We hired bikes after breakfast and rode over to the 9th ward to have a look at the damage left from hurricane Katerina. More than half the houses have just been abandoned and left to rot and very few have been rebuilt. We rode back over a bridge that opens to let boats through and had to wait about 10 mins for it to be lowered.
We rode along the levee to the Warehouse district and had lunch at Rio Mar, a tapas bar with a seafood focus. This is the best meal we've had in New Orleans. The mussels were small and sweet, the fish; delish, the prawns were perfect and the garlic aioli with fried potato yum, yum, yum!
We rode down Magazine Street to a music shop in the Garden district. Saw a beautiful copper Dobro Ukulele. (must try to find this online)
Got caught in a heavy downpour on the way back and got soaked.
Showered and dressed up, on the cable car and headed uptown to have dinner at Jacque Imo's, waited an hour and a half to get a table, had a drink next door at the Maple Leaf. The restaurant advertised that it offer "Warm beer, Cold food and Lousy service" the food was well worth the wait. Back to the Maple Leaf to see Papa Grows Funk. Tight, phat, funky one chord grooves. Could only stay for one set, gotta catch a plane in the morning.

New Orleans has been very special. The people are gracious and generous. The food is delicious and ample. The music is endless and excellent.
New Orleans: "Be nice or leave". "Shut up and eat". "Happy to crawl home".