Had a very enjoyable time on vacation and just got back. We went to Minnesota to pick up family and friends and 13 of us went to New Orleans for the Jan 8th sailing on Carnival Conquest. It was an awesome trip and my first to the New Orleans area. We had an opportunity to drive through the french quarter but it was absolutely nuts because of the people downtown partying before the Saints game. We drove across the bridge on lake Pontchartrain... that was an awesome experience. The drive was 25 miles across.

Had an opportunity to smoke just about every day too. Had brought 11 sticks with me in a travel humi. I brought with me.

3 Flor De Olivia
A F Anejo
Torano Exodous 1959
Padron 1964 anniversary serie
Cuban Parejo
CAO Brazillia
Siglo Limited Reserve
Monte Cristo Media Noche
San Cristobal

I bought a small box of Davidoff silver mini cigarillos, they were real good.
I got two isoms a montecristo number 2 and a bolivar robusto. They were both excellent.

Over all it was a great experience. I got my first opportunity to dive in a while in Cozumel Mexico. It was fun once I got acclimated to the gear, and it was my first sea dive experience. I unfortunately did not have the photographic prowess that Buzz showed us in his underwater photography. I think I need a better camera and a steadier hand LOL. All my pics were very blury and I missed shots of stuff. So it gives me another excuse to try again in a year or so. Perhaps in a bit I can post up some of my pics.

I am just happy our ship remained upright unlike the Costa Concordia. The captain on our ship made the announcement when it happened and we had a 2 min. of silence in honor of those who died aboard. When we were in Cozumel, there was another Carnival Ship that was berthed next to us. They took off for their next port of call and then came two people who missed their ship. Needless to say they were very upset at that happening. Only other thing we saw was a guy being carried by two others back on the ship. He was so loaded from alcohol that he had major troubles with his body. They took him and his wife by ambulance from the port just before we left for our day at sea.

It was a great trip over all and very restful. I just thought I would share that will you all. Roger.