Rio Carnival: The words alone conjure images of half-naked (or some fraction greater than half) samba dancers (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/07/brazil-carnival-2013-dancers-samba-parade_n_2641384.html), kaleidoscopes of color and surreal floats (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/06/carnival-brazil-preparations_n_2618616.html) -- all set to a percussive rhythm like no place else on Earth.
Each year, the party grows bigger and outrageous more the norm. So as samba schools compete to see who's tops in 2013 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/12/rio-carnival-2013-samba-schools_n_2666826.html), take a look at HuffPost World's favorite photos from Brazil's blowout bash in the slideshow below.
Via: HuffingtonPost