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Jan 31, 2019 · Bayou Tales: Directed by David DuBos. With Kim Baptiste, Roger Bart, Neil Brown Jr., Ian Casselberry. 3 Southern Gothic Tales set in and around New Orleans that capture the strange, supernatural nature of the city's unique people and culture, all infused with a darkly comedic sense of justice.
- (29)
- Horror
- David DuBos
- 2019-01-31
Mar 17, 2024 · In exploring the legends of the Bayou, we uncover not just the mysteries of a land shaped by water and time, but also the values, fears, and dreams of those who call it home.
- Overview
- Essentials
The ancestral home of Native American tribes; a sanctuary for French-speaking outcasts; and a former shelter for runaway slaves — Louisiana's famous bayou is its lifeblood, alive with history and legend
This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK).
The bayous of Louisiana run slow and silent and hide their secrets deep. There's a myth that these narrow, murky tributaries are filled with nothing but alligators and stagnation. But, as I float down the Manchac Swamp on the mossy outskirts of New Orleans, I realise that there are more dangerous reptiles to be found 30 miles away, drinking Hurricane cocktails on Bourbon Street.
This is Cajun country: blue herons skim the surface of the bayou, Spanish moss drips from cypress trees like a thick wet coat; I see old trappers' cabins adorned with deer skulls, and a pair of raccoons rolling in the mud. Local author Greg Guirard wrote: 'the swamp sucks the poisons of civilisation out of you.' The bayou is the ancestral home of the Choctaw and Houma Native American tribes, the final sanctuary of Acadian outcasts and a former shelter for runaway slaves; it's filled with hoodoo and Voodoo, ghosts and graves, legends as unfathomable as its murky depths. The bayou is more than just marsh and mire; it's the soul of the state.
It's a good time to see it too. In late March, British Airways will launch the first ever direct flight from London to New Orleans, making it easier and more affordable than ever before to reach the city they call The Big Easy — on account of its relaxed way of life. New Orleans is about gumbo, good tunes and cocktails at breakfast. It's the kind of place where you order a coffee and they reply: "With Kahlúa or Baileys?"
Tennessee Williams, who wrote A Streetcar Named Desire here, said: "America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland." But there's a further distinction too: "The great metropolises of America are defined by commerce," says Sean Cummings, owner of Loa, one of the best cocktails bars in the city. "New Orleans is defined by food, music and joy." True. It's about having fun. But it's also just the start. I plan to spend a few days exploring the city, before heading out to the Louisiana Outback, where crayfish swamps and Cajun dancehalls mix with old plantations and the languid snake of the Mississippi River. I want to see the real Louisiana, but before the swamp can cure me I have a date with the poisons of the civilised world.
Getting there & around
British Airways flies direct from Heathrow to New Orleans from £599 per person return. Several other airlines serve the city with one stop. Car hire is not recommended while in New Orleans: parking is scarce and expensive. Taxis are numerous and there's an excellent network of historic streetcars that are cheap (unlimited rides with a Jazzy Pass cost $3/£2.40 a day) and part of the authentic New Orleans experience. Most swamp and plantation tours offer hotel pick-up and return, but if you plan on exploring deeper into the Louisiana Outback, then car hire is essential for that portion of the trip.
When to go
Summer can be uncomfortably hot, but offers some excellent hotel deals. October to January sees gradually cooling temperatures and fewer crowds. February to May is festival season, with Mardi Gras held on Shrove Tuesday.
Where to sleep
The Pontchartrain Hotel
- Aaron Millar
From the swamps of the bayou to the civilized inner cities, mysterious stories abound. As many legends originate from true events, some unexplainable stories become that much more frightening. The Rougarou
- Prey of Desire J.C. Gatlin (Goodreads Author)
- The Glass Rainbow (Dave Robicheaux, #18) James Lee Burke.
- Creole Belle (Dave Robicheaux, #19) James Lee Burke.
- Pegasus Descending (Dave Robicheaux, #15) James Lee Burke.
Bayou Tales (2019) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
People also ask
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Sep 30, 2023 · Explore the mystique of Louisiana's swamplands, the Bayou. Discover its unique ecosystems, rich history, folklore, and witness the diverse flora and fauna in this thrilling journey. Adventure Guides
