Cruise to Ensenada, Mexico

 For work we were treated to a cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. We had a really good time. 

San Jose

 April 4th to 10th.  I was in San Jose for the week for work and this is a little peak into our week. 

One of our favorite restaurants, Somali food. 

This fish wrap is to die for. 

The cars that the rental company provide for us have really ranged widely over the year, this was the latest a noisy Dodge Challenger.

We also went out for Ethiopian food the plate looks pretty. Mostly a bunch of lentils. The bottom is a sort of bread that I like to call a sponge. 

We had to stay over a weekend unexpectedly due to the survey process of work. We headed out to a Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara which included this painting of a sink which I thought was apropos. 

Outside of  the museum had these Geese. 

NOLA Part 3

Monday we hopped on a trolley car and headed toward the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden which is part of the New Orleans Museum of Art (which was closed on Mondays). 

Where's Michael?

I think this Egyptian woman looks regal. 

This sculpture looks like driftwood but it is bronze. It reminded me of the spiders in Harry Potter. 

Blue Dog by George Rodrigue.

I enjoyed this sculpture made of letters. The sculpture garden was quite large and we enjoyed it very much. 

Afterwards, we headed to the local Du Monde Cafe for beignets of course. 

NOLA Part 2

On Sunday, we headed toward the Mississippi River and this is what we encountered.  

Wasn't expecting to see a Holocaust Memorial down by the Mississippi River but there you go. 

My first time at the Mississippi River. 

A church and the Louisiana State Museum to the right. 

Monument to the immigrant.

Lunch of fried fish which I promptly dropped in my lap and got my new pants all greasy. 

Pooch Parade. Michael found this dog parade in a park. 

We didn't stay for the 'official' parade, we just sat on this park bench and watched all the doggies dressed up go by. It was fun. 

Night time parade on Canal Street. It is always challenging getting around the city during a parade.

The aftermath. We stayed and watched the cleanup crew which is a well oiled machine. 

 I have amassed a few bead necklaces without even trying. I think I will share them at work.

NOLA

We booked a short vacation to a city we had not been to before, New Orleans. We thought we were going early enough to avoid the Mardi Gras crowd but we were wrong. Mardi Gras parades and festivities are in full swing. 

On arrival day the weather was unseasonably cold but the sun was shining and no rain so a win. We are staying at the Eliza Jane, a converted warehouse, it has a lot of old world charm. We had a very southern dinner at Palm & Pine of pork shoulder, broccoli cheddar spoonbread, and cane syrup pie with preserved lemon ice cream. It was comforting food especially since it was cold outside. 

Saturday we headed to the Louisiana State Museum. It had two exhibits: Living with Hurricanes: Katrina & Beyond and Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana. The hurricane portion was very sobering but educational. The Mardi Gras exhibit was definitely from the white privilege point of view. 

We embraced another southern meal for lunch at the Gumbo Shop in which we ate, you guessed it, gumbo. We also ate red beans and rice and Michael talked me into dessert of pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. It was a very good meal in a charming location. 

Statue of Andrew Jackson

Louisiana State Museum

Our first Mardi Gras parade. We enjoyed the spectacle of it all. 

Work Christmas Party

I celebrated the holidays with work mates. We all received these new jackets plus other goodies, a gift exchange and yummy dinner. 

All of the consultants ended up with a stocking with their name on it on Carol's door. Merry Christmas. 

Kaua'i Part 3

Another day in paradise. Today we headed west into the mountains to Waimea Canyon State Park. Michael called it Dramamine day. We took the slow winding road up the mountain and the fast steep way down. Michael said it was his first time driving on the crest of a mountain. The weather cooperated and no rain or clouds. 

First stop Waimea Canyon Lookout. Elevation 3400 feet. Waimea is called a canyon of many colors.

Michael thought this was funny, a phone booth. Who carries change anymore? But it was rather important because there is no cell service on the mountain.

Next stop Na Pali Kona. This part of the canyon we can see the ocean. Pu'u O Kila, the hill of Chief Kila.

Third stop Kalalau lookout. Kalalau Valley along the Napali Coastline. Elevation about 5000 feet. 

I thought this was an interesting tree. 

Back down at sea level, adding to my list of library photos. The sign said it was open but it wasn't, par for the course on Hawaii. 

Our fair-weather friend by the pool. 

Lilikoi passion fruit is our new food for this trip. We have had scones made with it (our favorite), Michael made these pancakes this morning for breakfast (we have a kitchenette) and I bought some shortbread cookies for when we get home.