The Sunflowers guide to Louisiana
Sep 30th, 2008, 12:38 PM
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The Sunflowers guide to Louisiana
For our honeymoon Mrs. Sun and I decided that we wanted to keep it simple. With everything that had been going on we did not want to feel like we needed to rush around so we decided to take a road trip to Louisiana.
We left Sunday the 14th of September, we had been worried about the hurricanes but with the help of our Fodorite friends (special thanks to BayouGal) we decided to go ahead with the trip. I am glad we did as the weather was wonderful and it was a beautiful trip. We spent most of the day driving and seeing the sights and comparing notes form the wedding. We also stopped and purchased a new camera our old one was starting to fall apart, all the pictures you will see were taken by Mrs. Sun.
We stayed in Lafayette for the first three days at the Hilton Lafayette. The hotel is nice and the staff is very helpful offering directions and coupons for places to eat etc. The room was large a well appointed, would gladly stay there again.
Our first day there we loving little towns headed for the Beaux Bridge, St. Martinsville area. A few words to the wise Beaux Bridge is a wonderful little town but there is not much to do on a Monday. Many of the stores are closed as are the more local restaurants. We lucked out though we went into a little local shop and met the most wonderful woman; we will call her Mrs. J. We probably spent about forty-five minutes talking with her. She gave us ideas as to where to eat and things to do. In a serendipitous event her son was the historian at the Tabasco plant for the entire factory as well as the family; he also wrote a coffee table book about the product and the family.
After speaking with Mrs. J we left and headed for St. Martinsville to see the chapel and the Evangeline Oak. For those of you that are not familiar with the story of Evangeline here is a link on the history of the story…
http://www.hwlongfellow.org/works_evangeline.shtml
And the actual poem…
http://www.louisianacajun.com/evangeline.asp
You will see in the pictures the actual tree. We had to cut our day short however. Mrs. Sun the day of our wedding had a rash that started on her arm an allergic reaction to marrying me
Sunday night we had but solar cane on the area as it burned, wrong move. The next day the arm blistered and was getting worse. So off to the emergency room we went, three hours later we headed back to the hotel three prescription bags in hand. Her arm is much better now but is not fully healed.
Tuesday we went to Avery Island and Tabasco. To be honest I was a little disappointed. The factory tour was not really what I expected you walked down a hallway and saw the product being bottled, as a fanatic I had hoped to see more. Another downer was the fact that the Jungle gardens were closed do to hurricane damage. All in all though it was interesting to visit I wish the gardens had been opened. On a side note though the Tabasco plant was the closest thing to a working plantation I have seen, generations of families have worked, shopped, lived, died and been buried on the island and it is an interesting experience.
We went over to the little store they had and bought Mrs. J’s sons book. Then we were off again. With not being able to see the jungle gardens we had more time on our hands so we headed to New Iberia which is a few miles from Avery Island. While we were there we came across Shadows on the Teche. We came across this by accident and it was a wonderful find. I would recommend this little tour to anyone who likes antebellum homes, their website…
http://www.shadowsontheteche.org/
Later on that day we went back to Beaux Bridge and spoke with Mrs. J as well as did a bit of shopping. From there we headed for Lake Martin for our swamp tour. We went with a gentleman named Butch and had a wonderful time. We saw a lot of wild life, scenery that was amazing and he took us places that I did not think a boat could get to. The tour was twenty per person for a two hour tour but it was closer to three. Butch wanted us to see as much as we could so when we all said we had no big plans he took us all over, he wants you to see and experience the swamp and bayou. It was a wonderful experience one of my favorite things we did. Here is his sit if you should ever wish to tour…
http://www.cajuncountryswamptours.com/
That night we ate a Prejean’s which was wonderful food and atmosphere. I am going to take a moment here and pass on a bit of advice. The food is wonderful in this little corner of the world. Eat something off the beaten path so have the gator and the duck, make friends with the crawfish. Keep this in mind though MOST local food is going to have a kick to it. If you are spice conscience make sure your server knows this and don’t try to be tough and act like you can take some spice if you cant. Mrs. Sun does into really like hot food and she learned this lesson the hard way when she had the duck gumbo. If you are in Lafayette I suggest you stop…
http://www.prejeans.com/
Wednesday we went to New Orleans, we drove through Baton Rouge and saw the state building as we passed through. We got to New Orleans and got checked into the Hilton St. Charles, this is an old hotel in what was once a Masonic temple. As such it has some amazing architecture, however the view from our room left much to be desired, but you make trade offs. We got settled in and headed to the French quarter to have lunch or so we thought. We learned this lesson the hard way but between about two and five there is no place to eat. They close down to get ready for dinner. Luckily we found a place that was open and had lunch it was called the Palace Café and they had excellent food, but it is pricy. With food in our bellies we headed for Royal and hit the antique stores. A word on the antique stores, they really should be called galleries. They have many wonderful and beautiful things but they are very expensive. I love to go antiquing but what I like is finding little bargains, here they know what they have and they have it priced at its value. We were worn out after all our walking so we went to the hotel and just ordered in for dinner.
The next day we headed for the French market and were back in and around Jackson square. We took the Street car and as Mrs. Sun and I sat down and the street car or “trolley’ started off with a clang clang I almost burst into song…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hka8jKueLaQ
But alas Mrs. Sun caught my eye and said “no” so I behaved myself.
we did a lot of shopping and wondered around the area. We also went to the aquarium, which we enjoyed and then went to the Casino on a whim. A note on the casino if you do not like loud noises and smoking then a casino is no more for you then it was for us. We lost a grand total of ten buck and left with a head ache.
We went back to Jackson square and took a carriage ride through the city now keep this in mind we were coming up on seven. So we saw some sights learned a lot and then our fine carriage driver turned us down Bourbon. Now this is just my own personal thought process and opinions please note that. The French Quarter and the city of New Orleans in general has a fascination with sex that just blows my mind. Bourbon St. is no where I would want to spend anytime, it is loud, crass and reeks to the high heavens of stale alcohol. As someone who is accustomed to the more straight laced southern manner system this was a departure, there were times that the only place I could look was the floor of the carriage.
We saw a lot during our time in NO and I really enjoyed it the food is wonderful, the people are kind and have wonderful stories and humor. There are people all over that are selling art and reading everything from poetry to your palm. Every where you seem to go you hear wonderful music it seems to come from everywhere. I am glad we went and I would like to go back someday. I would caution families about going here as there is much about it that is not family friendly but NO is what you make it, if you go looking for vice you can find it if you look for culture and class it is there as well. On a side note I would like to say that I behaved myself in the French Quarter, I came close but never did do this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1A0p0F_iH8
We went from there on to Dallas and stayed at the Westin at the galleria, they have just remodeled much of the hotel and the rooms are modern and impressive. We did more shopping again in Dallas, Mrs. Sun will claim we did not shop a lot but I sure thought we did. We really did not get out and do much in Dallas we were worn out and were ready to go home.
I hope this helps for those of you that have or are planning a trip to this area, here are a few quick tips.
Meals…
They tend to cost more but you are going to get a lot, I am a big guy and half a Po-boy was filling. If you get a chance eat a Po-boy they are wonderful and I just about lived on them. Crawfish was my favorite followed by shrimp. Mrs. Sun liked Oyster Po-boy’s.
There are a lot of famous places to eat, K-Paul’s etc. but are thought was to eat at place that were not so well known, there is less of a crowd and you never know when you are eating at a place that is about to become famous. Also I did not eat at a single place that was not wonderful.
Shopping…
There are lots of little road side and curb side in No areas to shop local people displaying their talents, in our experience they were wonderful to talk to and had a wealth of information.
Antique stores are going to sell chandeliers that are 90,000 bucks don’t expect to find hidden treasures.
There are a lot of local artists and they do some wonderful work and they have something to fit every type of décor
I hope this was helpful if you have any questions I will do what I can to help. Here are the pictures of the trip…
http://s366.photobucket.com/albums/o...view=slideshow
-SFG-
We left Sunday the 14th of September, we had been worried about the hurricanes but with the help of our Fodorite friends (special thanks to BayouGal) we decided to go ahead with the trip. I am glad we did as the weather was wonderful and it was a beautiful trip. We spent most of the day driving and seeing the sights and comparing notes form the wedding. We also stopped and purchased a new camera our old one was starting to fall apart, all the pictures you will see were taken by Mrs. Sun.
We stayed in Lafayette for the first three days at the Hilton Lafayette. The hotel is nice and the staff is very helpful offering directions and coupons for places to eat etc. The room was large a well appointed, would gladly stay there again.
Our first day there we loving little towns headed for the Beaux Bridge, St. Martinsville area. A few words to the wise Beaux Bridge is a wonderful little town but there is not much to do on a Monday. Many of the stores are closed as are the more local restaurants. We lucked out though we went into a little local shop and met the most wonderful woman; we will call her Mrs. J. We probably spent about forty-five minutes talking with her. She gave us ideas as to where to eat and things to do. In a serendipitous event her son was the historian at the Tabasco plant for the entire factory as well as the family; he also wrote a coffee table book about the product and the family.
After speaking with Mrs. J we left and headed for St. Martinsville to see the chapel and the Evangeline Oak. For those of you that are not familiar with the story of Evangeline here is a link on the history of the story…
http://www.hwlongfellow.org/works_evangeline.shtml
And the actual poem…
http://www.louisianacajun.com/evangeline.asp
You will see in the pictures the actual tree. We had to cut our day short however. Mrs. Sun the day of our wedding had a rash that started on her arm an allergic reaction to marrying me
Sunday night we had but solar cane on the area as it burned, wrong move. The next day the arm blistered and was getting worse. So off to the emergency room we went, three hours later we headed back to the hotel three prescription bags in hand. Her arm is much better now but is not fully healed. Tuesday we went to Avery Island and Tabasco. To be honest I was a little disappointed. The factory tour was not really what I expected you walked down a hallway and saw the product being bottled, as a fanatic I had hoped to see more. Another downer was the fact that the Jungle gardens were closed do to hurricane damage. All in all though it was interesting to visit I wish the gardens had been opened. On a side note though the Tabasco plant was the closest thing to a working plantation I have seen, generations of families have worked, shopped, lived, died and been buried on the island and it is an interesting experience.
We went over to the little store they had and bought Mrs. J’s sons book. Then we were off again. With not being able to see the jungle gardens we had more time on our hands so we headed to New Iberia which is a few miles from Avery Island. While we were there we came across Shadows on the Teche. We came across this by accident and it was a wonderful find. I would recommend this little tour to anyone who likes antebellum homes, their website…
http://www.shadowsontheteche.org/
Later on that day we went back to Beaux Bridge and spoke with Mrs. J as well as did a bit of shopping. From there we headed for Lake Martin for our swamp tour. We went with a gentleman named Butch and had a wonderful time. We saw a lot of wild life, scenery that was amazing and he took us places that I did not think a boat could get to. The tour was twenty per person for a two hour tour but it was closer to three. Butch wanted us to see as much as we could so when we all said we had no big plans he took us all over, he wants you to see and experience the swamp and bayou. It was a wonderful experience one of my favorite things we did. Here is his sit if you should ever wish to tour…
http://www.cajuncountryswamptours.com/
That night we ate a Prejean’s which was wonderful food and atmosphere. I am going to take a moment here and pass on a bit of advice. The food is wonderful in this little corner of the world. Eat something off the beaten path so have the gator and the duck, make friends with the crawfish. Keep this in mind though MOST local food is going to have a kick to it. If you are spice conscience make sure your server knows this and don’t try to be tough and act like you can take some spice if you cant. Mrs. Sun does into really like hot food and she learned this lesson the hard way when she had the duck gumbo. If you are in Lafayette I suggest you stop…
http://www.prejeans.com/
Wednesday we went to New Orleans, we drove through Baton Rouge and saw the state building as we passed through. We got to New Orleans and got checked into the Hilton St. Charles, this is an old hotel in what was once a Masonic temple. As such it has some amazing architecture, however the view from our room left much to be desired, but you make trade offs. We got settled in and headed to the French quarter to have lunch or so we thought. We learned this lesson the hard way but between about two and five there is no place to eat. They close down to get ready for dinner. Luckily we found a place that was open and had lunch it was called the Palace Café and they had excellent food, but it is pricy. With food in our bellies we headed for Royal and hit the antique stores. A word on the antique stores, they really should be called galleries. They have many wonderful and beautiful things but they are very expensive. I love to go antiquing but what I like is finding little bargains, here they know what they have and they have it priced at its value. We were worn out after all our walking so we went to the hotel and just ordered in for dinner.
The next day we headed for the French market and were back in and around Jackson square. We took the Street car and as Mrs. Sun and I sat down and the street car or “trolley’ started off with a clang clang I almost burst into song…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hka8jKueLaQ
But alas Mrs. Sun caught my eye and said “no” so I behaved myself.
we did a lot of shopping and wondered around the area. We also went to the aquarium, which we enjoyed and then went to the Casino on a whim. A note on the casino if you do not like loud noises and smoking then a casino is no more for you then it was for us. We lost a grand total of ten buck and left with a head ache. We went back to Jackson square and took a carriage ride through the city now keep this in mind we were coming up on seven. So we saw some sights learned a lot and then our fine carriage driver turned us down Bourbon. Now this is just my own personal thought process and opinions please note that. The French Quarter and the city of New Orleans in general has a fascination with sex that just blows my mind. Bourbon St. is no where I would want to spend anytime, it is loud, crass and reeks to the high heavens of stale alcohol. As someone who is accustomed to the more straight laced southern manner system this was a departure, there were times that the only place I could look was the floor of the carriage.
We saw a lot during our time in NO and I really enjoyed it the food is wonderful, the people are kind and have wonderful stories and humor. There are people all over that are selling art and reading everything from poetry to your palm. Every where you seem to go you hear wonderful music it seems to come from everywhere. I am glad we went and I would like to go back someday. I would caution families about going here as there is much about it that is not family friendly but NO is what you make it, if you go looking for vice you can find it if you look for culture and class it is there as well. On a side note I would like to say that I behaved myself in the French Quarter, I came close but never did do this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1A0p0F_iH8
We went from there on to Dallas and stayed at the Westin at the galleria, they have just remodeled much of the hotel and the rooms are modern and impressive. We did more shopping again in Dallas, Mrs. Sun will claim we did not shop a lot but I sure thought we did. We really did not get out and do much in Dallas we were worn out and were ready to go home.
I hope this helps for those of you that have or are planning a trip to this area, here are a few quick tips.
Meals…
They tend to cost more but you are going to get a lot, I am a big guy and half a Po-boy was filling. If you get a chance eat a Po-boy they are wonderful and I just about lived on them. Crawfish was my favorite followed by shrimp. Mrs. Sun liked Oyster Po-boy’s.
There are a lot of famous places to eat, K-Paul’s etc. but are thought was to eat at place that were not so well known, there is less of a crowd and you never know when you are eating at a place that is about to become famous. Also I did not eat at a single place that was not wonderful.
Shopping…
There are lots of little road side and curb side in No areas to shop local people displaying their talents, in our experience they were wonderful to talk to and had a wealth of information.
Antique stores are going to sell chandeliers that are 90,000 bucks don’t expect to find hidden treasures.
There are a lot of local artists and they do some wonderful work and they have something to fit every type of décor
I hope this was helpful if you have any questions I will do what I can to help. Here are the pictures of the trip…
http://s366.photobucket.com/albums/o...view=slideshow
-SFG-
Sep 30th, 2008, 08:28 PM
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Sun- too bad y'all were pooped by the time you hit Dallas. You'll have to come back some time and do it right.
Glad you had a wonderful little honeymoon! Life is a lot slower in Louisiana, did you notice?
Congrats to you and the Mrs.
Paula
Glad you had a wonderful little honeymoon! Life is a lot slower in Louisiana, did you notice?
Congrats to you and the Mrs.
Paula
Oct 1st, 2008, 04:39 AM
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Nice report and glad you made the trip. I know you guys were anxious over it, but the area you visited fortunately (unlike us) missed the storm. You visited a unique part of the country that is different, but pleasant, in so many ways. It's always interesting.
Oct 1st, 2008, 02:34 PM
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Great report! I, too, am glad you didn't delay your trip as I know the weather in that part of the country was great by the time you got there.
The Palace Cafe that you happened upon is owned by the Brennan family - the same group who own Commander's Palace, Mr. B's Bistro, Bacco, and one other (the name escapes me). You got lucky!
I'm sorry someone didn't suggest you stop by Preservation Hall for some wonderful music...it's an institution. No food, no drinks, and most of the seating is on the floor, but you and Mrs. Sun seem to love unique experiences, so keep it on your list for the next trip.
The Palace Cafe that you happened upon is owned by the Brennan family - the same group who own Commander's Palace, Mr. B's Bistro, Bacco, and one other (the name escapes me). You got lucky!
I'm sorry someone didn't suggest you stop by Preservation Hall for some wonderful music...it's an institution. No food, no drinks, and most of the seating is on the floor, but you and Mrs. Sun seem to love unique experiences, so keep it on your list for the next trip.
Oct 1st, 2008, 04:23 PM
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Hey SFG - glad you and Mrs. SFG had a good time in NOLA.
I love Prejean's restaurant. Have been there many times when I go to Lafayette. They actually even have a booth during Jazz Fest where they served their crawfish enchiladas.
I love Prejean's restaurant. Have been there many times when I go to Lafayette. They actually even have a booth during Jazz Fest where they served their crawfish enchiladas.
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