By DAISY SAMPSON [email protected]
New Year’s Eve revellers in Albufeira have found themselves in the Guinness Book of Records after the world record for the largest simultaneous toast was set.
In total, 25,000 party goers on the Fishermen’s beach raised a champagne flute in celebration as the clock struck 12 and 2010 began.
Paulo Silvestre was at the beach party and took part in the toast: “It was great to be part of something so big and now I can say that I am a world record holder!”
Albufeira is famed for spectacular fireworks displays and big name bands on New Year’s Eve and this year Portuguese band The Gift and Norwegian urban duo Madcon got the party going.
Bad weather warnings had not stopped the crowds from gathering in expectation and the rain was unable to dampen the spirits of the crowd, which is said to have reached 70,000 throughout the coastal resort.
Improved facilities
This year, organisers had altered the direction of the stage (facing inland due to the bad weather and rough seas), added a number of large screens for crowds to watch the performances and improved toilet facilities were
 The start of 2010 saw visitors to Paderne being transported to medieval times. |
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available at the beach.
“It was much better than last year and the atmosphere was great despite the rain. There were even quite a few people who jumped into the sea at midnight,” said Paulo Silvestre.
Meanwhile, to celebrate the start of 2010, the village of Paderne stepped back in time as the streets filled with lords, knights and noble maidens of medieval times and spectators were treated to jousting displays, snake charming acts and exotic dance performances.
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