The spectacular New Year fireworks in Sydney have been on the bucket list of many travelers. Though I am not a fireworks fanatic, I decided to make a special trip to Sydney over Christmas when my brother Alan and my cousin Wini decided to celebrate their 70th birthday and watch fireworks together in Sydney. This special occasion was joined by Lawrence, my younger brother, Sally, my sister-in-law and Lili, my niece from Los Angeles, Wini’s family (Bob, Paul and David) from the USA and her brother Geoffery from Hong Kong.
December 25: As the examination and course work for the first semester of the Buddhist Counselling Course at the University of Hong Kong ended in late December, I was able to leave Hong Kong before Christmas. Unfortunately, I caught COVID on December 16 and could not fly till I was tested negative for two days. Luckily, I was able to change my ticket and left Hong Kong on December 24 arriving in Sydney just in time for Christmas dinner on December 25. We had a wonderful Christmas gathering in the house of Shirley, my niece. I was very happy to have a lovely dinner with Alan, Vicki (my sister-in-law), Shirley and her family (Lee, Thomas and Asher), my good friend Karen and her husband Tony.
December 26 – 30: As a frequent visitor to Sydney, I have no urge to visit the tourist attractions. I spent most of the time with my family and went out to dine and catch up with my cousins who arrived on December 28.
New Year Eve and New Year 2023: We had a New Year Eve dinner at the Altitude Restaurant, Shangri La Sydney Hotel. The restaurant’s selling point is its panoramic views. Located on the 36 levels above the Sydney harbour, it offers sweeping floor-to-ceiling views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House in fireworks foray. We had a sumptuous 8-course dinner paired with wine. The food portion was so huge that we had to pack the steak, the duck and all the petit fours. The atmosphere with count-down and music, and the fireworks were wonderful. Given its price, the dinner is indeed something I would only take once in my lifetime. Anyway, it is unforgettable as it was the first time Alan, Lawrence, Wini, Geoffrey and I spent New Year Eve and celebrated New Year together.
January 2- 9: My cousins Geoffrey and Wini and family left on January 5 and Lili the following day. Lawrence, Sally, and I stayed on a few more days. Alan insisted on taking us to see a few places including the Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly, Mona Vale Rockpool and Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park. As Alan has some health issues, we all did not want him to get overtired. We were, however, glad to find him energetic and in good spirits.
January 10: Lawrence and Sally flew to Kuala Lumpur just a few hours before my flight to Hong Kong. I got back just in time for the second semester.
Remarks: This trip is a very special trip for Lawrence and I: we want to celebrate Alan’s 70th birthday. To be able to celebrate together with Wini and her family and Geoffrey is a blessing. This means a lot to Alan. We all wish Alan health and happiness.