABULOUS VIEWS TO BE HAD HALF WAY.
AND YOU CAN CHILL AFTER AT THE CAFE WITH A WELL DESERVED BEER

GROUSE MOUNTAIN.

WE TRAVELLED ON AND UP TO GROUSE MOUNTAIN ON THE BUS AND THEN
CABLE CAR.

GROUSE MOUNTAIN WAS COLD! THE FOG WAS THICK AND SWIRLING AROUND US.
WE COULDN'T SEE MORE THAN A SHORT DISTANCE IN FRONT.
STILL.... WE WALKED SLOWLY IN SILENCE, FOLLOWING THE PAINTED BEAR TRACKS
WITH ONLY THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE AND OUR EXHALING BREATH FORMING VISIBLE
VAPOUR..... ADDING TO THE THICK WHITE FOG THAT SEEMED TO SWALLOW UP
ANY EVIDENCE THAT WE WERE HERE.
SCARY....

STANLEY PARK.

A TRIP TO VANCOUVER IS NOT COMPLETE UNLESS YOU CHECK OUT STANLEY PARK
BEING THERE IN THE FALL WAS A BONUS. THE COLOURS ARE MAGNIFICANT

WE ALSO ENJOYED THE ANTICS OF THE RACCOONS. OUR FIRST SIGHTING WAS OF
THEM RAIDING THE BINS. WE UNDERSTOOD IMMEDIATELY THE SIGNS THAT
ADVISE NOT TO FEED THEM. IN AUSTRALIA WE HAVE THE SAME FOR OUR NATIVE
WILDLIFE.

I HAD SOME CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY FUN IN STANLEY PARK

OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

BOWEN ISLAND.

HUBBY AND I LIKE TO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. NOT YOUR
USUAL TOURIST STUFF. WE LIKE TO GET AWAY AND HAVE A BEER WITH
THE LOCALS

SHORT BUS TRIP AND THEN FERRY RIDE (NOT EXPENSIVE AT ALL).....
AND WE ARRIVED. BOWEN ISLAND HAS A LOVELY MARINA.

BEING LIMITED FOR TIME, WE ENJOYED A SHORT STROLL UP THE ROAD.
FIRST PUB WOULDN'T ACCEPT YOUNG JESSE.....
BOWEN PUB AT THE TOP OF THE HILL..... DON'T BOTHER GOING THERE.
NO PROBLEM. WE JUST SAUNTERED DOWN THE HILL AND FOUND A
BETTER PUB

DOC MORGANS WAS MUCH NICER
THEY HAD A LOVELY VERANDAH OUT BACK WHERE WE ENJOYED A NICE
LUNCH OVERLOOKING THE WATER WITH FANTASTIC VIEWS OF THE BUSH
AND FALL COLOURS.
THE STAFF WERE JUST LOVELY AND WE ENJOYED CHATTING WITH THEM.
HUBBY HOWARD OR AS GOOD FRIENDS KNOW HIM ....... HOWIE
EVEN FOUND HIS OWN BEER!!
I RECOMMEND COMING HERE

THE VIEWS FROM THE FERRY ARE STUNNING!

COMING BACK IN TO HORSESHOE BAY WHERE WE LEFT FROM.

~~oOo~~

NOW FOR A FUNNY AUSSIROSE STORY.....

CHECK THIS OUT! HAHA
THIS GUY WAS ON THE SAME CRUISE. IT WAS QUITE A TALKING POINT
THAT HUBBY AND HE HAD SIMILAR CURLY MOUSTACHES.
I WANTED A PHOTO, HOWEVER EXTRA CURLY MOE WASN'T PLAYING BALL
DOESN'T LIKE HIS PHOTO TAKEN.

WELL AFTER WE GOT OFF THE FERRY..... OVER STROLLS....
YEP YOU GUESSED IT
AND THIS IS THE RESULT

FISHING!!

THE BOYS WERE SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.
THIS WAS TO BE ONE OF THE HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS FOR HOWIE AND JESSE

I BOOKED ON-LINE WITH SILVERSIDES AS THEY HAD GOOD REVIEWS.
OWNER BRIAN HAPPILY DIDN'T CHARGE ME AS I WAS JUST THE PHOTOGRAPHER

WE WERE PICKED UP BY BRIAN'S WIFE AT OUR HOTEL AND TRAVELED DOWN
TO THE SPOT ON THE FRASER RIVER WHERE WE MET BRIAN.... STOPPING ON THE
WAY TO GRAB SOME SUBWAY AND A DRINK TO TAKE WITH US FOR LUNCH.

WELL I TOTALLY RECOMMEND THIS TRIP! THE BOYS WERE RIGGED FOR
SALMON FISHING. THIS SORT OF FISHING IS DIFFERENT TO WHAT THEY ARE
USED TO BACK IN AUSTRALIA. DON'T QUOTE ME AS AN EXPERT HAHA....
BUT THEY WERE TRYING FLY FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME USING A LURE
RATHER THAN JUST BAIT AND THROW.... LET IT SINK AND SLOWLY REEL IN
LIKE BACK AT HOME. FLY FISHING IS USED IN RIVERS WITH FLOWING WATER.
THE LURE IS FLUNG OUT AND TRAVELS DOWN THE RIVER.... THEN YOU WAIT
FOR A HIT!

IT WAS A LITTLE FUNNY SEEING HUBBY AND JESSE DRESSED IN THE GEAR.
WEIGHED DOWN WITH WEIGHTS IT TOOK THEM A WHILE TO WADE OUT
INTO THE COLD RIVER HAHA. IN AUSTRALIA WE FISH IN SHORTS.

BOTH BOYS CAUGHT SOME GREAT SALMON! A COUPLE BRIAN KEPT FOR HIS
DINNER AND THE REST GOT THROWN BACK.

AS PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE DAY I ENJOYED TAKING SOME GREAT SHOTS
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY SO I DON'T NEED TO EXPLAIN.

I TOTALLY RECOMMEND BOOKING A TRIP WITH BRIAN AND SILVERSIDES.
IF YOU LIKE FISHING...... OR A PHOTOGRAPHER LIKE ME.... YOU WILL LOVE IT!

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS BLOG.

ON SUNDAY WE CAUGHT THE VIA RAIL FOR A NICE SLOW TRIP TO THE ROCKIES.
THE TRIP WAS PRETTY COOL AND MUCH CHEAPER THAN TAKING THE
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER. ONLY COST US $150AUS EACH AND INCLUDED A
VIEWING CAR WITH GLASS ENCLOSURE FOR CHECKING OUT THE SCENERY.

SO CHECK OUT NEXT STOP JASPER INCLUDING SOME PHOTOS OF OUR
TRIP ON VIA RAIL.

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

ROCKY MOUNTAINS COLLAGE -

JASPER! TOOK MY BREATH AWAY!! BY FAR THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP!

STUNNING SCENERY - LAKE MALIGNE, ATHABASCA FALLS, PYRAMID LAKE,
BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN LANSCAPES.

THE ABOVE PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT PYRAMID LAKE EARLY MORNING.
I AM VERY PROUD OF THIS SHOT
IT WON ME A TRIP TO NEW YORK IN MAY 2017. I ENTERED IT IN A TRAVEL
COMPETITION THAT WENT FOR A WHOLE YEAR WITH AUSPHOTOGRAPHY.
I WON OVER ABOUT 36 INTERMEDIATE PHOTOS AND BEAT THE ADVANCED
WHO WON OVER AROUND 45 PHOTOS. HOW GOOD IS THAT!
SO WE ARE OFF TO NY FOR AN ALL EXPENSES PAID PHOTO TOUR WITH
U DESIGN PHOTO TOURS INCLUDING A PHOTOGRAPHY CHOPPER RIDE
OVER MANHATTAN. WOOHOO!!

WE STAYED AT PYRAMID LAKE RESORT. THE CHALETS HERE ARE VERY
COMFY AND OVERLOOK PYRAMID LAKE. BREAKKY AND DINNER AT THE
RESTAURANT ALSO HAS STUNNING VIEWS OF THE LAKE.

I WAS HOPING THAT WE WOULD SEE SNOW. IT WAS CERTAINLY COLD
ENOUGH FOR IT.....BRRRR. I BOUGHT A NEW COAT WITH FLUFF AROUND
THE HOOD. BOUGHT IT ESPECIALLY FOR OUR ROCKY MOUNTAIN
EXPERIENCE. I WAS SNUG

MALIGNE LAKE.

EVERYWHERE WE WENT WE ENJOYED GORGEOUS VIEWS!
UNFORTUNATELY THE BOAT HERE WASN'T RUNNING BUT THAT WAS
OK BECAUSE THE VIEWS THEMSELVES MADE UP FOR THAT.
WE ALSO SAW OUR FIRST SQUIRREL HERE.
WE HADN'T HAD MUCH LUCK SEEING OTHER NATIVE ANIMALS -
JUST A BABY BLACK BEAR AS WE ARRIVED ON THE TRAIN.
AND A FEW MOOSE THAT CROSSED THE ROAD AS WE WERE DRIVING
TO THE RESORT.

MOUNTAIN VIEWS.

ATHABASCA FALLS.

THIS IS A STUNNING SIGHT. THE BOARDWALK IS EASY TO WALK ON
AND THE FALLS ARE ONLY ABOUT 100M IN. PATHWAY IS ALSO
WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY.

WE ARRIVED HERE ON THE VIA RAIL. IT WAS A LONG JOURNEY
LEAVING VANCOUVER AT 8PM ON SUNDAY AND ARRIVING AT 4PM
ON MONDAY. BUT MOST DEFINITELY WORTH IT!!

WE ONLY PAID $150AUS EACH AS OPPOSED TO THE ROCKY
MOUNTAINEER WHICH COSTS AROUND $2,000!!
THE TRAIN HAD A FEW LITTLE CABINS UP TOP WITH PERSPECTS
DOME SO WE COULD ENJOY THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS ALONG THE
WAY. WE ALL THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS JOURNEY.
UPON ARRIVAL AT JASPER, WE PICKED UP OUR AVIS HIRE CAR,
SET THE GPS AND HEADED 10MIN OUT OF TOWN TO THE RESORT.

JASPER TOWN IS SMALL. WALKING AROUND THE QUIET STREETS
WAS A PLEASURE.

LAST DAY BEFORE WE HEADED OUT OF TOWN WE HAD BREAKKY
AT OUR FIRST AMERICAN STYLE DINER. IT WAS PRETTY GOOD
BUT THERE WERE DIFFERENCES TO WHAT WE ARE USED TO
HAVING FOR BREAKKY. THEY HAVE POTATOES FOR BREAKKY...?
THAT'S DIFFERENT. I ASKED FOR TOMATOES WITH MY EGGS
AND BACON.... TOMATOES WEREN'T COOKED HAHA
BUT A MOST ENJOYABLE BREAKFAST STILL THE SAME.

NEXT STOP - BANFF VIA ICEFIELDS PARKWAY.

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

BOW LAKE - BEFORE LAKE LOUISE WHICH IS BEFORE YOU COME INTO BANFF.
MORE ABOUT THAT LATER.

I LOVED THE MAIN STREET OF BANFF WITH IT'S IMPRESSIVE MT RUNDLE
TOWERING OVER THE TOWN. I WAS SO AWE INSPIRED THAT I FORGOT TO
TAKE PICTURES LOL.
WELL HERE ARE A COUPLE OF OK PHOTOS JUST TO SHOW YOU WHAT THE
MAIN STREET LOOKS LIKE.

I CHOSE TO STAY AT BANFF CARIBOU LODGE. I HAD SEEN PHOTOS ON
BOOKING.COM OF THIS HOTEL COVERED I SNOW!! I SO WANTED TO
EXPERIENCE THIS..... SADLY NO SNOW
BUT IT WAS A GOOD CHOICE STILL THE SAME.

CARIBOU LODGE HAS PLENTY GOING FOR IT AND IT WAS A GOOD CHOICE.
THEY HAVE AN IN-HOTEL POOL & SPA, GREAT RESTAURANT CALLED THE KEG,
FRIENDLY STAFF, BREAKKY WAS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE (SOMETHING NOT
READILY FOUND IN CANADA AND THE USA ON BOOKING.COM).
WE ALSO GOT BUS PASSES INTO TOWN. THE BUS IS OUTSIDE THE FRONT
DOOR. I WOULD NOT HESITATE IN STAYING HERE AGAIN!

THE ROAD FROM JASPER TO BANFF WAS SCENIC AND A COMFORTABLE
EASY DRIVE. FIRST STOP THE ICEFIELDS. THIS WAS COLD! BRRR.
HUBBY AND SON HAD SHORTS ON! ..... HAHA.
FIRST TIME SEEING SNOW UP CLOSE FOR HUBBY AND SON.

THERE WERE LOADS OF BUSES TAKING TOURISTS OUT TO THE NEW
GLACIER SKYWALK. LOOKED A BIT TOO TOURISTY FOR US SO WE
HURRIED BACK THROUGH THE ICY COLD AIR BACK TO THE CAR AND
CONTINUED OUR JOURNEY.

BOW LAKE - NEXT STOP.

BOW LAKE WAS MY FAVOURITE. PROBABLY HAD SOMETHING TO DO
WITH US HAVING THE PLACE TO OURSELVES. THE VIEW HERE WAS
STUNNING!

LAKE LOUISE - JUST BEFORE BANFF

WE ARRIVED AT LAKE LOUISE LATE IN THE AFTERNOON AND THEREFORE
A LITTLE STRAPPED FOR TIME. HUBBY WAS GOING TO DRIVE STRAIGHT
THROUGH TO BANFF BUT I WAS DETERMINED TO STOP HERE
BECAUSE I HAD SEEN SO MANY GLORIOUS PHOTOS.
I AM GLAD THAT WE DID

BANFF.

JUST LIKE IN JASPER WE ONLY HAD 1 DAY TO ENJOY THIS PLACE....
NOT ENOUGH TIME.

WE DECIDED TO TAKE THE BUS UP THE HILL TO THE HOT SPAS.
GOOD CHOICE! WELL THIS WAS ANOTHER HOLIDAY FIRST FOR US....
WALKING OUT IN ABOUT 8C (FREEZING COLD FOR US) AND SINKING INTO
THE NATURAL HOT SPA. NICE!

BANFF BREWING CO - BEST BEER IN BANFF.

BANFF BREWING WAS A GREAT CHOICE FOR LUNCH AND A FEW
BEER TASTINGS. THE CHILLI WINGS HERE WERE PRETTY GOOD TOO
ALONG WITH A BOWL OF CHEESY FRIES AND GRAVY. YUUUM.
BOTH DISHES, CANADA AND THE US DO WELL

A TIP TO ALL OF YOU AUSSIES OUT THERE.....
DON'T ASK FOR CHIPS OR YOU WILL GET CRISPS HAHA.
WHO HAS CRISPS WITH THEIR BURGER??!! LOL.
FISH AND CRISPS ANYONE?....... NOOOO!!!

LEAVING THE FABULOUS ROCKY MOUNTAINS BEHIND WE DROVE TO
CALGARY FOR THE NEXT LEG OF OUR JOURNEY - NEW ORLEANS IN USA.

I ARRANGED FOR US TO STAY RIGHT AT THE AIRPORT IN THE DELTA HOTEL.
THIS WAS A GOOD CHOICE BECAUSE AVIS CAR RENTAL WAS JUST UP THE
ROAD FROM HERE ALONG THE AIRPORT PICKUP AND DROPOFF STRIP.

THE AIRPORT DELTA HOTEL WAS REASONABLY PRICED, HAD A NICE
INDOOR POOL AND A RESTAURANT. AND THAT MADE IT EASY FOR US
IN THE MORNING TO CHECK IN ACROSS THE ROAD AT THE AIRPORT FOR
OUR EARLY MORNING FLIGHT TO NEW ORLEANS VIA HOUSTON.

FUNNY AUSSIROSE STORY -

NEXT DAY WHILST CHECKING IN THROUGH CUSTOMS, THE OFFICER
WAS ASKING US THE USUAL QUESTIONS. JUST BEFORE HE LET US
THROUGH HE CRACKED A WIDE GRIN.....

HUBBY WAS WEARING HIS BLACK T-SHIRT WITH SMALL WHITE WRITING
ON THE FRONT THAT SAYS "NOSY FUCKER ARN'T YOU"

NEXT DESTINATION - NEW ORLEANS.

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

NEW ORLEANS - JAZZ, SWAMPS & FANTASTIC FOOD!

NEW ORLEANS WAS MY FIRST CHOICE OF DESTINATION IN THE US. I AM HAPPY
THAT WE FINALLY MADE IT HERE! NEW ORLEANS FULFILLED ALL OF MY DREAMS.

THE QUAINT BUILDINGS WITH FANCY WROUGHT IRON TRIMMINGS, HORSE &
CARRIAGE, JAZZ MUSIC EVERYWHERE, FOODIE HEAVEN! INTERESTING HISTORY
INCLUDING AMAZING GRAVEYARDS, AND FABULOUS PARTY ATMOSPHERE!

A HOLIDAY DESTINATION WITH SO MUCH VARIETY AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.

STREETS OF NEW ORLEANS.

NATCHEZ STEAMBOAT JAZZ DINNER CRUISE.

THIS IS A 'MUST DO'! THE DUKES OF DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND PLAYED THE BEST JAZZ
I HAVE HEARD IN A LONG WHILE. I JUST HAD TO BUY THEIR ALBUM.

THE FOOD WAS WONDERFUL... A TASTE OF CREOLE WITH THE FAMOUS
JAMBALAYA, GUMBO AND FRESH SEAFOOD.

WALKING THE STREETS WE STOPPED AND ENJOYED THIS JAZZ BAND OF
YOUNG ONES. THEY WERE REAL GOOD. I ALSO TOOK A VIDEO WHICH
HOPEFULLY I CAN ADD HERE LATER

I FOUND US A NEAT APARTMENT RIGHT IN THE FRENCH QUARTER ON
FRENCHMANS STREET. THE STREET HAD A LOT OF RESTAURANTS AND
MUSIC PLAYING IN EACH. THIS BAND WERE PARTICULARLY GOOD.
THEY PLAYED GREAT FLAMENCO MUSIC.

FRENCHMEN ORLEANS AT 519 -

IMAGINE HAVING APARTMENT ACCOMMODATION IN THE HEART OF NOR.
IMAGINE SITTING ON COMFY SEATS ON THE BALCONY LISTENING TO THE
JAZZ MUSIC IN THE STREET. IMAGINE BEING ABLE TO WALK OUT OF YOUR
ACCOMMODATION IN THE FRENCH QUARTER IN FRENCHMANS STREET &
HAVING PUBS, RESTAURANTS, TAKEAWAY AND A CONVENIENCE STORE
RIGHT THERE. WELL THIS IS THE PLACE TO STAY!

NOT ONLY DID WE HAVE THE LUXURY OF ALL OF THE ABOVE, BUT THE
PRICE WAS VERY REASONABLE..... FOR NOR. AND DOWNTOWN WAS JUST
A CASUAL STROLL AWAY. WHEN WE WERE TIRED, THEN WE CAUGHT THE
STREET CAR ALONG THE RIVER FRONT INTO TOWN.

WALKING THROUGH THE MARKETS INTO DOWNTOWN WAS ANOTHER
OPTION. AND THE FAMOUS BOURBON STREET WAS CLOSE BY.

I WOULDN'T WANT TO STAY ANYWHERE ELSE. THE STAFF WERE HELPFUL.
THEY EVEN GAVE US SOME WASHING POWDER FOR OUR CLOTHES.
YES, THEY ALSO HAVE COMMUNAL WASHING MACHINES.

THERE IS ALSO A POOL OUT THE BACK AND QUIET SITTING AREA IN THE
GARDEN.

MARKETS

"YO'ALL SPEAK FUNNY! WHEREYA FROM?"

HOW COULD WE RESIST A HORSE & CARRIAGE TOUR WITH THIS
FUNNY DUDE CARLOS

SAINT LOUIS CEMETERY HORSE & CARRIAGE TOUR -

NEW ORLEANS IS FULL OF AMAZING HISTORY. THE CITY IS
SURROUNDED BY GRAVE YARDS THAT HOLD SO MANY STORIES
OF DAYS GONE BY.

THIS MAY SEEMS LIKE A TACKY TOURISTY THING TO DO BUT I
TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT! WE WERE FOLLOWE BY OTHER GROUPS
BEING SHOWN THE SAME GRAVES..... BUT IT WAS WELL TIMED AND
PROFESSIONALLY DONE AND THE STORIES CARLOS RELATED WERE
CAPTIVATING.

THE GRAVE BELOW THAT LOOKS LIKE AN EGYPTIAN PYRAMID IS OWNED
BY NICHOLAS CAGE. YES, HE BOUGHT HIS OWN GRAVE AND WILL BE
BURIED HERE.

ALSO WE SAW THE GRAVE OF THE PERSON THAT INVENTED SUGAR
MANUFACTURE AND OTHER HISTORIAN GRAVES AS WELL AS A
FAMOUS VOODOO PRIESTESS. CARLOS ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE
GRAVES WITH WROUGHT IRON SIGNIFY RICHES.

THE PHOTO BELOW WITH THE STATUE THAT HAS A DAMAGED ARM....
THIS WAS DONE BY A FILM COMPANY. THEREFORE FROM 1969 MOVIE
COMPANIES WERE BANNED FROM THIS GRAVEYARD.

SOUTHERN COUSINE

NEW ORLEANS HAS FOOD THAT IS UNIQUE TO THIS AREA, GREAT
SOUTHERN COUSINE. MY FAROURITE WAS THE PO BOY (HOT DOG).

GUMBO WAS NICE BUT NOT THE SEAFOOD GUMBO THANKS.
COMING FROM AUSTRALIA WITH FRESH SEAFOOD.... SORRY...
I PREFER MY SEAFOOD NATURAL.... WITH PLENTY OF LEMONS.

JAMBALAYA SPICY CAJUN RICE WAS GOOD. BUT WE GOT A BIT TIRED
OF HAVING EVERYTHING BATTERED AND DEEP FRIED.
LITTLE BIT TASTELESS FOR US.

FRANK'S RESTAURANT - MY NEW ORLEANS FAVOURITE!

FAVOURITE..... NOT BECAUSE OF THE FOOD. WE ATE BETTER ON THE
NATCHEZ STEAMBOAT CRUISE.

FRANK'S WAS THE BEST BECAUSE THE STAFF WERE WELCOMING,
ATTENTIVE AND FUNNY! THEY KEPT US AND OTHER GUESTS ENTERTAINED.

THE ATMOSPHERE MADE THE EXPERIENCE SPECIAL FOR US. IF I LIVED
IN NOR I WOULD FOR SURE BE A REGULAR HERE

NEW ORLEANS STREET CARS -

WE USED THIS TO GET FROM THE FRENCH QUARTER TO DOWNTOWN.
THERE ARE TWO STREET CARS IN NOR. THEY ARE FUN JUST TO RIDE AROUND
ON TO CHECK OUT THE PLACES YOU WANT TO SEE. BIT LIKE THE HOP ON HOP
OFF BUSES IN OTHER CITIES.

FUNNY SIGNS - EVERY PLACE HAS THEM

ONE OF THE UNIQUE THINGS ABOUT NEW ORLEANS IS THAT YOU CAN GET A
COCKTAIL TO GO YEP, HERE YOU CAN WALK IN THE STREET WITH A COCKTAIL
IN YOUR HAND. HOW COOL IS THAT!! RESTAURANTS, PUBS, SPECIALIST
COCKTAIL SHOPS..... ALL WILL POUR YOU A COCKTAIL TO GO IN A PLASTIC CUP

CAFE DU MONDE -

WHO WANT'S TO WAIT FOR AN HOUR TO PROGRESS IN THIS QUEUE......
JUST FOR A COFFEE?
WE KEPT WALKING

OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

SWAMP AIR BOAT TRIP -

ANOTHER HOLIDAY FIRST - ZOOMING THROUGH THE SOUTH LOUISIANA SWAMPS
AND BAYOUS ON OUR FIRST AIR BOAT RIDE. HOW EXHILARATING!!!

I BOOKED THIS TOUR WITH VIATOR AND THE BUS PICKED US UP FROM NEAR OUR
ACCOMMODATION FOR A SHORT TRIP TO THE SWAMP.

WE HAD A LOT OF FUN IN NEW ORLEANS! IT HAS AN AWESOME LIVELY CULTURE,
THE PEOPLE ARE SUPER FRIENDLY, FOOD INTERESTING AND FUN ADVENTURES

NEXT STOP - OCOEE TENNESSEE

FAVOURITE PHOTO -

SMOKY MOUNTAINS COLLAGE

WE HAD EXPERIENCED THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND A MAGNIFICENT
CULTURAL ADVENTURE IN NEW ORLEANS.

NOW IT WAS TIME TO DO THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS.

WHY IS IT THAT MOST FLIGHTS IN THE US DON'T FLY DIRECT?....
IT'S ONLY AROUND 3 HOURS FROM NEW ORLEANS TO CHATTANOOGA
HOWEVER WE HAD TO FLY VIA ATLANTA....?

I HAD PLANNED TO DRIVE UP VIA LYNCHBURG AND CHECK OUT THE
JACK DANIELS DISTILLERY. DID YOU KNOW THAT LYNCHBURG IS A
DRY STATE?.... LOL.
ANYWAY, THERE WAS NO ACCOMMODATION IN LYNCHBURG
BECAUSE THEY HAD SOME SORT OF COOKING COMPETITION IN TOWN.

OH WELL.......... OK..... PLAN B - FLY.

I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE SPENT A FEW DAYS IN CHATTANOOGA
EXPERIENCING MORE GREAT MUSIC AND THE CHATTANOOGA CHOO
CHOO RAIL. WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME.

SO WE ARRIVED IN CHATTANOOGA, PICKED UP OUR AVIS RENTAL AND
HEADED TO OUR FIRST DESTINATION - OCOEE NOT FAR OUT OF TOWN.

I DISCOVERED OCOEE DOING MY USUAL GOOGLING BETWEEN TOWNS.
OCOEE IT SEEMED WAS THE WHITE WATER RAFTING CAPITAL OF THE US.
BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT! THIS SEEMED TO BE A GOOD PLACE
TO STAY ON THE WAY UP TO ASHEVILLE IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS.

I HAD ALSO WANTED TO EXPERIENCE CABIN VACATION LIFE THAT USA
DOES SO GOOD. A CABIN IN THE WOODS COMPLETE WITH LOG FIRE
AND A GOOD RED WINE....... AHHHH.... HEAVEN!

WELCOME VALLEY VILLAGE CERTAINLY FIT THE BILL! LOCATED RIGHT
ON THE OCOEE RIVER AND IN THE WOODS, OUR CABIN WAS ABSOLUTELY
DEVINE! IT COULD EASILY ACCOMMODATE SIX OR SEVEN PEOPLE.

OWNERS KEVIN AND JENNY WERE FANTASTIC HOSTS. THEY EVEN
HAD WRITTEN OUR NAMES ON THE WELCOME BLACKBOARD HANGING
ON OUR CABIN LOVE THE PERSONAL TOUCH!

THE WOODS WERE FULL OF SQUIRRELS WE COULD HEAR THE BIRDS.
AND THE RIVER...... JESSE JUMPED IN! COLD!!
I MADE HIM DO IT 3 TIMES TO CAPTURE A FEW GREAT PICTURES LIKE
THE ONE ABOVE

ON THE RIVER THERE WAS A CABANA WITH SEATING TO ENJOY THE
RIVER VIEWS. ALSO THEY HAD PLACES WHERE YOU COULD MAKE A
FIRE.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS - FALL IS IS A BLAST OF GLORIOUS COLOUR
WHEREVER YOU LOOK. IT WAS HERE IN OCOEE WE GOT OUR FIRST
GLIMPSE OF THE MAGNIFICANT FALL MOUNTAIN FOLIAGE.

CHEROKEE MOUNTAINS - OUR DAY HERE WAS JUST FABULOUS!
WE WENT TO A PLACE CALLED CHILHOWEE RECREATION LOOKOUT.
THIS HAS CAMPING FACILITIES SO WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE FOR
HIKERS AND BIKERS TO GET AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE

IT IS VERY POPULAR FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS. I CAN SEE WHY.
THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS TELL ALL.

FUNNY AUSSIROSE STORY -

"WE'VE GOT CHERRY Piii, APPLE Piii, STRAWBERRY Piii, PECAN Piiii........"
I CAN STILL HEAR IT NOW

HUBBY WAS TAKEN BACK WITH THE SWEETS MENU AT THIS CAFE IN OCOEE.
IT SEEMED LIKE THEY HAD EVERY SWEET PIE UNDER THE SUN!
HUBBY WAS IN HEAVEN!!

ALL I WANTED WAS A BEER.....

I DIPPED OUT. HUBBY WON!

IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER THE WAITRESSES HAD ADVISED ME
THAT THEY DON'T SELL BEER AND THAT THEY WORE QUAINT
OLDEN DAY DRESS - BIT LIKE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE LOL...
WE SOON REALISED THAT WE WERE SITTING IN AN AUTHENTIC
AMISH CAFE!! WHAT FUN!!

I AM NOT A SWEETS FAN BUT I CAN UNDERSTAND HUBBY'S
DELIGHT AT ALL THE SWEET DESERTS ON OFFER. SEEMS
LIKE THEY HAD JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF.

BUT THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES HIGH PITCHED VOICE IS WHAT WE BOTH
THINK ABOUT WHEN HUBBY AND I RELIVE OUR MEMORIES HERE LOL.
IT TOOK ALL OF MY ENERGY AT THE TIME NOT TO TOTALLY CRACK UP
LAUGHING..... I CAN STILL HEAR THAT VOICE RINGING IN MY EARS....

LONG STORY SHORT....... IF YOU LIKE SWEET PIES..... YOU JUST
HAVE TO PAY A VISIT TO THE WHITEWATER GRILL IN OCOEE!!!

WHITEWATER GRILL - OCOEE RESTAURANT TIP -

IN SUMMARY, OCOEE WAS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. OUR CABIN
ACCOMMODATION WAS FABULOUS! I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT.
THE FALL SCENERY AND COLOURS WERE THE BEST IF HAVE EVERY SEEN!
AND THE LOCALS WERE VERY FRIENDLY. IT WAS ALSO A GOOD
INTRODUCTION TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY THROUGH THE GREAT
SMOKY MOUNTAINS.
IF YOU EVER GET A CHANCE.... OCOEE IS WELL WORTH A VISIT!

NEXT STOP ASHEVILLE - GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS