It all begins in the afternoon when the 'three kings' arrive in the town centre harbour by ship. It was really raining in the afternoon so we didn't go to that just the main event at night.
We set off to get there early mainly because we weren't as usual entirely sure where we were heading........ Once we got off the tram and started walking it became apparent it would just be a case of following the crowds as there were loads of people all heading in the same direction. Quite a lot of them were carrying umbrellas and step ladders and empty carrier bags which we were a little confused at. Once we turned the corner to where the parade started next to the cituadella park it was obvious what the step ladders were for, they were for little kids to be able to see over all the people in front of them at the barriers as toddlers were being strapped to them. We saw a spot of barrier that was free and thought we better grab it quickly and we were lucky we did come early as the town just got busier and busier.
We realised how long a wait we were going to have when we saw the buses of performers only arriving at the venue.
There was quite an expectant air around, the police, ambulance and even army presence was phenomenal as you can see from the pictures. These guys on the horses had a big argument with a lady who seemed to want to stand on the roadside of the barriers. She was gesticulating wildly and for a minute we thought it was going to get serious. This was only the first incident of badly behaving adults on the night.....
The next thing that happened was the 'three kings' being driven to the start in these lovely old cars, the crowds went wild.
So now the parade could begin.....
First out were the musicians on horses and since we were at the start of the parade they stood for quite a while in front of us which turned out not to be such a good thing..... One of the horses did a huge pile of steaming dung right in front of us and another peed at the other side of the street, we were feeling sorry for the people at that side as the pee ran towards them until these guys below came behind the horses as they went by.....
They sprayed the ground and Ali said 'duck and cover your faces!' as a disgusting side spray of poo and disinfectant went into the air, it was gross!
We now realised why they bothered to clean it up and what the umbrellas and plastic bags were for....... SWEETIES and lots of them. Nearly every group of guizers from then on threw loads of sweets into the crowds and there was a huge scrabble from the kids and even more ridiculous behaviour from the parents to get all the sweets. The umbrellas were turned upside down to catch as many sweets as possible, plastic bags for storage.
So here are a selection of pictures from the parade. It was truly amazing and as usual the pictures do not do it justice, Ali had to fight to keep his and the girls place at the barriers so he could get any pics at all. I gave my place up for a short Spanish lady and her kid (she basically tutted behind me until I felt terrible) I shouldn't have bothered though as she immediately shoved our two up and even let her daughter push ours off the railings. She was also one of the worst behaved for pushing to get all the sweets off the ground. Once I got Kaylee her place back on the barrier we were all so spell bound by the floats and dancers we forgot all about the little witch lady.
If you ever have the chance to be in Spain at this time of year it is well worth a visit, truly spectacular - think Up Helly Aa but with more spectacular costumes, a lot less alcohol, no hairy Vikings and the women in the parade are actually women.....
Girls giving out sweeties.
Not really sure what this one was meant to be at all.....
There was different music for each set of performers too so you got a differnet 'atmosphere' as each group went past.
A 'star' suspended on a telescopic forklift
There were lots of dancers between most of the floats.
Another big star
There were quite a few of these high cages that dancers stood on too.
These girls were very good, it was like one of those sixties films portraying switchboard secretaries done to music very like the opening of Pink Flloyds 'Money' Very stylish.
Shining dummies on poles, must have some meaning or significance but as usual I'm not entirely sure what it was!
There were lots of these lamps on cycles.
Big Bird, again suspended by a forklift, I don't think I would have felt safe in those seats at the top!
First 'King's' Float.
First King giving a wave
This group of young girls did a perfectly choreographed dance, whether they managed to stay perfectly in time for the next two miles.....
These guys did a really good routine, very arty.
Going......
Going....
Gone!
Sweeties, sweeties, sweeties!
Is it a man or is it a horse??
More crazy horses.
These girls up the towers were also doing a choreographed dance very well and always smiling!
2nd King, unfortunately only close up we have is of the back of his head.
Now that is one seriously big and shiny baby!
Bubbles and glitter!
Elephant
Warriors.
Tall ladies.
Third and last King!
A real camel! With Presents!
There were about five of these girls spinning around in their frames.
Dancing and swinging fire - eek.
Reeky!
Looks like the Hill Head, Lerwick around 7.30pm on the last Tuesday in January.
We were a bit worried about this guy until he got a little closer....
And could see that he actually had not set his head on fire!
Seriously tall lady!
Last float, it must be a bummer being last in the parade as there isn't the same enthusiasm after an hour of guizers filing past. They still had sweets to throw though which is what it is really all about!
And finally the street sweepers come behind to sweep up all the sweets - note the adults in the background scrabbling to get as many sweets as possible before the sweeper gets them!!
