Hello There 2010!!

So I'm sure I'm not the only one who is saying this 5 days into the new year, but I'm still feelin the after effects of those new years eve party festivities. The hype definitely was needed for Sydney New Years because this city delivered one hell of a show. But even without their 5 million dollar firework display the night still would have been a success, the fireworks just added a little extra flavor, (besides who remembers the entire 12 minute show after drinking for 8 hours).

So here's how the day went.  I woke up new year's eve morning with a slight headache from the night before. As I was cooking breakfast around 10am, i saw on the news people already camping out around the city for the best views of the fireworks that were to come 14 hours later...I started to panic a bit. I originally planned to head out around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. I then proceeded to the supermarket to stock up for the day.  As I was walking back I was informed by my friends from the hostel were not going to the Botanical Gardens anymore.  I was pretty bitter about it.  I still knew a few people that were going to the gardens and figured I would just meet up with them. After about a half hour thinking about the situation, I gave in and decided to head to the place where all my "closer" friends were headed, Observatory Hill.  Looking back on it, I have no regrets at all.  Yes, I lost out in the spectacular view from the Botanical Gardens..but what is New Years without your best friends.  Turns out this place, Observatory Hill, was BYO,(Bring Your Own Alcohol), opposite that of the gardens where security checked your bags.  You can imagine the amount of money I saved on alcohol.  (You may be asking yourself, what about the bag of goon you hid in the gardens the day before...it may or may not still be there...i tried to direct my friends to it on new years but they had no success, will go see tomorrow)

Observatory Hill was on the opposite side of Harbour Bridge, not as picturesque (no opera house) but other than than, still a great view. I arrived around noon, the park was already 3/4 full.  The plus side..mostly all young people/backpackers, people picnicking and drinking, and entry in and out of the park. This was crucial as we often headed to the pub across the street for a round or two and could just cruise around as our spot was held by our blankets and other people from the hostel.

You can imagine the atmosphere of 5,000 people in this park in the middle of the day with the anticipation of the night to come.  Many already drunk, many still sober waiting to start drinking later, and ones like me, the keep it steady drinker.  Once it got dark, the ambiance was magical.  Sitting around with friends, playing games, just having a great time.  When 9 oclock rolled around we were welcomed with our first show of fireworks, the supposed kid show...well for being a kid show, it impressed.  The view turned out great as two barges were close by, and of course the harbour bridge.

From 9-12 things got a bit hazy, but I remember them shooting one or two fireworks every 20 or 30 minutes just to keep us entertained.

When 12 approached, there was a huge countdown (i think) and everyone went crazy.  Fireworks from all over lit up the sky.  There was the bridge, and then probably at least 6 or 7 barges in the harbour that were launch points, all firing the same firework with perfect synchronization. Will hopefully get a video up.

The show lasted around 12 minutes, seems shorter at the time, but according to sources, 12 minutes.

To condense this post, I will just say it was New Year 2010 in Sydney, one of the best new year locations in the world, the party continued on well after midnight.

After sleeping a good chunk of the day, I woke up feeling not too bad and thankful I didnt have to work.  The day was spent drinking heaps of orange juice, some internet and tv.  When dinner rolled around, Nigel and I finally made it to Wood and Stone in Surry Hills to try the Kangaroo Pizza.  This was the first time i tried Kangaroo and too be honest one of the first new foods I've aquainted my palette with in years..it was a nice welcome.  Had some great flavor to it, almost beef jerky like.  Anyway, glad I tried it and up next will be a Kangaroo kebab or burger i think

Happy 2010 to everyone, its been a great decade and another great chapter in my life.  Wish everyone the best in the New Year.

Past Few Days

Well i thought I could hold out till the New Year for a new post but too much has happened the last few days to ignore it. (wouldn't want to forget some great moments)

2 days before Christmas had my off day from work and with only a few free days left in Sydney I knew I had to do something productive.  With the weather being average...a bit windy with several clouds I thought it was a great day to bid farewell to my favorite Sydney beach...Manly.  Im not sure if ill ever have the opportunity to go back there so I wanted to make sure I went there one last time.  It had been almost a month seen I had visited there.  So I hopped on the ferry and took in some great views of the city skyline/harbour and arrived in Manly within 25 minutes. I strolled the corso for about 30 minutes, got lunch and hit the beach for the next 4 hours.

Manly Corso

The waves were real small but knew this going into the day as I checked the surf report, but nonetheless there were a few sets that provided some great body surfing.  When i wasn't in the water I caught up on the latest aussie news and read part of my travel books, of course while glancing at some of the great looking women along the beach.  On a similar note, topless tanning is pretty popular here in Australia, must be from the influx of european travelers here in town.

My day in Manly was great and relaxing, and although the sun wasn't fully out I still had a great beach day and will definitely miss the sights and sounds of Manly beach.

After returning from Manly, my roomate Nigel and I decided to go to the Sydney soccer (football) game.  While watching the game I realized that this was a great aussie culture experience...one of my first.  I enjoyed the chants, team support and game atmosphere. Soccer isn't too popular here and the 40,000 capacity stadium was pretty empty, i would imagine the same amount of people that attend US soccer games. They played the Central Coast Mariners and won 1-0.

The next day was Christmas Eve.  Didn't do much in the day except plan more of my trip, (final details/tour bookings will be done by the New Year hopefully)

That night Nigel and I were originally going to follow thru on our mission to try our first Kangaroo Pizza, but we got word that day that this hotel was putting on a free christmas eve buffet.  The kangaroo pizza immediatly was postponed.  We headed there with a few people from the old hostel.  The "free" buffet was not totally free as you had to purchase a drink with your meal, but by that time in the night after already a few drinks, one or 2 more drinks were only gonna help the cause.  The meal was suprisingly great, one of the best  meals I've had yet. The meal was All you Can Eat which was a great deal for the price of a drink.  There was some delicious turkey, ham, polenta, ceasar salad, potato sald...etc.  It truly was a great meal.

After the buffet we headed to Darling Harbour to catch some Christmas carols by the tree and xmas eve fireworks.

I don't think I have ever seen fireworks on Christmas Eve but I was definitely a fan.  Although it was a very very short 5 minute display it was jam packed with fireworks and were synchronized amazingly with some great Christmas songs, including Hallelujah, Carol of the Bells and closed with Santa Clause is Coming to Town.  If anything, it definitely set the vibe for New Years Eve fireworks...gonna be great

After Darling Harbour we searched for some open bottleshops to continue drinks but failed, was pretty stuffed from the all you can eat buffet anyway.  We ended up walking thru the city to see the other tree and more light projected buildings.  You may recall the town hall projections I posted up a few weeks ago. These buildings were parliament buildings and the New South Wales Library.

After that we headed back to the apartment, shared a box of goon and opened up my Panetone that I bought that day, a true italian Christmas tradition, it was so great and definitely felt in Christmas spirit while enjoying it.

Christmas morning came in a hurry.  It came without any presents under the tree but without losing sight on the real meaning of Christmas I headed to church for the 1030 mass.  There I met up with my German friend and coworker Timo and his german friends.  The service was pretty good, but it was super hot inside the huge, beautiful cathedral. The choir was definitely the downside of service as they did not sing many of the typical great Christmas church songs (was real bummed about "Silent Night" not being played).  Anyway, all in all a good service and was out by a little after 12 (longer than preferred).

St. Mary's Cathedral

Timo and I in front of the Cathedral

At 3 oclock I started work and working Christmas couldn't have been any better. It ended up raining on Christmas and the popular thing to do is go and have a barbie on the beach with friends. When I asked my friends how their Christmas on the beach was, they all said miserable. Meanwhile I worked 7 hours and got paid around 41 dollars an hour. To top that, the chefs prepared us a great Christmas dinner, the notable food included a great tasty macaroni salad, salmon, turkey and cranberry, and free soft drinks. (yes, it was better than your average airline food)  I had the best of both worlds on Christmas. I made great money, had a great dinner, and worked with some great coworkers (including Timo and the other German backpacker girl)

After work we decided to celebrate Christmas evening with a few boxes of goon.  I headed over to Timo's apartment and drank with 4 german girls.  It was raining still so going out looked unlikely.  I learned that Christmas in Germany is celebrated on the 24th with the 25th, and 26th being post Christmas days but still time for family. Christmas night with the germans was real fun, with the highlight being Timo being upset about Hungry Jack's (Burger King) being closed and him not being able to get a soft serve chocolate dipped ice cream cone. He was so frustrated he threw his elbow back and broke the sliding glass door behind him.  After a few rounds of drinks and the sudden occurence of broken glass all the girls and I started laughing hysterically, leaving Timo in disbelief of what just happened and seeing his just earned christmas day pay go down the drain. Oh man it was great.

Well anyway, it wasn't the traditional Christmas for me but it sure was a good one under the circumstances. A few skype calls with the family made me feel right at home.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.  

2010 is 4 days away...can't wait for the celebration, however it is currently supposed to rain here...BRUTAL

Take care everyone...see you in the New Year

Over and Out