Sky Fire 2008

A note before you read: This is a pretty long post - not in terms of words but pictures. I have decided not to stack too many pictures together as I would rather you guys viewing the pictures as large as they can. They are indeed beautiful.

The Occasion

Sky Fire is an annual fireworks show held over Lake Burley Griffin here in Canberra. This occasion began in 1988. The fireworks display are arranged by pyrotechnicians are synchronised to the music played.

It is usually held in February or March. This year, it was held on the 15th of March 2008. It had been estimated that more than 18 000 people turned out to see Sky Fire 2008.

The gang - on a picnic by the lake (approx. 5.55pm)

The majestic view of people under the Australian flag.

The Sights, Sounds and Smell

Other than the display of fireworks, they had parachuters, WWII airplanes, helicopters and speedboats on display. They had a live performance as well. Overall, it was all in great fun hanging out together with friends and loved ones.

How did we prepare for the Sky Fire? Bring lots of chips and fizzy drinks! A mat or a picnic rug will be extremely useful (unless you want feel little pricks of sharp grass on your but). Light alcohol would nice if you have a chiller with you to keep your booze cold.

Chilling - with snacks, fizzy drinks and chit-chatting away.

A bottle of Japanese beer on a hot day - Nice!

Having your snacks ready and drinks by your side, just sit back and guzzle everything down like a true-blue Malaysian. It was a fine day and it was pretty nice just lying down on the grass looking at the clouds.

By 6.45 p.m the crowd was already piling up. The locals were sitting down on their picnic chairs and a hat that any Aussie would wear. There more airplane stunt performances and parachuters decorated the sky with colored smoke.

The crowd in front of us - facing the stage in the middle were a live was held

When up in the air, planes are like dreams of men - they soar up high above us when our feet are on the ground.

Lake Burley Griffin - the view of it during sunset took my breath away.

The wind was pretty strong at time, thus the parachuters were falling way too fast even with their parachutes all opened up. Luckily they did not land on the ground but into the lake instead.

I took a walk with Amanda as well around the place as it was her first time attending a Sky Fire event. Here are the sights that we saw:

Parachuters soaring high above us - with crazily strong winds prove to be quite dangerous.

The public toilets available - quite interesting

The toilets were quite interesting actually. I really wonder where had all the waste magically disappeared to. Apparently you have to press a button a few times to flush the toilet as well as when you want to wash your hands.

But mind you, the sight inside the toilet was not at all pleasant to see. Actually, dirty toilets are almost a part of any country (like Malaysia). It was a worthwhile experience though.

The moon - in broad daylight?

The car of the Radio D.Js' - sporty and funky

My darling posing a cute smirk on her face - instead of a hot pose that models do. Lol

The Merry People from ANU

And at about 7.45 p.m the sky was about to turn night (it was still like summer that time, where it was warm and the sun sets pretty late)

You can see the smiles and funny faces of my group. Yes, I can assure you that we have not turn ourselves into boring nerds when you associate us with ANU.

The full crowd has arrived! And the sky's getting dark as well (approx. 7.55 p.m.)

We were having fun with sparklers as well.

The one and only girl in my heart and myself.

And the SKY FIRE 2008!

And finally the moment that we all have been waiting for, SKY FIRE 2008!! I have posted only the selected pictures from what I have taken, so enjoy!

Moments before the start of the fireworks.

B.L.A.S.T. O.F.F!!!!

Green Palm trees?

Or blue palm trees?

In the shape of a feather

One of my favorite shots that night. Spectacular

Slightly overexposed, but I want to show how great the scale of the fireworks here

Golden star-burst

This looks like a magical explosion of fairy dust

Another one of my favorite shots

I like the color for this one, adds the carnival flavor to the fireworks

This looks like flying spirits who had just escaped from the bottle.

Another magnificent shot that shows the magnitude of the display

One of the last scenes from the last ten seconds of the fireworks

All good thing must come to an end. After the fireworks, we head off back to UniLodge (some went out to club instead). Another interesting day, in a widely proclaimed boring town called Canberra.

And a great picture to end with - some random passerby posing as I made this shot.