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fravelon . By Jonathan van Bilsen a A Week In The ‘Big Easy’? | have had the pleasure of visiting New Orleans four times, the most recent being last month. Although the weather was good (27 Celsius), there were a few brief showers and the last day it dropped to +10. My recom- mendation would be to go in April or May, when the temperature is steady and the summer heat has not yet set in. So what is there to do in NOLA (local term for the city - New Orleans, Louisiana)? Where to begin? It has to be one of the best cities for tourism in the world, catering to everyone's pleasures, especially those who enjoy great food and good jazz music. Five or six days is probably enough to see the high- lights of the city. The location of your stay is important, especially if you plan on walking a lot. Everyone talks about the French Quarter as the place to be, and it isa unique part of the city, but the warehouse district is a few blocks away and has many hotels, at substantially less cost. In fact, on my previous visits | stayed at the Sonesta on Bourbon Street, and as great as it was, it was noisy and hectic. Speaking of Bourbon Street (named after King Louis of France who's surname was BourBON (emphasis on the BON)), it has changed a great deal since my first visit in 1982. Back then there were lots of street musicians, food vendors and tourists. Now it is sex shops, hookers and tourists. Sure, there are still a few good eateries, but most have become quite seed: The rest of the French Quarter, however, is pictur- esque, with amazing buildings in various architectural styles. Most of the activity, aside from Bourbon Street, is centred on the Jackson Square area. The Cathedral- Basilica of St. Louis King of France is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States and is quite elegant to visit. Musicians play their own brand of Jazz on the square in front of the church and Decatur Street, the main thoroughfare of the French Quarter is lined with restaurants and souvenir shops. One place you must try is The Café Du Monde (on Decatur Street). It is the home of the official Beignet, a New Orleans tradition. Coffee and three ‘donuts’ will run you under $5, but avoid the morning lineups by visiting in the afternoon. My favourite restaurants in the French Quarter are Oak. Alley Plantation, one of the few sugar cane plantations r remaining in Louisiana. 54 FOCUS - APRIL 2015