*Photo Blog* Ben the Bendy Man's Jewel/Mardi Gras Adventure, Feb 22, 2014

[kylenyc]

Monday, March 3, 2014 -Lundi Gras

Bourbon Street, St. Louis Cemetery #1 Free Walking Tour

 

Ben was swept up in sea of people heading towards the French Quarter after the Bacchus Parade ended. He decided to brave the experience despite having seen too many episodes of "Cops - New Orleans". Sitting up top on his body guard's shoulders as he wobbled slowly up Bourbon Street at a snails pace didn't improve the smell. They did their best avoid stepping in brackish grey pools of spilled drinks, and trying to hold a center line down the street among rubbernecking revelers, their outstretched arms in the air, vying for beads and they rained down from the intricate cast iron balconies above.

 

Our brave brash bendable weaved his way safety through Rue Bourbon without incident and exited through the side street to make his way back to his hotel. It was an exhilarating experience. This was the peak of festivities as the weather slowly turned cold and rainy in the days coming.

 

The next day Ben struggled to get his manservant out of bed and meet up for the St. Louis Cemetery #1 tour by Free Tours by Foot. It was a noticeably colder and brisk windy morning. The tour was very interesting and our tour guide immensely knowledgeable as she explained the history of New Orleans funeral customs, cemeteries, myths and legends, and interesting people famous entombed there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 18, 2014 by kylenyc

[planet211]

Kylenyc I hope that you create a BendyMan book one day! :)

 

 

I agree. "The Adventures of BendyMan and His Faithful Accomplice":)

[kylenyc]

Monday, March 3, 2014 -Lundi Gras

St. Louis Cemetery #1 Free Walking Tour (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kylenyc]

Lundi Gras - Monday, March 3, 2014

French Quarter - Free Walking Tour

 

After lunch (he'll post some more food pron soon), Ben meet up in Jackson Square for the French Quarter by Free Tours by Foot. This is a nice walking tour with another excellent knowledgeable and friendly guide. While we were walking around the French Quarter, admiring the city's beautiful landmarks and history, we couldn't help but shiver and try to warm ourselves in the sun every chance we got. Brrr! The weather was continuing to turn cold on us and the worst was yet to come.

 

Jackson Square - The Cabildo - Site of the Louisiana Purchase ceremonies, former city council circa 1800s, and now a museum.

 

Jackson Square - St. Louis Cathedral

 

Pirate Alley - Faulkner House

 

Pirate Alley - Faulkner House

 

Pirate Alley - Olde Absinth House

 

Cabildo Alley

Edited April 24, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Lundi Gras - Monday, March 3, 2014

French Quarter - Free Walking Tour (Continued)

 

Jackson Square South

 

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

 

 

Medicine, Magic, and More!

 

 

Historic New Orleans Collection (museum of New Orleans history and culture)

[kylenyc]

Lundi Gras - Monday, March 3, 2014

French Quarter - Free Walking Tour (Continued)

 

Beautiful lace ironwork balconies

 

Weather worn storefront

 

Pat O'Brien's Bar - Inventor of the Hurricane cocktail

 

Preservation Hall (Est 1921) - Music venue dedicated to preserving traditional New Orleans jazz

 

Madame John's Legacy - Example of Creole architecture circa 1788 that survived the Great Fire of 1795

 

[kylenyc]

Lundi Gras - Monday, March 3, 2014

Ghost and Vampire Tour

 

In the evening, our brash bendable braved the French Quarter Ghost & Vampire Tour by French Quarter Phantoms. The meeting place was in Flanagan's Irish Pub where he gratefully warmed himself by the radiator and availed himself of a towering "hurricane" (He needed something to make him forget his trip into this dive bar's dreadful restroom). Nevertheless, the bar had a fun atmosphere as folks met up for the tour.

 

The tour began well and our guide was fun and entertaining. Unfortunately the record cold weather soon got the best of us, and we had to abandon the tour after apologizing to our understanding guide. As fun as the tour was and as much Ben did (or didn't) want to see his first supernatural encounter, he just had to escape indoors to warm up (and he guess all the ghosts hiding indoors with the same idea).

 

After warming up indoors, Ben managed to catch the tail end of the Krewe of Orpheus parade in action. Everywhere he went there was something fun going on - Live blues and jazz, parades, floats, and marching bands, good food, and good fun.

 

Flannigan's Hurricane - 24 ounces of bargain buzz

 

Ghost and Vampire Tour - All the smart specters were indoors warming by the fire.

 

 

 

Krewe of Orpheus

 

[kylenyc]

Lundi Gras - Monday, March 3, 2014

Le Bayou Oyster Bar; Manning's Cajun Restaurant and Sports Bar

 

Before the tour, Ben had a pleasant dinner at Emeril's NOLA restaurant but left there feeling the experience was lacking a lil sumpin sumpin. So after warming himself up, he weaved his way down crowded Bourbon Street and by chance ducked into Le Bayou Oyster Bar for a late night snack. He pulled up a bar stool after doing a double-take at the gianormous gator perched overhead, and had one of the most heavenly dishes he's ever had - The Chipotle Chargrilled Oysters came out bubbling with a smokey garlic aroma that fills the senses. The Southern Fried Fish platter was also excellent and indeed "fried to perfection" - the fish was piping hot, moist, and deeeelish!

 

Our epicurian explorer also had many a meal in Manning's - A sport bar featuring cajun eats owned by Archie Manning family of NFL fame. The restaurant is filled with a gigantic mega screen, leather recliners, raised dining area, and dozens of LCD TV's. The food here was very good to excellent. The fried catfish chips were very good but just a hair shy of Le Bayou. However, the meat pies and Archie Burger were sinful. It's a pub, finger food, sports lover's dream with a Cajun flare.

 

Le Bayou Oyster Bar - Is gateh on the menu? Yes it is! But Ben's brain was so numb from the record cold weather he missed ordering it.

 

Le Bayou Oyster Bar - Chipotle Chargrilled Oysters - Heavenly!

 

Le Bayou Oyster Bar - Southern Fried Fish Platter - Truly "fried to perfection" - Piping hot, moist ... and Deeelish!

 

Manning's - Three appetizer tasting platter (left to right) Corn-Fried Des Allemands Catfish Chips (very good); Slow Smoked Baby Back Ribs (they came out over cooked but the friendly manager brought us a replacement cooked to perfection); Louisiana Crab Finger Bordelaise (Mmmmm!)

 

Manning's - Archie Burger - Beefy juicy yumminess.

 

Manning's - Back another day - Three appetizer tasting plate (left to right) Natchitoches Meat Pies, Glazed Duck Wings, Slow-Roasted Cochon de Lait et Frites. Anti-Cholesterol drugs not included.

Edited April 24, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Lundi Gras - Monday, March 3, 2014

Toujaque's; Emeril's NOLA

 

Lunch at Tujaque's was okay - The fresh bread came out soft and warm, and the gumbo was very good but the service was slow and the white wash decor was dulling to the senses. Dinner service in Emeril's NOLA Restaurant on the other hand was exceptional. Unfortunately, while the meal was very good... It didn't make his taste buds go "Wham!" or "Bam!" Ben's expectations were high and the dishes simply didn't excite him to that degree. For a restaurant bar situated on Bourbon Street smack in the middle of alcohol induced party central, Le Bayou was easily the best meal/snack of the entire trip and had set the bar pretty high.

 

Toujaque's

 

Toujaque's - Gumbo with white rice... Tasty and warm on a chilly NOLA afternoon.

 

Toujaque's - Soft shell crab po boy

 

Emeril's NOLA - Bread.

 

Emeril's NOLA - Barbequed gulf shrimp

 

Emeril's NOLA - Creekstone Farms Rib Eye with patatas bravas, chimichurri, arugula salad.

Edited April 25, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Mardi Gras Day - Tuesday, March 4, 2014

A Cold, Wet, Fun Krewe of Zulu Parade

 

Ben anxiously awoke the next morning to find that the weather had turned even worse. Our festive frolicking friend tried not to let the rain and cold dampen his excitement. He was thrilled to be in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day and was so looking forward to the music and vying for more beads and throws at the Krewe of Zulu Parade.

 

When he arrived at the grand stand, Ben watched as his personal paparazzi ducked under a disposable plastic poncho and quickly hid under it as well. Together they patiently waited for the start of the parade. The crowds of spectators was noticeably thinner than the days before. As luck would have it, this would work to Ben's advantage because it greatly increased his chances of getting one of the most covet throws of Mardi Gras - A Krewe of Zulu Golden Nugget. He was totally amazed and grateful for the dedication and revelry of the procession that entertained us - Braving the weather, marching and dancing the 4 hour (5 mile) parade route.

 

Here a couple of videos of Krewe Zulu(Right-Click Open) Video 1 Video 2 Video 3

 

And a YouTube song to go with it Fats Domino - Mardi Gras in New Orleans ("When I get to New Orleans, I want to see the Zulu King")

 

Krewe of Zulu Parade - A cold rainy start

 

 

 

Krewe of Zulu Parade

 

Krewe of Zulu Parade - The Zulu King

 

Krewe of Zulu Parade - The Zulu King

Edited April 25, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Mardi Gras Day - Tuesday, March 4, 2014

A Cold, Wet, Fun Krewe of Zulu Parade (Continued)

 

Mayor Mitch Landrieu - Toast to the Zulu King

 

Krewe of Zulu Parade

 

Krewe of Zulu Parade

 

The Few. The Cold. The Wet... Like Sardines.

 

Time to leave. Not waiting for Krewe of Rex.

Edited April 25, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Mardi Gras Day - Tuesday, March 4, 2014

The "W" New Orleans

 

Ben and his soaked shivering servant managed to outlast many a spectator and stay until the end of the Zulu parade. However, he felt sorry for his sopping saturated sidekick. So, together they decided not to stay for the Krewe of Rex and the King of Carnival to arrive. Instead, they headed back to their well furnished suite at The "W" New Orleans to warm and dry up. There he rolled himself around on a dry fluffy cotton towel, cranked the thermostat to 90 degrees, and stood shivering in front of warm air duct waiting for the spacious suite to warm up.

 

Again fortune would shine on our jovial jester because by the time Ben ventured out of "the doub-yah", warmer but still feeling a chilled to the bone, he managed to catch the end of the Krewe of Rex parade. The floats and bands were rumbling quickly down the street one after another in a dizzying blur. They appeared to be rushing the parade quick to an end. The floats zipped by with krewes unloading the last of their goodies, raining down a storm of beads (often by the bagful) and doubloons onto the last of the brave wet lucky spectators.

 

W New Orleans - Spacious suite living room

 

W New Orleans - Well stocked bar - Starbucks Coffee and bottled water included for Starwood Preferred Guests

 

 

 

 

W New Orleans - One of two bathrooms

Edited April 25, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Mardi Gras Day - Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Harrah's Hotel and Casino, Bourbon Street Balcony

 

In the evening, one of Ben's new friends surprised him with an invitation to one of the most coveted party locations during Mardi Gras - One of the intricate ironwork balconies overlooking Bourbon Street. Many of these exclusive party locations are booked years in advance by media outlets and corporations, or require an extended hotel reservation at a hefty premium. The event was hosted Harrah's Hotel and Casino who reserved Retrouvailles Bistro's Bourbon Street Balcony with food and open bar for their VIP guests. Ben's friend had attempted to obtain an extra ticket several days in a row - Her subtle hints to the concierge who repeatedly decline, once with a firm "don't even ask." The poor weather again perhaps favored our fun flexible fellow by encouraging cancellations because an extra ticket magically appeared for him on Mardi Gras Day.

 

Ben got to toss beads down to the crowd of revelers - Those that withstood the rain and cold that kept all but the hardiest and most inebriated partiers indoors. It was an amazing once in a lifetime experience. The rain and cold again worked to Ben's (dis)advantage... It kept any topless nudity under wraps and away from infiltrating our innocent imp's imagination. Sadly, the party lasted only a mere two hours after which we were firmly shooed and ushered out of the prime real estate, perhaps to make way for a band of high rollers.

 

Arriving at Harrah's Bourbon Street Balcony at Retrouvailles Bistro

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 25, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Maison Bourbon, Coop's Place

 

Ben slept in the day after Mardi Gras, curled in his warm feather bed at the W, thermostat cranked up, soaking the warmth into his stiff polymer injection molded limbs. After a late lunch at Manning's, our polyester protagonist spent a couple of needed hours packing and preparing for the journey home the next morning. He patiently directed his butler to the 40 lb stash of Mardi Gras treasure, carefully untangling the strands of beads and laying them out into tidy organized piles, and deciding what keep and what to discard. He wanted to make the most of the $25 for his check in baggage and wanted to bring the most he could home, tossing out his manservant's belongings if need be. When the packing was done, our limber lilliputian ventured into the French Quarter one last time to soak in the post-festival atmosphere.

 

Ben returned to Bourbon Street where for one drink a set, he enjoyed some lovely live jazz at La Maison Bourbon. Unfortunately, any attempts at video recording where met by irate musicians or firm words from the bouncer. Ben's dedicated documentation tried to record the audio under the table but it came out badly muffled.

 

Our polypropylene protagonist spent his last few hours in NOLA at Coop's Place for dinner - A dive bar / restaurant popular with locals. Past eight in the evening and they still had to waiting in line outside for 15 minutes waiting to be seated. Recorded jazz playing over loudspeakers while the bar/dining room wasn't much to look at and even less so in the back. Ben involuntarily held his nose as he step out back towards the restrooms into an alley lined with trash bins. A waiter zipped down the alley, presumably the kitchen, and emerged with a tray of food. He prayed the kitchen was cleaner and tried to shake off the thought that the food was soaking up the trash-infused air on its way to diners. He tried not to let the thought linger and focused on enjoying his fried seafood platter, jambalaya, and fried chicken. Ben let his trust fall to the locals - They must know something about the Coop's that he didn't and in the end the food was good and Ben didn't get sick.

 

La Maison Bourbon

 

 

 

Coop's Place - Nearly finished Bayou Appetizer (tasty fried crab claws, crawfish, oysters, and shrimp)

 

Coop's Place - Jumbalaya

 

Coop's Place - Popular dish of Cajun Fried Chicken over rice and beans.

[kylenyc]

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Home Bittersweet Home

 

Ben returned home the next morning, having had one of the best vacations ever. He'll never forget the wonderful time he spent with his friends, new and old, passengers and crew aboard the beautiful Norwegian Jewel and her ports of call, and the wonderful music and festivities of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. It was a once in a lifetime experience that he hopes to repeat again someday.

 

Thanks for following Ben and helping him relive his adventures.

 

Reveling in his 30 pound stash of beads, doubloons, and coveted Rex - King of Carnival doubloons and Krewe of Zulu Golden Nuggets.

Edited April 25, 2014 by kylenyc