Brazil at it's best
Posted by RSVP on
During Carnaval, Brazil is one big stage... music, festivities, cultural dances and performances, amazing costumes and this is just the beginning.Being at Rio Carnaval is an experience like no other and something that everyone should experience at least once in their life.
Carnaval will start officially on the 12th February 2010 and run until 17th February when the locals all stop work. If you're in Rio de Janeiro you'll get to experience the Champions Parade on the Saturday but if you really want to experience the culture then there's nothing like actually letting yourself go and getting involved and to do this you're best to get yourself to Salvador and Recife...
Salvador
In Salvador you'll be welcomed aboard blocos and camarotes for either the city centre circuit ending at Hotel de Bahia, Campo Grande or the Barra circuit along the main hotel beach.
Blocos can be as large as 3,000 members, dressed in identical abadás, or official short sleeved vests, protected by a cordon of security guards. The core of the bloco is the trio eléctrico, a large flat-bed truck from which modern sound systems pump out the tunes of musicians and singers on the roof. A support truck follows, with refreshments, toilets and first aid. The trio eléctrico crawls along at 2km an hour, stopping frequently, and it takes between 5 to 8 hours to complete the traditional 6km city circuit, or 4 to 5 hours for the alternative 4km coastal circuit.
Parades run from midday till dawn the next day and are a wild fun! Locals recommend that you give in to the moment, it is easy to find yourself surrounded by numerous dancing and gyrating bodies as your body is taken over by the beat of pulsating African rhythms.
Recife & Olinda
Recife and Olinda have long been Carnaval hot spots for Brazilians from all over the country to let loose and really party. In Recife, there are music stages throughout the city however in Olinda the partying takes place in the colourful, house-lined streets of the city. At night the streets of Olinda are filled with music and colour of the many blocos, while Recife's old town, Recife Antigo, is the first choice for many trying to escape the hotel Carnaval scene of Boa Viagem for something more authentic. Before long you too will 'fall into step' with the Pernambuco Carnaval euphoria: one that is like no other in the world.
Everyone is welcome to participate and have a great time. Whether it's the belly-bumping bate-coxa or the umbrella-wielding frevo, the regal maracatú or the extremely agile caboclinho, the dancing will impress and amaze you.
In Recife, the Carnaval festivities begin in December, when locals begin preparing. Pre-Carnaval parties of percussion groups practising in local clubs, city streets and squares, and even Carnaval balls fill the city. There are a variety of rhythms, from native Indian and African Maracatu beats to Frevo and samba. The Recife Carnaval's most famous tradition takes place early Saturday morning, when the Galo da Madrugada host a party in Recife, attracting as many as 1.5 million costumed party goers to toast until dawn.
In what is Brazil's biggest gathering, more than 2 million people crowd the streets of Recife. Joining them are over 30 trio electricos and numerous foliões (parading bands), as the four kilometres of streets around the central area are filled with the high energy sounds of frevo.
For more information on Rio Carnaval visit www.carnaval.com or www.rio-carnival.net
The Brazil Carnaval is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and to help you enjoy it yourself we have organised a 15 day holiday to Brazil in February 2010. This trip is exclusive to singles and will take you to Buenos Aires, Salvador, Recife and, of course, Rio. Plus for those interested we can also offer post tours if you want to extend your trip to other places in South America!
Check out the Singles rendezvous in Brazil and register your interest now.
