The Harbour Party

The parade was good; the aftermath was bad; the Harbour Party, the next day, was sensational.

It is, in all important ways, the Pier Dance done right.

Like the Pier Dance, it starts in the late afternoon. But unlike the Pier Dance, you get there by walking through the botanical gardens, with thousands of bats circling overhead:


The space for the dance is at least as large as Pier 54, but much better equipped: there are food tents selling delicious lamb burgers, easily accessible bars (though, mystifyingly, there were only two beers on sale: an Australian brand, Hahn's, for A$5, and an imported, premium beer for A$7: Budweiser -- the American kind, not the Czech kind).

There's a picnic area for socializing, and plenty of room to dance. There is a station where you can refill your water bottle for free (imagine that!):


I found out later that this is mandated by law at Australian dance parties. (Again, imagine that!)

The crowd is as friendly as can be. You can pretty much walk up to anyone, smile and start a conversation.

But the best part is the setting: yes, it's that million-dollar view of Sydney:



Not a bad way to wind up a weekend.