The People's Carnaval

.....or Slapstick Parade.

On the Saturday night of Carnaval, there is a grand, glossy parade of Samba bands and dancing to rival Rio.

On Shrove Tuesday itself, the people of Funchal take over. It's time for them to poke fun at the politicians, produce a jokey tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo, complain about hospital waiting times, pornography....and anything goes.

This is the fun parade. The children get to dress up in their costumes one last time, and throw streamers and confetti as the floats, the Smurfs, the transvestites and the rude jokes pass by.

It is packed. It's friendly. The police join in the fun, but with a relaxed control.

After the hundreds of thousands have enjoyed the fun, the sweeping up happens. And the promenade in Funchal is spotless again before you've had time to walk past the Marina.

It's impossible to capture the razzmatazz and colour of the event, but this family show there's something good for everyone.