Mardi Gras

So, Mardi Gras finally got here and it was BRILLIANT!!! It was the most spectacular thing we have ever been involved in!!

Check out our video below, just click the play button at the bottom left!!!


We joined our mates that we were in the parade with at about 5pm and headed down to the area where we could get ready!! Even behind the scenes it was an excuse for a massive party. We were in the middle of the city screened off from the public (just so they couldn't see the floats and costumes), it was great because they all wanted to join our party and couldn't...

I'm nearly 40 and have seen some strange things but I have never seen a 60 year old bald man, with one leg, on a mobility scooter covered in fairy lights trying to run down a 6ft, bearded, chain-smoking nun!!

Anyway, we were in the holding area for about 3 hours and this flew by as there was the most amazing atmosphere and we were placed right next to the Mayor of Sydney.

The holding area was filled with some of the most beautiful people we have ever seen, our group alone had 15 Chilean women that were dressed in the smallest outfits: bikinis covered with jewels and sequins, however they were wearing the biggest headdresses you have ever seen, all feathers and sparkles.... They were dancing to the beat of the 8 Chilean drummers that came with them..... unbelievable!!

The holding area was also filled with some of the strangest things I have ever seen as well. We had the pink Pope that nearly knocked over a 60 year old man dressed as Dame Edna Everage when his Pope-mobile took of at a rate of knots. Incidentally, he was only saved when two 7 ft tall drag queens squealed and tackled him to the floor, they were from some local rugby team or something. Anyway, there were feathers, wigs and gladioli flying everywhere!!

Next to us was the Australian 'Lifesavers', the New South Wales Fire Brigade and the over 60's club, to say it was mixed was an understatement!!!

We had a group of guys with 15ft butterfly wings strapped to their backs and a group of people on stilts covered in tinsel and Christmas lights, why I hear you ask? I don't know but they were fantastic!!

The parade only took about 50 minutes to walk but but the mile or so was lined with about half a million people standing 10 deep (no really, that was the official estimate!), all cheering us along and having a ball, there was fireworks, music and everyone was singing and dancing, including us!!! Simon and I also made it onto the massive TV screens.....!

When we walked home later the half a million people were just hanging around continuing the party, there was no trouble and everyone was just having a ball!!!

It was truly amazing!!!!!!!

Well I've bored you enough now so will let you go....