Mardi Gras in New Orleans 2006

Southern comfort ... A beaded reveller smiles amid the celebrations. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Red-feathered Queen ... A reveller wears a feather mask and costume on Bourbon Street. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Shake your tail feather ... A dancer in the Mardi Gras parade. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

No strings attached ... Revellers celebrate by dropping strings of beads on Bourbon Street. Traditionally spectators on balconies dangle beads tempting passing women to bare their chests for the trinkets. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

The remains of the day ... Dropped strings of beads and cups litter the ground in Canal Street. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

There's always room for Elvis ... Revellers in fancy dress costumes on Bourbon Street. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Featherlight ... A man tempts partygoers with beads from a Bourbon Street balcony. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Route canal treatment ... Crowds wave at a Krewe of Orpheus float passing along Canal street. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Making up is hard to do ... Getting ready for the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club's party. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

The visitors ... Tourists pay up to £1,500 to ride with the Zulus in New Orleans. Here, two visitors prepare for the parade, at a 3am breakfast at the Hilton. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Zulu do ... 'His Royal Highness, King Zulu decrees that all impediments that may interfere with public enjoyment on Mardi Gras Day, shall be removed.' Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Join the club ... The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club members hold their parade. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Beads for all ... Strings of beads are handed down from a procession float in the Uptown area of the city, as tourists and locals kick off the party in the run-up to 'Fat Tuesday'. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Katrina kept away ... A woman holds a sign saying 'Katrina can't stop this party' during a parade in Uptown. Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian