Fancy New Year

The days in Newcastle went quickly.  I didn't feel like we had done much, but the time past quickly in the comfortable settings and with the relaxed lifestyle.  After a week, our visit had come to an end and it was time for us to go.  I could have happily stayed in Newcastle for longer, but that wouldn't be right for Veronica.  Being in Australia for the first time with Veronica, I wanted us to experience a bit more during our stay.  So we said our goodbyes to my family and headed back to Sydney.

In Sydney, I had planned for us something special.  New Year's Eve in Sydney is always a big event.  Over the years, I had gone to many parties and spent many nights out in the public parks with friends to watch the fireworks.  However, I had never been to any of the prime locations to watch the fireworks.  The prices had always been astronomical and it hadn't been something I had considered.  On this trip, I had different plans.  If only once, I wanted to go to watch the fireworks from one of the best spots.  Looking online, there weren't many places with any availability left.  I picked one of the few spots with anything left and with a knot in my stomach, paid the exorbitant price.  Early in the evening on New Year's Eve, we set out towards the Royal Botanic Gardens.  Our section of seating didn't open until 6pm, so we thought we would start making our way over at about 5:30pm.  In hindsight, this was a bit too late.  When we arrived, we found ourselves confronted with a long line of people that would take almost 45 minutes.

Once we successfully navigated the line, we rushed with the others to try and find a spot.  The best spots had all been taken, but we were still able to get a good spot at the very front.  We would be here for the next 6 hours, so we threw down our blankets and settled in for some relaxation as we waited.  We were curious about whether such a long time would become a bit of a drag or tedious.  It seemed to be a long time to just be waiting around on the grass, so we came prepared with extra battery banks for our phones, books and magazines.  I lay back and settled into the next few hours of reading.  It was crowded and were surrounded by people, but it was still a relaxing time.

As the sun set and the skies darkened, the colours and lights of the harbour awakened.  Ships full of partygoers circled the harbour, completely covered in bright lights themselves and they sounded their horns to the delight of everyone on shore.  The sedate and relaxed mood of the early evening changed, and there was a vibrancy which had taken over.  Down closer to the habour, the party at Opera Bar was kicking off and people were screaming along with the bands entertaining the party.

At nine o'clock, the first set of fireworks started.

These were the "children's fireworks" which happened every year.  They were timed to allow the families with the younger children to see some fireworks without having to stay the full evening.  It was a good idea.  Everyone's heads craned up as the sky lit up and we were given this short appetiser to the bigger even that was come at midnight.  After this short show, I looked around and no one moved.  I'm sure there were some who would leave after this display, but given the prices paid for our area, it seemed that everyone here would be staying until the final show.

The next three hours flew by.  It was too dark to read now, so we just lay back and chatted as we drank our wine.  Surrounded by the buzz of activity around us seemed to give us all the energy we needed.  Occasionally, one of us would wander off to the bathroom or to get more snacks, but nothing much happened.  It was a good way for us to rest and relax.  The last few weeks had been a bit hectic with the travel and with the family reunion, so I enjoyed spending this time with Veronica.  Soon, the noise started to increase.  People were staying to scream and shout as midnight started to approach.  The lights on the bridge changed and soon numbers appeared to commence the countdown.  At midnight, there was an enormous cheer and the sky glowed with fireworks.  A waterfall of flames streamed from the bridge, one of the signature sights done every year.  The Sydney new year fireworks always go for a long time, this year was no different.  The sky was filled with fireworks for nearly fifteen minutes.  I had seen the show before, but this was special.  To be directly in front and to have the view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was an experience I would remember.

With the fireworks finished, everyone began the slow procession out of the Botanic Gardens and back into the city.  The streets were crowded with people and it was a surreal sight to see the thousands of people filling the normally quiet evening streets.

Was it all worth it?  It's hard to say.  The price for the night was steep.  Yet the experience was certainly something special.  Even after seeing the Sydney fireworks several times, this was still without a doubt the most impressive and enjoyable of all the experiences.