New Orleans takes another hurricane pounding

I visited New Orleans last July for the very first time, and loved every minute of it. The characters, the music, the history, the food, all combine to provide a very unique experience. There is still a lot of recovery work outside of The French Quarter that is being undertaken from the devastation of Katrina, so I was deeply saddened to hear of the city getting hit once again,  7 years on to the day.
Fortunately this time around the new defences stood firm although once again, thos people in outlying districts face more harships and repairs.

There is an amazing spirit and resolve in New Orleans and it is heartening to see Hollywood stars who hail from the area  putting a lot of finance and time into helping it recover. Too all my new friends over there, let's hope this latest set back doesn't make too much of a dent in the recovery process.

I left my heart in Sedona

I was in Sedona, Arizona last week and although it may well be overdeveloped and perhaps a little too touristy for my liking, it is without doubt a beautiful part of the world. The iron infused mountains are simply stunning and I was fortunate to see them close up from a helicopter. Not any old chopper, I might add, but one with no door panels - just me and fresh air on both sides! it was quite simply one of the most breathtaking things I have experienced and should be a must do on anyone's checklist for a trip to Sedona.
There is still a new age hippie thing going on there in spite of its wealthy residents, and I have to admit, there is something very spiritual about those glorious red rocks. May the vortex be with you.

5 Live interview Costa Concordia

Following on from my News 24 appearance I got a call from 5 Live to do an interview following the Concordia disaster. It's funny how suddenly travel writers become experts in cruise ship construction, fleet history and cruise liner procedures!
Having said that, I knew somehow my experiences on numerous ship bridges getting instruction on ship handling and manouvers would come in handy one day.
I'm pretty certain I was one of the first journalists to come out and say it sadly had to be human error.
You can listen to my interview on my website www.andymossack.co.uk

BBC News 24

Had an early morning call on the golf course from the BBC to appear on the midday bulletin, so as the round wasn't going too well it was a good excuse to leave.
Rushed home for a quick shower and change and waited for the car to take me to the studios. When I arrived there was no time to dally, it was straight into make up, a quick drink of water and I was on.

The story was about Britain's £30million investment marketing GB around the world inviting friends and family to visit us during our Olympic and Royal Jubilee year.

It always amazes me how quick people criticise any initiative that costs money. Yes it is a lot of money, but let's face it, firstly how many opportunities do you get to put your country in front of the world wide audience the Olympics will provide?  And second, we have a royal family, and we should celebrate that fact. The Diamond Jubilee is landmark event, so just for once let's enjoy this year and stop moaning about the cost.

It was certainly good to put my point across on national television. Kind of cathartic.

Betting is becoming all too easy

It seems in these days of economic hardship, as if getting hold of cash was difficult enough, we are being bombarded with opportunites to lose it just as quickly. How can it be justified to allow betting companies to invade seemingly every waking moment of our lives with an opportunity to place a bet on anything.
Smart phones are obviously an easy route in, but the format has become increasingly sophisticated. In game betting is common place, for example you can pick up the phone just before a free kick or corner is taken in a live football match and bet on whether a goal will be scored, or who will score next. Many of these betting companies will even give you some cash just to get you started.
Is it really wise tempting people who very often cannot afford it into getting into debt on the small chance they might win something?
I think it has all got out of hand and something needs to be done now. It is almost as bad as cigarettes so why not ban ads for betting in the same we have for smoking.

The great parking rip off. Councils should be ashamed of themselves.

I was close to losing it this week and all because of parking charges . Is there no end to the wicked things those devious town hall suits conjur up? I'd like to point out that I am a pillar of the community, and wherever possible abide by the local laws like every good citizen should. However, when I come across a plan that is designed purely and simply to generate funds in a devious way, then quite frankly my gloves must come off.
The council in all its wisdom, sees fit to set local parking charges at tariffs that ensure you will never have the correct change with you. And just to make matters worse still, the ticket machine will not supply change of course. So what do you do? You end up throwing away cash and printing out a ticket for a lot more than you need to because you can't leave your car to get change in a shop as someone is bound to ticket your car for not having a parking ticket!
In this day and age getting a machine to provide change would be a simple adjustment however that would mean the council would be out of pocket wouldn't it?

I would really love to know just how much money it makes from funds accrued in this way. Shame on you Enfield you should know better.

Florida's Greatest Food Challenges

Forida is known as a place where everything is bigger and better - the theme park rides, the sports and certainly the food. If you're the competitive type, why not check out some of the restaurants below, all of which offer unique challenges for the truly hungry.Whether you're sweltering over the Inferno Soup at Nitally's, chowing down a 48oz steak or eating ice cream from a kitchen sink, you're sure to have a great story to take home with you whether you pass the test or not.

 48oz Steak Challenge at Don Shula's Steak House

Launched by former NFL coach Don Shula in 1989, this restaurant chain quickly gained a reputation as one of the best places in Florida to sink your teeth into some prime Angus beef. Each restaurant is themed after the Miami Dolphins' "Perfect Season" that Shula presided over in 1972, when the Dolphins became the only team in NFL history to finish the entire season undefeated.The chain is almost as famous for its 48oz Porterhouse steak, dubbed "The Shula Cut". Holidaymakers who manage to finish all of this titanic T-bone in one sitting are rewarded with induction into the restaurant's 48oz Club, which would certainly provide a few bragging rights back home. However, guests have their work cut out for them if they're planning to beat the record of superfan Taft Parker, who to date has eaten over 175 of the giant steaks - earning a commemorative football from Don Shula himself for his achievement.

Shula's Steak House Orlando, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830 www.donshula.com

Inferno Soup Challenge at Nitally's

If you've got a taste for the spicy stuff, you may have finally met your match at Nitally's Thai-Mexican restaurant in St Petersburg, Florida.This challenge isn't for the faint of heart: the Inferno Soup contains fresh ghost pepper. At over 400 times stronger than Tabasco sauce, it's the hottest chilli known to mankind - in fact, it's so hot the Indian government has reportedly considered using it in non-lethal hand grenades. For good measure, the restaurant throws about a dozen other varieties of pepper, including three kinds of jabanero, into the dish.The owners of Nitally's initially offered a $150 (£96) reward to any steel-tongued guest who can finish the soup in less than 30 minutes, but as of July 2011 not a single customer has managed it - prompting them to raise the jackpot to $800 (£512).

Nitally’s Thai-Mex Cuisine, 2462 Central Ave, St Petersburg, Florida 33712 www.nitallys.com

The Kitchen Sink at Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlour

Americans love to round off a meal with a good ice cream sundae, and entering this classically-styled parlour in Dania Beach, Florida is like stepping back in time to the age of soda jerks, Cadillacs and rock 'n' roll. There's also a dessert on the menu that's a meal in itself and then some. The Kitchen Sink isn't just a clever name - it really is served in a full-size kitchen sink, plumbing and all. The servers behind the counter are invited to let their imaginations run wild putting everything they can think of into the colossal sundae, with toppings including marshmallow, chocolate, strawberries, cherries, fudge and sprinkles.

In this case there's no reward for finishing the food besides the satisfaction of a job well done, but at $12.95 (£8) per person - for a minimum of four diners - it's a whole lot of ice-cream for your cash.

Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlour, 128 South Federal Highway, Dania Beach, Florida 33004 www.jaxsonsicecream.com