There really is nothing quite like the Notting Hill Carnival. The biggest street party outside Rio, this year's event produced the better kind of riot: one of colour, sound and scrumptious food.
Not that all the food was eaten. Those who only associate the carnival with stalls selling a seemingly neverending supply of jerk chicken, corn dumplings, curried goat and rice and peas should pop down early next time to experience J'ouvert. As the pictures show, the carnivalistas had a wild time covering themselves and each over in mud, paint and chocolate from head to toe.
Despite doubts, the 7pm curfew imposed by the authorities was peacefully observed.
The stats make interesting reading: around 1 million people are expected over the weekend to see fifty-one floats and up to 6,500 policemen keeping the peace. This is truly a party like no other.
Photos (c) Anthony White, fabiolug and Kayode Okeyode from the Londonist Flickr pool plus David Boyle.
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Notting Hill Carnival: there's an app for that.
