The money that the hotel takes is just a deposit. (Our concierge took too much and had to refund us when we got back.) The cost is moderate at $24 for the Swamp Tour without transportation from the hotel. We chose to take the 15-minute airboat ride to basically just to be able to say that we rode an airboat. It was hotter than July, so the airboat ride was somewhat refreshing because of the wind, BUT it was LOUD, even with the earphones. AND THE WIND - the wind was rushing so fast that my eyes were watering, and I had on sunglasses. I’m not complaining, though, as it was as we expected.

The actual swamp tour was on a party boat, a covered boat that seats about 30 people. We were warned as soon as we boarded to keep our body parts and belongings in the boat and that the alligators would go after anything white: skin, clothing, objects, you name it.

Our tour guide was entertaining with his far-out tales and interesting facts. We saw an Indian burial ground, an aboveground cemetery, and a few ancient buildings. Of course we came across some alligators. Our tour guide "called" a very large alligator over to our boat, then proceeded to rub, touch, and kiss on this alligator while feeding him raw chicken. Shocking, right? Well, the alligator was blind in one eye and their eyes are on the sides of their heads, so he purposely stayed on the alligator’s "blind" side. We also found out the reason the alligators like white marshmallows. All the tour guides use marshmallows to attract the alligators.

There is a bathroom on the boat for those with the need. When I came out, there was a baby alligator being passed around, so I got to hold him. He seemed used to being handled.

On our way back to the dock, we could see an approaching storm. It was so fast and furious that I was scared that there wouldn’t be a Louisiana Swamp Tour after it was over. As soon as we docked, the storm hit, and I mean, boy, did it hit! I’ve never seen such a thing, 4pm and the sky was pitch-black and the winds were at least 35mph. It was terrible and beautiful at the same time. We were in the car and able to get away from the eye of the storm, and I didn’t hear of any loss on the news, so it should still be there when you go.

It was not really warm, as the morning sun was signing off for the day. When we arrived, we had to wait again for a long time. Since it was off-season, it was not raining tour guides. We had a choice of a paddle boat or an airboat and opted for the more "dangerous" ride. Upon boarding, you are told to secure your seat belt and wear a helmet, unless you are courting deafness. Despite the clouds, the swamp looked very tranquil and safe. You’ll sacrifice part of the narration, because you can’t hear a damn thing above the engines. Airboats go as fast as 50mph, conditions permitting.

By the way, how do you like our tour guide? Personally, I think the swamp creatures were scared of him and just never bothered to come out. Seriously, if you are in these parts in the winter, you will be spotting twisted tree limbs, barren or brush land, and some photo ops. Our guide—let’s call him Bill—gave us our thrills immediately with subsonic speed and hairpin curves. We did make occasional stops so we could hear Bill show his knowledge of the area and to TRY to spot local fauna. Danger came as a two-foot croc and a beautiful grey heron that stood still on one leg and decided he didn’t want our company. Bill tried to cheer us up and pulled his baby pet croc out of a box. Pictured is the baby croc getting really close and personal with me (Chuck would have no part of him).

As we resumed and zigzagged through the waterways for the hour, we spotted a water rat; it was the size of a pregnant rabbit and horrifying to look at. He got my vote for best creature of the swamp. Undoubtedly, this would be more exciting to visit on a sweltering, humid New Orleans day, but there was so much romance in the mossed cypresses bowing toward the water against the grey sky. The occasional flower became more precious because it wasn’t so abundant. As we neared land, an above-ground graveyard was quite prominent and stark in its whiteness, a testament to the Cajun swamp people that once lived there.

Cost for two people was $120.

It was a short drive outside the city of New Orleans by air-conditioned van, and we arrived at the docks. A small covered boat awaited us, with a quiet motor that doesn't scare off the gators.

The guide told us all about gators, and periodically we would stop and he would feed the gators marshmallows and raw chicken. I snapped some great photographs as the alligators leaped up to grab the food in their massive jaws. They guarantee that you'll see one alligator, and we saw more than we could count. I guess they know it's feeding time when that boat comes around.

The scenery was breathtaking when we sailed into a quiet bayou. It was just like I had always imagined that the bayou would be like. I am so glad I had this experience.