Oh, wasn't that a party?!?! Carnaval in Sesimbra

This town's stamina and spirit left us exhausted, hungover, and deliriously entertained!

Carnaval is the pre-lenten festival that builds up until Mardi-Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Sesimbra holds an epic, week-long street party (yay school holiday!): parades, dancing, singing, drinking, playing, eating, swimming, dressing up...

Day 1-Thursday:
Kids got to dress up for school and had parties with their classes.

Our Little Bunny: so pleased with her painted nails

Our Stylish Flamenco Dancer:
Not sure what she liked more: wearing make-up or dressing up?!

Our Evil Clown:
my face painting efforts got a "mm, it's ok"...tough crowd

Day 2-Friday:
Almost 1000 kids marched with their schools in a children's parade down main street. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdgFikxQWl0)
Our older two's school theme was Healthy Living. Catarina's was Clean Oceans. Her teachers made the fish costumes (all from recycled materials)--AMAZING!

Gabi's class went as Yogi's, promoting mindfulness

Jonty's class was fruit--boys=bananas, girls=watermelons.
He was...thrilled?! 

Catarina's class brought in garbage they found on the beach to make their float

Hooray for Fish!

The streets were lined with townsfolk and families watching the 10:30am parade

Day 3-Saturday:
On Gabi's request, the kids entered the town's costume contest. About 70 kids participated.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C63n-ZV1KIk)
There was a Girls Samba Group parade in the afternoon: Girl Power!

The 0-3 years age group

Each kid had their moment on stage in front of the judges.
In the 4-7 years category, Gabi made up a lovely dance!

Yup, this guy rocked the "Floss"!

While the judges chose the winners, there was some clowning around

Hanging out barefoot on the beach until dark

Day 4-Sunday and Day 6-Tuesday:
Turns out Sesimbra is known as Portugal's "place to be" for a Brazilian style Carnaval Parade!

We had front row seats from our balcony 

A 2.5 hour parade: amazing costumes, drumming, dancing and singing

Family from the Netherlands and Portugal joined us for the celebrations

Day 5-Monday: 
Sesimbra holds the Guinness Book of World Records for largest number of clowns in a parade.
Every year, thousands of people dress up as clowns and march through the town. Why not?!

Mamma gets in on the Clown Action

What a fun, happy day!

And another costume!

~2500 Clowns!

Day 7: Ash Wednesday
A random comedic vigil parade through town at 10pm called the Burial of the Cod. 
And so ends the chaos of the week! Time to get some sleep...

People dressed as religious folks and someone being wheeled on a gurney...?!