The kaleidescope of colour and music that is carnival season in Brazil has begun with hundreds of thousands of people attracted like moths to a flame to Rio as the nation lets its hair down.<br /><br />“I declare open Carnival in the marvellous city of Rio de Janeiro. Let Carnival 2014 be one of peace, full of harmony, and a lot of festivities, but responsibly,” said Carnival King Momo, before breaking into some dance moves. <br /><br />The world will come to this city for the next four days, with some three million visitors expected in all.<br /><br />Hundreds of street bands, samba schools and decorated floats will be in competition for the carnival prizes, climaxing in the great parade in the city’s legendary Sambadrome.
