New OrleansWhen Jean Baptiste Le Moyne picked out the strategic spot on the
Mississippi River for his French colony in 1718, little did he know that he had doomed a future city to tragedy nearly 290 years later. Situated on a swamp, and surrounded by the sea,
Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, the subsiding city of
New Orleans chose to swim rather than sink with the construction of a system of levees, pumps and canals to protect the city from flooding.
However, on the 30 August 2005
Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst hurricanes ever to hit the
United States, slammed
into the region, catapulting New Orleans into world headlines that followed the struggle of the community to cope with extensive damage, loss of life and the flooding of more than 75 percent of the city.
Despite the 'I told you so' attitude of much of the world, the proud residents of New Orleans were more determined than ever to rebuild their city, to bring back the jazz, the extravagant celebrations and the 'Big Easy' lifestyle that once made it the party capital of America. Local musicians are returning home, after-dark options are burgeoning and the strains of jazz and blues rhythms are once again echoing through the streets of the atmospheric
French Quarter. Legendary
Bourbon Street continues to host carnivals and parades, including the annual Mardi Gras, which has a reputation for being the most scandalous and sensational event on the world's festival calendar.
Besides all the partying, New Orleans has plenty of serious sightseeing to offer. The city is full of picturesque historic buildings, lush parks, interesting museums displaying everything from voodoo culture to modern technology, riverboats and historic streetcars, and of course jazz cafes. But for now evidence of the calamity, as well as the city's determination to survive, take first place in any visitor's 'to do' list.
Getting Around: When in New Orleans, the vintage electric rail vehicles or 'streetcars' are the way to go. With various lines crossing the city, most destinations are accessible by this means of transport. Various VisiTour passes allow unlimited rides on buses and streetcars, and for streetcar fare and route information visit www.norta.com. The Canal Street Ferry takes passengers across to the suburb of
Algiers and is free for pedestrians, offering fine views of the city skyline. Walking, cycling, taxis and rental cars are some of the other options; many tourist areas, like the French Quarter, are most enjoyable on foot. Driving a car in New Orleans may be difficult as many roads are still inaccessible due to hurricane damage.
Climate: New Orleans has a subtropical climate with very hot and humid summers and mild winters. In mid-summer temperatures of 90°F (30°C) and more are common, while in winter the temperature hovers around a comfortable 60°F (15°C), with very chilly mornings. New Orleans has a high annual rainfall, most of it falling in late summer, often as a spin-off from tropical storms. Heavy rain during the June to September Gulf Coast hurricane season has caused flooding in the city on occasion. Snow and ice are rarities in New Orleans, but there have been incidences of a 'white Christmas', with light snow.
Baton RougeSituated about 75 miles (121km) northwest of New Orleans along Louisiana's winding 'Great River Road',
Baton Rouge, the state capital, is in the middle of plantation country. Surrounded by sugar cane fields and grand plantation homes, haunted southern mansions and beautiful gardens along the banks of the mighty
Mississippi, the city is filled with historic buildings and a vibrant nightlife.
Baton Rouge was named by French explorer
D'Iberville about 300 years ago when he found a red stick on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi. Today the one-time swampland settlement is the fifth largest port city in America, known for its riverboat casinos where high-stakes gambling, stage shows and Cajun cuisine reign supreme. The city has an academic side too, being home to
Louisiana State University and
Southern University, the largest historically African-American university in the nation. There are museums aplenty, art galleries, a planetarium and active theater and ballet companies to complete the scene in this dynamic and diverse city. Incidentally, Baton Rouge also has the tallest Capitol building in the United States: an art deco building dating from 1932 standing 34 storys high.
Getting Around: Public transport options include buses, which go all over the city but run infrequently, and the Capitol Park Trolley, which provides free service around the downtown area. Renting a car is perhaps the best option; the minimum age is usually 25, although some agencies only require drivers to be 21 years of age, a surcharge may be added. A valid driver's license, passport and major credit card are also required. Keep in mind that Baton Rouge is a much busier place than it once was. When Hurricane Katrina hit nearby New Orleans, many people were evacuated to Baton Rouge, and many have stayed. Many roads and highways now experience significant congestion regardless of the time of day.
Climate: Warm and wet are the essential characteristics of the climate of Baton Rouge, which experiences rain showers all year round, high temperatures and humidity during summer, and generally warm, sunny winter weather. There is an element of unpredictability in the climate of Baton Rouge, however, and cold spells have been experienced in winter, even the odd unexpected snowfall. The best time to travel to Baton Rouge is between February and April, when the weather is usually fine and the heat and humidity not at peak levels.
