LOCAL ROYALTY CELEBRATES FAT TUESDAY

By Beach Times Staff

In Flamingo, on the Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the tradition has acquired momentum since the first Mardi Gras celebration, orchestrated by the secret society “The Mystics of Flamingo,” officially took place five years ago.

This year, King Felix V and Queen Yendry were enthroned by the “Mystics” and feted by the populace, both foreign and local, during the parade of floats last Tuesday.

© Zoraida Diaz

The parade featured an elaborate truck disguised as an ocean populated by the Little Mermaid and her marine friends, and dancers cheering to the music prowess of the Matapalo Youth Band.

The beautiful royals, better known to their subjects, as Mark and Yendry Bjorklund—parents to Prince Dilan, a La Paz student—are long-time residents of Flamingo. Mr Bjorklund left his native Orange County in California for Costa Rica over 20 years ago, while Mrs Bjorklund is from the town of Pocora, near Guapiles, in Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The monarchs, a perfect amalgamation of cultures and royal lines, have been together for over a decade.