New Orleans and Yucatan, 2026
In the spring of 2026, Ron and Carol spent a few days in New Orleans and took a cruise around the Yucatan. Also, they celebrated their 54th anniversary. See www.bucklesfamily.net
NOLA (New Orleans, LA) – Déjà Vu. This was a restaurant close to their hotel. Due to the diverse menu, they ate there often. Like much of NOLA, its building is beautiful.
Déjà Vu. Besides having 24-hour breakfast, they had a “Creole Trio ‘Taste of N’awlins.’” It included Shrimp Etouffee, Seasoned Red Beans and Rice, and Jambalaya. We added some “Cajun Meat Pies” to make it a full meal for two. The food was great, and actually less spicy than Carol’s Jambalaya.
NOLA - St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Cemetery No. 1 is the oldest and among the most prominent cemeteries in New Orleans. It was opened in 1789, replacing the city's in-ground cemeteries.
NOLA - St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. The Italian Benevolent Society Tomb (1857) with the personification of Italy in the statue. The story is she lost her right hand to Dennis Hopper trying to climb it to her lap during an unauthorized, drunken visit while filming “Easy Rider.”
NOLA. The next day was a walking tour of the city. The city is full of beautiful buildings, …
… or at least interesting buildings.
NOLA – Jackson Square. Originally laid out in 1721. It was renamed in 1851 to honor Andrew Jackson following the Battle of New Orleans. His statue can be seen resting on Ron’s head.
NOLA - St. Louis Cathedral. A beautiful, spired church. Carol as usual found a quiet place to pray.
History: The first church on the site was built in 1718. The cathedral was burned during the great fire of 1788 and was expanded and largely rebuilt and completed in the 1850s.
NOLA – Art District.
NOLA – Shopping next to Jackson Square. Despite its beauty and nice people, Ron and Carol have never been to a town with so many bars, noisy street entrainers, and people walking around with drinks in their hands. It really is “The Big Easy.”
NOLA - Ron and Carol tried the powdered sugar-covered beignets. The real ones with good “puff” are wonderful. Carol thought it was like a cross between a real croissant [full of buttered layers] and a funnel cake.
NOLA – Although Ron and Carol had their beignets at a restaurant, many people purchased them “to go”, so the ground under park benches is white with sugar.
NOLA – The Steamboat City of New Orleans. That evening Ron and Carol took a 3-hour dinner cruise down the Mississippi.
NOLA - Night shot of the city from the riverboat.
The Carnival Valor. A few days before the trip Ron got a call from Carnival offering a suite for only $400 more. Ron snatched up the offer. Turn out to be “Grand” Suite. It was wonderful! (A panorama.)
The Carnival Valor. The suite was so big, that Ron and Carol mainly stayed in the room. Carol found some flowers in the room. Probably something to do with their anniversary. [Likely to do with Ron being sweet.]
Cozumel - The San Gervasio Mayan ruins. After a long port day before sailing and a sea day, Ron and Carol got to visit the Mayan ruins on Cozumel. This is the Las Manita’s (Little Hands) building. The hand prints are in red. (1000-1200 CE)
Cozumel - The San Gervasio ruins. The Central Plaza. The Plaza Group consists of 6 buildings arranged in a square around a central altar platform. (1200-1650 CE)
Chichen Itza - El Castillo. The main reason for the trip was to see late classic Mayan site of Chichen Itza. The El Castillo pyramid is the center piece of the site. (8th–12th century CE)
Chichen Itza – The Market. As usual, Carol is struck with fear due to her agoraphobia.
Chichen Itza – A panorama of the ‘Temple of the Warriors’ and the ‘Thousand Columns’, another market area.
Chichen Itza – Platform of Venus. This small, ornate structure was used for astronomical rituals dedicated to the planet Venus, the Mayan god of war.
Chichen Itza – The Ball Court. Given its size, the Mayan really loved this sport. Note the high stone rings (red arrows.) Seems impossible, given hands and feet were not allowed in playing the ball.
Chichen Itza – The Ball Court. One of the many stone carvings.
Gulf of America. The last night at sea the Coast Guard had to transport a sick person off the ship. The ship does not have helicopter pad! At first, they dropped a coastguardsman (doctor?) with a small helicopter, then a large helicopter came and picked up both.
Carol’s collection of towel animals. Ron kept trying to feed them.