If it’s Friday, it must be France …
Mon Dieu! We have to hurry to catch the final weekend of the 2012 Carnaval de Nice. This is the 128th celebration of this world-famous festival that rivals those of Rio De Janeiro and Venice.
Parades, floats, flowers, bands, magicians, fireworks, presentations, and food … all this and more! Parades take place day and night for 15 days with a variety of themes and more than 1000 musicians and dancers. The enormous papier-maché configurations are spectacular. Gigantic balloon figures dominate the daytime spaces and breathtaking fireworks over the Mediterranean turn every evening into a pyrotechnical fantasy world.
Click here to see a video and other information and here for more detailed explanations about the floats. You’ll be entertained – I promise!
The theme this year is the King Of Sport and the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London are highlighted. Yes … I know some of you might find this hard to believe … but the French featured many floats about Britain and didn’t say anything nasty! Carnival is a time of love and harmony … flower fights, wine and food tasting, concerts from jazz to rock to classical and wild, crazy partying a long list of activities to suit everyone’s wishes. No question there is something for everyone!
Go to this link for more photos of hilarious and amazing floats. You’re going to want to book a ticket for next year!
I’ll leave you with this one last link to the Promenade Des Anglais Blog which gives tremendous information about the Côte D’Azur. That’s where this photo of a Flower Parade float is from. This particular post talks specifically about the Carnaval but, if you have the time, take a look at other videos that showcase the stunning city of Nice and it’s uniquely magnificent setting between the Maritime Alps and the Mediterranean.
I took this photo on the 20-minute drive to Nice from Antibes, one crisp clear May morning. To the east of Antibes the beaches are pebble (galets) . To the west they are sand. Take your pick. The rather noticeable buildings are the Baie Des Anges condos and marina which make up the only high-rise development on the Riviera. No others have been allowed, thank goodness.
I have to stop talking about Nice now as I feel a serious malaise setting in … I want to be there! Waaaaah …. sigh!
If you are finding winter long and dreary … go skiing! … seriously, I know winter sports don’t excite everyone … so take a look at some of these great options! If you can’t actually go to them, you can read about them and check out the photos. That can be fun too! Did any of you go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year? How about Ottawa’s Winterfest or Carnaval de Québec? Now’s the time to make some plans for next year!
