Pulsating Carnival Masquerade

You will never experience anything quite like the festivities of the oldest definitive street party, Trinidad Carnival. It’s the mother of all Carnivals, often imitated, never equalled. Calypso beats, colourful costumes and gleaming glitter take over the streets of the capital Port of Spain culminating waves of excitement on 19th – 20th February 2007.

Introduced by the French in the late 18th century, carnival was taken over by the ex-slaves after emancipation in 1838 and transformed the genteel dinners, costume balls and carriage rides into a frenzied street party. At the early hour of 2am on carnival Monday, the greatest show on earth is born with J’ouvert (pronounced Jouvay meaning the opening of day) when revellers hit the streets dancing freely to sweet calypso and soca music in tattered clothing, body paint, oil and mud.

At 10am, riots of colour take over the streets with 40,000 scantily clad, sequinned and feathered masqueraders jumping, wining (a local dance which involves gyrating of the pelvic area!) shouting to live mobile brass bands, steelpans and DJ trucks. This mass of human traffic is assembled by Carnival Bands ranging from fifty to three thousand strong and follows a planned route across the 260-acre Queens Park Savannah to a large constructed stage where the bands compete to win band of the year.

Whether joining a band or just taking it all in whilst sipping cocktails, you are sure to revel in the excitement of beating music and enthusiasm fuelled by the fine local rum and absolute adrenaline of the occasion.

For a quick recovery from the Carnival celebrations why not take the 20-minute plane ride to Trinidad’s neighbouring island, tranquil Tobago? Relax on a quiet beach and soothe those dancing feet in the crystal clear, turquoise water and pristine pure white sands.