Chinese New Year Celebrations

Chinese New Year doesn't actually start till February 18th and continues for another 7 days after, however the celebrations have begun early in Sydney. I work every Sunday so before work I got Jacky to drop me off at Chinatown so I could catch the New Year parade.

I couldn't resist buying a few Chinese buns as I passed the bakery so my hands were too greasy for me to take photos of the parade as the floats passed. I was pleasantly surprised at how many people came out for the parade (especially with showers forecast) instead Sussex and George Street became a river of people.

I bumped into these 2 men carrying little dogs....awww, glad to see them getting into the spirit of things. (Jacky can we get a dog pleaseeee?)

My last stop before work was Belmore Park to see what goodies were on offer, there were a lot of cute decorations but VERY expensive. These Chinese Lions were $79 each.

I love fresh flowers but my Mum thinks that I should save money and buy a plant instead. I'm not sure if these good fortune trees had quite the look that I was going for.

MmmMm....fish balls on a stick, dim sim on a stick, satay chicken on a stick....who knew one could gain so much pleasure from eating off a stick. *Sigh*.... this makes me miss Hong Kong but then I remember how I gained 4kgs in 3weeks the last time I was there (Jacky 10kgs) and I don't feel so bad after all.

After work I caught up with 3 old work friends for dinner at BBQ king followed by ice cream at the French Riveria. I adore these guys, they just get me in so many ways and are full of advice (and gossip) every time we meet up.

A diamond night in Emerald City

There is something pretty cool about having Access Passes to areas other people can't go. By 4:30pm most people were already locked out of the Circular Quay area. After my final Baku shift for 2006 Jacky and I headed down to Deana's, desserts in hand and ready for a big night.

Location: 1 Macquarie St Circular Quay

Our View

Circular Quay never looked more beautiful, my work building is the one in the middle, we were going to watch the fireworks from there but...nahhh (good thing we didn't). We were so glad the rain held out.

The crowd below had been waiting since the early morning if not the night before, the area was so full it was sectioned off at midday.

Deana & her helpers spent all day cooking....what an awesome effort! The food was amazing.

What's a new years party without alcohol??


You've all heard of tequila shots with salt and lemon, but give this one a go - Cinnamon sugar, tequila & orange

then drink

and drink some more - so much fun!

Then came the 9:00pm fireworks - 'oohhh, ahhh'

Watching the fireworks made us all hungry, so Dee brought out the dessert! home made creme caramel, home made toffee & chocolate profiteroles and mango pudding with whipped cream.

Someone found some party hats from somewhere and the craziness and photo taking began.

"Bethanites say cheese!" there were so many attempts to take this shot, no one could keep a straight face and we would keep bursting out into fits of laughter. The girls bought Dee a special tiara with feathers to match her emerald outfit for her night in the Emerald City.

The boys wouldn't stop chanting "Jacky! Jacky! Jacky!" all night (like they were at a soccer match) and complementing Jacky on his 'tripod'. During one of the photos Adrian gave him a wet willy....this proves that age is not a sign of anything!

"Who loves Katina!?!"

The count down began...10..9..8............4..3..2..1..........

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fireworks burst from the roof top at work, we all broke into hugs and kisses to farewell 2006 and welcome 2007! It was an amazing feeling.

I just love New Years....our city is one spectacular place! Overall I think the 2006 fireworks were better with the whole waterfall under the bridge effect....but it was still an awesome display.

When the fire works ended we turned one of the bedrooms into our own dance floor and partied on for a few more hours.

It was such a fantastic way to farewell 2006, I don't remeber the last time that I had so much fun at a new years party. The food, the view and the people....such funny people! I laughed all night and started 2007 laughing. Jacky and I stumbled back home at about 3:30am which was actually pretty early considering the occassion.....what a night!

Deana Thank you. You are so wonderful in so many ways and always the perfect hostess!

Photo Album here.

New Years Eve 2005

10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Number 1, Macquarie St (aka The Toaster) was the place to be on new years eve 2005. Great people, fabulous food, all you can drink and a magnificent view! Big thanks to Dee and Family for such a great way to end 2005.

Looking Lovely ladies!

The crowd below

The view...

9:00pm fireworks

When you go to a party hosted by Italian's you can guarantee great food.

Home made antipastos (perfectly roasted with a hint of garlic and a generous amount of olive oil), homemade lasagne (you just can't compare homemade to what you eat when you go out!) there was also schnitzel, chicken skewers, a meat wrap with bread crumbs plus a lot more.

The desserts...I was having such a good night that I forgot to pay attention to what I was actually eating, one word...YUM!

I liked the theme - It meant something... all the little boats on the harbour also had love heart lights, it was a beautiful sight.

This was taken as we were making our way back to the car; the crowd drew my attention for a few reasons. It reminded me the time Jacky and I walked back to our hotel hand in hand after celebrating new years in Time Square, New York. What the photo doesn't capture is the music and excitement of everyone dancing in the street; all races all ages. It was such a fabulous sight, it’s what the real Australia is all about.

Happy 2006 everyone!!