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Old 29 Nov 17, 07:34 PM  
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WileyCoyote
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From Rock'n'Roll to Creole Sept 17: Day 9 Nashville to New Orleans

Yesterday is the JD Distillery at Lynchburg

Monday 18th September

We were awake at 5 which wasn’t brilliant as we wouldn’t be arriving in New Orleans until 9ish tonight so it was going to be a long day ahead.

We had a leisurely morning watching TV and finished up packing the cases before heading down for breakfast at 9.45.

Breakfast was advertised as being until 10 but we discovered that they were already taking things away and turning off various machines and hot items so we had a bit of a scramble to cobble something together before it all disappeared.



I think it set the tone for the day !

We left our cases with reception .No fees on checking out - We had already pre paid for this hotel in the UK - it had been £395 for two nights. Which initially felt a lot but did include parking and breakfast and by comparison to those in central Nashville, it was actually a bargain. Shout out to Dibber disneywiseowl for the tip.

e took the short drive across the road to the Gaylord Opryland. I hopped out of the car while Andy waited so I could run in and take some pics, which was all well and good until I was halfway round and realised I hadn’t put the memory card in the camera so had to run out and get it and then go back again – which didn’t make Andy a happy bunny….

The resort is amazing and I hardly got to see any of it but it looked spectacular.



From the Opry we headed into downtown Nashville – this was the only day where I hadn’t put the zip codes on the planner and it caused a real nightmare as the signage wasn’t brilliant and the sat nav wasn’t helping.

We ended up having a right old disagreement about where we were supposed to be going and ended up in a deserted parking lot near some train tracks in a less than picturesque part of town

We did have a bit of a squabble. I still maintain that you can use your eyes to read signs when the sat nav isn’t working !

Andy then announced the car was really low on fuel – Say WHAAAATTTTT - our hotel was literally next to a petrol station so this news didn’t go down well.

He was adamant the car needed to be re fuelled on return ( I was equally as adamant it didnt) and he had been waiting to do it all in one go.

Got to say, no need for fuel for the aircon at this point, it was right frosty.

After a few minutes of bickering we sorted out a location to head for which would put us near Broadway.



The next challenge was parking , which was far more complicated and expensive than we expected, and I was pretty nervous about leaving the car in the lot as we were parked really close to the street and it stood out .

We then had a bit of a bicker about how long to park far ( goddamn where is that crystal ball when you need it ) so we went for two hours which cost $17 – top tip, use the Hard Rock valet parking , we discovered it was only $10 for 3 hours !

We had debated between the Johnny Cash museum and the Country Music Hall of Fame – Johnny Cash won , but it was the wrong choice, think we would have enjoyed CMHOF more ….

We got discounted entry of $15 each by showing our Opry tickets which was just as well as we were in and out within 40 minutes .

Andy was really not very interested and whilst I found some of it interesting, I didn’t read as much as I could have.

I did learn that he had a real passion for prison reform though which I didn’t know.



We took a quick walk to the bridge to get some views of the City


Edited at 07:46 PM.
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Old 29 Nov 17, 07:34 PM  
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And then a quick drink stop ( soft drinks only though) at the Hard Rock



From there we decided to walk towards the state capitol and to find a Starbucks to pick up our Nashville mug

We passed Coyote Ugly on the way




It was scorching hot by now and we seemed to be walking uphill a lot to see some of the monuments



We were getting really hot, sweaty and very conscious that our parking was about to expire so it was a bit of a dash back towards Broadway and to pick up the car



Andy couldn’t drink as he was driving and I wasn’t really feeling it so we decided to make our way back to the hotel to kill a couple of hours before we had to be at the Airport.

Looking back, we should have just come on the hotel shuttle bus and avoided all the parking/fuel/no drinking malarkey – we may well have had a much better time .

Neither of us were keen to spend any more time around the downtown area … we couldn’t wait to leave .

Of course first we had to find the all important petrol station after this morning’s drama .

Suitably re fuelled , we headed back to Opry Mills around 1pm for a mooch around.

We did some messing about in the Rainforest Café and Andy found his soulmate in a chocolate shop .

The Mall was deserted , completely different to how busy it had been on Saturday.



Lunch was at Mission BBQ which was highly rated on Trip Advisor .

Its in the Mall but located on the outside so a bit of a hike to the other end.

I was feeling a bit light headed and queasy – I couldn’t tell if that was travel nerves or a bit dehydrated after the yomping about uphill earlier.

We found the restaurant tucked round a corner, it’s a great place, very much in the mode of 4Rivers and very focused on honouring the services with donations being made from sale of certain items.

It was gone 2 by now so we thought this would keep us going until we arrived in New Orleans . Like the mall, it was incredibly quiet !



We had the three meat sampler platter ( turkey, brisket and pork) with two sides.



It was all very tasty.

As we had packed the cases, no purchases were made and about 3pm we headed back to the hotel.

Andy then had a very frustrating hour or so on the phone to the hotel In Little Rock, repeating our issue to about 4 different people, none of whom could help as their “ system was down”.:angry:

But more promises to call us back. ….

I sat and wrote some trip notes and made the most of the free coffee . We pretty much had the whole lounge to ourselves

Just after 5 we headed to the airport which was only a 15 minute drive. No surprises to learn the car didn’t need to be returned with a full tank so a brief wait while Andy got a refund.

No “ I told you so” were spoken but plenty were thought.

He was sad to say goodbye to the Charger – it had done really well taking us over 1400 miles in the last week.

We headed straight to bag drop – which was all self serve and we were done in less than 5 minutes.

At security we had our driving licences ready as ID, only to be told they are not accepted and it had to be our Passports – a bit of huffing and puffing and we retrieved them from our handluggage and we were soon through.

There were lots of nice bars and places to eat – we didn’t fancy anything to eat but Andy went to get us a glass of wine from the bar we sat opposite – at a staggering $18 a glass

Which he didn’t realise until they had been poured out. Good job it was nice wine .

Boarding was very orderly based on the zone on the boarding card , I had a minor panic as I headed towards the plane and realised I had lost my camera . I rushed back to where we had been sitting and a lady helpfully told me it had fallen off my seat and they had handed it to the cabin crew at the boarding gate.

Phew, they had it there waiting , huge relief ! That will teach me to be fiddling about with my hand luggage at the gate .

Seats were ok – not the most room for Andy but it was only a short flight – the deal was that you sit where you like so lots of people helpfully occupying the aisle seats who then huffed and puffed when people asked them to move.

We ended up in the middle and aisle with a chap who was sat in the window seat.



We were away on time at 7.15 , it was a pretty good flight , we had a complimentary coffee and passed the flight sharing my headphones and listening to music on my phone.

We were pretty impressed with SouthWest all round.

We were soon off and the bags came out quickly.

New Orleans airport itself seemed a lot less glamorous than others we have been too but we didn’t have time to take a wander as we were on our way to meet the Super Shuttle.

Which was a whole different experience to our arrival in Dallas.

We called the office and they directed us to the waiting area and within minutes a super helpful chap was there to meet us and we were on our way.

Exactly the opposite of our previous experience ! He was lovely , telling us all about his life in New Orleans and recommending places to eat.

We were whizzing along so I couldn’t get any decent snaps – this was the closest we got to the SuperDome.

I think I may have booked us an executive shuttle by mistake as there were no other pick ups and the price was double the taxi fare ( which is pre set by the city). Ah well, never mind, we arrived far less stressed than in Dallas !



The route to the hotel took us through some really eerie streets and I have to confess to being a bit nervous, it looked quite run down and almost desolate – I was beginning to wonder where we would be staying but a few turns later and we were at Orleans Street and our simply stunning hotel









OMG hotel was amazing and our room was fabulous.

Huge bed, swanky bathroom and a view overlooking the hotel pool – so away from the noise of Bourbon Street. It was fantastic and super comfy.

We were given free vouchers for drinks so it would have been rude not to use them.

We headed down to the hotel bar, Bourbon O.

Its really neat as you can enter from the hotel but the front of the bar is open so you can see people walking past on Bourbon Street .

I had a Grasshopper cocktail and Andy had a beer. We ordered Tortilla Chips with salsa and guacamole for $10 and just sat taking in the fantastic jazz and lapping up the atmosphere.







We had grins from ear to ear. This was just what we had imagined it to be , a superb hotel, laid back jazz, great atmosphere and we knew instantly that we were going to love staying here. I think NOLA had stolen our hearts already !

Day 10 is WWII Museum , Cocktails at Pat O Briens and Dinner at The Gumbo Shop

Edited at 12:54 PM.
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Old 29 Nov 17, 08:16 PM  
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Redrach1903
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I’m so sad that you didn’t like Nashville! Perhaps if you didn’t have the car drama and had more time to explore you’d have enjoyed it more?

Your hotel in New Orleans looked fab! X
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Old 29 Nov 17, 08:57 PM  
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Nashville is a funny place - we found some great music spots and enjoyed them but didn’t really like it as a city as much as other places. New Orleans looks fab!
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Old 29 Nov 17, 08:57 PM  
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Travel days are always so difficult - especially with a flight involved!

Glad that NOLA has hit the spot!
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Old 29 Nov 17, 10:37 PM  
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Sounds like one of those days where you try to make the most of the day but in the back of your mind is the thought of travelling. The hotel in New Orleans sounds fab though
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Old 30 Nov 17, 07:35 PM  
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A few ups and downs today, I'm glad the final few hours were good and you were enjoying your first trip out in New Orleans it sounds like great fun.
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Old 30 Nov 17, 08:22 PM  
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WileyCoyote
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Originally Posted by Redrach1903 View Post
I’m so sad that you didn’t like Nashville! Perhaps if you didn’t have the car drama and had more time to explore you’d have enjoyed it more?

Your hotel in New Orleans looked fab! X
Hi there. Sadly, no, I don't think any more time would have made a difference. I asked Andy that today and he said no as well. We just didn't warm to it all. I would have liked to have seen a bit more but we really didn't like Broadway at all. Glad we went but won't go back .

New Orleans on the other hand ... Fab in every way for us.

Originally Posted by CrispyA View Post
Nashville is a funny place - we found some great music spots and enjoyed them but didn’t really like it as a city as much as other places. New Orleans looks fab!
Yep , deffo how we felt about Nashville.
Love love love New Orleans.

Originally Posted by Melbatb View Post
Travel days are always so difficult - especially with a flight involved!

Glad that NOLA has hit the spot!
Yes you are always clock watching but we did at least see some sights !

Originally Posted by i love jack View Post
Sounds like one of those days where you try to make the most of the day but in the back of your mind is the thought of travelling. The hotel in New Orleans sounds fab though
Yep, definitely. You can never quite relax when you know you can't be late to the airport The hotel was amazin, completely luxurious

Originally Posted by Goldia View Post
A few ups and downs today, I'm glad the final few hours were good and you were enjoying your first trip out in New Orleans it sounds like great fun.
Yes, we rescued a rotten start into a reasonable day and at least we could laugh at the end of the day. Well I laughed about the fuel anyway
It was a lovely first evening in NO, totally set the tone for our stay.
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Old 4 Dec 17, 02:23 PM  
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Ooh I've been so looking forward to this part of your trip report! NOLA stole our hearts too and it hasn't given them back yet. I cannot wait to go back some day!
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Old 4 Dec 17, 07:06 PM  
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Originally Posted by DisneyDreamer81 View Post
Ooh I've been so looking forward to this part of your trip report! NOLA stole our hearts too and it hasn't given them back yet. I cannot wait to go back some day!
Ah, thank you. I wrote up our first day in NOLA today ready to post tomorrow and I just smiled the whole time. It's such a fabulous place. I can't wait to go back either !
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