What is an alligator’s favourite food?
If the alligator lives in the swamps near New Orleans, his favourite food might be marshmallows. Tour guides who drive boats of guests into the bayou often throw marshmallows into the water to get alligators to swim closer to the boat.
Some of the alligators are so fond of the gooey white treats that they will come within a few metres of the boat — much to the excitement of tour guests.
If you want to experience the moss-clad Cyprus swamps of southern Louisiana, a swamp boat tour is likely your best bet. In addition to seeing alligators and other wildlife up close, you’ll learn about the ecology of the bayou, the environmental efforts going on there, and what life is like for the Cajun people who have lived for generations in the area.
Our tour began with a bus ride from the French Quarter to nearby Westwego, where we met “Captain Tom” our guide for the afternoon.
Before boarding the boat, we wandered around the dock area and took a look at some turtles, snakes and racoons that are housed in pens near the docks. Captain Tom gave a brief explanation of the wildlife and plants that make up the swamp ecosystem. He explained that many different species of birds and marine animals occupy the waters of the swamp including alligators, raccoons, owls, wild boar, snakes, turtles, bald eagles, black bears, and even deer.
Before boarding the vessel, he allowed each person the opportunity to hold a small alligator that had been recently captured and to feel how tough its skin is.
We journeyed deep into the swamp and saw many species of birds, turtles, and even some snakes, but the real highlight was the opportunity to see live alligators.
Captain Tom has been plying these waters for more than 20 years and he seemed to know all the right places to find them. As we watched a very large gator swim within a few meters of the side of the boat to retrieve a marshmallow, it occurred to me that “marsh” mallow is the perfect name for the fluffy white snacks that alligators seem to love.
Our family campfire roasts will never be quite the same.
If you go:
• There are a number of companies that offer boat tours through the Louisiana swamps and bayous near New Orleans. Our tour was arranged with Grayline Tours. The tour departs daily from the French Quarter, takes about 4 hours to complete, and costs $49 USD per adult and $24 USD per child. For reservations or information, visit: www.graylineneworleans.com/swamp.shtml.
• Another interesting way to visit the swamps and bayous of New Orleans is via an airboat ride. High speed airboats travel at speeds of up to 50 km/hr and hold fewer guests. A six-passenger airboat tour will cost $70 USD per person and a sixteen passenger boat will cost $54 USD per person. Hotel pick-up is available at an additional charge. For reservations or information, visit: www.louisiannaswamp.com.
• The best time to experience a swamp boat tour is during the spring and summer months. From November through early April, alligators are less active and enter into a form of hibernation.
Top ten family-friendly activities in New Orleans
New Orleans is famed for its wild adult-orientated nightlife on Bourbon Street, but there are also many family-friendly activities to enjoy with children and teens in the city.
• Take a ride on the mighty Mississippi River on an authentic steamboat and relive life in the 1800’s. (steamboatnatchez.com)
• Enjoy a swamp boat tour of the Louisiana Bayou. (graylineneworleans.com)
• Take a walk along the riverfront making a stop at Café Du Monde (www.cafedumonde.com) to enjoy fresh, hot beignets topped with mounds of powdered sugar.
• Visit the Aquarium of the Americas, the Insectarium, the Audubon Zoo and the Entergy Imax Theatre with an Audubon experience ticket that allows admission to all four attractions for one price. (auduboninstitute.org)
• Walk down to Jackson Square and enjoy a carriage ride tour of the French Quarter. Listen to the history of New Orleans and take in the beauty of the historic buildings.
• Older teens who are not easily frightened will enjoy a ghost-hunting expedition in New Orleans. (www.ghostexpeditions.com)
• Hop on the St. Charles Streetcar and enjoy a ride along St. Charles Avenue to visit Audubon Park.
• Visit the Louisiana Children’s Museum. (lcm.org)
• Expose your kids to classic live jazz music by visiting Preservation Hall (www.preservationhall.com). Since most nights are standing room only, this experience is better for older children and teens who can handle waiting in a line-up and standing to hear great jazz played live. Alternatively, you could visit the House of Blues and enjoy supper and live jazz music at the same time.
• Expose your children to Cajun cuisine and help them learn how to prepare it by attending a Cookin’ Cajun class. (cookincajun.com)
How marshmallows got their name
According to the website bigsiteofamazingfacts.com, the name “marshmallow” is derived from England. Many years ago, people in England sometimes ate a candy made with the root of a plant called the marsh mallow. The marsh mallow plant grows in swampy areas and is related to the cotton plant. Even though this plant is not used to make modern marshmallows, the white fluffy candy resembles the cottony seed pods of the marsh mallow plant and was transferred to the name of the modern candy we now know as marshmallow.
Debbie Olsen is a Lacombe-based freelance writer. If you have a travel story you would like to share or know someone with an interesting travel story that we might interview, please email: DOGO@telusplanet.net or write to: Debbie Olsen, c/o Red Deer Advocate, 2950 Bremner Ave., Red Deer, Alta., T4R 1M9.