The plantation tour was interesting-the lifestyle of the plantation owners seemed unhealthy since the men mostly died before they were 30. I wish the tour could have included something of the enslaved quarters, but it was hot outside. The young guide did quite nicely. The airboat tour was fine until we got pounded by a sudden rainstorm. I read recently where another airboat operator lost part of his arm feeding an alligator and then got fined also. The bus drver was outstanding; she was very thorough and interesting.

The steamboat cruise was what I expected; the port city of New Orleans is very industrial and not too exciting. I wish we could have stopped near the battle site of the 1812 victory over the British; maybe there is not much to see anymore especially compared to the Civil War sites farther east. The bus tour was better, but our particular bus load didn't seem very enthused. No one wanted to get off the bus to see the elevated graves, but were content to just sit in their seats. The driver was excellent-lots of great information especially when talking about the effect Katrina had on the city.