NSW - New Years Eve

With the heads slightly sore this morning, Sally went for a run. This spurred on Scott, and because it was a nice route along the beach, and the sun was shining, Marc joined in on the 6km trek. It was an enjoyable run, dusting off the cobwebs from the night before, and was done in anticipation of the New Years resolution;) Marc probably should have thought about this a bit more as he has started to show signs of a cold :(

With the day moving on quickly, people started to arrive at the apartment to get ready for the big night, really exciting seeing everyone in their outfits. Marc managed to borrow a white shirt & bow tie from Scott so finally Marc’s outfit was a bit more Bondy. Drinks started flowing from about 3pm, with the girls knocking back a bottle of Pimms…

We took the 5pm ferry into the city and saw our first real sight of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. This is an amazing sight, which you see on TV so much, then to actually see it in real life, wow! We then docked, the city was buzzing with people en route to find their ultimate spot for the evening. There was a real party atmosphere everywhere.

Scott has a company on the 15th floor of a building with partial views of the bridge and harbour, and this was a prime location for the party. We could see all the people gathering by the harbour below, and it was packed when we arrived – the fireworks weren’t for another 3 hours though. The boardroom was set to the 2007 theme with Casino Royale posters, Bond soundtracks playing and a poker table set up (which we later discovered is a permanent fixture). There was also a BBQ for a bit of food later.

"Bond Pants" adding chips to the table ;)

We then managed to call some of the family to say Happy New Year before things got too rough.

View from the balcony and the crowds below

The first fireworks started at 9pm – for families that don’t stay up till midnight, which was pretty cool. On the bridge there is always a light display and every year it is different. So this year the picture was switching between a question mark and a coat hanger (as the bridge is sometimes know as a coat hanger) and at midnight the main picture will be shown.

The drinks were flowing and most people were out on the balcony or playing poker inside. Even though we didn’t really know anyone it was still a cool party. There were people dressed up as Austin Powers, James Blonde, some guy with Bond branded pants on over his trousers, the dude with the black & white face (Baron Samedi) and of course James Bond…

When 12 o’clock came, the fireworks exploded and the sky lit up – ooh’s and ah’s we’re said and then there was a crashing noise… behind us! Turns out that Pete and Crystal had climbed up onto the marble table that had all the drinks and snacks on, in order to see the celebrations a little better and with their combined weight, the table gave in! It was actually quite a funny situation as the fireworks were still being set off but everyone was instead looking at the two of them, feet in the air with broken glass, plates and marble everywhere!

As the evening went on, Scott kept topping up the glasses with champers, and then later vodka, and finally a strong mix of all the spirits that were available ;) So no matter what you had in your glass to start with it was soon a cocktail J Later on he gave up topping up the glasses and just poured it straight in your mouth and so it was that we all stumbled to catch a ferry home, most people staying at Scott & Sally’s so the floor was crowded – luckily we had the spare room reserved ;)