Sun & Sand

After a long restful sleep we woke to the most perfect day in paradise - clear blue skies, white sand and sun sun sun!

Here are some pics of the view of our room, the hotel and beach!

Turks and Caicos

What's the best way to way to spend a special weekend? Head to the Turks and Caicos for our wedding anniversary!















We arrived in the early afternoon, just in time for Turks Head Lager.































It was them onto the famous "Conch Shack" to feast on local delicacies.
For those who are not familiar, conch is the animal that lives inside the big pink shells usually associated by being held to your ear to hear the ocean.

The restaurant was right on the beach and the food was so fresh, they actually dive for the conch once you have placed your order!
















It was the start of a weekend full of conch served in many different ways -yum!

On the countdown

In exactly 6 months from today I will turn the B-I-G 3-0.

I don't know what is more shocking: the fact the day is actually on approach or how quickly the good times have flown in the last 29.5 years!

It is always good to look back, remembering all giggles you had along the way.

On that note, I can't help but post the following joke.

This is quite possibly the funniest thing I have read in a while, and if this does not make you laugh out loud, you have lost your sense of humor and should not be reading this blog!

"The other night I was invited out for a night with the 'girls.' I told my husband that I would be home by midnight, 'I promise!'

Well, the hours passed and the margaritas went down way too easily. Around 3 a.m., a bit loaded, I headed for home.

Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hallway started up and cuckooed 3 times.

Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I cuckooed another 9 times. I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution, in order to escape a possible conflict with him.
(Even when totally smashed. 3 cuckoos plus 9 cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos =MIDNIGHT!)

The next morning, my husband asked me what time I got in, I told him 'MIDNIGHT'. He didn't seem annoyed in the least. Whew, I got away with that one!

Then he said, "We need a new cuckoo clock."

When I asked him why, he said, "Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said 'Oh, sh#t.' Cuckooed 4 more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another three times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the coffee table and farted."

Fun times with Joel

This weekend Joel was in town from Sri Lanka - hurray!

It coincided nicely with Jerica still visiting from the UK, so the gang was back together if only for one night.















We hit the Bubble Lounge in Tribeca before making our way over to Novocento, an Argentina steak house for yummy empanadas, blue cheese salad and chimi-churri steaks.

Don't tell anyone but I ate a steak!















Lots of good times and laughter- come back and see us again soon Joel!















Over here boys!

Royal House Oyster Bar

What a way to end a fabulous weekend! We spent our last afternoon wandering around the French Quarter, taking in the sunshine and architecture.






























How could we resist one last seafood indulgence?

Before heading home we made one last stop at the Royal House Oyster bar for some freshly shucked oysters.




















What a wonderful way to finish a fantastic weekend, full of fun and happy memories.
















Big thanks to "Debbie-Lu"and the "Fleur-de-Leeeeeees" gang for making my first trip to New Orleans so memorable..........."I do declare - its time for a mint julep!"

Oak Valley Plantation Tour

Day 3 we were up bright and early to take a tour out to Oak Valley Plantation, or as it is affectionately known as the "Grande Dame of the Great River Road".






























Located about an hour outside New Orleans, it is a typical southern antebellum estate with sprawling fields set on the Mississippi River, framed by a quarter mile canopy of giant live oak trees that are over 300 years old.



































View from the front verandah



































There was an abundance of opulence and history - my kind of place!




















What else to do, but sit on the verandah and enjoy a mint julep!































For more information look here http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/

Voo-doo & Pat O'Briens

After a much needed rest and power nap, we geared ourselves up for a night out. We started the night with some champagne in celebration of Debbie's birthday!

David had warned me "don't go past the voo-doo shop'" at the end of Bourbon street, as it is a signal of the end of a safe area.

However, times have changed and this entire area is now full of gay pride and boutique piano bars......what a nice break from the drunk college kids we had been surrounded with!

It was then onto the original Pat O'Brien's famous for a famous Hurricane cocktail. Susan and I skipped these and went straight for the Category 5 rainstorm!

It was then onto the sticky dance floors of Razzoo and the Cat's Meow.

I think we are looking remarkably fresh for the wee hours of the morning!

Physic Reading

After a long day of walking, it was time to do a sitting activity. At the recommendation of Candy, Susan and I headed to Botton of the Cup on Chartres Street, for a physic and tarot card reading.

My last tarot reading was over 5 years ago, and predicted falling in love with a foreign man, lots of travel and a move to another country. So, as you can imagine, I was eager to hear what the local voo-doo mama had planned for me!

I had an open reading, followed by a traditional tarot Celtic cross. I do appreciate that you can take as much or as little as you want, and it is all open to interpretation.

Nonetheless, she was pretty spot on!

The biggest challenge I was dealt was being given he entire reading on tape and now having to find a tape recorder to play it back!

Garden City

On Day 2 after a quick round of beignets and a wander around the hotel, we set off exploring the city!

We jumped on a the trolley along the Mississippi River to the Garden District. It is renown for it huge houses, tree lined streets and old school charm.

We stopped for lunch at the Camellia Grill for some traditional Southern Cooking. One of the highlights was deep fried Mac n cheese balls, chili cheese fries all served up old school style at the counter!

After lunch, feeling stuffed and in much need of a walk, we headed down main street passing Tulane and Loyola University. We then walked thru Audubon Park, before grabbing some traditional Roman Chewing Candy from a horse and cart - adorable!

Venezia

Our first night out, we tried the highly recommended Italian restaurant Venezia just north of the city.





















The best part was the Italian Gelateria next door, famous for home made cannollis and ice cream. For those who had a sweet tooth!
















We caught a trolley back into town ....................
















.............before walking the final blocks as it broke down :(






















It was then on to the infamous Bourbon Street for some late night shenanigans!