Easter Sunday in Sao Bras De Alportel and the locals take part in the traditional Festa das Tochas Floridas (festival of the flower torches). The streets are paved with flowers and foliage and all the local men make themselves a flower torch. A cross is paraded around the town led by the men brandishing their torches. At periods a "cheer leader" loudly proclaims "Ressuscitou como disse" (He is resurected. What do you say?) and the men respond " Aleluia, aleluia, aleluia" whilst waving their torches like Ashanti warriors with their spears. This is followed by a quick sip from a small bottle of water which they all keep in their inside pockets. The procession then moves on a few metres and the whole thing is repeated again, the frequency of the proclomation increasing as the celebrants progress. By the time the procession returns to the church where it began the men are so overcome with religious fervour they can barely stand up!! Or so I thought..........turns out that the "water" is actually aguadente, the local hooch at 80 ABV and they are in fact all gloriously drunk! ALELUIA. A great and joyful day out not to be missed if you are here over the Easter Holiday next year!!