Countdown to 2007...

New Years Eve Fireworks, originally uploaded by Frickley.

Our New Year preparations began at 2pm as we made our way to Circular Quay, loaded with BYO wine and clothing for both hot and cold/wet weather - we were in for the long haul as we wanted to get a decent spot in order to see the fireworks later that evening. Joined by all our mates from the hostel, we found a decent spot and plonked down sarongs to mark our space - we had heard it gets incredibly busy even early on in the best areas! Just after 5pm, some of my mates (including Matt, Face and Ali) arrived on a ferry from Manly to join us. It was great to see them - esp Face as I hadn't seen him for years. Face explained that he plus others were going to watch the fireworks from Balmain, just along the coast. We decided that we would join them as I was keen to stay with my mates and Face assured us the view of the fireworks would be great. Sure enough, Balmain was a lot less crowded and we had a perfect view of the Harbour Bridge. We waited there until 9pm when the first fireworks went off - they were fantastic and worth the 7 hour wait we had endured!
After that, we all decided to make our way back to Circular Quay to join the others, as we thought the atmosphere would be better there (and we had 3 hours to kill till the next fireworks!). Luckily, after an hour we managed to get a couple of taxis. However, when we arrived outside the Circular Quay area, it was absolutely rammed with people and it was a real struggle to get back to the area where our hostel mates were. People were pushing and shoving, blokes were fighting each other and children getting crushed - it was well scary at one point!
Time then passed really quickly until midnight when there was a countdown and the most impressive fireworks of our lives began to explode. First, the tune 'diamonds are forever' belted out of speakers all around, and then the fireworks started from around the Opera House. More then went off from the bridge and then we heard bangs coming from behind us. The crowd then turned to see fireworks exploding off the roof tops of all the sky-scraper buildings surrounding the harbour...we were literally encircled in noise and beautiful light displays filling the sky. We are so glad that we made the decision to spend NY in Sydney - it was well worth it and something I think we'll remember forever!