New Year in Sydney

An estimated 1.5 million extra people were in Sydney for New Year's Eve, so getting a decent place to view the fireworks meant that the four of us got up at about 7.30 that morning. We stocked up on essential supplies before making our way to the ferry terminal. The ferry ride took us across the harbour to Bradley's Head, a well placed peninsula for seeing the city. When we found our spot it was about 11, and the place was already filling up with people. The day was spent catching up with the many people from Adelaide who joined us for the occasion, and my friend Doug from Leeds!

As the sun set, the tension mounted. By now every available inch of space was taken up by people. The harbour was full of boats anchored in the best spots in order to see the show. There was a great atmosphere. Everyone was excited and content, and there were no negative feelings. At about 9, the first set of fireworks started. They gave us a taste of what was to come at midnight. The apprehension heigtened when, as it got nearer to midnight, a few fireworks were let off at every half hour, kind of like a clock tower.

Then, several million people counted down the seconds and the show began. The harbour erupted with colour, as thousands of fireworks illuminated the sky all around us. The bridge and opera house looked like they were ablaze. I was deafened not only by the noise of the fireworks, but by the shouts and cheers of the hundreds of people around me. Just when you thought it was all over, another wave of fireworks would fly across the night sky. In the last 30 seconds, 511 fireworks were fired, ending with a spectacular climax and thunderous applause. It had to be one of the best New Year's Eve celebrations I've ever, and probably ever will, have been to.

I ended the night by going walkabout in Sydney (Mrs Boss!). It was pandemonium after the fireworks, as the police began closing the area. Thousands of drunken people all heading to the same place meant it was incredibly easy to lose people. I was rather wasted myself, and completely lost everybody I was with on the way to the ferry terminal, not knowing that there were now no ferries back to the city. I did find Malte, Maja and some other Adelaide buddies near the terminal, but lost them as well and passed out.

I woke up at about 3 feeling dazed and confused, and realised I'd lost my mobile. Hardly anyone was left at the ferry terminal, and there were just a few people who'd decided to sleep there for the night. I borrowed a guy's phone to ring mine and see if it ws hidden in the bushes. However, Thomas answered the phone. Apparently I'd given it to Malte, who put a taxi number into it. The he lost me and passed it on to Claire who eventually gave it to Thomas. This conversation didn't really help me at all, as there was a complete communication breakdown - apparently I was incomprehensible.

I wasn't going to spend the night on a park bench, so I decided to walk in the direction of the harbour bridge until I found a taxi. I ended up walking for about 2 hours, and my feet were absolutely killing me. Luckily, just before I reached the bridge I found a cab. As the sun rose, I finally ended up at the house, by about 6! So not excatly the best end to a great NYE, but at least it wasn't a boring one!

The next couple of days were taken up by recovery. We all woke up the next day by about 3, and Thomas, Ines and Simon were glad that I'd made it back alive (as well as my Mum!).

Thomas and Ines also went on a tandem skydive. They showed me pics and videos, which made me decide to do a skydive myself at some point in the near future!

See my Facebook photo album which corresponds to this entry:

Adelaide to Cape Trib 4: New Year in Sydney