New Years Eve....2009/2010

So, after much discussion we decide on watching the fireworks from Mrs Macquarie’s seat. We rise early & make our way to the park, about a 40 min walk from our apartment. Wow! The queue is already long, people have started queuing from the night before but we are given hope by an official who says there are about 2000 people in front of us. Phew! We start queuing about 9am, finally get in & seated at 1pm. We hoped that the fireworks would be worth it. Mrs Macquarie’s seat is one of the most popular places to watch the display. They allow 20,000 people into the park & it is very well managed. Food & alcohol are sold in the park (BYO is not allowed) & temporary toilets are in place. The atmosphere is very friendly & party like. Reminds me of Glastonbury; everyone with the same intention, to have a good time.

The entertainment starts in the afternoon with air displays; this is followed by an AboriginalSmoking ceremony to rid the harbour of evil spirits. At 9pm there is the children’s firework display lastng about 10mins which is pretty impressive. After this the cruise ships and any other boats in the harbour take part in a light procession – all the boats are decorated with fairy lights of different shapes such as fish, dragons, birds etc. At 10, 11 and 11.30 a volley of fireworks is set off from one of the pontoons to srtart the countdown to midnight – each time this happens the crowd gets a bit more excited. The fireworks do not disappoint, what a spectacle, over 15 minutes of lights & sounds. What we did not realise that in addition to the bridge fireworks there are 7 pontoons on the river letting off synchronised fireworks. It is truly amazing & everyone should see this at least once in their life. At times it was difficult to choose where to look!!

It’s a slow walk out of the park & we struggle through the Sydney revellers, all very well behaved, to get back to the apartment about 2am. We watch the rerun n the news which shows the fireworks with the synchronised music – all very impressive. 3am and so to bed, the plan to walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge on New Year’s Day morning is not looking too clever right now!!

Love & gunpowder hugs,
Jeff & Janet