Long Beach

Day 16 – Monday

Well am a long way behind with this blog. Have been on the go constantly for the last week and we are exhausted.

We made a detour to the Laura Plantation on the way to Long Beach, Mississippi. We had two days before New Orleans and so decided to see a small portion of the state of Mississippi.

Laura Plantation is not like the usual plantations that you see in the movies as it is a Creole Plantation and the others are called Antebellum - America Plantations. It was recommended that we see it and it was definitely worth it as it was a walk down history lane and the slaves and plantation management. As history states the first born does not automatically inherit the right to be the Principal of the plantation – the one who runs the plantation, rather the most capable and intelligent is chosen and of course for the past 4 generations the plantation has been run by women until sold by Laura.

Typical slave accommodation where two whole families lived in this small hut

This is the original type of fridge that they used. because the land was below sea level they would dig these pots into the land and the sub waters would keep everything cool

Driving through unbelievable rain, even the raindrops are bigger in America, we finally reach Long Beach 6 hours later a trip normally about 3 and a half. We had to make a detour to get the tyres looked at as the low pressure warning light came on when we were in the middle of torrential rain on a stretch of highway with no exists, a little worrying to say the least.

Driving down to Long Beach right into the eye of the storm. Lucky for us it was very mild by standards

Look closely at the visibility Mez drivng - very difficult

This is what is left of Long Beach - a once thriving beach resort before Katrina 

A better view of Long Beach

Hotel right on the boulevard that faces the beach – white sands but brown water. Overcast so didn’t look the best.

Day 17 – Tuesday

This place still displays the physical signs of Hurricane Katrina and the many other hurricanes that have struck this gulf. All along the waterfront and for a depth of about 2 to 3 blocks the land is vacant except for the brave few that have rebuilt. All the beautiful Mississippi homes are gone and if you rebuild the home it has to be on stilts, which has change the essence of this community.

Down on the Marina the buildings have to be even higher than the homes - one in construction and the height at which they have to build. 

The flood insurance is so high that most people cannot afford to build back.

Took ourselves on a drive along the Gulf and everywhere you go there are pictorial reminders of what the landscape looked like and what it is now. On our travels we have driven on the highest bridges, where altitude tablets are necessary for survival, a result of the crumbling of most bridges hit by the hurricane.

One of the many high bridges that we crossed - this one is good as it is enclosed most have only a rail about a metre high at max.

A better view of the gradient

Decide to go for a swim in the Gulf of Mexico – walked up to just above my ankles, couldn’t see my feet, wind whipping, sand in every orifice, overcast day and thought that will do me. Mez didn’t even make it that far.

Later in the day we had an unusual water massage –you lay on a normal massage table fully clothed and the top is lowered on you and water hits you in rows moving up and down your body. Thought it might be claustrophobic but it wasn’t. $10 for 10 minutes. Don’t think it had too many therapeutic properties but fun anyway – new experience.

The dark sheet near my head is what keeps you dry. Very unusual experience.

Off to New Orleans.