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Trailor on Tour
Hello everyone and a very happy 2005 to you all!!
New Year's Eve was spent in the main part of the city watching the firework display over the harbour - not something you can really miss out on if you're here at this time of year. We were very fortunate in being able to avoid most of the crowds, as there were over a million people down near the harbour and a major part of the downtown area was closed off to traffic. Aunia was staying in a hotel which overlooked the harbour and from the balcony on the pool deck level we could see both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
We arrived at the hotel at about 2000 with a coolbox and bag full of food and beverages ready for the celebrations ahead. At 2100 was the first lot of fireworks, which are primarily for families with small children who will be home in bed by midnight. We didn't get up to the balcony until just before and so didn't have too good a view.
Following this we went back to the room and proceeded to demolish all the food we had arrived with. Needless to say, we had over-catered but did our utmost to clear the food anyway. We had smoked salmon, tiger prawns, bread, dips, olives, etc....oh, and lots of Champagne and chocolates.
The pool balcony closed between 2130 and 2300, so in order to get the prime spot for the midnight fireworks we were up there at dead on 2300 and got right to the front of the balcony. This also meant that I could balance my camera on the railing and it would be fairly steady for taking pictures without the flash. Some of the pictures came out quite well, but you need to look at them in large format to see as they're quite dark.
At midnight the spectacle began over the Opera House and seemed to go on for ages, although there is only so much you can do with fireworks, but the noise was deafening. The harbour looked beautiful as all the boats were lit up and the moon was out and casting light across towards the Opera House. Next up was the display on the bridge, which was quite disappointing and very short. The finale was supposed to involve a big piece of metal artwork which resembled a giant mirrored disco ball, but it fell a bit flat as I think there was a technical hitch.
It was lovely to then be able to retire to the room and eat and drink and watch all the thousands of ants on the ground making their way home. We eventually left the hotel at 0130 and headed back to the bus stop and as luck would have it, one had just pulled in and so we had seats all the way home as well.
It was quite a tame civilised celebration, but great fun all the same. I'm sure it would have been more chaotic on the ground, but I think I'm getting too old for all that jostling with crowds!!
Yesterday was spent in bed recovering and catching up on sleep, except for poor Richard who had to be at work at 0700 and went to bed as soon as he got in.
For those of you who have not read the message board, Keren has been in touch and is safe and well in Myanmar. One piece of good news to start the new year. Sherry xx
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