This is our vacation in reverse. Last stop, Sydney. And what a great city it is. I don't know if you will ever meet someone who didn't think Sydney was a great town. (Thats quality use of the double negative there.) Our experience was magnified because we were there at the height of Sydney tourism, New Years. The city was packed with people and the energy was awesome leading up to and right after the turn of the calendar.
The highlight had to be the fireworks. Sydney is one of the first major cities in the world to celebrate the New Year, and they don't hold back. I made sure to thank all the Aussies I know for spending their tax dollars to entertain me. The fireworks are shot off of barges all up and down the harbor, but the best seats are overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The city did a great job of publicizing all the different watching spots, so we scouted out a few places that looked good.
Naively, we thought that we would go to the botanical gardens in the morning, get some lunch, and then make our way to one of the watching spots. This plan was quickly squashed when we saw the cue (line) formed to get into Mrs. Maquarie's Point, our first choice. We were also told that the gardens were closed. Hmmmm.
Fortunately, I have a lot of practice working without any semblance of a plan. We made our way to Circular Quay and hopped on a ferry headed for Luna Park and McMahons Point. As you can see below, we made a good choice.
Of course, getting this great spot meant that we were hanging out here for about 10 hours. Good thing we brought sunscreen. Too bad we forgot the sunscreen at the hotel. Thats where our incredible good looks came through again. Actually, people don't usually pity the beautiful, so what happened next must have been an exception to the rule. Whilst standing around (a garbage can), looking for a place to plop ourselves, but also happy to be under the shade of a big tree, a nice gentleman came up to us and invited us to join him on his and his family's tarp. With a tent overhead! Jackpot!
John and Leslie, an awesome couple from America who had recently relocated to Sydney, had the best spot in the whole area, and they had shade. Not to mention, sitting for 10 hours straight can get a little boring, so getting to know some new folks is always fun.
Becky helping the family take down the tent. I encouraged.
Finally, the sun fell and the show started. We took video so you could enjoy, because everyone loves watching videos of fireworks. Enjoy anyway.
I audibly gasped multiple times, in a 'I'm watching Aggie sports" sort of way. Yes, this was better than the Cotton Bowl (stupid Arkansas).
Anything Else?
What else is there after that. Lots more actually. Manly Beach, Bondi Beach, the botanical gardens, museums, steak, Sydney Opera House, and just checking out the different parts of town.
Here is some of that in picture form.
The bridge is ominous. You catch glimpses of it throughout the city.
You know what's 'Same Same'...our shorts.
Bondi Beach. I loved it. Packed to the gills.
The sky-writers were out. We saw two proposals and this evangelism.
Lorikeets in the botanical gardens.
Pulling into Manly. Another awesome beach just a short walk after getting off the ferry here.
With that, we left Sydney and headed back to Bangkok. Thankfully, this is our vacation in reverse, so there are still two more parts to come.
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