Brunch & Blue Bayou Excursion to Baton Rouge

The group stands together in front of the Voodoo ride! [L to R: Mikiko, Simon, Jennifer, Geri, Reed, Megan]

JETAA Mid-South took it to Baton Rouge on July 19th for a fun-filled Sunday. We started our morning with a car-pool meet up in Metarie, then went on our way to the brunch meet up at Frank’s Restaurant in Prairieville.  In attendance were five JETAA NOLA officers: Jennifer, Geri, Simon, Megan, Reed, a recruit from the Japan Club: Mikiko and JETAA NOLA Alumni: Dionne. After a hearty meal, we headed to the much-anticipated part of the day at Blue Bayou. We started off strong by taking a ride on the Voodoo where we found ourselves sitting on a raft in a dark tunnel with a sudden drop down into a large bowl of raging water. Everyone made it out with shrieks of terror and joy, but mostly joy. Next, we decided to take it down a notch with a ride down a slower two-person raft and then a traditional one-person slide.  Finally it was time for our planned snack break. We enjoyed our ice cream and sodas, and reflected on the rides we already went on. The Mambo ride – scariest ride in the park where you drop straight down and end in a loop – was amongst discussion where only half of the group showed excitement to brave the scary ride. We decided to compromise by going on a less-scary ride – Azuka – where a raft is dropped into a funnel shape. The raft goes up and down the sides of the funnel in great speed.  Although slightly extreme, the ride was exciting and was enjoyed by all. As the brightly colored slides of the Mambo were calling us, we decided that there was only time for the Mambo and to finish the day off with the Lazy River. In true JETAA NOLA spirit, the three people who did not want to go on the Mambo, supported the participants from below. When at the top of Mambo, Simon, Geri and Jennifer nervously and excitedly waited to step into the capsule and onto the plexi-glass platform.  With all the buildup and standing on the platform for the longest thirty seconds of your life, the scary ride was all over within ninety seconds. Buzzing on the adrenaline rush, the group headed to the Lazy River to wind down on the exciting day that was had by all. 

We hope to plan more events like this in the future, so if you have any ideas please let us know!

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