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WHAT'S NEW
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Join a Carnival parade in Curacao
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A man travels to Curacao and joins Carnival festivities. Dressed in costume and makeup, he hits the streets of Otrabanda as he walks in the Gran Marcha parade.
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By Kevin Revolinski
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The Gran Marcha parade
There were 31 floats complete with bands, costumed marching dancers, and dedicated beverage servers who thread their way through the groups handing out plenty of water, vodka, whisky and rum drinks as well as an assortment of finger food. The music started and for the next four miles -- and over five hours -- never stopped as we shuffled along the route in our costumes to the cheers of onlookers. Earplugs are definitely advisable, especially if you want to walk close to the bandwagon.
Being in a local group was an engaging Carnival experience, but there is another advantage to celebrating in Curacao: this is not the kind of Carnival where I felt I needed to have my pockets sewn shut with barbed wire or where screaming drunk revelers falling all over me and spilling their drinks was the norm. There is plenty of carousing, to be sure, but it is a good-natured crowd and overall the event is even family-friendly.
Curacao Carnival events
The lead-up to Carnival starts in early January and includes various parties called jump-ups and a four-day music festival where local tumba bands and composers compete to have their song selected as the official march. The warm-up also includes Children's Carnival and the election of the Carnival Queen. But the events not to miss are the two parades: the Gran Marcha and Marcha Despedida (the Farewell March) on the evening before Ash Wednesday. The latter brings lights and sparklers to the floats and ends with the burning of King Momo, an enormous straw effigy representing infertility, bad luck and bad behaviour. It's a spectacle, for sure, and accompanied by fireworks.
Two nights after the Gran Marcha parade, after exhausting ourselves with another parade of song, dance and drink, we gathered to watch as King Momo lit up the sky.
Costs and details
Prices range from $400 USD to over $1,000. Much of the variation in cost has to do with included meals and the complexity of the costumes. Some groups require an early arrival for rehearsal. Taki Tin was more laid back, unrehearsed, and charged $417, the most common price tag. The price included transportation to both parades, two breakfasts and dinners, snacks, drinks and, of course, a fitted costume. Don't worry -- these are not the kind of Carnival costumes you pick up in an envelope.
Not interested in the long march? Sign on with the Curacao Tourism booth for a modest fee and enjoy food, drink, and a front row bleacher view of the parade route.
For more information, including a schedule of carnival events, go to www.curacaocarnival.info.
Check out a live web cam showing Curacao's governor's palace and harbour view.
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Are you a conscientious traveller? Learn how to travel to the Caribbean without leaving a negative impact on local people and their environment.
Going away? Get all you need to enjoy your summer travels at www.mochasofa.com/summer_escapes.
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