New Orleans, Louisiana, 4/1-4, 2018 路易斯安那州新奥尔良，2018 年 4 月 1 日至 4 日

Where is the best place for the spring break? New Orleans is our choice this year. Mardi Gras was over in February, so we looked forward to enjoying peaceful April of the Big Easy for several days.

The Westin New Orleans, the hotel we stayed, is right next to the French Quarter, the city’s historic heart, famous for its vibrant nightlife and colorful buildings with cast-iron balconies. The view through the windows from our hotel room was picturesque in both day and night. The streets, Bourbon in particular, of the Quarter were crowded with happy people, featuring jazz clubs, Cajun eateries and raucous bars serving strong cocktails. The famous Cafe Lafitte in Exile is also located at street Bourbon. It becomes famous because it claims to be the oldest gay bar continuously operated in the United States since 1933. In the third day, we found a great eatery, Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar at Bourbon St, enjoying Louisiana or New Orleans style seafood (Oyster, shrimps, fishes) although we had to wait in line for almost an hour. Jackson Square, a historic park, is not far way from the Westin, and we walked there watching street performers who entertained crowd and exhibition of arts in front of soaring St. Louis Cathedral. There are many attractions including the ghost museum and culinary school in nearby streets. The French Market, with gourmet food and local crafts, is less than 10 minute walking from Jackson square.

The most outstand building at Jackson Square is the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, also called St. Louis Cathedral, initially dedicated to Saint Louis, also known as King Louis IX of France. It is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans. The paintings, architecture, and decorations inside of Cathedral all are in French style.

We took guided tours to experience the wild of New Orleans on educational swamp boat ride from New Orleans in the second day. The guide gave us educational commentaries while we rode on a boat heading from the mighty Mississippi River into the quiet marshy swampland and wildlife habitats for alligators, raccoons, snakes and native birds.

In the late afternoon after came back from swamp tour, we wasted no time to board on the Steamboat Natchez for night sightseeing along Mississippi river. The boat took us traveling along the mighty Mississippi starting from sunset. We delighted the sparkle of the urban shoreline and city skyline at dusk, and Creole‐inspired dinner and live jazz music in the evening.

In the last day, we toured the Oak Alley Plantation. Oak Alley Plantation is located on the west bank of the Mississippi river and has 25 historic acres and 300 year old allee of oaks.  The iconic Oak Alley was named because it looks like an alley created by a double row of oak trees that were planted in the early 18th century, long before the present house was built. The alley is about 800 feet (240 meters) long, and runs between the home and the River. Now it becomes a designated National Historic Landmark for its unique architecture and landscaping among others, and attracts millions of tourists to visit this property each year. The Plantation has the exhibit of the Slavery at Oak Alley, Civil War exhibit, Sugarcane Theater and Big House. They silently tell the rich history of the antebellum south an the past of the plantation. 

春假去哪里去为好？ 今年我们选择新奥尔良。 Mardi Gras狂欢节在二月结束了，所以我们期待着享受 Big Easy 的几天平和的四月。

我们入住的新奥尔良威斯汀酒店紧挨着这座城市的历史中心法国区。法国区其充满活力的夜生活和带铸铁阳台的色彩缤纷的建筑而闻名。从我们酒店房间的窗户看到的景色无论白天还是晚上都美丽如画。该区的街道，尤其是波旁街，挤满了快乐的人，有爵士乐俱乐部、卡津餐馆和供应烈性鸡尾酒的喧闹酒吧。 著名的”流亡中的拉菲特咖啡馆” 也位于波旁街。它之所以出名，是因为它声称是自 1933 年以来在美国持续经营的最古老的同性恋酒吧。到达后的第三天，我们在波旁街找到了一家很棒的餐馆 Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar，享受了路易斯安那州或新奥尔良风味的海鲜（牡蛎，虾，鱼), 虽然我们排队等了将近一个小时。杰克逊广场是一座历史悠久的公园，距离威斯汀酒店不远，我们步行就可到那里观看街头表演者在高耸的圣路易斯大教堂前娱乐人们，还有艺术展览。附近的街道上有许多景点，包括幽灵博物馆和烹饪学校。从杰克逊广场走到以美食和当地手工艺品出名的法国市场也只有不到 10 分钟的路程。

杰克逊广场最突出的建筑是圣路易斯大教堂，最初是献给圣路易斯的，即法国国王路易九世。 它是美国持续使用的最古老的大教堂，也是新奥尔良罗马天主教大主教管区的所在地。 大教堂内的绘画、建筑和装饰皆是法式风格。

到后的第二天，我们参加了旅行团从新奥尔良乘坐游船游览沼泽地，体验野外。 我们乘船从气势磅礴的密西西比河驶入安静的沼泽地和短吻鳄、浣熊、蛇和本土鸟类的野生动物栖息地，导游边游边为我们提供教育性的讲解。

我们从沼泽之旅返回后，赶紧登上游览汽船 Natchez号去观赏密西西比河两岸的夜景。 从日落开始，船载我们沿着宽阔大密西西比河航行。 我们在黄昏时分欣赏了城市海岸线和城市天际线的余辉，夜里享受了克里奥尔风味的晚餐和现场爵士音乐。

最后一天，我们参观了橡树巷种植园。 橡树巷种植园位于密西西比河西岸，拥有 25 英亩历史悠久的土地和 300 年历史的橡树林。 标志性的橡树巷之所以得名，是因为它看起来像一条由双排橡树组成的小巷。 这些橡树早在在18世纪初期在现在的房子建成之前就种植了。小巷长约 800 英尺（240 米），位于住宅和河流之间。 现在它因其独特的建筑和景观等而成为指定的国家历史地标，每年吸引数百万游客参观此地。 种植园有橡树巷的奴隶制展览、内战展览、甘蔗剧院和大房子。 他们默默地讲述着南战前丰富的历史和种植园的过去。