Mardi Gras In November

On Day #4 after eating our $19 breakfast buffet we caught the shuttle and headed for Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World!

We were greeted with a sign warning us that a movie is being filmed. It is called "Knucklehead" and stars some people I don't really know. It was cool to hear "quiet on the set" and "rolling."

They gave us "King Cake" to eat in the beginning. A small plastic baby is baked inside and normally whoever gets the baby in their piece has to host the party next year and provide the cake.

On the tour we learned how they make the floats and props. This is a design for next year.

Alot of the people props get new clothes made out of packing material.

Alot of the props are made of layers of styrofoam. The guy doing this job was covered from head to toe in little pieces.

The sides of the floats are covered with cotton cloth and painted white. Then the color is added. At the end of each parade they paint over the design with white and start again. The cloth is changed every 5-6 years.

It was amazing to see these giant creations in the building. I bet it is even better rolling down the street.

We got to play with a few large head masks. Did you know the people who ride the floats must pay to ride ($500-$1500) AND must provide their own "throws" (beads, stuffed animals, plastic cups, coins)? The "throws" can cost them $400-$500.

We also had a little fun with some costumes and masks.

Mardi Gras World is a MUST DO in New Orleans. We had a BLAST!

We took the Algiers Ferry across the Mississippi River to historic Algiers Point. This cargo ship was passing by...I am in love with all the ships and boats.

We had lunch at the Dry Dock Cafe.

We met Dr. Hubby back at the hotel and headed for the Riverwalk Shopping Mall. I got tickled when I saw the "Southern Food and Beverage Museum"...leave it to the southerners to have a museum dedicated to FOOD! Ironically, DO NOT eat at the Riverwalk Food Court...everything was YUCK!

We had time to go to the Canal Street Mall...very upscale. In SAKS I went straight for the Louis Vuitton section. I held a Speedy 30 handbag in black...I wanted to marry it, but couldn't since I am already married...LOL! It was only $2240! Yikes!

Tomorrow we are having "Audubon Day."