Page 57 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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FESTIVALS AND PARTIES

Girls in exotic fancy dress walking on stilts, Trinidad Carnival
Thousands of carnival-goers crowd a bridge in Recife, Brazil Trinidad
Olinda and Carnival

Recife Carnivals

NEED TO KNOW
NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION The best carnival events
take place in the island’s majestic
LOCATION This double $BSJCCFBO
carnival extravaganza is based colonial capital, Port of Spain 4F B 5PCBHP
#FMÏN
in Recife and nearby Olinda, on WHEN Carnival gets
the northeast coast of Brazil fully underway during
#3";*- 53*/*%"%
WHEN Both carnivals take 3&$*'& "/% the weekend before 1035 0' "/%
1&36 Ash Wednesday 50#"(0
place in mid- to late February, #SBTJMJB 0-*/%" 41"*/
#0-*7*"
but sometimes run into March ORIGINS First held in 5SJOJEBE "UMBOUJD
3JP EF the late 18th century (VMG PG 0DF B O
ORIGINS First held by the +BOFJSP 1BSJB
Portuguese in the 16th century 4ÍP 1BVMP POPULATION 4BO 'FSOBOEP
"3(&/5*/" "UMBOUJD Port of Spain: 310,000
POPULATION Olinda: 0DFBO
380,000; Recife 1.5 million 636(6":
The island of Trinidad comes alive on the Friday
People come from far and wide to attend these prior to Lent as thousands of people gather on
two neighboring carnivals, which each have their the streets and beaches to dance to calypso,
own distinctive character. Olinda Carnival, which watch glitzy parades and drink rum. In Port of
ABOVE Tribal group covered in black paint, Ati-Atihan is the third-largest in Brazil after Rio and Salvador, Spain, the island’s capital, traditional contests for
attracts scores of local artists who spend all year the Carnival King and Queen get under way.
tribal groups in lavish feather and leaf costumes preparing for a procession of 560 unusually Locals certainly live up to the city’s motto –
take part in the parading competition. By this creative blocos (parades), including colorful “Together we inspire, together we achieve” –
point in the proceedings, the party is so riotous transvestite dancing groups. Carnival in Recife, as endless parades of trucks carrying bands and
that the impassioned revelers dance freely in and which is just 30 minutes away by bus, is a much DJs blast steel and electric sounds across the city
out of Kalibo Church. A torch-lit procession then smaller affair. At this event, once the Carnival King and out to sea. While the roots of the island’s
leads everyone to Ati-Atihan’s grand finale – an and Queen are crowned, the focus is on parades carnival celebrations are clearly West African, the
elaborate masquerade ball. It’s easy to see why of trio eléctricos (trucks with stereos and stages for “playing mas” (or masquerading processions) of
this colorful event has the motto Hala Bira, Puera live bands). Both events boast constant music, the festival are also strongly influenced by the
Pasma, which means “Keep on going, no tiring.” flowing beer, fabulous costumes, and island’s immigrant European, South American,
atmospheric, thronging crowds. and Asian populations.
Practical Information
Getting There and Around Getting to the Philippines is easy enough by Practical Information Practical Information
international flight to either Manila or Cebu airports. From Cebu it’s an easy Getting There and Around Unless you’re already in northeast Brazil, it’s Getting There and Around Most visitors arrive in Trinidad by air to Piarco
ferry-boat ride to Kalibo and the festival island. Getting around Kalibo best to fly directly to Recife International Airport. From here, Olinda is 30 International Airport in Port of Spain. Buses are a reliable way of getting
town during the festival will be mostly on foot (probably dancing!). minutes by taxi or bus, and Recife city center is only a few minutes’ drive. around the island, and taxis are cheap and abundant.
Daytime Temperature 82°F (28°C) during Ati-Atihan. Daytime Temperature 86°F (30°C) during carnival. Daytime Temperature 75°F (24°C) during carnival.
Website www.ati-atihan.net Website www.recifeguide.com/olinda/carnival.html Website www.tntisland.com

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