Vacherie and on to New Orleans

Wednesday, March 11, New Orleans--This morning we finished our eight day voyage down the Mississippi, about 700 or so miles of twisting and turning through the channels. It's been a cultural experience, enjoying the company of 163 fellow passengers, our four friends, Jane and Peter, and Mark and Sheila, and a wide variety of lectures, tours and entertainment.  

Many of them have been lots of fun--the nightly entertainment, which last night was traditional jazz played by New Orleans artists, the food that ranged from classic French and Italian styles to Southern and Creole, and the variety of battlefields, mansions and plantations that we visited.

On Monday we visited the Whitney Plantation to see a documented plantation with many of its horrors.  Slaves were often penned up in small cells, like this one shown below, five or more to a cell on their way to market.  On the platation, the enslaved were expected to cut sheafs and sheafs of cane that were boiled down to raw sugar for later sale to refineries.  They worked up to 18 hours a day, with some time off for services on Sunday.  They were named, but few retained their African or Muslim names.   In Louisiana, following French civil law, the files record their sale as pieces of property--all done precisely by the French notaire, a position that includes the registry of purchases, (and slaves were treated almost like real estate) and the actions of our notary public and other government agencies recording property sales.

Yesterday we worked our way through the National World War II Museum.  We searched for information on the importance of radar to the victory, because it's what Ben's dad worked on with the Bureau of Ships, to no avail.  We did sit through the rumbles, bright lights , and gunfire of the film extravaganza that is shown every hour.  It is a magnificent production.  Although historically correct, it leaves out a completeness of story that would have pleased us as historians.

We were treated to a lecture entitled "Twain at Sea" about Mark Twain's travels and writings around the world after his Mississippi River writings.  "Innocence Abroad" is one about his worldly travels. 

Now, we are off the boat, sadly because we really enjoyed the trip and the friends we made.  We are now at friends John and Jon's home in the Quarter looking forward to New Orleans cuisine.  We even saw the St Charles Streetcar!

Vicksburg, Natchez and St Francisville

Vacherie, Louisiana, Monday, March 9--We await our shore excursion to learn how to make jambalaya.  We're told it's not very difficult, so we'll perhaps remember it.

Remembering, though, all we have seen and done in the past few days is just plain fun--though some of the history we learned is not so much fun.   We went picking cotton on a plantation, learned about cotton gins (one, a steam driven one, was a year younger than John's grandmother, who had worked in a wool mill at one point in Yorkshire, UK).  We visited the Vicksburg National Battlefield Park, learning about trench warfare, and seeing all the monuments to the regiments from the states in the battle.  Regrettably, Rhode Island's monument, from the state where John grew up, is being rebuilt after a flood washed away the hill it was on.

One of major and fascinating sites at the Battlefield was a Civil War gun boat, dredged from a stream near the Mississippi.  It had hit a Confederate mine and sunk.  Found about 60 years ago, it is now rebuilt and part of the park's history.  It's fascinating how far technology has come in the last 160 years since the Civil War.  There are other names for that war here, and none of them mention "civil."

Then it was on to Natchez.  While Vicksburg was mostly destroyed by the Union Army and Navy, because it was central to transportation for Confederate military, Natchez had voted to remain in the Union and was saved bombardment.  Hence it has a magnificent collection of pre-Civil War buildings, and the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi make a grand park. 

We stopped in St Francisville where Ben headed off on a walking tour.  He and friend Sheila appeared lost to a pair of young boys who were out cycling on a Sunday.  They helped them, to the extent of accompanying them to a local (excellent) coffee shop.  Both Sheila and Ben were most impressed with their manners and help.

This part of the world is very mannerly.  Lots of "Mister John" and "Mister Ben", lots of addressing as "sir".  And the pace of life in the towns we visit is significantly slower than what we are used to.  Friend Jane remarks that it is so different from her home in California.

Afternoon:  We saw our alligator, we made and ate jambalaya, and enjoyed the banter of Cajon humor this morning.  The jambalaya was very good.  John learned to make sure that the onions were properly browned before adding the rice and pre-cooked sausage and marinated pork loin

 

Last night we had a humorous entertainment, with a good deal of inspirational input from a Black standup comedian.  We learned how to distinguish a meaningful "Bless your heart" from a disparaging remark. 

On the Mississippi, North of Vicksburg

March 5, 2026, Thursday--What a busy few days.  We have enjoyed our visit to the countryside of Tennessee, a visit and overnight in Memphis, and now aboard the American Splendor, moving at a quick rate down the Mississippi.

Our visit to Tullahoma with friends Marty and Corabel was a grand time.  Marty has a long family history in mid-Tennesssee.  He has a 1100 acre farm, among other properties, that we explored with him and Corabel.  It's set in rolling hills, trees just beginning to bud, though an invasive Bradford pear was in flower, (Marty says he will hurry to remove the growing trees from his farm).  We had a fun lunch of Granny's old-time Southern food for lunch at Miss Mary Bobo's in Lynchburg where the Jack Daniels distillery is based.  Lunch is served family-style with Ms. Emily as mother directing the chatty and sometimes gossipy local conversation.  Batter-fried chicken, steamed green beans, batter-fried okra, sweet potatoes, and other home-style were on the table for 14 followed by chocolate puddin' pie for dessert.  Most of them were heavy and deep-fried-- a treat that we enjoyed, but it is a fairly heavy cuisine.

At Marty and Corabel's we enjoyed venison steaks served with a green salad and a light spaghetti with fresh sautéed tomatoes and garlic sauce. 

The next morning we got in the car for the long drive to Memphis.  It's about five hours, more with stops, through beautiful country.  We stopped for shopping in Pulaski.  We visited the Tennessee River Museum in Savannah, and arrived at Graceland stiff from driving, but regretting to say good-bye to good friends.

(John is writing this as we move down the river.  We just passed a tug pushing 18 huge barge containers heading upstream.)

The highlight at Graceland was an hour talk with Doris Kerns Goodwin, a close aide to Lyndon Johnson and a presidential historian at Harvard and well known TV commentator, on presidential excellence.  She places Lincoln at the top of her list.  None of our recent presidents make it.  TR comes up as does FDR and LBJ.  We were blown over with the excellence of the discussion.

We learned the role of Sun Studio and Stax Records in rock and roll development and the interaction of the music of Black performers with Whites.

Then we boarded the boat.  Our first stop, this morning, was the first black town in the country, Mound Bayou.  It's named that way because there was no railroad station and the Black passengers said to the conductor to let them off at the bayou near the old Indian mound!  It was founded in 1888 by formerly enslaved cousins.

We learned an immense amount about Black history, the effects of segregation on development and how revitalization is planned for this mostly derelict old town that was once huge but now only as about 1500 residents.

Tomorrow we spend a whole day in Vicksburg.

The Grand Ole Opry: A Stellar Performance

Tullahoma, Tennessee, March 2, 2026--100 Years of the Grand Ole Opry and we get tickets, along with a full house audience of 4000.  It was fortuitous, and out of the ordinary.  GOO normally puts on a variety show of country music twice a week.  This past Saturday it was not only a celebratory concert of country, gospel and blues music but a special show celebrating the 25th anniversary of the George Clooney movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" which featured a movie score of country music.  GOO got musicians to sing every song in the movie, including the actors who sang as well as acted.  What a show!  Of course, they have had 100 years of practice broadcasting, still, on an AM radio station WSM,

We knew many of the stars, even though we had not been country music followers.  Emmylou Harris, Allison Krauss, and many others.   Each of them doing a song from the show.  A robust, successful beautifully done standing ovation concert.

What followed was a discussion with three of the movie actors and singers who talked about the movie production 25 years ago and how it significantly enhanced their careers.

Of course, this meant a web search for the movie, which hosts Corabel and Marty found...a movie in their living room that led to a pyjama party with popcorn and good wines.

We enjoyed Nashville immensely, though the Parthenon was only seen from a distance.  The Centennial Park was so crowded there was no parking to be found.  Still, it's a lovely building.  We also enjoyed a stroll through part  of Vanderbilt Universities campus. We had lunch, late, at Brown's Diner, and then to the Opry.  Opryland, hotels and shopping centers surround the huge concert hall. Crowded and enormous, with crowds of people dressed in style for the performance.  Peter tried his movements before the show.

We departed Nashville yesterday for Tullahoma and Shelbyville where Marty's family has long-time roots.  We are staying in a French style home with a magnificent patio where we enjoyed dinner last night, outside--on March 1, no less, with temperatures of 70F/22C.  Lots of roast veggies, good roast on the BBQ and risotto.  Good wines, including a 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape.  The fire blazed away and kept away the chill away as the temperature cooled under the full moon and stars, not so strongly affected by light pollution since we are out in the country. 

Today we are off to expore Marty and Corabel's farm and then tomorrow to Memphis.  Learning to farm today, how to wiggle llike Elvis tomorrow.

Of course GOO recognized our collecitve talents

 

Nashville, the Mississippi and New Orleans

 It's been a while, but we are off again.  This time for a couple of weeks exploring Tennessee, the Mississippi and New Orleans.  Nashville is totally new to us, though we have visited New Orleans many times.   

Nashville has an aura unique to itself.  We had dinner at Martin's BBQ near our hotel, the Hyatt Place, pleasant and close to the action.  The meal was fun, in part because of the company with friends Jane and Peter, with whom we have traveled many times.  But the BBQ, disappointing.  We found it dry.  But the atmosphere of loud music, and kitschy decoration made up for it.  John had a pulled pork platter and a local IPA, Ben enjoyed a beef bristet sandwich.  Jane and Peter had huge plates of ribs, which we all shared. The sign of course indicates the average age of the participants!

From there we talked about going to the hotel for a listen to a local singer in the bar, but John, Jane and Ben decided they wanted to see Broadway.  Let's say the lights on Broadway in Nashville are brilliant.  We watched hustlers sellling hot dogs, we walked down the street, crowded with country-music style dressers.  Although the temperature was a mild 50F/10C, the birds were out in their miniskirts and boots, many quite fully chested with deep cleavages.  We encountered one group, probablty sororitiy sisters at the Bon Jovi Bar, practicing their dance routine with the help of the disc jockey.  The old Grand Ol Opry theater, the Ryman Theater, is in the background (the Opry no longer performs there.  Seeing that is tonight's experience, February 28.)  

 

Today we join old friends for a tour of Nashville.  Marty is a chum of Ben's from college, and his wife Corabel is a writer.  Marty is an architect.  We expect a lot of the local scene.

Islands in the sea, and a resort town

 Washington,  Tuesday, January 28, 2025--Our last few days in Southeast Asia were spent on the beautiful island of Phuket in Thailand and nearby waters where we spent a day at sea.

First, we were visiting dear friends, Patricia and Teddy.  John has known Patricia since university days and we met Teddy a few years ago after both of their spouses passed away.  They were all four very good friends.  Patricia and Teddy have since married, with great memories of their late lost spouses.

Phuket is growing.  It is a huge resort island, with beautiful beaches, fashionable gated communities, excellent restaurants and a history of mining that brought in various immigrant groups.  It suffers from crowded roads, backed-up traffic and the sense of strip mall along its main 402 Highway.  But, it does have beautiful sunsets overlooking the Andaman Sea, excellent food, particularly the fruits and vegetables.  Pineapple here is magnificent.  Papayas grow on trees everywhere.  The province is a garden!  It doesn't even grow rice.

That said, the island's history is unique.  Tin mining took over about 150 years ago leaving the main town of Phuket with mansions built by tin barons.  We visited one such mansion, a local Sino-Portuguese style building still owned by its original family built in 1902.  It's now used as a museum and wedding site,  It is a quiet oasis from the traffic the nearby town and very beautiful.  The Sino-Portuguese moniker is given to most buildings that date from the era before World War I, even though they are barely of Portuguese design.

The other magnificent trip was a day long venture to the karst islands that abound near Phuket.  These are covered with vegetation and the rock formations are magnificent,  more impressive than our visit to the equivalent islands in Halong Bay off Vietnam.  We had the boat to ourselves, and sat watching the islands as we ventured on to a local beach.  The yacht provided a zodiac rubber boat for us to get ashore, walk the beach and find coral for John's bathroom collection--a tiny piece found among shore shells.

We ate astoundingly good food.  Thai food is truly more interesting than Vietnamese.  Thai food, though, does not have to be red chili pepper hot.  Most of what we had was spicy, but not mouth-burning.  It ranged from coconut milk curries to appetizers served in lotus leaves.  

Sunset at the Pavilions Resort overlooking the Andaman Sea

 

  

We ate several luscious dinners at home with Patricia and Teddy.  One night they invited Patricia's friend from her NYC days, Tara.   Tara is mostly retired from a high finance positions to Phuket after working much of her career in Singapore. Tara brought a friend, Louise, who was visiting after a trip to Singapore on her way back with her husband (who was in Bangkok) to their home in Vancouver.  We had a rousing good time, each of us talking about our lives, loves and careers surrounded by excellent food and wine.

Our last meal in Phuket was lunch at a fine Italian restaurant, Napolitana, serving pizza with bufola mozzarella and various rich pasta dishes, with guidance from the chef himself.

Tunnels, Puppets and Goodbyes

Phuket, Thailand, Wednesday, January 22, 2025--Vietnam was an interesting, positive and negative experience.   The country is moving quickly into the advanced world, car, scooters, electricity, commerce, and fashion.  At the same time, it is still visibly a communist country with very evident government buildings and police.  We understand there are approximately 1,200,000 police in a country of 100,000,000.  At the same time, too, the people are friendly, there is no evidence of beggars, homeless, or unemployed, though many are underemployed selling small goods.  The food is fine, though not the most interesting cuisine in the world.  And history from the last hundred years is everywhere--celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of the communist party to museums painting the histories of war against occupying Chinese and French, and the Americans from 1950 to 1975--from when we began supporting the French in their reoccupation of their colony when the Japanese left in defeat from the republic nominally established by Ho Chi Minh in 1945.

Our last full day in Vietnam was very full.  We ventured out to the Cu Chi tunnels, a  two and a half hour bus ride through typically traffic-clogged streets and highways northwest of Saigon, in part of the 100s of kilometers of underground tunnels built by the Viet Cong to destroy the South Vietnamese government and drive the French out.  They are magnificent in their horror and their effectiveness. 

Traps that mutilated opposing individual soldiers, tunnel entrances perhaps 15 inches square, and the tunnels themselves, often so tight that visitors are not recommended inside if they are over the age of 60.  John ventured into an entrance and did not proceeed.

What is quite fascinating is the presentations in museums are accurate in what they say.  What they don't explain is the American view of what was considered a dangerous country likely to fall under the control of China.  This of course was not what was really happening but certainly that was a reason given by the American government for its deep involvement.  Sad.

The tunnels are frightening in their extent and how they were virtually invisible to American and ARVN soldiers.  Their entrances are tiny.  Their air supply comes from false termite mounds that have air holes in them leading down.  They existed even under American bases.

Later in the afternoon on our return to Ho Chi Minh City, we dressed for dinner and for a show.  The show was by a troupe of water puppeteers who presented Vietnamese live with water puppets active in a huge pool of water.  

We finished the day with a big dinner to celebrate the end of the tour and much in the way of goodbyes among a group that got on very well.  A good trip.  Odyssey and Chung did a good job for us.