So we are up early and hop a bus down to the Opera House for our backstage tour with Adam, a trombone player. He is actually very knowledgable and gave us many interesting facts and stories about the place. The tour was only 8 people, and we had a marvelous breakfast at the end. We learned that plans are in the works with the original architect to fix existing problems with staging and moving things as well as expansion. Considering that the designer, name escapes me at the moment, has never been back to Australia nor seen a production in his building, I consider this an amazing feat. Changes were instituted against his wishes and he washed his hands of the 14 year, 170 million dollar project back when it was being built.

After the tour we decided to head up the the Queen Victoria Building to do some shopping. On the way we stopped and download our photos to CD. Finding nothing and getting foot weary, Sharon has blisters, we deciced to head back to the room, grab a few groceries and rest up for our big cruise tonight.

The cruise on The Lady Rose, was only supposed to be booked for 350 quests. The crew announced that there were 450 present. So on top of wainted 45 minutes past our boarding time as there were other boats loading from our assigned jetty, the snack foods ran out rather quickly. The crew just could not keep up. Sharon snagged us a spot on the upper deck outside on a back rail for a lovely veiw while I go the beer. Thankfully they kept the alcohol flowing. However, that ended badly for a few. Some people just can't be happy drunks. The poor crew member assigned to the Sundeck was really abused as there were only 90 people allowed up top at a time.

But we met a nice couple from Edmonton and another couple, Chris and Sara from Connecticut, whom we spent most of the time with. The evening was highlighted by the lovely tour of lights of all the boats in the parade, including us, the first fireworks show which we saw from the back of the boat towards Wooloomoroo Harbour, a lady flinging her friend's camera overboad by mistake, yet she was saved in that it hit a small portion of the back deck instead of going directly into the drink. There were also two fights with the same people about who was allowed upstairs and who wasn't. One woman decided to tape it on her video camera. I'm sure it will end up on YouTube.

About 11:30, we made our way to the shortened line for the Sun Deck in hopes of getting up top for a view of the final midnight fireworks show. Once again the poor man at the steps, was getting heaps of abuse, particularly from a German couple who wanted to join their adult children upstairs. One woman kept trying to make the case that they had come all the way from Germany and should be given special treatment... well Sharon and I came all the way from America, so what makes her more important than us? Regardless, we had a nice chat with the crewmember and were rewarded one minute to midnight by getting up top and a view of people standing on the seats. Yea. But luckily the fireworks were high and I also managed to get some video with my camera that I wll upload when I figure out how. It was a fabulous show. Certainly one to remember, so if you have a chance to check out the fireworks online for Sydney New Year's Eve, please do.

Happy New Year everyone!