We have an absolutely stunning location from which to watch the New Years Eve fireworks, the only problem is that from about 8am the place has been in lock down. We had planned to go for a walk along the North Shore this morning but as we set off at about 9.30 people were already camping on the shore front having ‘bagged’ their space and the boardwalk was closed unless you had a ticket. We had a chat to one of the security guards who said that we were in for a great night but she hoped we had food and drink in as we would pretty much be in the apartment for the day! The good news is that we have beer, bubbles something for lunch and enough munchies to last us well past midnight so we returned to the room for a relaxing day. We watched the bank opposite start filling up with people from about 11.30 onwards and by 4.30 it was virtually full as were most of the bits of green that had a view or the river and bridge. The ferry’s stopped running about 3pm so all there was after that were sailing ships and charter boats looking for somewhere to moor up until the display started. We played with the position of the camera for a while then I just sat and read my book while Chris checked the cameras and made sure he had the correct filters etc on them. The good news is that Sydney keep you occupied until the fireworks start, there was an air display at 6pm but it was round the corner from where we are so we couldn’t see it very well, then nature put on a light show for us with lightning out to the west. Next the fire tug arrived blasting water into the skies which unfortunately seemed to be a queue for the rain to start, it was so heavy we almost couldn’t see the bridge but luckily it cleared before the Family fireworks at 9pm. There are five barges that stretch all the way along the river and we can see two and a half of them with one right in front of the balcony so we had a fantastic view, all the barges do exactly the same thing so we are not missing out by not being able to see all of them. The show went on for about 15 minutes and was amazing, if this is what the family version is like the main event will be something very special. After the fireworks the boats put on a ‘light parade’ which was more that they all had coloured lights outlining their decks and turned them on at the same time and they just drifted in position with their outlines in red lights. We then had a couple of hours before the main event and what an event it was, the countdown started at 90 seconds to midnight although the party had started a lot earlier in the evening, we are close enough that we could hear the DJ who was actually across the river and then it began. I don’t think I have the vocabulary to describe the fireworks but safe to say they are better than you see on TV. This time we had three barges with fireworks plus the bridge which is where it all started then it built to a crescendo with the bridge and all three barges sending fireworks into the air at the same time, there was almost too much to watch as they were going off in every direction but it was stunning definitely an experience not to be missed. I am so glad we managed to get this apartment, looking at the size of the crowds I think it will be an hour or so before some of them manage to get home and all we have to do is gather our things from the balcony and go to bed! Chris managed to capture it all on video and got some great shots but we didn’t quite have the energy to sort through everything after such a spectacular event, so we have uploaded the pictures of the 9PM familiy fireworks and the New Year fireworks will be uploaded on New Years day once have had a chance to sort through them.
