International Fleet Review 2013

The Royal Australian Navy International Fleet Review is without doubt one of the largest and most exciting public events held on Sydney Harbour since the Sydney Olympics in 2000. — Navy Government

Last October 3-11, 2013 was Sydney’s International Fleet Review. The Review is being held to commemorate the centenary of the first entry of the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet into Sydney.

It was a week-long celebration but I only had one day to be part of the history. It was on the 5th of October where the Spectacular Fireworks display would happen.

I was there by 2:00pm to meet friends but was overwhelmed with hundreds of people all excited to see what the navy are up to. By that time, the were showcasing the “‘Salute to Navy’ Air Displays“. I remembered the Hot Air Balloon event in Pampanga, Philippines. It is similar in a way because of the air show! The difference in Sydney was they also showcased the war ships, war planes and the likes. Basically almost all the Australian naval and military aircrafts used in the past and the present.

I finally saw my friends after an hour of searching and trying to contact them. Due to the number of people, the mobile signal is not good and the re-routing of paths going to one place was crazy. You literally have to go all around the area to be able to pass thru.

Anyway, we were there for the casino online by 7:00pm. It was said to top Sydney’s New Year’s fireworks. That explains the large crowd that gathered around numerous vantage points in the city. It was only 5:00pm and the people are piling up and saving their spots in different locations. We went and secured our place in Botanic Gardens where we have a good view of the Harbour Bridge.

The show started on time and everyone was thrilled. I like how they tease the crowd by doing a quick fireworks display from a helicopter. It was cool!

The best part of the the fireworks display was the “waterfalls” effect from the Harbour Bridge. All else was pretty much okay. It was amazing but it didn’t top the New Year’s fireworks display in my opinion. One of the negative side of it was how they made a small skit/narration in between but no audio were heard from our location. Maybe if they setup a sound system in every vantage point, it would have been better.

All in all, we had a great time! It was so similar to New Year’s event where people flock at one place and appreciate the fireworks. It was fantastic!

Wait, you have to check their website’s gallery: http://images.navy.gov.au/IFR13011. The photos are outstanding! I wonder where the photographers were stationed that time to have a good shot like those.