Searching for those "Cajun" 'Gators!'
Written: Apr 29 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Our "real" cajun guide that has a perspective that only one that lives in the swamps can share with others. Being there in an area that's such a total part of this type of wilderness...one we've never been a part of before.
Cons: Some people may not enjoy his canine friends. They are very disciplined though and we really enjoyed their presence.
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| shartion's Full Review: Cajun Country |
The word Eerie came to mind as we waited for our tour guide at the Lake Martin Landing near Lafayette, Louisiana. There were six of us anxious to head into Cypress Island Swamp to see those alligators we kept hearing about since our arrival in Louisiana a few days before.
Rambling down the dusty road, his truck, along with the 20 foot aluminum skiff, headed toward us. As he and a couple of faithful canine companions jumped out of the truck, I knew that the adventure we had planned was going to be a highlight of our Lafayette trip.
Marcus de la Houssaye, chief guide of de la Houssaye's Swamp Tours took only a few minutes to unload the skiff he had designed himself. Most swamp tours use tour boats to accommodate larger groups of people but his, being smaller, could get into those areas that no tour boat could ever reach.
As he shook hands, he apologized for his tardiness and explained he had been busy taking care of a large "rat" at his residence. I wondered at the time if this was true or just his way of setting the tone for the anticipated tour itself. After being on this tour with him I know that "what you see is what you get" with Marcus--no pretensions.
He definitely fit the part of a "Cajun" swamp guide. He looked like the adventitious type with his holey T-shirt, rugged jeans, worn boots and cajun hat. One of the 'bold couples' headed on the tour with us was from Paris and the male spoke no English. Having a guide that also spoke French was certainly an "extra bonus" for them on this two hour tour into the wilderness.
As we slowly drifted through the dense area of plant life in Lake Martin, we came upon an area of beautiful, moss-draped cypress trees. This was exactly what I always pictured when I thought of swamps, and I certainly wasn't at all disappointed. It looked like a picture taken right out "National Geographic." As I kept a careful eye out on the side of the boat for alligators, Marcus explained about the different species that lived here in Lake Martin.
Herons of several different varieties, woodpeckers, osprey, owls, wood ducks, and one little creature that I thought looked a bit like a woodchuck make their homes here. This little brown creature was actually a Nutria and we were able to catch several glimpses of them during our tour.
Frogs and snakes also lived right there among all the many other birds and animals. Before the tour started, I imagined snakes ~~slithering~~ or 'hanging down' from the trees and me jumping out of the boat in the murky water, being consumed by what else?? Our guide pointed out though that the alligators keep the snake population down. Alligators only kill for food or when threatened. He stated there is no proof as to them killing or harming people without provocation. Most of these stories are provoked by the media. Seeing that he has grown up around alligators and their habitat all his life, I believe him.
Upon leaving Lake Martin, we entered the Cypress Island Swamp, itself. We were surrounded by hundreds of different varieties of birds. We learned this nesting area is called a rookery. All we could see wherever we looked were the gracious snowy egrets, white ibis and little blue herons. These three are just examples of the many different species that were there during the nesting season. We were lucky to be there during one of the "peak" areas in March.The nesting actually goes from February through September with April and May also being the "peak" months. We took many photos while in this area but were so disappointed when we developed them. We found it wasn't just the birds themselves but actually being there in "this part of nature" with it's many sights and sounds that had pulled us in with it's magic. A magic that no pictures could produce.
An ancient forest of cypress tress that were 1,000 years old enchanted me also. I felt like I was in a production of "Wizard of Oz" with the trees seeming to have personalities of their own. At different times during the tour, Marcus stopped to sit us in the middle of a solemn area, allowing us to catch the ambiance of the place. It was overwhelmingly calm. We could only hear the many different sounds of the birds as they called to one another. It was such a peaceful feeling to be sitting there like a special part of nature itself. This aura of calmness was prevalent during most of our trip.
About the time I was thinking we wouldn't see an alligator, Marcus softly announced to look over to the left. Sure enough...a gator. Not very big and quite a distance away. I have to admit that I actually wondered whether it had been planted there and was only a big rubber or plastic one. It was hard to see from the distance between us. The next one he pointed out really had me curious on whether these were real or not.
The whole tour had been so wonderful up to this point and I was a bit worried it would set a question in my mind about the realism of this whole thing. I didn't have to worry however. Just a few minutes later something plunged down into the swamp directly in front of the boat. It was a couple of small alligators. Wow, that was close! I believe! I believe!
We saw several alligators after that, a couple of them quite large. Marcus knew his stuff - the area he lead us into was the perfect finale.
The other, larger tour boats would never have fit into some of the areas we were in. Also, I'm sure many of you have been on tour boats...you feel that the "speech" has been done hundreds of times. They could almost put on a tape and just play it throughout the tour. We never knew what would happen next on this tour which added to the excitement. Nothing felt rehearsed. Our guide's words came out with flourish and pride in his voice about this scenic, natural area that obviously means so much to him. To be able to share it with others, I'm sure is one of the joys in his life.
You will find that you see and hear everything you've ever wanted to know about the "Louisiana swamps" with Marcus as your guide. I can almost guarantee he will be able to answer any questions you will have about "life in the swamp and bayous." He is a descendent of Cajun, Creole and Native Americans and I'm sure because of his ancestors which have inhabited the area since 10,000 B.C, and the experience he has learned being a part of this wilderness makes him one of the most knowledgeable guides you will find.
Marcus is also an environmentalist. He grew up in the bayous and swamps and has a very respective attitude for the wildlife that inhabit the place. He is so full of valuable information. He shared so many different things with us about his experiences. We even saw his "crawfish" traps as he explained how the fishing methods of today came from primitive Indians.
Even though our guide does add an "excitement" by the way he maneuvers his 50 HP skiff, the 'two hour tour' didn't leave us ship-wrecked to say the least. We saw and learned so much in such a short time. I felt during the last half-hour that the adventure was fading and I was ready to head back to civilization. We learned while there that the tours will now be cut short by ½ hour. This time span will be just about right.
De la Houssaye's Atchafalaya Expeditions (Swamp Tours) is open Monday through Friday and times vary according to seasons. Reservations are definitely recommended. The one and ½ hour tour is well worth the rate of $25.00 per person. Friends with us had taken one of the 'regular' tours two years previously for $15.00. They, along with us felt the $25.00 was very well-priced compared to what we received. You would have to weigh what you are looking for when deciding whether the price was worth it or not.
If you're looking for a classy office or a receptionist to take your call or a beautiful boat that you step up into taking you up away from the water from the close proximity of the swamp and bayous, this tour may not be what you're looking for.
But if you're looking for a sense of adventure sitting in a skiff where you are able to stick your hand over the edge (which I still wouldn't recommend) and become part of the area yourself, you will love this. Photographers and naturalists alike will greatly appreciate this tour.
By calling Marcus de la Houssaye, at (337)845-5332 or his mobile (337)298-2630 or (337)787-2340 you most likely will talk to Marcus himself. I hope by making this call you will be heading toward a real adventure you will remember a lifetime.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
shartion
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Location: Mpls.MN
Reviews written: 49
Trusted by: 76 members
About Me:
"Be glad for Life; It invites us to Love, to Play, to Dance upon stars."
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