CARNAVAL!
The streets and bars overflowed with people eagerly awaiting to see what surprises Carnaval would bring this year. Costumed revelers and music at Le Select kept the crowd entertained until the first Carnaval group arrived. And, as usual, no one was disappointed, despite a good, hard rain that soon arrived. This year, 17 groups paraded through the streets of Gustavia, including the Ranch of Flamands, Rhum Gingembre, Les Cassiopées, Cajun Connexion, Pirates, Pharaon du Nil, The Hideaway, Non Merci!!, the Guanahani and a first-time appearance by a group representing Portugal.
Pre-Carnaval festivities have taken place every Sunday evening for the past month, culminating in Children's Carnaval on Friday, February 16, as groups of children paraded through Gustavia accompanied by a marching tambour band. The official end of Carnaval came on Wednesday night, February 21, as the funeral procession carrying Vaval throughout Gustavia made its way to Shell Beach, where the burning of Vaval marks the end of Carnaval. Once again, the skies opened just as they approached the beach, adding to the eeriness of the haunting beating of drums and blowing of conch shells.
