January 26th in Australia is the day Australia celebrates Australia Day. As part of the celebrations Sydney Harbour hosted a tall ship race. The majestic sailing ships from an era long since past looked magnificent on the most beautiful city harbour I have seen in the world.
A large crowd gathered near the Sydney Opera House as the ships headed west along the Sydney Harbour and under Sydney Harbour Bridge.
In a contrast from the tall ships sailing on Sydney Harbour there was the Pacific Dawn cruise ship. It is a huge ocean liner and was in Sydney to collect passengers before departing on a 10 Pacific cruise.
Pacific Dawn, Australia’s first Superliner, first arrived in Australian waters in November 2007 and is now cruising from Sydney to unspoilt tropical islands. My ideal cruise would be The Pearls of Tahiti which departs 3 June 2008, 28 nights aboard Pacific Dawn.
Later in the evening on Australia Day there was a spectacular show including fireworks at Darling Harbour. Hundreds of thousand of Sydneysiders enjoyed the show.
Cronulla beach was also a popular destination for thousands of party goers. A heavy police presence was on hand to ensure the past problems did not occur. Thousands of young Australians partied while wearing the Australian flag or singlets with the flag.
