The Year of the Rat and Fireworks!

Now that it is almost 1am the fireworks are slowly dying down (I hope? 'cause I want to get to sleep! ;) )

They've been going since around 7pm so that's 6 hours of non-stop fireworks and fire crackers!! They are so cheap to buy and anyone can buy them and set them off.

If you didn't know already (thanks to Wikipedia):
* The earliest unequivocal documentation of fireworks dates back to 12th century China, where they were first used to frighten away evil spirits with their loud sound ("bian pao") and also to pray for happiness and prosperity.
* The largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world is China
* Firecrackers, along with fireworks are now thought to have originated in China.
* Firecrackers are especially used in the celebration of Chinese New Year by Chinese communities around the world.
* Early (pre-1920s) Chinese firecrackers (AKA Mandarin firecrackers) were typically 1/2-inch to 2-inches long, and approximately 1/4-inch in diameter, and were charged with black powder. Mandarin crackers produced a less loud, duller thud when they exploded, compared to modern flash light crackers (which utilize a different explosive composition known as flash powder).

I can't believe how long I wished to live in a place (in Sydney) with a harbour view so that I could watch the fireworks from my balcony and I know I'm not in Sydney but I did that tonight! I watched the fireworks from my balcony. Actually, this was not the first time.. There have been a few occasions already since we moved here that we saw fireworks - off the top of my head - the mid-August autumn moon festival, Special Olympics, Christmas and New Year. I got a bit of video footage and took some photos but couldn't stay out long. I was a wee bit excited and realised I should have put on some shoes, a scarf and gloves and probably a thicker coat.. so while I was taking photos in -1 degree weather I was hoping I wouldn't get hypothermia.. LOL... It was incredibly hard to take photos because it is really really foggy and my camera can't seem to focus quick enough in this cold weather, plus my frozen hand couldn't hold the camera well either but oh well... I think I got some nice shots such as the ones below:





Tonight I had dinner with some of my extended family/relatives and it was a big feast cooked by our ayi. I also got a 'hong bao' (red packet) with money inside. I got a couple in Taiwan too while I was there, I feel very lucky! :D

So... Happy New Year of the Rat to everyone! I hope this year brings you much luck and prosperity :) If you want to read the story of the rat you can find it in one of my older entries here.

New Years Eve fireworks and Donkey King

As previously mentioned, we watched the fireworks in Xintiandi. I'm not sure what the fireworks were like at The Bund but I am sure they would've been bigger there? I can't seem to find any decent footage only (only crappy home videos on Youtube).

Of course I am biased but I still think the Sydney NYE fireworks are always the best. The reasons are simple. 1) Good weather. It is always very moderate weather, never too hot or too cold. 2) Beautiful big harbour and the Bridge. Lots of vantage points to watch and lots of places to put fireworks. 3) Great artistic talent to 'design' the fireworks and make a story of some kind. From about 1997-2005 I watched them every single year. Yes. Every. Single. Year. I would go to some vantage point on the north shore with friends and sit and wait for them to start. It would be a LONG wait if you wanted a good seat, or a short wait if you wanted to squeeze in with all the last minute people. And of course it would be crowded. Very very crowded. And there would be those damn annoying teenagers blowing those big plastic horns that they sell and inevitably some drunken idiot causing a scene, or people stepping on my hair as I laid down on our picnic rug, but if I can wipe those bits out of my memory then it was a good time to be had by all.

You don't realise how BIG and bright and colourful they really are till you see them in the flesh. Then at the end of it all there would be a big symbol lit up on the bridge. It all started a few years ago when they did a smiley face, and ever since then there has been some kind of symbol. Last year it was a diamond, this year it was a sand egg-timer. It's funny because it's suposed to be a big secret what it is but if you drive across the Harbour Bridge you can see the wiring and you can see what sort of picture it is! Haha.



This year, Bart Simpson and Donkey Kong made an appearance in the fireworks. I had to chuckle when I read on some news sites they called Donkey Kong Donkey King.

http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/wild_weather_takes_spark_out_of_nye_537109

And for the first time cartoon characters will make an appearance on the famed Harbour Bridge during the display in the form of Bart Simpson from "The Simpsons" animated television show and computer game character Donkey King.

"This is the first time that we've had a bridge effect that is actually funny," said City of Sydney creative director Wayne Harrison, although he refused to divulge full details of the special effects.

"For the kids who are watching... you might be able to depict our version of Bart Simpson when you hear the Simpson's music and you see something darting around... think of Bart on his skateboard," he said.

And for your viewing pleasure... 2007/8 NYE Fireworks around the world