Carnival time in Arecife

Saturday
After two busy sightseeing days, we planned to have an easier day today. In the morning we went into the capital Arecife, mainly to see the Castillo de San Jose, which was built in 1799 to protect the Harbour from Pirate Attack. It remained in Military use until 1890, but then stood vacant until 1974 when César Manrique converted it into a Modern Art Gallery and Restaurant, the Museo International de Arte Contemporáneo. Unfortunately we couldn't go inside as it was closed for some reason, but we enjoyed walking along the front and out along the harbor wall taking pictures. As we were walking back into the town from the Castillo, we started seeing people in costume congregating along the front, and we realized it was Carnival day. These three young people were pleased to pose for me and another photographer. We walked along a street lined with market stalls, and then took a turn down a side street and found ourselves by the old harbor, which was lovely and peaceful compared with the hustle and bustle along the front. We sat and had a coffee enjoying the lovely scene of little fishing boats bobbing on the blue and turquoise waters, lined by lovely whitewashed houses. As we were returning to the car, the parade was getting underway, so we got to hear some of the lively music too! Then we headed back to the Papagayo area for the afternoon, having lunch at the cliff-top cafe above Papagayo, but then going to the adjacent beach for the afternoon for a change - it was bigger, but still sheltered and with the same beautiful soft golden sand.