Getting goosebumps at voodoo museum

voodoo artefacts and portraits of renowned practitioners such as Marie Laveau.

But seeing dolls with pins stuck into them as well as paintings of half- naked devotees dancing under the moonlight gave me goosebumps. It didn’t help that I accidentally bumped into a low- lying ceremonial stool with an ominous DO NOT SIT sign. Within 10 minutes of browsing around, I was out of the establishment and into the sunny June outdoors.

The museum isn’t the only place where you can get your supernatural fix.

There are a couple of voodoo speciality shops – run by practitioners – located within the French Quarter, with modest displays.

Entry is free but photography is strictly prohibited, with warnings about bad juju for rule breakers. Do bring some salt to ward off evil spirits, not so much to sprinkle on your meals. The food here, from gumbo to crawfish, is seasoned just right.

While one can explore New Orleans on foot, it’s nice to cruise along the Mississippi River and see the city. There are a few tours available but they cover similar trails.

I opted for the Steamboat Natchez riverboat cruise, mainly because it touts itself as New Orlean’s only authentic steamboat. Departing from the shores of the French Quarter, the two- hour journey capitalises on history with a narrative about life on the river in the 1960s.

The steamboat passes the Chalmette Battlefield where the legendary Jean Lafitte defended the city against the British in the Battle of New Orleans. There’s also some commentary on buildings devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Board early, buy an ice cream and choose a seat on the deck on the left side of the boat. That’s where you’ll get the best views of the city’s skyline.

Having watched American Horror Story: Coven, I was lured by the mysterious swamps and bayous.

So, I decided to escape the city and go on an hour’s tour of one of Louisiana’s many swamps. If you’re tight for time, I wouldn’t recommend doing this. Despite an exciting showcase of alligator feeding, the rest of the five- hourlong excursion is uneventful and I often yearned for the metropolis’ energy.

That’s what New Orleans does to you. Once you’ve experienced the city’s colourful vibe, you wouldn’t want to leave.

And as the coach made its way back to the CBD, the call of good times grew louder.

This media trip was sponsored by the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur and IPW.