Toilets..

Yeah, well, I have been to A LOT of festivals now - and I have seen a lot of different toilet situations. From compost holes, to posh porcelain bowls.. festivals host a full range of options. Yesterday I went and investigated how New Orleans matches up. Please note: the smell in the video is not my own. ;)

Voodoo Stages

There are a whole heap of stages at Voodoo Experience that host everything from massive rock bands like Muse and Ozzy Osbourne, to dance tents, country stages and much more. The 'main stage' is actually two stages (good idea) that face into each other, and the performances alternate from one to the another, with punters just having to turn 180 degrees to see the next show. It means the switchovers between sets are quicker and that the crowds are more spread out - everyone is a winner. The organisers have also added in the following safety precaution - a steel barrier that runs from front to back down the crowd - preventing left-to-right crushing, and also allowing (i'm guessing) for a film crew truck to get right up close. Good work America!

Voodoo Experience - food report

New Orleans is famed for its food - most of which I don't know how to pronounce, let alone what it tastes like. With this in mind, I headed into the festival food zone with an open mind - and mouth - and got ready to sample some of the delights on offer. Luckily, some of the local festival goers explained what some of the grub was - and what I should try. Including the New Orleans Hurricane cocktail..

Vooooooooodoooooo

I don't hate anyone - or really even dislike anyone to be fair. But if you did - what a terrifying purchase this would be. Go shake your voodoo stick at your enemies and scare the c**p out of them! RARRRRR!

Voodoo Experience - Video report

Check out my video report from day one of the Voodoo Experience Festival here in New Orleans. Gives you a bit more of an idea of what the whole places looks and sounds like :)

Another wristband for my collection!

Here is my weekend wristband for the Voodoo Festival. Check out the scary-close-up of my sun-damaged freckled hands! Hahah

Who Dat?

Right, so on arrival to New Orleans - I was overwhelmed by a huge amount of merchandise and signs all over the place saying "Who Dat?". I thought perhaps it was a "I'm In Miami Bitch!" merch type thing, but turns out it's.. umm.. far more sensible.
"Who Dat!?" (according to my taxi driver, and Wikipedia) is: is a chant of team support, used especially by fans of the New Orleans Saints, an American football team.
My taxi driver informed me this team won a championship last year - and "Who Dat?!" is part of their winning chant by fans. The Saints are actually playing this weekend - which also happens to be Halloween weekend - hence the strange combo of skulls, skeletons and.. WHO DAT?!

Playing this weekend...?

The Preservation Hall is the name of one of the stages at the festival, that features more traditional American country, jazz and soulful music. It was a cool place to hang out at last night (if the thumping bass of the dance stages, or the rock n roll riffs of the main stages didn't appeal).

Cool architecture at the festival

New Orleans is famed for its French Quarter Architecture (that I shall be checking out this weekend), and it's nice that this style has translated into the design of the festival too. Here is a sign for a tattoo parlour that they have on site. There is also a place where you can get less-permanent henna tattoos too, for those who aren't so sure about what they want.

Rock And Roll Karaoke

One of the coolest things that I have been watching at the festival is the Rock And Roll Karaoke. The organisers have a live band - and a very country-accented compere - invited members of the public up onto the stage to jam songs like they are in the band. Yesterday I saw a girl singing the Cranberries' Linger, a chap doing Don't Stop Believin' from Journey, another girl do a track I had never heard of - and then a very impressive chap, known as "the planet, sing Here I Go Again by Whitesnake. I actually got goosebumps! I hope I have the guts - or dutch courage - later this weekend to do it myself!

Voodoo Experience

This is the view that awaits all ticket-buyers on their arrival into the Voodoo Experience. Pretty impressive stuff!

Week 23 has begun!

Howdy all! This morning I left Miami and flew to New Orleans (via Charlotte). I dropped my bags at a hotel and jumped on a local bus straight to Voodoo Experience Festival. I've arrived!! Hooray!

My favourite place in Miami..

So, after 5 days here.. I have decided that my favourite place in Miami Beach is the News Cafe on Ocean Drive and 8th Street. Nice music in the daytime (jazzy slow stuff, not mad latino hiphop), good staff, not too expensive, nice iced coffees and great location for people watching behind your sun glasses. Top notch.

Wise words from Miami

Spotted in an art deco gift shop - wonderfully wise words from the sunshine state.

Final day in miami

It's the final day in Miami and a day of relaxation and sight-seeing ahead before I fly to New Orleans tomorrow morning. This trip's been super x

AHHHHHHHHHHHH

Check the video footage of the tiny puppy! I am squealing with delight about this tiny little monster!

Surfing in Miami

Today I decided to go surfing in Miami. I used to surf as a kid, but it's been many, many years since I tried. Sadly, there were no waves - but today was my last chance to give it a go.. so, I hired a long board (works out at about $30 for two hours) and walked it down to the beach (best place to surf is on Ocean and 5th street). I was joined in the water by a giant pelican. Despite the lack of waves, it was great to be back out in the water. Check out the footage below:

Everglades Safari tour

This morning we decided to go out on an Everglades Safari Tour in Miami. For just $55 you get a tour guide-driven bus from Miami Beach to the Everglades Safari park - whereupon you have an hour-long boat tour through the incredible Everglades landscape, see alligators in the wild, an alligator show back at the ranch and a drive back 'home'. Check out the footage from our tour today:

I'm in love

After all that dog filming.. I find my perfect puppy on the street right near a surf shop. It's honestly the smallest dog I have ever seen. It's owners are Spanish and say his name is Ting. God damn it. I love him.

Working out at Miami Beach

There are some pretty buff dudes here in Miami - working out along Ocean Drive. There are also some crazy people trying to do the same thing. And then there's winner Jackie and myself trying to fit in and flex our guns too. Check it out:

Dinner in Miami

This evening we had dinner at Mango - a restaurant on Ocean Drive. It's famed for its "Floribbean" menu - that's Florida Caribbean food. I had chicken and black beans and rice and tomatos and plantain. Tasty styles.

Entertainment at The Clevander

This is our second night hanging out at the Clevandler bar on ocean drive. It has a beautiful pool and amazing lights, good drinks and nice staff. Tonight's entertainment takes the form of a Halloween-themed burlesque strip/dance show! Crazy but true. It's a real mixture between fire-breathers, Thriller dancers and strange wedding style DJ-ing. "Do wa diddy diddy dum diddy doo!"

Hanging by the pool!

Justin and Jackie are hanging at the pool after a long day walking around Miami. Hi guys!

Amazing Miami dogs!

People here in Miami are obsessed with dogs (about as much as they love segways). The majority of dogs are very small and very cute - with a few being transported in strange baskets and bespoke trollies. Check out my little video report of the little canine superstars. TOO CUTE!

Lincoln Mall

Lincoln Mall is the cool pedestrianised shopping district in Miami Beach. We have visited there every day for snacks, coffee and perhaps a spot of clothes shopping too! Here is Jackie hanging out in the sunshine (while Justin hides in the shade for a moment!)

Justin got arrested...

Only joking! Here is Justin hanging out by the very cool cop car we spotted near the beach. Something about American police cars looks so much cooler than the ones back home. Probably because we have seen them so much on TV and in films. This one even has a special area for dogs..

Hello lizard!

There are tiny little lizards all over Miami - and I finally managed to snap one at breakfast this morning. Too cute! Can I have one?

Hanging on Miami beach

Miami fashion

Another stunning example of the fun fashion on offer here in Miami. Shall I get them?

Miami on segways

Everyone in Miami seems to be rolling around the streets on segways. You can even rent them to tour the neighbourhood. I chatted to one lady in the street about why they are so popular, and just how easy they are to ride. Check it out!

Hanging with this week's winners

I am loving spending my time in Miami with Jackie and Justin. They are both lovely and very friendly and it's fun hanging out and chatting about our lives (and perhaps getting a little bit sunburnt).

Miami Ink interview

While I was at the Miami Ink (Love Hate Tattoo) Studio, I was able to have a little video chat with one of the apprentices at the store, by the name of Billy. He chatted all about the shop, the kind of mad requests they get from potential clients and exactly what affect fame has had on the studio. Have a look at their site/blog here. Check out our video chat below!

Hanging at Miami Ink

Miami Ink is a cool reality TV show based around the lives and work of tattoo artists at the Miami Ink studio here in Florida. The team recently moved to a new location, under the name Love Hate Tattoo. We went along to the studio today - and I met the main dude from the TV show, Mr Ami James. Lovely chap!

Lunge Ahoy!

Wow. Check out this lifeguard having a little stretch in his hut.

Art Deco architecture

This whole area of Miami Beach has a very Art Deco feel and architectural design to it. Incredible ice-cream colours are fused with distinctive shapes and beautiful creations, and traditional old buildings (hotels, apartments) sit next to new clothing shops, all housed within the same shells. It's very classy.

Clothing in Miami

Miami is a very Latino city - and there is loads of colourful and raunchy clothing on offer in the local shops for people that want to go clubbing and get noticed. For some reason, there is a whole heap of Miami merchandise that all says "I'm In Miami Bitch". Presumably it's a play on the words Miami Beach - but it's still a rather odd thing to have written across you. Perhaps I am just a massive English prude (sounds like a fruit of some sort), but I am pretty sure I won't be rushing to the counter to buy anything like this. P.S: the manequins have bigger-than-life fake breasts! How odd.

Miami dancers

Everywhere you go in Miami seems to have a) small dogs, b) tattooed bikers and c) half-naked dancing ladies. These two lovely lasses were at Nikki Beach yesterday. They made me feel very pale and short. :)

Rollerblading in Miami

Hell yeah! I went rollerblading today in Miami. I managed to hitch a lift with a guy on a segway, met a mad Cuban shaman.. and highfive an OAP on a bike. Classy. Check it out!

Miami Burger Search

Big country, big appetite, big food.. check out my burger search in Miami Beach!

Nikki Beach Brunch

One of the coolest things to do in Miami is have the all-you-can-eat brunch down at Nikki Beach. You've seen the photos, now check the video - and my weird interview with Jamie, who makes omelettes! Nice guy!

Clubbing in Miami

On Saturday night myself, Jackie and Justin headed to downtown Miami to go to the Space Club. I chatted to some mad Miami clubbers and saw some mad things. Check out our video report below.

New York Subway Performers

Check out these cool chaps I video on the New York Subway...

Dinner in Miami

Miami beach is very expensive (along Ocean Drive is especially extortionate).. So in an attempt to save money we have been investing the streets behind the main street. Our favourite place so far is Pizza Rustica on the corner of 9th and Washington Ave. They sell pizza by the slice and it's super tasty. Ive had wholeweat margarita, Justin had the New York steak and Jackie is working her way through the spicy chicken. Highly recommended.

Justin in Miami

Hanging on the beach in Miami in the sunshine. Lovely stuff.

Nikki beach restuarant

Nikki Beach is THE place to be on a Sunday - brunch from 11 to 4, then dancing till 5am! Yikes!

Strawberry!

Hi jackie!

Mojitos in Miami!

All the guidebooks state that a Mojito is the drink to have in Miami. Justin and Jackie are very happy to test out this theory (and I'll stick to the juice - antibiotics are boring). So far we have been served mango ones and strawberry ones. Tasty apparently!

Surfing on miami beach

Sitting in the sand on miami beach.. Admiring the.. Ahem.. View ;)

Brunch at Nikki beach

Hello from Miami! We are having brunch at the famous Nikki beach. Sunny, palm trees, sand.. Lovely stuff. It's like daytime clubbing!

Good morning from Miami!

Hello from Katie, Justin and Jackie - sending hello to everyone back home and a happy birthday to their son Callum who is 17 today!