E
xperiencing the bayous—those
marshy, low-lying outlets of lakes
and rivers—is a "must-experience"
while in Louisiana. You will undoubtedly
meet some very energetic alligators!
That was our experience in Houma (Ter-
rebonne Parish), when we took a two-hour
bayou tour with Captain Billy Gaston, who
owns a custom-made boat that seats about
45. He tossed raw chicken pieces into the
murky waters while he welcomed seem-
ingly tame alligators for lunch. The eerie
up-close-and-personal experience with
these carnivorous reptiles was loads of fun.
If you prefer a more bucolic experience,
Louisiana has several botanical gardens
you can visit, including the Botanical Gar-
dens at Independence Park in Baton
Rouge and the New Orleans Botanical
Garden. We spent a relaxing sojourn in the
Jungle Gardens on Avery Island (Iberia
Parish), the home of the TABASCO brand
pepper sauce factory.
This 69-hectare semi-tropical garden
includes one of the oldest timber bamboo
groves in the U.S.; a Buddha shrine and a
900-year-old statue resting amid the
striking camellias and azaleas; and even a
bird sanctuary called Bird City featuring
hundreds of snowy egrets. It was like being
taken back in time.
By Bruce Bishop
LOUISIANA
BAYOUS AND BOTANICALS
TRAVEL PLANNER
Check out all there is to see and do in
Louisiana at LouisianaTravel.com/Canada.
DS
ABOVE: A beautiful Buddha shrine in the Jungle
Gardens on Avery Island. Iberia Parish CVB
