Australia Day in Chinese New Year

Finally, I got a long weekend last week: Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Yes, Monday was public holiday. Either in Indonesia or in here, Australia. In Indonesia, it was Chinese New Year holiday, but in Australia, it was Australia Day. It's kind of Independence Day in my country, I mean the nation's day. Actually, though it has many Chinese community, Australia doesn't put a holiday in Chinese New Year. But this year, because the day is fall in the same day with Australia Day, so we'll have a day off :) (how lucky I am, I think)

Talk about Chinese New Year, this time is the year of Ox. Based on Chinese beliefs, Ox is the sign of prosperity through patience and hard work. Well, I'm not an oracle, but I think it means that in this year will give a good luck and prosperity to anyone who has hard work and patience. The celebration itself is not too fantastic. Maybe because there's Australia Day celebration on that day, so they postponed the celebration. So, I experienced the most silent Chinese New Year in my life. Alone, far away from family and friends, sleeping in my room :D I know that the celebration is moved to the next weekend. I hope it would be a wonderful celebration :) Happy Chinese new year to all my family and friends, Gong Xi Fa Chai ^^

Australia Day celebration was great. Australian are really proud of their country. Celebrations were everywhere, nationalism were in the air. They're welcome everyone, including tourists from around the world to join the celebration. So on that cloudy day, all Asian, Westerner, Australian and Aboriginal united together to celebrate the day. How awesome, I thought.

Many attractions were held in main Sydney's parks. Military style celebrations such as Tall Ships race were held in the Circular Quay, Hyde park was used for family relaxing such as barbeque and playground for children. The beautiful Darling Harbour was used for Fireworks attraction in the night. The government also provided a unique, free transport for tourist: The old style bus and double-decker.



Our plan was to watch fireworks, it would be held on 8.45 pm. So, I and a friend of mine waited around 3 hours in the spot. It was shower, but everyone didn't care about it. They waited with full spirit until the show was begun. And here's the show:



Small version for slow connection: