After sailing into Sydney Harbour in October and then watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart Race on Boxing Day, celebrating New Years in Sydney Harbour was the grande finale in a trifecta of Australia bucket list adventures for us.
The celebration viewed from our backyard off the stern of Amandla was an extravaganza that delivered far more than expected.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Pursue your dreams. Everything is possible.
restlessjo January 1, 2016
I watched the video footage yesterday evening and thought of you. Great shots! Happy New Year to you and yours, Lisa 🙂
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
It is lovely to be though of Jo! Delighted you like the shots. I hope you had an enjoyable New Years Eve and are ready to enjoy your best year to date (2016 here you come!)
restlessjo January 1, 2016
Went to see Star Wars with our son then just chilled and watched fireworks 🙂
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
Well that sounds like a perfect way to celebrate. I can not wait to see Star Wars. The IMAX tickets were sold out here during the holidays so I am patiently waiting for my turn to see it.
Michelle Hill January 1, 2016
Fantastic photos. Sydney really know how to put on a NYE extravaganza.
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
It was truly SPECTACULAR to behold Michelle. Never in my life have I seen such a display. WAY beyond my expectations which were very high. I could have benefited from a few of your night photography tricks. Thank you for your comment and compliment.
Mark Roope January 1, 2016
I always find it so hard to photograph fireworks. Either they come out as a blur or I miss them so thank you for sharing.
I just wondered. In Australia to the fireworks technically go up or down?
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
? Definitely up Mark. Hope you and Angelina had a fabulous New Year. Look forward to ‘buddy boating’ virtually with you in 2016 ⛵️
Anabel Marsh January 1, 2016
That looks absolutely wonderful! Happy new year.
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
Hope you had a very enjoyable New Year’s Eve celebration. Wishing you an adventure filled 2016
Gallivanta January 1, 2016
An amazing spectacle! I was wondering if the fireworks left a lot of debris in the harbour? Perhaps not as apparently the company which does the fireworks is carbon neutral and does proper environmental assessments.
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
I did not know that about the fireworks company but the harbor remained clean as a whistle. Hope you had a fabulous New Year. Wishing you a tremendous 2016
Frankie Beane January 1, 2016
What a great view you had of the fireworks. Hope you have a safe, healthy and happy new year. All the best to you and yours. Great pics!
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
? for your lovely compliment and New Year wishes. Hope your 2016 is filled with peace, happiness and lots of street art
Mark & Cindy - s/v Cream Puff January 1, 2016
Wow! Great pics. Fireworks are really hard to capture. Very nice job!
Mark & Cindy
s/v Cream Puff
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
? Thank you. Looking forward to see where your boat takes you in 2016. Happy New Year
Mark & Cindy - s/v Cream Puff January 2, 2016
Happy New Year!
We hope to be in the northern Caribbean this year and Cuba later in the year. After that, who knows 🙂
Mark & Cindy
s/v Cream Puff
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Sounds like a great plan #whereverthewindtakesyou
southamptonoldlady January 1, 2016
Looks spectacular. Happy New Year to you and yours Lisa
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
? Back at you. Hope yours was a silent night that you rarely experience when school is in session ✨
LDG luciledegodoy January 1, 2016
We have wishes. We have dreams. We make plans. We do it.
Not all of us. And not because we cannot.
Mostly for we don’t know nor believe we can.
Or because we think it’s too difficult or out of reach.
You’ve been and will continue to be the best testimony that we can indeed pursue our dreams and that everything is possible.
Thinking always of you and your journey, as a precious compass to remind me to stay the course.
Happy New Year!
Huge hug with love from Brazil.
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
A very Happy New Year to you Lucile. You are a cherished friend and most certainly an inspiration to me. Wishing you peace, joy, and love in 2016.
LDG luciledegodoy January 1, 2016
And wow! What a spectacular gallery! Thank you!
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
Awwww – thank you Lucile!
gunroswell January 1, 2016
Perfection!
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
Well thank you so much! Happy New Year
Margo January 1, 2016
Loved the photos, Lisa. Great job! I am so glad you guys were able to experience such a wonderful display.
Love to you and Fabio.
Margo
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
Thank you!!!!!! Wish you and Steve could have shared it with us Margo. Although I thought these were the best fireworks I have ever seen, The Captain said ‘they weren’t as good as what I saw from Steve and Margo’s boat in 2011’ Perhaps he would have thought these were the best if you had both been here 🙂
anotherday2paradise January 1, 2016
Watched this fantastic display on TV last night. It must have been so amazing to actually be there. Happy New Year! 🙂
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
It was truly amazing to view this ‘art’ in the harbour making it my best New Years Eve EVER. Happy 2016 to you!
Richard Guest January 1, 2016
Happy new year, Lisa!
Lisa Dorenfest January 1, 2016 — Post Author
?Back at you Richard! Looking forward to seeing all the brilliance you manifest in 2016 ??
Terri Webster Schrandt January 1, 2016
Great night shots, Lisa! Looks fantastic and what a show and way to ring in the New Year! Happy New year, my friend, and cheers to a sizzling ’16!
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Happy New Year Terri! ‘Twas a great show. Pictures don’t do it justice but I had fun taking ’em. May your 2016 be filled with much leisure and love!
lexklein January 1, 2016
These photos bring back wonderful memories of our New Year’s Eve there in 1999. We then took off later on January 1 and landed in LA in time for New Year’s Eve fireworks there also – we rang in “Y2K” right! (I’m impressed with your nighttime sparkly photos; mine are always a big blur.)
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Wow! They are actually still talking about the Y2K Sydney fireworks here – they were supposed to be ‘that good’. And then to follow that up with the ‘late show’ in LA! Amazing ? I hope you had a wonderful NYE in Columbia. Wishing you a travel filled 2016. Glad you liked the photos. They really don’t do justice to the fantastic show here sonI may just have to come back and try again next year ?
lexklein January 2, 2016
So now you know I spent my NYE under a blanket on my couch at home … but that’s OK. I enjoyed everyone else’s celebratory photos and stories and yours was one that was particularly fun! I also remember the crowds from that night in Sydney and the fact that we lost one of our kids after the show! He got pushed onto a different train and we found him later at the correct station! That’s when we knew traveling with kids was going to train them well!
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Well I am glad to know that your family has remains complete in 2016. The great thing about watching the event from our sailboat was no after show commuting necessary. And surprisingly, the loudest revelers left right after the fireworks ended so the entertainment was followed by a peaceful slumber.
Hope you are feeling better. Looking forward to seeing your Bogota Street Art.
thirdeyemom January 1, 2016
Beautiful Lisa! Must have been a fantastic way to ring in the new year! Wishing you a wonderful 2016!
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Thank you Nicole! It was a treat indeed! I was just over on your pages and amazed at what you have accomplished in 2016 both in terms of personal growth and giving back! Looking forward to more in 2016.
Leilani January 1, 2016
Fantastic photos Lisa!
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Thank you Leilani! I wish you and John could have been here for the big event. It was great to share the anchorage with a few circumnavigators. We haven’t seen much of that community since we tied up in Rushcutters, so it was a real treat to connect at this amazing event.
Leilani January 1, 2016
Happy New year. Sending you lots of love.
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
?Back at you Leilani! Hope to see you in the New Year (hint hint ?) . You are always welcome.
Estate un rato January 1, 2016
Lisa Year happy, kiss
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
?Wishing you health and happiness in 2016 ?
Liesbet January 2, 2016
I hope your 2016 will be as fabulous, spectacular, colorful and inspiring for you as your photos of the Sydney fireworks are to me, Lisa! Happy New Year to you and the Captain! xxx
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Awwww! Thank you Liesbet! I think that you should consider ‘Roaming About’ here in Sydney after you’ve completed your work in Connecticut. The internet is great here for your writing and The Wirie business and I am certain there are many house sitting opportunities just waiting for a team like you and Mark. Just a thought ?
Retirementallychallenged.com January 2, 2016
Really nice pics! Did you use a tripod? I’ve never had very much luck taking pictures of fireworks but you’ve captured the spectacular display beautifully! Happy New Year and best wishes for a 2016 full of adventures.
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Well thank you so much Janis. I greatly appreciate your very generous compliment. I did not use a tripod (not part of my kit yet although I plan to get one this year to improve my ‘hit rate’). I just used a variety of settings on my camera (shutter priority, night scenery, and hand held night shot to name a few) and took A LOT of photos.
I loved the wisdom and humor of your New Year’s Resolution For Everyone post. Looking forward to hanging out virtually with you in 2016.
Retirement Lifestyle / Nomadic Adventurer January 2, 2016
Incredible photography Lisa. You need to post some of those for purchase.
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Marty you are very kind indeed. Thank you for your lovely compliment and for making the start of my year very bright. Happy New Year.
goldenchild31 January 2, 2016
Hi Lisa,
Absolutely spectacular photos that captured this year’s NYE Sydney fireworks beautifully! Even though I have lived in Sydney my entire life of 12 years, this was my first time seeing the NYE fireworks (even on TV!). However, this year I was determined to watch the midnight fireworks above the Harbour Bridge much to my parent’s displeasure! 🙂 and I certainly wasn’t disappointed! Great job! 🙂
Olivia xx
wordingonawhim.wordpress.com
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Wow! How did you manage to get a seat above the Harbour Bridge?!?!? That must have been AMAZING! When you finally decided to watch the fireworks, you certainly did it BIG. I am delighted that you liked my images. Happy New Year Olivia ?
Siteri Nadi January 2, 2016
Great shots, Lisa! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
Thank you so much! I am delighted that you think the shots are great! I must admit that at 10:00 PM AET on New Year’s Eve, my thoughts and heart were with Fiji! I so miss your beautiful country. Visiting Fiji was my number one highlight of 2015!
Elissaveta January 2, 2016
What a way to welcome the new year! Stunning pictures! Thanks for sharing.
Lisa Dorenfest January 2, 2016 — Post Author
?Wishing you a 2016 full of joy! Thank you for your lovely compliment.
Artistami.Eva January 3, 2016
Happy New Year, Lisa. I pray you continue to have such a fun filled exciting adventure of a life time in your new year, full of love, energy, great health, and much blessings. If these are of course what you so desire. You are an extraordinary woman.
Lisa Dorenfest January 3, 2016 — Post Author
I thank you for the support, kindness and beauty you’ve shown me in 2015 Eva. Wishing you a very creative, healthy and joyous 2016.
Cardinal Guzman January 3, 2016
It’s lovely with the reflections in the water. I didn’t see the fireworks this year and didn’t shoot a single photo on new years eve. Happy new year and safe travels!
Lisa Dorenfest January 4, 2016 — Post Author
I’m usually asleep by ‘cruiser’s midnight’ (9:00 PM) but this was well worth staying up for. I hope you had a wonderful New Years sans photos and fireworks. Wishing you and your adorable son a fun and art filled 2016.
prior2001 January 4, 2016
Hi Lisa – thanks for the fireworks – really – your lovely collage was a treat- and we did not see any this year so right there is shows how we get. Weds met! Lol
Ok – for some reason I cannot leave comments on your blog from the reader but if I ever click like – k is that I meant it and that I enjoyed your post! I also said a small prayer for you one morning – about your job hunting – I know you are hiding your time (with the sailing yo!) but I am sure it was a challenge to be in the job mode during the longest holiday of the year – where things are on hold – and again – I know you were chilling – maybe all those days at sea gave you this great depth of patience and balance! Anyhow – wishing u a very happy new year and when u make it to the east coast of the US sometime I will greet y’all with warm food -soft towels (huh?) and a big smile!
❤️??
Lisa Dorenfest January 5, 2016 — Post Author
Hi Yvette. Great to hear from you. The Reader does not allow the origination of comments on self hosted blogs. It only allows responses to comments. Go figure. So thanks for taking the time to leave your comment directly. And thank you for your prayers. Definitely a challenge to be search for a job during the long holiday season but the sea has given me the patience and balance that you speak of to weather any challenge the universe throws my way. Looking forward to the warm food, sift towels, and big smile that awaits me when I return stateside someday ???
Faraday's Candle January 5, 2016
You are so right!! Everything is possible and even more so when you have the support!
May this new year bring you even more wonderful adventures!
themofman January 5, 2016
FFISSSSS! CRACK! BOOM! BAM! POW!
A belated Happy New Year to you, Lisa!
Lisa Dorenfest January 6, 2016 — Post Author
? Back at you Allan ???
garym6059 January 5, 2016
That looks way better in pictures than it did on TV!
Lisa Dorenfest January 6, 2016 — Post Author
✨ You are very, very kind Gary! Wishing you a 2016 filled with love and happiness ✨
Kamila Pala January 7, 2016
Fabulous set of photos! Happy New Year! Bye. Kamila
Lisa Dorenfest January 9, 2016 — Post Author
Thank you so much for your visit and kind words! Wishing you a creative, healthy and joyous New Year
Retired2Travel January 11, 2016
You are lucky having a close view! It looked just like that on the TV lol Magic sport we have here, hey/
Lisa Dorenfest January 12, 2016 — Post Author
You are very generous with your compliment. And Sydney has the BEST FIREWORKS EVER!
Lignum Draco February 15, 2016
Nice shots. glad you found a great spot. for viewing. Did you watch both displays- 9pm, midnight?
Lisa Dorenfest February 15, 2016 — Post Author
Thank you. We anchored off the zoo overnight and saw both viewings. Spectacular extravaganza. Best ? EVER