Thinking about planning a wild and exciting vacation in 2009? Why not checkout one of the wildest festivals this year? From the 'Rio Carnival' in Brazil, to the 'Baby Jumping Colacho Festival' in Spain, the 'Wife Carrying Championships' in Australia or 'Bun Snatching' in Hong Kong. 2009 has got it all - and here's the calendar of events with (wild) pictures courtesy of News.com.au.
For Example:
CHEESE ROLLING FESTIVAL
Gloucestershire, Britain
When: May 25
One of Britains most bizarre and dangerous sporting challenges involves chasing a giant cheese down a steep slope. Competitors race for 200 metres down the slope, chasing the wheel-shaped Double Gloucester cheese. Many trip and slip their way to the bottom.
First prize in each race is a big circle of cheese. The celebration is believed to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring.
RIO CARNIVAL
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America
When: February 22-25
Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its wildly decadent carnivals and is regarded as the party capital of the world. Around half a million visitors flock to the city each year for the Rio Carnival, a wild four-day celebration during the peak of Rio's summer.
Considered an act of farewelling the pleasures of the flesh, the carnival ends the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Music and dancing, especially the samba, are incorporated into almost every aspect of the celebration.
The Samba Parade at the Sambadrome runs for two days and is considered by many the greatest show on earth.
[CALENDAR OF EVENTS]
For Example:
CHEESE ROLLING FESTIVAL
Gloucestershire, Britain
When: May 25
One of Britains most bizarre and dangerous sporting challenges involves chasing a giant cheese down a steep slope. Competitors race for 200 metres down the slope, chasing the wheel-shaped Double Gloucester cheese. Many trip and slip their way to the bottom.
First prize in each race is a big circle of cheese. The celebration is believed to have its roots in a heathen festival to celebrate the return of spring.
RIO CARNIVAL
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America
When: February 22-25
Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its wildly decadent carnivals and is regarded as the party capital of the world. Around half a million visitors flock to the city each year for the Rio Carnival, a wild four-day celebration during the peak of Rio's summer.
Considered an act of farewelling the pleasures of the flesh, the carnival ends the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Music and dancing, especially the samba, are incorporated into almost every aspect of the celebration.
The Samba Parade at the Sambadrome runs for two days and is considered by many the greatest show on earth.
[CALENDAR OF EVENTS]
