IT'S MARDI GRAS TIME IN NEW ORLEANS

We barged into New Orleans for “the greatest free show on earth” (aboard the R/B River Explorer) and quickly got into the spirit of things in the captivating city that gyrates to the ever-present Dixieland beat.

Taking in The Big Easy during Mardi Gras season (January 6th to midnight on Fat Tuesday) is absolutely unforgettable. Locals and visitors alike get swept up in the frenzy New Orleans lives up to its most famous nickname, The Big Easy.

The shops bulge at every corner with Mardi Gras paraphernalia. Beads of every color, size, design and price can be bought, but it’s so much more fun to catch them at the parades. If you must have a certain type (my friend loves zebras) you’ll definitely find it at the huge stalls in the French Market.

We saw the parades in broad daylight and at night too. One evening we went for a walk and caught up with the Krewe of Orpheus parade and its famous founder, Harry Connick Jr.

Instead of shouting, “Throw me something, Mister,” I said, “Hey, Harry, what do you enjoy most about the parade?” With the music blaring and the crowds hooting and hollering he shouted, “I can’t hear you.” Then a voice next to me boomed out, “She said what do you enjoy most about the parade?” And like the good sport he is, Harry responded, “I love the people! That’s what I enjoy the most.” And the next thing we know, the driver of his float bedecked us with some of the most beautiful beads we had seen since arriving in the city.

The Krewe of Bacchus launched an entertaining evening parade that was African themed with the likes of King Kong, Queen Kong and Baby Kong (in diapers) and also featured the 110-foot-long Bacchagator.

The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club put on a spectacular parade every year. Besides throwing beads and doubloons to onlookers, necklaces with the Zulu emblem are very popular, but the most desired items are the hand decorated Zulu coconuts (I got one!)

But everyone comes to see the Krewe of Rex, the King of Carnival. He arrives on Lundi Gras (Monday) by boat to a fireworks reception at Spanish Plaza. If nothing else try to catch one of the necklaces bearing the Krewe’s emblem and of course a couple of doubloons would be nice too.

A special touch to visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras is to enjoy a special event sponsored by the French Market – the annual Mardi Gras Mask Festival in Dutch Alley. The Alley is easy to locate as it is on the fringes of the French Quarter. It’s near the river bordered by the streets named Ursulines and Dumaine. We spent a few hours on a sunny afternoon wandering around the 40-odd displays of masks made from exotic feathers, paper-mache and leather.

And if that’s not enough to inspire a visit to the city that has more than 25 pseudonyms, maybe you’ll come and be entertained by musicians such as Cheez-Weez, Rockin’ Doopsie and Top Cats!