Tour through Louisiana from Febr. 19. to .... 2011:

The State Louisiana

Lake Arthur - Febr. 19. 11:

our overnight place in Lake Arthur

From the border we took Hwy 82 along the coast (beach) to Creole - for a very interesting route but unfortunately we had thick fog. In Creole (in tiny village) we ate our first Cajun meal - in a truck stop. It was quite delicious.

From here we took Hwy 27 northwards and than Hwy 14 to Lake Arthur. This route is interesting - it  passes by many rice fields (some flooded with water, some extremely green and some just harvested.

Lake Arthur, a small and nead town, directly located on the shore of Lake Arthur. We just wanted to have a look but we liked it and decided to stay overnight.

We parked at the lake front and immediatedly were approached by someone who invited us to his party at his houseboat. And he allowed us to stay at his plot of land.

The group prepared food in huge pans (Jambalya - similar to Paella). Was delicious and the group extremely friendly. We liked it very much - a good first day in Louisiana.

Lafayette - Febr. 20. + 21. 2011):

The tour to Lafayette (from Lake Arthur) via I-10 is not interesting.

In Lafayette we stood overnight at the beautiful „Arcadiana Park“. This park offers a good trail through the forest. 

With our bicycles we visited Lafayette (the hidden capital of Louisiana).It was founded in 1823 by Arcandians from Canada (Nova Scotia). It has a huge cathedral „St. Johns the Evangelist“. But not much more otherwise.

Breau Bridge / St. Martinsville - Febr. 22. 11:

Breau Bridge (8000 people) has a cute little center directly at the famous river „Bayou Teche“. Here we have eaten our first crawfish (etouffee and grilled) - a delicasse. And we can say this was our best meal so far in USA (for 15.-$ only). Breau Bridge is the crawfish capital of USA.

In Martinsville we visited the „Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site“. It shows informativ the „Creolic and Arcadian history“. How the first plantations were built, it shows the architecture at his time as well as the live of the investors and the slaves. A really competent and friendly guide made the tour a pleasure.

Avery Island (Tabasco company) - Febr. 23. 11:

This tour to Avery Island is mainly to visit the world famous Tabasco Company MCIlhenny.

They offer pant tours and comprehensive informations about the history of this fantastic brand. But not the receipy!! A compony shop offers all the products of Tabasco.

 

Jungle Garden:


One of the owners converted part of Avery island into a fantastic garden. With lakes, huge trees with spanisch moss, parks, and a chinese shrine with a gold-layered buddha statue.

Their are plenty of birds (including the rare white egret) and many alligators.

Plenty of azaleas and even bamboo forest.

 

Oak Alley Plantation - Febr. 24. 11:

The „Grand Dame of the Great River Road“ is near Vacherie, about 70km west of New Orleans.

Seen in many and famous Hollywood movies you will imediately recognice the alley with its 300 year old Virginia - Oaks - Alley. And the just beautiful chateaux with greek style columnes from 1839.

The story: One ot the so-called sugar - barons wanted to convince his bride to come to his plantation from New Orleans. And part of the convincing was this castle. But unfortunately the lady spent most of her time in New Orleans and the sugar baron died soon after the house was ready - a sad story.

New Orleans - Febr. 25. + 26. 11:

Also called „The Big Easy“ is for sure one of the most fascinating cities in USA. Founded in the 17th century by few French men it grew to one the richest and leading cities in the 18th and 19th century world wide.

It has still a lot of French architecure (French Quarter and Garden Ville).

And we had the opertunity to witness part on „Mardi Gras“ season - the French way of Carneval. And of course the numeros street music and music bars.

The people here have definitely a different way of live - good food and good music and fun. We enjoyed our time here very much.

Änderung unserer Tourplanung:

Wir haben uns entschieden nun für ca. 10 Wochen nach Mexico zu fahren.

Die Gründe:  Zum einen wollen wir sichergehen nach unserer Rückkehr aus Deutschland Mitte Juli genügend Aufenthaltsgenehmigung zu bekommen. Deshalb ist es besser wenn wir diese 10 Wochen die USA verlassen. 

Der zweite Grund: klimatisch ist es in den USA bis Ende April nur in den Südstaaten angenehm. Der Rest liegt im Tiefschnee. Und die interessanten Nationalparks sind in Utah, New Mexico, nördliches Arizona, Colorado, Montana und Nevada - alles Staaten mit einem langen Winter. Diese Gebiete werden wir dann ab Mitte Juli bereisen.

 

Wir sind von New Mexico 1.000 km nach Westen gefahren und in Laredo / Texas über die Grenze. Von dort weitere 900 km südwärts nach San Miguel de Allende. Hier werden wir erstmal 4 Wochen einen Spanischkurs machen.

Wir berichten über diese Stadt und die Umgebung.

 

Bitte weiterlesen unter der Rubrik "MEXICO" / "San Miguel de Allende"