DAY 76---NEW ORLEANS (DAY 2)

NOW TO VIEW MY JANUARY AND FEBRUARY POSTS YOU WILL HAVE TO CLICK ON THAT MONTH SO THOSE POSTS WILL BE DISPLAYED.

TO VIEW PREVIOUS POSTINGS USE THE "BLOG ARCHIVE" UNDER OUR PHOTO ON THE RIGHT.  THEN CLICK ON THE DAY OR DAYS YOU MISSED.  ALSO CLICKING ON THE PHOTOS WILL ENLARGE THEM.  I RECOMMEND THAT. 

LAST NIGHT:

                    The American Queen river boat headed upriver with its calliope blaring at 5pm.

As I mentioned yesterday we went to this restaurant on Bourbon St for dinner last night.  Took a $10 Uber ride from the cruise terminal to here.  Nice car and great driver.  Good thing I talked them into making a reservation for 7pm because there was already a long line outside.  We just walked right in saying we had a reservation and she knew about it.  Marcia decided not to go so just the two of us.

Of course the place was packed and there was also an upstairs dining area.  It was VERY noisy.

           We did enjoy watching the Tennessee lady VOLS win their game against Belmont.

Took this selfie while waiting for our food to come out.  We were not smiling when it came and we tasted it.  First of all it took 50 minutes after ordering before it came out.  When it did it was the wrong order so now another wait.  Rebecca had fried catfish which were chunks of soggy fish.  Not crispy at all.  I had the fried seafood platter.  Same soggy catfish, shrimp had a flour taste, oysters not bad.  Hush puppies hard and tasteless.  Cole slaw not bad.  All in all, worse food we have ever had in NO.

                Felix's was just across the street and should have eaten here as know it is good.

Bourbon St was packed with people last night even though it was Monday.  We walked down it for a few blocks before heading back to the ship.

This is the hotel we used to layover at when flying American Airlines trips to NO.  Loved it and right on Bourbon St.  

        Then I made a big mistake and walked back to the ship.  Rebecca not happy at all after a while as I kind of got lost as took long way back.  Yes, my big mistake.  So I can sum up last night's experience as as a disaster!!

        When we got back to the ship Rebecca was not happy so went to the suite and had some wine.  I went to the Horizon Lounge to hear the ship's orchestra try to play some Dixieland music.  Well, the orchestra only has a clarinet/sax player.  Dixieland music requires a trumpet & trombone!!  Regent only puts them on Explorer and Splendor ships.  I did not last long listening to this.

TODAY:

Here is today's weather forecast from Weather Channel.  Not going to be very nice from mid afternoon on.

80°

79%

S 22 mph

Windy with strong thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. High near 80F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

        We delayed our gym time this morning so we could go with Marcia to the Cafe Du Monde in the mall just across from the ship.  The beignets came in a order with 3 so each had one.  I could eat them all day long but know better.  The girls had coffee then went shopping in the Chicos.  I got 4 more orders of beignets and returned to the ship.  I gave one order to the security guys at the gangway, two orders to the Reception staff, and one order to our suite stewardesses.  All were very happy!!

        I then went to do 45 minutes on the treadmill before showering for lunch.  Rebecca went to the gym this afternoon while I sat out on the balcony and did a crossword puzzle.  I'm keeping an eye on my phone weather radar app this afternoon.  It's 2:30 now and some little showers are popping up out in front of the main line of weather.  That line still back at Baton Rouge and due to hit us around 5pm.

        We are suppose to sail again at 6pm and will be heading back down the Mississippi River to the Gulf.  Tomorrow will be a day at sea before we arrive in Galveston, Texas, on Thursday.

        I saw the Executive Chef, Ronald, at noon and he acknowledged that they indeed get fresh oysters here.  So tonight at the pool grill they are having a French Creole Dinner with oysters on the half shell included.  I told him I did not eat raw oysters and asked if the Compass Rose chef could fry me a dozen tonight for dinner there.  Of course the word "no or can't do" is not used on Regent.  So I am looking forward to enjoying fried oysters tonight. 

        Marcia will be joining us for cocktails and dinner.  Tonight's show is again featuring the great singer, Jassen Allen, so we do plan to be at his show.   

WEATHER FLASH:

        At 3pm two stewards and our stewardess came and wanted to remove everything off of the balcony due to the severe weather heading this way.  They asked if they could put one of the huge deck chairs in our suite and I said that I preferred not.  So they opened the balcony divider between our suite and the next one (it is not occupied) and stowed our chairs and table in that suite.  

                  Karren has the divider open and is putting our furniture in the suite next to us.

It looks weird out there with no furniture.  We have NEVER had furniture removed before.  A first!!  Tornado warnings are in effect.

Screen shot of radar on my phone at 4:30.  Storm still couple hours away.  The line is moving slowly.  After years of flying I have become very adept at interpreting weather on radar scopes.  So far, I do not see anything indicative of a tornado.  This can change rapidly however.  The line is pretty solid and not something I would attempt to fly through.  Stay tuned tomorrow for what we experienced.

Departure just delayed an hour due to storm passing soon.  Now departure at 7pm.