Seriously?
It’s not every year that Valentine’s Day coincides with Carnaval, but there was definitely something in the air at Loule this year. As the band ratcheted up the volume, toes tapped, hips swayed and a full-blooded shimmy was just a heartbeat away.
It was my second visit to the Algarve’s biggest Carnaval event, so I had a good idea what to expect. The Portuguese have a healthy disrespect for politicians and celebrities, and this year’s theme of Sport poked gentle fun at heroes and villains alike. The floats are beautifully constructed labours of love, and there’s an infectious atmosphere of gaiety and excitement. The children have their own mini Carnaval in the schools, and often wear their costumes to the grand parade. Here are just a few of the scenes that made me smile.
Let the show begin!
Recognise anyone?
Most sports were represented
It’s all downhill for some!
For others it’s one big smile
And a head full of feathers!
Costume malfunction?
There’s a delightful whimsicality to it all, but what really stands out for me is the pure artistry of the paper flowers. Just look at these!
Nobody is left out, from the largest to the smallest. The oversized sunshine men reach down to the crowd, then touch foreheads together in a slow smooch. A stern looking lady, with a splendid costume, ‘high fives’ youngsters at the roadside, between shimmies. The littlest ones can bounce along on the back of a caterpillar or a panda. Everyone is intended to have the time of their lives, and if they don’t, they’re really not trying!
“Dance with me”
“High five!”
The skirt!
“Bounce with me!”
“Where’s Mum gone?”
And the spectators are part of the show
Isn’t he adorable? The littlest Yoda! Me and Michael were at one point on opposite sides of the parade. A brief cloud burst had crowds and performers alike scattering for cover, and when they resumed we were grinning across at each other. He took this wonderful shot. Mine was ‘side on’ to the little fellow and not nearly so good.
I have so many photos and I feel quite guilty leaving anyone out. But I shall end with the ‘dancing girls’. If anyone can shimmy, it’s them!
It goes like this!
What more can I say? If you’re ever in the Algarve at Carnaval time, you’re in for a treat. I’m off to practise my shimmy, in celebration of my 500th post.
restlessjo 
Fantastic costumes – looks a bit grey though but then a good shimmy would warm those girls up!
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It wasn’t the warmest day but I’m sure they have a ‘nip’ of something (or two!) before they set off 🙂
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Wow, this world suits me perfectly … understand what you mean with … Michael and his eyes.
Amazing images, can’t believe it’s still with your old camera – just fab. My favorite is the “hearty donkey” – what a fantastic festival. Something to consider for next Febr.
Only 500th …. congratulations – I thought you had posted a lot more than that. Keep on shimmy, girlfriend.
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Yes, I could see you shimmying away, Vivi 🙂 It wasn’t very warm so those ladies had to ‘move it’ a little! It’s a 3 day event so they get plenty of practise 🙂 Thanks, darlin’.
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Okay, I rather go to Portugal in Febr – than Leeds or Newcastle. Have been checking you out. I can fly to Newcastle .. not fare from where you’re.
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Okay 🙂 Let me know when you’re free. I can’t remember when your big adventure starts but it’s soon, isn’t it?
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Yes, 1th of April … so I will not pop up before that. *smile
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Bet you’re excited for the trip! I’m in Poland 29th April to 7th May and I need to sort some more Algarve dates but I haven’t looked yet. 🙂 Sorry I’m slow tonight- doing research on tomorrow’s walk and I need to phone my daughter. Hugs, Vivi 🙂
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Please, let me know when you get some dates for Algarve. Going back to Istanbul 31th May to 5th June.
Not worry about responding to me. You carry on with your stuff. Soon coffee break and a movie. *smile
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I should make a note of dates. I know Jude is fancying the Algarve around then. Hugs!
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Don’t worry about my date … but I have to ask who Jude is … have I missed somebody???!!!! Midnight hugs.
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‘Travel words’. You don’t know Jude? She has a brilliant blog. If you have a second, look at my Six word Saturday this week. She has a Bench challenge and I sort of took part. 🙂 🙂 Sweet dreams!
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Okay I will have a look during breakfast tomorrow. Same to you …. sleep well and comfortable.
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That is one of the most awesome series of carnevale floats I have ever seen, so colourful and vibrant. Loving the shimmy Jo 😊
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Those girls had to shimmy to keep warm, Sam 🙂 It’s a terrific event and I was really happy that we could see the first day parade before we came home. They had another two days of parades!
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3 days of parades! That is one, long party 🙂
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Congratulations on your 500th post. And what a post it is. Truly spectacular images!
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Thanks a lot, Lisa 🙂 Join me in a shimmy?
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so fun Jo – the coloreds and smiles and art made my day
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My day just bit the dust! Nadal just lucked out in Rio 😦 Ah well… safe journey, Yvette 🙂
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oh so sorry to hear that! and I am almost done packing – but I do have one more post to share before I go — just some street portraits (well 33 of them – lol ) so I can have a long post stagnant in case people drop by and want to skim some photos. I dunno – alomost time for piwo
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Congrats on your 500th post! Wow! Wonderful pictures of carnival.
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It was a terrific day, Nicki. Thanks a lot! 🙂
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Looks like great colorful fun!
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Good time had by all, Dawn 🙂 I have some windows! Must find time to post 😦
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Any time Jo, any time 🙂
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Thanks for bringing us all the fun of the Carnival. And congratulations on reaching your 500th post. Does WordPress keep count of how many wonderful photos you have posted, I wonder?
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That’s a good question 🙂 It tells me how many morsels of photo memory I have left, and I’m starting to run out 😦
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Oh dear. Please find some more. 🙂
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Seeing your photos just makes me sad!! 😉 Reminds me of why I want to retire in the Algrave!! Just look at those half naked people… and that in mid Feb!! Enticing!! 😛
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Will it console you if I tell you it wasn’t very warm? 🙂 🙂
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NO!! It’s bright and 5 times warmer than here!! 😉
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Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy. Practice makes perfect. Better see you at the parade next year. What fun!
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That’s quite funny, Bebs! The last time we were there, we did end up taking part 🙂 Every so often the dancers grab someone from the audience. I loved it but Mick wasn’t so keen 🙂
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I loved parade – colorful and fun! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Bye. Kamila
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And I bet you can shimmy too! 🙂 Have a happy weekend, Kamila!
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Tolle Fotos wunderschön wünsche ein gutes und schönes Wochenende liebe Grüße von mir Gislinde
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Danke, liebchen 🙂 🙂
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Beautiful parade Jo and congrats on your 500th post!
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Thanks, Indah! Quite amazes me how many I’ve produced but it’s all been fun so far. 🙂
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500th post, waw! Congratulations!!! I really enjoyed the carnival via your post, specially the paper flowers! 🙂
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Frightening where the time goes, isn’t it? Thanks for shimmying with me! 🙂
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Congratulations on 500! That’s worth celebrating. Is that what the carnival was really for? After all, blogging is a sport. I loved your opening paragraph and the amazing photos.
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Hi Meg! 🙂 Thank you, I hadn’t thought of it quite like that. Hang on, I’ll just shimmy-celebrate a bit more 🙂 🙂 Breaking the mould? Not sure! Maybe a change of theme is due, or fewer photos, or just circles? I’ve got that restless feeling again- maybe because the sun’s shining this morning. Have a good weekend, Meg. Hope you’re fully fit again. Hugs!
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I understand about sun! Yesterday was an ecstatic day in the park, wallowing in warmth. The twins had almost forgotten what to do in the park!
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I bet they had a fabulous time when they remembered! Spring has sprung here today. Crocuses, and even daffodils about to bloom next door to us! The weather man says snow though 😦
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Now that’s a shimmy I’d like to see!
Great shots, but Yoda is the best!
(I want to see the video, Shimmygirl.)
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I love that Yoda shot, Gem. He was totally irresistible (unlike my shimmy 😦 )
Have a good weekend, darlin’. Hope things are looking up for you.
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Up? Yup. ❤️ Things are looking better each day. Thanks, sweetie.
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Truly awesome Jo… I love this gallery ⭐
All the best to you, Aquileana 😀
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It was huge fun, Aquileana! Can’t beat a good shimmy 🙂 🙂
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Carnival in Loule looks like so much fun, the costumes are fantastic!
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
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So much imagination and effort goes into it, Suze! I really enjoyed it 🙂
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What a lovely show. Those paper flowers are what we call papillotes here, and we make them by the thousand for our biennial carneval.
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It must be a skill taught in European communities, Viv. I wouldn’t know where to start! 🙂 Hope you’re well? I’m still struggling to get around everybody.
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They’re actually very easy – you twist a circle of crepe paper round the end of a fat felt-tip pen, dip it in a dob of glue and push it into place. The hard part is the design, not to twiddly, so that changes of colour reflect features etc.
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I’ll have to start practising, for Hartlepool Carnival this August. Thanks for the tip 🙂
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I have not seen parade this beautiful, colorful, and fun. Great photos.
500 post, what a wonderful landmark! Thank you for taking us to so many beautiful places via your lens.
Welcome back, Jo. 🙂
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I don’t know where the 500 have come from, Amy! It does seem a lot, but it’s slipped past in no time (well, nearly 3 and a half years- I must be getting boring 😦 ) Thank you!
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