Day 7

Bruce, Janet, Wayne, and Patty joined us for pre-breakfast of only cinnamon rolls (because we were heading out for a brunch) and Sunday morning sermon.

It was so nice to have quiet time with Bruce and friends before jumping on the bus and heading to downtown New Orleans for a Natchez Steamboat Cruise.   What a classic way to experience the mighty Mississippi.
The historic stern-wheeled steamboat makes its home on the riverfront next to the French Quarter, and slowly and gracefully cruises the river for brunch, lunch, or dinner cruises with live traditional jazz on board.  True to New Orleans' love of music, we enjoyed a local jazz trio as we enjoyed a wonderful lunch buffet consisting of a waffle station, scrambled eggs, biscuits & gravy, fruit salad, gumbo, glazed ham, shrimp and grits,  bananas Foster, and of course bread pudding.

“Someone” in our group put gobbs of yogurt on their dessert because they thought it was whipped cream. I’m not saying any names….. but I have to say, we all got a laugh out of that.
As we disembarked, there was the mime that always seems to be there. I love watching him!

Meanwhile… I guess it was a bit warm for Toni.

We spent the afternoon at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. The aquarium immerses you in an underwater world. The colors of a Caribbean reef come alive in the walk-through tunnel, where I don’t think Kay and Ron knew people were swimming above them.

Their penguins and Southern sea otter enchant you with their antics.

Touch a sting ray, feed a parakeet, and marvel at our gigantic sharks, tarpon, and rays in the 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico Exhibit.

Watch for sea turtles throughout the Aquarium as coordinator of the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program, they prepare many of them for release to the wild. 
And of course, there is always time for a photo op

Time to head over to Harrah’s to try our luck out at Black Jack. Remember, we were schooled on how to beat the house. Oh wait, another photo op

as well as treating ourselves to the best New Orleans buffet. This spread is complete with something scrumptious for everyone; succulent roasted turkey, fried chicken, catfish, shrimp, and a variety of Asian dishes and soups. There were seven action stations serving up all our favorites.

I can tell you, we didn’t leave hungry. The hardest part was saving room for their famous "Sweet Treats" dessert bar, with over 40 different items to choose.