Ringing in 2016

We spent part of our New Years Eve snorkelling with some friends at nearby Gordons Bay. The water was pretty choppy, but we managed to see a few blue groupers. Then we had a decent late lunch at the Clovelly Hotel.

We were lucky enough to find a last minute spot  to watch the fireworks (last minute being 6pm) at Duff Reserve, quite close to where we live. The best locations fill up even earlier, but this spot is less known and a little bit farther, still having a very good view. There were police at the entrance to the small park that only let in about a hundred people and then start turning people away, so it's one of the most intimate public spots to watch the fireworks (compared to spots in the botanic gardens area that allow in about 1,600 people. Even though the park was considered full, we had plenty of space to move around, play boardgames, and picnic while we waited, and we never had to wait in line for the bathroom. There was no alcohol allowed into the park, although I'm sure a few people snuck it in. It was mostly families in the park, some with young kids, as we watched the party cruises glide by with their loud music. I'm glad we did something free instead of paying hundreds of dollars for the same view. It was the most pleasant fireworks experience I have ever had.

For a short time there were two stunt pilots doing tricks to entertain the crowds; one even did a corkscrew maneuver under and around the Harbour Bridge. It got less exciting after he went under the bridge several times, and dove straight down at the water only to pull up at the last second a few times, but it was still really awesome and kind of nerve-racking to watch.

Then there were the fireworks themselves - spectacular! Sydney does an early 9 o'clock smaller show for people with kids, who want to see something and then go home. Then, the real show is at midnight. In addition to the five boats setting off a synchronized show, the bridge itself was lined with fireworks - at one point it looked like a sparkler waterfall. 

It only took us 15 minutes to get home afterwards, which must be some kind of record. 

We continued our "tradition" of never doing the same thing twice on New Years Eve. I wonder what 2016 has in store for us - cheers!