25 | Viking Explorer Society News
The people and places of the Deep South make Viking's Mississippi Delta Explorer
voyage from New Orleans to Memphis a true delight, writes Kristie Kellahan.
Cruising the
MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI
AN EXTRAORDINARY CELEBRATION
New Orleans is a soulful city with a lot of love
(and beads) to give. That's never more
apparent than during Mardi Gras, celebrated
for a season, not just one day. I'll never forget
catching beads, toys and souvenirs thrown to
me by revellers on colourful floats as they
pranced through the streets. There are
dozens of parades, balls, street parties and
festivities over several weeks, making it a
thrilling time to visit.
UNFORGETTABLE MUSIC
I was having so much fun in New Orleans, I
ran out of time to catch a show at legendary
jazz venue, Preservation Hall. So, I was
absolutely delighted to learn we'd be treated
to an exclusive live performance on the ship
by Wendell Brunious, master trumpeter,
vocalist and musical director of the
Preservation Hall Jazz Band. An ambassador
of the city and one very cool cat, his swinging
jazz set was the perfect start to our voyage.
INSIGHT AND LEGACY
If you're only planning to visit one museum,
put Whitney Plantation at the top of your list.
It's the only historic home in Louisiana with
an exclusive focus on the lives, perspectives
and legacies of enslaved people. I was moved
to tears on a self-guided audio tour by the
slavery stories of suffering, survival and
courage. The Viking shore excursion team
arranges this visit as part of a two-home tour
that also goes to St. Joseph, a working
sugarcane farm that served as a film set for
12 Years a Slave.
THE TASTE OF THE SOUTH
Pack some stretchy pants, because you're not
going to be able to resist the local cuisine.
Mouthwatering barbecue beef brisket, fried
LEARN MORE
Clockwise, from top:
Sunsets on the Mississippi
River; Art installation at
Whitney Plantation.
