Shots of the Day - # 36 - French Quarter Doorways

French Quarter Doorways # 1 (26 August 2019)

As noted recently, we returned to New Orleans to celebrate Ray Nichols. It had been seven years since I visited our former home town. Apart from the stifling summer weather, it was good to see old friends and eat some of that fine food available nowhere else.

We were also fortunate to stay in the French Quarter. While there is a downside to being too close to the brash excesses of Bourbon Street revelers, amateur drinkers and the regular reprobates that inhabit this adult amusement strip, it can be quite charming during off hours. I especially enjoy walking the streets in the early morning. There are few people out then and hardly any traffic.

French Quarter Doorways # 2 (26 August 2019)

The French Quarter is the area that was first settled when the city was founded in 1718. Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville got off the boat on the shore of the Mississippi River, planted the French flag and, like others before him, declared the settlement would be the next “New” version of a favorite city back home.

French Quarter Then and Now (21 May 2012)

In 2012, the last time I was there, I posted a ‘Tip of the Day’ that recommends converting certain pictures to monochrome. Among the subjects that look good in black and white are old buildings. The French Quarter is an ideal place to see classic architecture that is not marred by intrusions of modernity. I must credit one of the few strict zoning regulations in the South for enforcing rules that preserve the original look and feel of the area. Sure, there are newer buildings and renovations but they must adhere to design options that are in keeping with the historic district.

Cruise Chronicles – Days 12 & 13 – At Sea and Arrive in Oslo

Free at last!

Day 12 was another day at sea as we steamed toward Oslo, the last port of call before the ship returned to Copenhagen. We were going to be among a few dozen lucky passengers to disembark in Norway…a much easier plan than to be part of the madhouse when 3,500 disgorge back in Denmark.

Baltic Sunset at Sea (19 May 2019)

The day at sea was leisurely. Attended a modest photography lecture and a somewhat disappointing art lecture. What was billed as a look at the Picasso art in the Hermitage Museum devolved into a sales pitch for some of his ceramic designs. They’re always selling something on a cruise ship.

There was some reading and journaling of the trip thus far and packing of the bags so they could be moved to the exit early the next morning.

The Oslo Fjord (20 May 2019)

We sailed up the Oslo Fjord at sunrise…which is pretty early that far north this time of year. The photos here were taken around 5 AM.

Fjords are steep and deep valleys carved out by glaciers and then flooded by the rising ocean. Norway’s coastline is global ‘Fjord Central.’ Check out this short video. If the nation’s coastline was straight and undented, it would be 1,600 miles long. With all the fjords, the coastline has 18,000 miles of waterfront. You can see that the water must be deep given how close our behemoth is to the shore.

The Oslo Fjord (20 May 2019)

Norwegian Customs officers boarded the ship and cleared the passports for the passengers exiting here. Fortunately, we were able to leave before the hordes of short-time visitors. We will stay in Oslo for four nights.

The final insult regarding ‘My Unfortunate Incarceration’ was the last use of that personal medallion on a lanyard that cruise passengers get. It opens the cabin door, registers all your purchases and checks you on and off the ship. When I was going ashore for the last time, it prompted an alarm that said I was still quarantined (!?!). It took a few minutes to clear that up before I could finally escape.

Barcode Neighborhood, Oslo (23 May 2019)

We took an Uber cab to the Air B&B apartment that Beck arranged earlier. Located in a neighborhood called ‘Barcode,’ a number of new multi-purpose high-rise buildings occupy former industrial and dock space in Central Oslo. Much of the land was under water until the mid-19th century. Some refer to it as the ‘Opera Quarter’ since the spectacular new Opera House is nearby.

The Living Roofs of Barcode, Oslo (20 May 2019)

We had a corner apartment on the 20th floor…simply furnished but with two bathrooms, three bedrooms and plenty of space for our separate stuff. Especially in this new neighborhood, the plant life on the roofs demonstrate the Norwegians’ environmental ethic. The city is clean, orderly…and expensive.

Our Oslo Apartment (20 May 2019)

The rest of the day was easy and quiet. A bar lunch followed by some local wanderings. We walked a few blocks to Central Station to get travel information (and a very pricey pint of Jack Daniels for me). There was a grocery around the corner to fetch some evening snacks and we were content to settle in for the night.

Tomorrow will be a serious day of local touring.