There are no other words than WOW to explain this day!
The crew of the ms Amsterdam worked day and night to transform the Lido into an extraordinary Mardi Gras Afloat! This was a once in a lifetime event! The crew did an outstanding job to build a magnificent rendition of Mardi Gras that highlighted the love of life and harmonic union of New Orleans unique food, music, creativity, eccentricity and neighborhoods!
It was amazing! They made everyone on board experience the good life on the promenade of their "thousand lights" float-afloat, which was a New Orleans-style paddle boat. The boat was set right in the middle of what would be the pool! With steam coming from the top and the paddle on the boat moving water!
There were French Quarter wrought iron balconies and Bourbon Street lamps that lined the area!
Then there was a Mardi Gras parade with the King and Queen of Carnival and their courts!
We feasted on a delectable array of Louisiana specialities including King Cake, prawns, lobster, oysters, chili, Bernie's Dogs, Crepes, and so so so much more! It was everything you could ever want! Hurricanes and Abita were all included to help celebrate Fat Tuesday! It was amazing!
There is more! Everyone was mesmerized by the street artists - a cartoonist, a palm reader, a taro card reader, a juggler and a balloonist! I got my fortune read - I will incorporate traveling with teaching!! and something about 2 baby boys in my future!!!!!!! and by February - Yikes! That is what she told my mom!!!!
They had tables set up everywhere! We arranged for two tables for all our friends and we sat eating and tapping our toes to the tunes of a traditional New Orleans Jazz Band! They were really great!
Then we found the balloon artist and Jane had him come to our table! He made us the most extraordinary balloon hats! They were so large that it was hard to not hit someone while walking and dancing! Jane was crying laughing so hard at my hat because it had two alien baby balloons on it! She said it was a sign!!!
Still Crying!
It was truly a dazzlingly colorful evening of music, mirth and merriment!
Pictures from the night!
Captain Jonathan Mercer, Me, Friso (Chief Officer) and Karen Mercer!
Ingo!
Captain Jonathan and Karen!
Maggie!
Karen, Jane and Henk (Hotel Manager!)
Siri!
Anne Marie and Me!
Mom, Me, Karen and Art!
Captain, Karen and Mom
Mike!
Friso and Captain!
Linda, Me and Stein!
Sandi and Grace!
Callie and Maggie!
Mike and Pauline!
Brad!
Barry!
Me and Widi (Employee of the Month!)
Judy!
Chef Rudi, Linda and Stein Kruse (CEO of HAL) and Captain Mercer!
Friso and Mom!
Me and Callie!
Mom and Jim!
Brad and Gloria!
Mom!
Officers!
Chef Rudi and Me!
Joka and Me!
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