Trinidad Carnival

Of all the places we've been in the world, no other place has presented the photo opportunities of Trinidad's Carnival. From fantastic costumes to spectacular colors, this Caribbean event is a parade of humanity that's fun for participants and onlookers alike.

The fun begins weeks (even months) before the pre-Lenten carnival with the preparations by mas bands. Most travelers, however, come in a day or two the event to take part in J'Ouvert, where the Mud Parade kicks off the fun at 4 a.m. when traveling bands, each sporting their own color of mud, wind through the streets and smear everyone in sight. By daybreak, the serious fun of Carnival begins and soon the parades fill the streets with chipping and wining, a suggestive dance that romantic travelers will find easy to follow.

In 2007, Trinidad's Carnival will culminate in the parades held on February 19 and 20.

Check out our gallery of Carnival photos; just click on any thumbnail to open a new window with a full-size photo:

Dancing in the mud	Mud brigade	Golden Rule	Dancing at Carnival
Carnival Chieftan	Swirls of Color	Another Carnival chief	Serious about Carnival
Dancing bands	Carnival dancing	Feathers, feathers	Carnival mas bands
Tourists in Carnival	Dancing in Port of Spain	Peacock lady	Carnival parading
Judging stand	Costumes