Carnaval!

So its carnaval week in Rio which means that the city is heaving with visitors and the streets are with bands and street parties.

I of course went over to the Sambadrome to watch the parade of all the local samba schools competing to be this years champions.

The samba competition is a huge event. It runs for 4 days, or more accurately nights, starting at 9pm each hight and ending at 6am the next morning. It takes serious endurance just to be a spectator.

Here is a taster of Sunday nights event:

There are literally hundreds of photos, so I will post an online album elsewhere.

Tips for Sambadrome: get seats in the middle, on the front row. Book in advance to keep the cost low and yes it is worth the extra to be in the very best seats you can get. If you are not in good seats - bring a long lens!