Thanks for the info.
I wasn't planning to take a huge amount of kit, as it has had issues with crime through its history. I'd likely just take just a standard zoom (24-70) and a flash on a bracket. Judging by other photos I've seen, the parade route doesn't have barriers, or most of it at least, which obviously means you can get fairly close. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Unless things change based on seeing some friends at the weekend, it currently would just be myself. I totally see what you are saying though xibinim, if I was going with friends, its difficult to shoot properly so I would ditch taking my gear, as its then just about partying.
I have seen some tips similar to what you suggest Zogger, which suggests that because it starts at 10am, if you get there then, you can enjoy the Carnival route long before most people actually turn up and it gets really busy. So that seems like a pretty good shout, as if I'm just shooting on my own, I probably wouldn't be hanging around if I can no longer get in a good spot to take shots when it gets busy.
Another tip I read is that one of the best places to get shots of the parade is the point where they are in front of the judges as they all really go for it there. However, I don't know what the setup is like, presumably quite a busy part by the nature of it being important?
I'm also assuming that the busier areas are where the Soundsystems are setup as thats what a lot of people go for.
