Rio Sambadrome in full swing! Photo by Ben Tavener.
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is, in a word, overwhelming – for every one of the senses. Everything gets a good pounding: your ears, eyes, nostrils, and quite definitely your brain.
For some reason it’s taken me three years to get to Rio Carnival – but it was definitely worth it.
There are those who mistakenly think Carnival is all about the samba schools parading at the Sambódromo, which celebrated 30 years of colour and dance this year, but the real heart of Carnival is most certainly in the blocos – the many, many street parties (450+ this year) that adorn Rio’s street and bring large swathes of the city to a grinding halt in a mass of sweaty, alcohol-fuelled dancing and debauchery.
Here is a small taster – click to enlarge photos. For the full gallery, see my Flickr set.
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio Sambadrome in full swing
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- Rio’s street parties – the “blocos” – are the true heart of Carnival
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- Rio’s street parties – the “blocos” – are the true heart of Carnival
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- One of the many Carmens at Carnival. This one at a bloco in Ipanema
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- Preparations for Sambadrome time!
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- Cordão do Bola Preta bloco. Yes, yes. The World Cup is coming…
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- Simpatia É Quase Amor bloco drew an estimated 150,000 people
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- AfroReggae bloco. Photo by Ben Tavener
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- Another day, another bloco
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- A street cleaner strike meant much of Rio was knee-deep in litter. But it’s all part and parcel.
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- Rubbish piled up in Cinelândia, central Rio de Janeiro.
Ben Tavener 
Reblogged this on msamba.
Reblogged this on msamba.
Sambadrome + Blocos… the Rio Carnival experience!! Biggest party in the world, it is a good idea to plan the trip in advance to void having to sleep in the street.. although sure sleeping is not what carnival is about! ajajja
Sambadrome + Blocos.. the real Rio Carnival!! To participate to the biggest party in the world it is important to organize the trip in advance.. accommodation is expensive during those dates and hostels and hotels are know to fill up weeks before the actual carnival!!