Pre-Vivid Lights

This weekend is the beginning of Vivid Sydney. 

In the past I have found the crowds to be too crushing, so I haven't been for a few years now. However the week before the official start date, the organisers practice.

Thanks to the Sydney Writers Festival I have been in town for various bookish performances four times this week. 

We have enjoyed a gorgeous balmy, calm May so far, which makes taking the ferry ride in (& home again) a real treat.

Circular Quay

Museum Contemporary Art

Town Hall

Sometimes, though, Mother Nature reminds us that she still knows best about lights shows!

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot.

Vivid 2016

Vivid Sydney has grown from its humble beginnings eight years ago.

I remember the first Vivid I went to, when I could still tuck both boys under my chin and all the lights were dotted around Circular Quay. And the only buildings being lit up were the Opera House, the MCA and Cadman's Cottage.

Vivid has now spread to multiple venues and it seems like the whole city joins in.

Five years later, it is me who gets tucked in under the chins of both boys & it is no longer fun to attend things like Vivid with the olds!

I also find the crush of people attending Vivid a little overwhelming.

I try to time my visits for mid-week or not at all.

This year, I had a book event in darling Harbour the night before the official opening of Vivid.

On my way home I was treated to their pre-Vivid rehearsal...minus the crowds.

It was sensational.

There's something about lights and water and crisp, cool, clear nights.

Magic.

A couple of weeks later, another book event right in the city, allowed me to check out the lights in one of the new venues this year - the Royal Botanic Gardens. 

Everyone has been instagramming the tunnel of light and I was determined to see it, despite the cold and the crowds out on a Thursday night.

The seawall in the RBG looking back towards the Opera House & Harbour Bridge

The Tunnel of Light

Inside

 

A 180 panorama inside the tunnel

Circular Quay all lit - it makes for a lovely ferry ride home.

Unfortunately the camera on my phone doesn't do it justice.

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot

Vivid Sydney

Last Thursday I was in the city for the Sydney Writer's Festival. 

Coming home, the Vivid folk were playing with their lights in preparation for the opening weekend. 

Given the huge crowds each year I didn't think I would bother this year, so I was pleasantly surprised to get a sneak preview.

To assist with the overcrowding issues, Vivid will be on display in several locations this year, including Martin Place (below), Central Park, Sydney Uni, Darling Harbour & Chatswood.

To see some of the amazing pictures people take of the lights, visit instagram and hashtag #vivid.
Vivid runs from the 22nd May to the 6th of June.

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot.

Saturday Snapshot - Vivid

Vivid Sydney 2013 was a 'light spectacular' that transformed the CBD of Sydney for 3 weeks.

Local landmarks were lit up by coloured lights, lasers and fireworks.

We decided to check it out on it's second last night over the June long weekend.

Big mistake!

The crowds were stupendous.

We caught the ferry across in time to see Mother Nature's own light show.

We stayed long enough to see the light show play across the Opera House.

Then we pushed our way through the teeming masses back to the ferry terminal.

We were unable to see any of the other light exhibits along the way due to the overwhelming number of people gathered around each one.

Lesson learnt.

Next year - go early and go midweek!

Click on the link at the top of the page if you'd like to see some of the other light displays.

The ferry ride home provided us with one last dazzling sight.

The western side of the Harbour Bridge was lit up with a rotating rainbow of colour.

Beautiful.



  

Saturday Snapshot is a now being hosted by Melinda from West Metro Mommy

The rules are simple:

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken and leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.