Our Arrival in New Orlean's Louis Armstrong Airport
We arrived in the Big Easy very early Sunday morning last March 29, 2015. We left Los Angeles's International Airport at 11:50 pm the night before and the flight took only three hours. According to my watch, it was only 3:30 am in California at that time but due to the time difference, it was already 5:30 am when our plane touched down at the Louis Armstrong Airport.
As usual, I couldn't sleep a wink during the entire flight despite all attempts to get some shut eye. Thus, by the time we landed, I was literally a walking zombie.
I had traveled to New Orleans before and I was pleasantly surprised with the overall improvement that happened to the airport building. It had been modernized and looked brand spanking new.
Since it was still pitch black outside, Marc and I decided to stay in the airport until the sun came out. In the meantime we toured the airport premises and even ate the popular and famous beignets for breakfast in one of the airport's restaurants.
By the time we finished eating, the sun had risen and off we went outside the airport terminal to catch our GO shuttle to the Courtyard by Marriott on Julia Street. It turns out, the hotel we planned on staying in after the cruise was just a block away from the cruise terminal where we were to board the ship.
Although we were not going to stay at the hotel yet, the young gentleman manning the check in counter allowed us to leave our suitcases until it was boarding time. With our suitcases out of the way, off we went touring New Orleans.
The Big Easy. An elderly female passenger I was seated next to likens New Orleans to San Francisco in terms of culture and people's attitude. It was only when she showed me naked people in the French Quarter during the Mardi Gras celebration carrousing did I believe her.
Here's the statue of famed musician Louis Armstrong, after whom the New Orlean's airport was named after.
It was so early when we arrived, a great part of the airport had not opened yet for the day.
Together with the building's modernization came these seats and chairs upholstered in beige, brown, and orange leather.
The beignets we had for breakfast. People, these tasted so much better than the ones we ate in Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter.
New Orleans coffee which Marc was eager to try.
These HEYS suitcases have accompanied both Marc and me on our travels since the summer of 2011. They have been on planes, trains, and now on a ship. They have certainly survived wear and tear. I highly recommend suitcases made of polycarbonate. Any brand will do. They are light and easy to roll and slide.