Cafe Du Monde

Beignet (pronounced ben-yay) from Cafe du Monde

According to most guide-books, no trip to New Orleans is complete without some powdered sugar-dusted beignets from this historic cafe. The texture of the beignet reminds me of the hum chim peng sold fresh by the father-daughter at Maxwell market, they also provide a bowl of powdered sugar for their hum chim pengs. Anyhow it is sold in 3, I ate 5 by myself and left only 1 for my darling hubby, you can tell how good it is ha-ha.

It is very packed at all times so be prepared to wait for a table, we choose take-outs and ate it at Jackson Square instead. Love the smell of fresh beignets, the chatters of the people, the music from the baskers around the square, the whole atmosphere is warm and fuzzy~

Cajun Encounters

We went for the Honey Island Swamp tour with Cajun Encounters, it is one of the highlights of our trip.


Alligator alert~
Summer is the best season for alligators sighting as the water is warm. Apparently alligators like marshmallows, that is according to our guide who kept a big packet on his boat. * Added- It turned out marshmallows resemble egret's eggs henceforth attracts the alligators. Interesting!


Remnants of Katrina, destroyed homes left by people who chose not to come back.

Atchafalaya Basin

On our way from Lafayette to New Orleans, we passed by this eerily pristine swamp, too irresistible to be just driving by. We decided to do a swamp tour, pontoon boats at McGee's landing take passengers for 1.5 hrs swamp tour. But sadly we got horribly lost and missed the last boat of the day aaarghhhh I hope to have a chance to do it in the future. Anyhow we did a swamp tour in Honey Island Swamp nearer to New Orleans which I will cover next. Have a good week ahead babes~

The birthplace of Tabasco sauce

Avery Island is the birthplace of the famous Tabasco sauce which is distributed to many parts of the world, and was first invented by Edmund Mcllhenny in the 1800s. Tabasco factory till today remained a family-runned business, the tabasco peppers are grown in many parts of the world but it is only produced and bottled here on Avery Island. Once you stepped out the car, you can smell the pungent aroma of Tabasco. The factory building itself is a real beauty admist the tall surrounding trees.

A 2 mins drive away is the 250 acre Jungle Gardens is well known for its southern Louisiana flora and fauna display. This pristine natural paradise belonged to Edward Avery Mcllhenny who brought back flora from his travels around the world such as bamboo from China and lotus from Egypt. The world largest egret colony begins nesting annually in Feb/March and the offsprings remain until the following winter. Each person admission fee is $6.25, excluding the $1 toll per card into Avery Island. We didnt have enough time to go into the Jungle Gardens, sigh.

Random

Tadaaa...the girls were commenting about how Kenny look without his moustache *Grinz*

I like to think he look Mario-ish~ this picture was taken in 2005 in Canberra. I hoped we looked pretty much the same...

Fried Bee Hoon

Fried Beehoon, from my "Made with Love" recipe cookbook.

This is Irene's Mama's fried beehoon, my hubby likes it even though beehoon is his least favourite noodles. It is really easy, thanks Irene (thank your mom for me and tell her I miss her Kueh Pie Ti!!)

Fung's Kitchen, Houston

XX: It seem to me all you did in Houston is eat and eat?

Me: Yes, thats pretty much IT, Eat and Shop haha

Another good place for Cantonese food and Dim Sum is Fung's Kitchen.

7320 S.W. FWY., Suite 115 Houston, TX 77074

Dinner cost us about USD 40 for 3 dishes, they were really good. Their dim sum didnt really stand out, I prefer Crystal Jade's dim sum or maybe I just missed it too much.