There will never be another cruise like this one: Carnival Triumph in February to
ports of Key West, Freeport and Nassau. Although it was a birthday gift for niece Deb
as well as rare route of this ship, it was Super Bowl fever that permeated every board,
every thread in the drapes, and voices of thousands of Cajun fans. When the Saints Go
Marching In and Who 'Dat? resounded without a lull. The Fun Ship was fulfilling its
posit.

Beginning the boarding in New Orleans, Saints shirts flashed their gold on black
on at least three-fourths of the 3,000 passengers. Smart marketers have displayed for
weeks these shirts on sidewalks, store entrances and at check-out. The Zachary Travel!
Cruise bus we were on stopped for passengers twice in Baton Rouge: Several ran to
Albertson's for $10 tops only to find the same shirts in the processing center in the New
Orleans port with an $18.98 tag. Hats, horns, flags and other paraphernalia were con­
comitant. Add LOTS of purple, gold, and green Mardi Gras beads and spectacular fans
were whooping it up! Cabin doors ushered in decorations that could have competed,
posts garlanded throughout the ship, a Saints flag raised over our dining room AND
FLEW OVER THE SHIP. The Fun Ship was alive.

No one could miss watching the Saints maul the Colts that Sunday evening. Two
mammoth-size screens pulled the viewers onto the field, while eight, brave Colt fans
dared wear their shirts and hats among the joyful Saints fans. That the Saints won
brought dance lines and more spontaneous celebrations. The team was encompassed
­like family members!













Monday morning found us docking in Key West, fulfilling a long desire by Deb and
me to visit it. No hurry to stand in line, stand in line, stand in line to go ashore where
we could buy Conch Train tickets much cheaper than on the ship. With three ships in
the harbor, there was an urgency to claim a seat on the train for a thorough historic tour.
A knowledgeable driver shared anecdotes throughout the city. Armed with a map, we
were ready to limit our sites in the brief time remaining. First: eat lunch.

Of the many restaurants and bars offering Conch (pro. Conk) specialties, we chose
Red Fish, Blue Fish with its rushing, fresh air so welcome in the summer. This was
February. The Conch soup was delicious for anyone loving a fish soup. Servings were
bountiful. A party of three from another ship was standing by our table. One was in
charge of their entertainment band, and one sported a cap and jacket "Purple Heart."

As my custom, I thanked him for serving our country and learned that he was with the
7th Cavalry Air Evacuation in Vietnam and sported three Purple Hearts. Now came the
unexpected emotional moment for me: An inquiry about what beads I was wearing,
which were large, sparkly Mardi Gras ones. I removed them and placed them on the
veteran. Strangely, he was overcome, hugged and kissed me with tears in his eyes. Then
he took his 7th Cavalry pin and put it on me. I was teary, so another hug and kiss. Of the
500+ veterans I've interviewed, this was a first!

We sprinted two blocks to President Harry Truman's Little White House. Originally
the Naval Commander's Quarters near other contingencies built in 1942 for the 15,000
stationed there during WWII, the location was perfect for Truman to get away from
Washington to warm climate, to fish with friends, hold mini-Conferences, and generally get refreshed. A wing is reserved for visiting grandchildren and their families. Truman favored a large gathering for the dinner meal; consequently, a huge table was acquired.

When asked why two huge statues of chickens were on the sideboard, we learned that
they represented our country before the Bald Eagle was adopted. Truman wanted a bar
which was installed near the dining room; he also like to play poker, so a table was set
up for the game. When Gen. Powell wanted to hold a conference there with some foreign
reps, he wanted a round table; therefore, a round top was laid over the game table, and
the discussions were on. There was no time to hike down to Ernest Heminway's home.
We left, desiring to return one day!

Freeport. No hurry to leave the ship, for our Groves Garden Tour was at 11 :30,
and we would be bussed there. Four cruise ships and several tankers were now in the
harbor, which was miles across the island from the city. Darren was an excellent guide
through the Gardens for he researched the historylbackground on everything in the
garden. Groves was a successful attorney and investor recognizing in early 1900s the
opportunities of buying property and companies in Grand Bahamas. The Healing Garden
was a real learning center as Darren told that the Neem tree cured diabetes and used in
many products; the Periwinkle flower made a tea to cure heart problems; the hibiscus
flower, in such profusion, is used in a tea to cure arthritis.

Darren lingered after the tour, so we sat under the shade trees hearing his story. He
had a business providing something (?) for ships. In 2007, shipping began a global de­
cline of75%, and this job, paying $25 a week, helped him pay his bills. Consequently,
he works two nights a week in food service for extra pay. Unemployment is rampant
in Freeport.

Wednesday morning, Feb. 10. We were in the green, glistening waters of Nassau,
and it was Deb's birthday. All of the ports we've been in-here and western Caribbean
have improved, new wharves for these super-size cruise ships necessitating looooong
walks to get shore-side. A glass-bottom boat for viewing coral was our choice. We
tendered through the bay to arrive at the pseudo-submarine, but had an informative
narration of who owned the desirable mansions with their own piers on the luscious
green/blue waters: There was the mansion owned by heirs of Colt 45; next door by
Smith & Wesson; nearby was Oprah Winfrey's twin mansions, etc. Many of you
readers have snarkled in the Caribbean, perhaps elsewhere, while we landlubbers view
travel documentaries showing colorful banks of coral and rare fish of every hue. We did
not have this-only a spot of coral here and there with only a gray haze-in this protected water.

A short tour around the city of 180,000, previewed government buildings in their
bright pink trappings and green shutters. Other buildings were pale blue, pale orange,
pale pink. Sales tax is absent, all kinds of taxes are absent-because the Bahamas'
income is from the 52-1/2% import duty. Industrious men and women have an endless
array of handmade items for tourists to pack back home.

Atlantis is the show-place hotel at Nassau, and many went there for a tour. Movies
are filmed there capturing its unique architecture and its prancing animals and rare sea
life. The late Michael Jackson rented the connecting suites between the two buildings
spending a hefty $25,000 a night. Yet, one can have a room for only $400 a night
booked for no less than three nights! Nearby is the original Holiday Inn Hotel building.
Getting acquainted with table mates at open seating for breakfast and lunch is what appealed to Deb and me. One memorable couple, from Memphis, told of their earlier life when their daughter aspired to be in the Olympics, first in basketball, then in volley­ball. She reached 6'2" and excelled. He works for the largest shipping country in the world owned by the Japanese and shared what the company expects of its employees.

Discussing the "island" of refuse/garbage circuiting the Pacific, this company adds to
it because of its vast container shipping. It has long been known that containers lashed
to the deck of ships may be thrown off in powerful storms. This company has a policy
of not investigating if 11 or fewer containers are lost. In Japan, employees stay at the
office from Monday morning until Friday afternoon due to long commutes. Food is
brought to their desks, and they sleep in cubicles. Old customs prevail in that the wife
is to follow the husband employee whether or not she chooses to do so, and divorce is
not even an option.

We began our return to New Orleans, traveling Thursday and Friday, arriving about
7:00 am Saturday. I interviewed a nice WWII nurse who served with the "Sealy
Hospital" (from Galveston. Most of the staff were from that hospital) in England and
France. Her story is forthcoming in this paper.

There were other surprises. Met Terry Kierum, youngest daughter of the late
Rooky and Alma Kierum of Kingsville. She is married to Gary Brazil, who was one
of our early LSUA students. What a thrill to meet up with them. Deb knew many of
the Zachary travelers in church and in the community.

Time to bid adieu to our pleasant, efficient servers-one from Bali, one from San
Salvadore; our cabin men-from Indonesia. Deb showered them daily, along with other
servers, bags and bags of candy. Most of the employees on cruise ships are there for
six or seven months without a day off, to earn money to send home. One fellow from
Indonesia has six-year-old twin boys who do not know him, yet his absence is to make
a decent living for them. They do have their heart aches, too.

New Orleans and custom processing meant that a strong contingency of Police and
Police dogs checked us out. Then the bus ride back to Zachary and lunch with Peggy
Broadnax and Bill Vann. Lots of memories: people, servers, Key West, Freeport, and
Nassau with its alluring waters. Friends ask: "Where to next?"